Category Archives: Something different

Crofting Chores

(lots of photos – sorry!)

I was just heading upstairs to bed last night when I thought to myself “I wonder if the Merrie Dancers are out?”

So out I trudged outside and looked north. There was a definite glow.

But it was very cold, so rather than freeze, I went and ran my bath, which takes ages. While I was waiting, I turned off the bathroom light and opened the north facing window to see what I could see.

Yup, much better and less cold. At least the bathroom is warm, even hanging out of the open window.

This morning was beautiful too.

Off to work at Turriefield packing veg and the rain poured down outside. But a good almost double rainbow, though.

As I had more chores to do when I got back home, I didn’t go into my shed to make a sheep. I spent my afternoon cleaning out the water troughs/buckets in Clothie, ready for the horses and ponies when I move them over.

I used “the Eggbox” and in full four-wheel drive we trundled over the hill backwards and forwards four times with the very full and heavy water containers.

It saved my poor screaming back.

I say “we” because of course little Miss Pepperpot came too and every time I got back in the car, and put my seatbelt on, she would lick my nose!

Once done, I put Eggbox away and got Skippy out to take my final load of water to the Shetland ponies’ track.

It is almost dark outside now and I think the Merrie Dancers are forecast again so I will probably spend my evening popping in and out of the backdoor (or the bathroom) checking to see if they are dancing.

My Broadband Mess

14 Replies

Our broadband is hopeless, I mean seriously hopeless with no chance of it ever getting better. No fast fibre or fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) for us. Just a humble 1950’s copper wire snail meandering along very, very slowly.

A few years’ back, we did have a quote for a fibre connection and, I jest you not, the quote was nearly £1,000,000 but the best bit was when they asked us, in all seriousness, when we would like them to start the work!

We did raise this all with our MP and MSP but, despite their best and most valiant efforts, we were told the situation is never going to change.

Last night, I got more than a bit anxious looking at our landline phone bill (£40 per month for mostly spamming calls) and broadband provider (£25 per month for feeding the snail). I realised enough is enough and this was a complete waste of money – we need something better.

So, this morning, after feeding everyone and being very grateful that the storm has finally abated….

…… I grabbed my laptop and went into my shed to create a spreadsheet of all our options so I could see for myself at a glance who is offering what.

I was going quite well, when OH arrived to take the dogs for a walk and Monster wandered up the shed track.

I tried to ignore him but the whining outside only got more persistent and louder.

There was a lot of wandering around an already full table. I was working with two laptops.

Monster was not helpful.

But finally we reached an arrangement which worked for all of us and I went on working out what were the best options in our set-up. I think my conclusion is that I need to do a lot of phoning on Monday and then make a momentous decision to change everything, with the help of Monster, obviously.

Dark and Dismal

3 Replies

It’s been a dark and dismal day with constant wind and rain.

Ugh!

None of us wanted to go outside – there are days I would gladly swap lives with Monster.

Still, I donned my full wet-weather gear and plodded outside with buckets for all. I honestly think there is nothing more depressing than trying to complete Wordle in a driving wind and drizzle (got it in 4, thank you for asking).

Later in the morning, on my way out (to see a friend and work on her website (Squarespace)), I went via the sheep shed to see who was hunkering down.

Surprisingly, they were all outside on the long-side of the big shed which was offering full shelter from everything. Sensible sheeps.

I had a quick chat with Lambie.

And immediately I could understand the advantages of this well-chosen spot. Everyone was there, except for Gussie and Dahlia who were long gone into their hill field, either eating or resting.

Of course all the Minions had shovelled themselves into one of their containers. When I went inside, it was warm and dry. I think they spent the day there – their choice – and I hung up some haynets when I got home later.

And so Pepper and I set off on our expedition to the other side of the island to build this website, which we did with a modicum of success and Pepper behaved beautifully. Ted stayed at home with OH as he would’ve only let the side down.

A Lovely Day

8 Replies

FIrst thing and I was out with my usual buckets to my usual ungrateful lot of animals.

I title this photo “Good luck with that!”

Breakfast for me and then off I went for a day out.

First, I had to drop off my car for its annual MOT and was picked up by Kerry in her car. She was taking me to Bressay for the day.

Bressay is the island next to Lerwick – 11 square miles (28 km²) and it is the fifth-largest island in Shetland. Population – 350 people.

We turned right off the ferry and went to see the lighthouse first, which is currently for sale. Details here.

But the gates were locked so we couldn’t have a look around like we always used to (sadly).

But the views were nice and interesting.

Definitely worth the effort.

We decided to drive around a bit before lunch and went to see the memorial cairn to honor Bressay fishermen lost at sea between 1880 and 1912.

Local history is always interesting.

And there were the excellent views looking over the southern approach of Bressay Sound to Lerwick. It’s strange to see my usual world from a completely different angle.

A delicious lunch at the Speldiburn Cafe (which had been the island’s Primary School) – great cake and a sublime hot chocolate – and off we drove to the far side of the island to see the island of Noss.

Separated by the narrow Noss Sound, Noss lies off the east coast of Bressay and is famed for its spectacular seabird colonies. I have been round it once in a boat and can attest there were birds clinging to the cliffs.

And then we drove around for a bit. I found some seals basking in the afternoon sun in the shelter of the Bressay Marina.

And then it was time to catch the ferry to go home again.

My car failed its MOT and subsequently had to remain in Lerwick so I cadged a lift home off Kerry.

A great day though, apart from the MOT failure. Thank you Kerry for the change of scenery. I needed that.

And thank you for all your kind words of support, encouragement and advice – I have taken it all onboard.

Invisible AI Master

58 Replies

Ever since I had the meeting with the internet social media chap, I seem to have lost my art of writing the blog. I feel like invisible expectations have been placed upon me and that my every word is being monitored by AI, word searches, bots, things I don’t understand on the big inter-super-highway (as my aged neighbour used to call it).

I hate this. My ability to write basic English, to describe my life and to enjoy writing this blog has vanished overnight. And, worst of all, I was told my Blog has to be 350 words long if I want to be found on internet searches, which then instantly gave me mental block for my writing (I had always stuck to being 300 or under as I didn’t want to bore).

What I did before seemed to work fine – albeit, I wanted more readers, hence the meeting – but I have been left with the feeling there is a giant AI bot looking over my shoulder who I have to please at all costs and I don’t like that.

I need to think about a way forward with this because I don’t feel that my blog will be very genuine or be part of the real me if I have to please an invisible Master.

Gah and *** sigh ***. I have always hated homework.

(in my head this all makes perfect sense and I can still take photos of autumn in Shetland, so please enjoy them).

I was happy being a Luddite, I realise this now.