The westside of the main island is sometimes referred to as “the sunny Westside”, obviously said smugly by those who live there.

As we have a visitor, we are showing him the island – well, as much as I can drive around.

Yesterday it was the sunny Westside’s turn.

So, here we are on the road to West Burrafirth – a favourite drive – looking east towards the wind farm that sits on the hills doing very little.  They are mostly kept switched off until the infrastructure is ready for them in Scotland.  ‘Nuff said.

Sulma Water

After West Burrafirth, we drove over to Silwick to see the Westerwick coastal cliffs.

Then down through Skeld, past the marina.

And for a walk on Reawick beach with its distinctive red-coloured sand.

We had the beach almost to ourselves, which was lovely.

With weather and scenery like this, it don’t get much better in my book.

Yesterday we drove to the north part of our main island to show our visitor the sights.

On our way back, we dropped in to Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary as I had been told earlier they had two seals rehabilitating there.

This is Smudge.  He is a grey seal, estimated to be about 11 months old who was found at West Voe beach (located on the Southern tip of Shetland, right by Sumburgh Airport). 

He was fully moulted but struggling out in wild.

He has a deformity in his rear flippers and so is only really swimming with his front flippers.

He has a number of issues with feeding and struggles to eat his first fish at each serving. 

It is like every day is new and he has to remember the process of eating and how it actually works. 

He is very placid in nature but the Sanctuary don’t feel he would survive in wild.

Smudge will be a long term resident.

And then there is Leo who is a common seal pup.

He came on 20th June from Westray, Orkney. 

He was thought to be only 2-3 days old when found and travelled over to Shetland on Northlink ferry (we are all wondering if he had a cabin or a pod). 

Leo has progressed well and will probably be releasing in another couple of weeks.

They both had very different characters. Leo was more like Pepper – irritating, playful, wanted to annoy for fun and Smudge was more like the child who is picked on in the school playground who didn’t know why.  So sweet, though and I can see why he’s staying.

(It was the most relaxing wonderful afternoon watching the two seals swim happily in their lovely outdoor pool – huge thanks to Hillswick Wildlife `Sanctuary for showing us round and putting up with my idiotic questions!)

Our morning was spent clearing out the sheep shed getting it ready for winter.  Like I said yesterday, hard work in the morning and then fun in the afternoon.

And the results are glorious.  Just the clean new bedding to go down and we are ready to go.

Everything in its place and a place for everything, or something like that.

And our reward was a trip up north with an excellent fish and chip lunch first at Frankie’s in Brae.  Half way to our destination.

The first photo tourist stop was Mavis Grind – a narrow isthmus where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean almost meet.

Then on northwards past Dore Holm – an amazing rock formation with a large natural arch standing in the sea.

And then Eshaness – “one of the highest energy coastlines in the world“.  I can believe that.  Look at this video……

Video by Nick McCaffrey

But this is today’s calm sea.

Eshaness is an incredible place and never fails to impress.

Lots of walking for us all.  I took my walking poles and going along very well.

And then onwards to the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary to meet Smudge…..

And Leo.

More tomorrow about them. I am tired now. I always under-estimate just how long it takes to drive up north and back but I am very glad we did it.  A great reward for all our hard work this morning.  Well done us.

I took this photo last night when I was putting the hens/ducks to bed and making sure everyone had everything they needed.  Tis Maggie.  Pretty lady.

Anyway, this morning doing my daily chores, I heard whinging behind me.

Monster was in good voice.

He wanted to get involved, obviously.  Haakon was fascinated at this noise-making animal.

The others wisely ignored him.

And for the rest of the morning, I was followed and sung/whined at.  There was no escape.

Floss is home and so we started my list of things-to-be-done-before-winter-arrives.

It’s a very long list but I shall have lots of help, so hopefully we will get everything done.  Poor Floss and she thought this was her holiday.  I think not.

On the dog-walk, I could see the horses and ponies in the distance so I went over to talk to them hoping I could get some nice photos.

Vitamin strolled towards me. I have no idea why. I wasn’t carrying food but she is nosey at the best of times.

She was looking gorgeous. I always think Vitamin is very photogenic.  Possibly one of the most beautiful mares I have ever owned.

Not bad for 31 years old.  Such presence and she always stands very upright.  Her trot is jaw-droppingly incredible too.

Vitamin has always been beautiful.

I think this is the best photograph of any horse or pony I have ever taken – it was Vitamin in her youth.  I think it’s her eyes.  Definitely her eyes.  They have such emotion and clarity.  I remember so clearly taking that photo knowing at the time it would be a good one.

It’s nice to look back sometimes.