Well, that old adage “you learn something new every day” is certainly true of me today.

I popped over to my friends to photograph more little goldcrests just because I adore these funny little birds and soon they will all fly away.

It took a while for me to get my birding eye in and I do, in fact, have many photos of empty branches….

…. blurry small unhelpful birds…..

…. and ones flying away.  No one ever stands still, they’re always on the go and very difficult to photograph.

But always comical.

Fact #1 I-didn’t-know – they have gold tinted feathers too.  I thought it was just the crest on the top of their head that was gold.

They have talons/curved claws that look very sharp and efficient for holding onto things.

Little round fluffy bottoms – oof!

And they like to think they are in disguise.  Yer, right. No one can see you.

During my search, I also saw this chap, who totally caught my attention.  I had absolutely no idea what it was, though.

According to my extremely useful bird book, it is a British Coal Tit (Periparus ater britannicus).

And, Fact #2 I-didn’t-know – according to my book, it is a vagrant in Shetland, which I thought sounded very disparaging.

Apparently “a vagrant” is not “a person without a settled home or regular work who wanders from place to place and lives by begging.” but, in the bird world, it is “a species that is currently outside their wintering and breeding area.” Poor little blighter – I guess it was blown in by the storm.

And, if I have given out wrong information, please let me know.  I am new to this birding lark (see what I did there, geddit?)

My absolute all-time favourite bird in Shetland is the goldcrest.  Apparently, it is an autumnal visitor from Scandinavia.

And, according to Wikipedia “The goldcrest is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family. Its colourful golden crest feathers, as well as being called the “king of the birds” in European folklore, gives rise to its English and scientific names. The scientific name, R. regulus, means king or knight.”  I did not know this.  I just see them in my garden around this time of year and think they are the best.

I will admit that I am not the most professional bird-watcher at the best of times but, when I popped over to Turriefield to collect some horse/pony/sheep carrots, I was told about their newly arrived goldcrests.  Obviously I didn’t have my big camera with me as they flitted about.

And back in my garden, I went out armed with my camera.  I could hear some goldcrests in the trees – they have a unique sound, very high pitched tweeting.

Of course a certain white cat came too. He was unhelpful and I shouted at him to go inside as he stalked everything I was trying to take a photo of.  Bloody Monster.

But I managed to spot a few wee birds….

…. as they flew off, once Monster was on their trail.

Not kind, Monster, not kind.  It’s not like he’s hungry with his 6 meals a day blagged off OH.

But a goldcrest is a determined chap and, once I got my bird-watching eye in, I could see them in our trees.

Go away, Monster.

At times, it was a case of spot the goldcrest – none here, I don’t think.

I love these wee birds – they make me smile – and tomorrow I think I will head back to Turriefield armed with my big camera and no cat to become an official bird-watcher.

I can see the Minions in their field from Thordale – they are currently living in a five acre croft across the hill.  During the day, I do a head-count fairly regularly so I know they are all ok.  The wee blob on the far left is Newt.

As they were crossing the field, having spotted me watching, they were in a silly-billy mood so I walked over the scattald (grazing for hill sheep) with Pepper and climbed up the hill to watch the boys playing.

Their eyes were on me.

But silliness was stronger than trying to talk to me.

And I stood behind the wall watching them annoy each other and bounce around like ants on a hot pan (a Chinese phrase, apparently).

The sun was setting and the Minions had finished annoying each other so Pepper and I went home again.

Watching the Minions play makes me hopeful that I made the right choice putting them there.  Yes, they are a little fatter but the weather is only going to get colder and very likely worse so the natural workings of their own internal combustion engines and thick coats will kick in to keep them warm and happy (and I don’t have to lug hay).

It was a pretty tortuous journey home yesterday. I started my journey at Paddington catching the Heathrow Express and that was the only easy part.

Saying goodbye to London was sad. I had had a lovely holiday with my family and friends.  Really special.

All day, I was checking the flight from Edinburgh to Shetland which I reckoned would be the one to be cancelled.  I also had a spare set of keys for my sister’s house in London in case I didn’t even leave Heathrow. Be prepared was my mot du jour.

Heathrow was fun. I was body searched by two stroppy mares in uniform, while I argued for my belongings that had gone through the scanner to be put into a safe area.

The flight took off on time and landed bumpily at Edinburgh but I had reached my “half-way” point.  On the plus side, I sat next to a very nice lady who kept saying to me, when I told her my worried tale of travel woe “Visualise the Win and it will happen”.  So I tried my hardest but then the fun started.

The Shetland flight was delayed a bit – fair enough, I thought. The weather was vile.

As the afternoon progressed, flights were being cancelled and our’s was delayed a bit more and more and more….. so I made plans to stay in Floss’ flat (she was home looking after the animals) in Edinburgh.  Add a migraine too and I was feeling very dodgy.  Anyway, our flight was called we eventually took off around 19.30, I think.

This morning, has been lovely and quiet – the wind has dropped right down.

Lambie pretended he didn’t know me.

And Monster has made himself a new bed on OH’s soft guitar case.  He’ll be pleased when he finds it.  I am saying nothing.

So, that’s me. I visualised the win.

I went into town today to meet up with another cousin for lunch in Chinatown.  As I used to live in London for 15 years (1981 – 1996), I mostly know my way around.  More people, yes, but the buildings have remained the same.

Chinatown was very colourful and vibrant. It got busier over the day.

We looked at all the restaurants, which have taken to having their menus with pictures outside, and chose an old favourite, the Wong Kei. I used to go there a lot when I was nursing a few streets away.  Nothing much had changed. They were suitably rude, the food was adequate and they asked us to pay and leave!  My cousin thought it was all hilarious, including their attitude.  I was rather hoping they had got better over the years. Obviously not.

After a lunch, feeling rather full, I showed her around a Chinese supermarket which is a superb Aladdin’s cave of food and drink.

Onward, ever onward to Liberty, possibly my most favourite shop in the world. It is elegant and perfect.

And full of “lovely things”. I was drooling at their silk scarves, perfume and material. We had a splendid wander about just soaking up the whole experience.

My life in London could not more different from my life in Shetland.  I enjoy both worlds very much but tomorrow I will attempt to come home, battling through Storm Babette. Wish me luck!