Blown away * Sixtyexpress

It’s blowy today…but not much rain.A typical Shetland day we’re told so rug up warm and off we go. A brisk walk first to the Scalloway Heritage Centre to learn of the Shetland bus. It does have displays on the history of the Island ,but ,because it was central to this World War 2 operation , it has focused its collection on this aspect of the town’s history.

Early history is represented in prehistoric tools and rock samples. Objects from shipwrecks and the maritime industry. Australia even gets a mention.

Women feature heavily in one section especially for knitting, preparing wool(Oo), clothing and the work on a Croft.I did not know there were boards to hold your jumper or socks to block or dry them. I just stretch mine out. You learn something everyday.

Not I or you?

Witches appear in lots of stories and we know of the Salem witch hunts. It seems the people in the islands were equally as superstitious and some women were accused. If found guilty they were strangled, burnt and their ashes scattered. You would not risk offending your neighbours.

As I said the stories of the Shetland bus is the main display. What was this bus you ask? When Germany invaded Norway, many of the Norwegian men took to their fishing boats and sailed to the Shetlands. The British saw the boats as a way to hit back at the Germans. Supplies and spies were sent via the boats and refugees were brought back. This continued until the Germans began to suspect the boats. There are many tales of heroism when men were hidden in specially designed hulls , guns were carried in Cod liver barrels and attacks were made on German shipping or activities.Operations, repairs and boats left from Scalloway..

Knowing how much you enjoy castles, we made a quick visit to Scalloway Castle. A very grand building of 5 stories. We could explore only so far as the stairs and floors appear to have disappeared. I hope you recover from your disappointment. You are hiding it extremely well.

Shetland ponies are sooooooo cute with their fat little tummies and long shaggy manes. We got up close and personal with a few in a small stud farm. It feels funny when they take grass from your hands.

Then there are the multicoloured sheep and the local dog breed. Shetland sheep have wool that used to be just plucked out or rood. Because it came out easily, pieces could be found attached to fences or just on the ground.These are called oo or hentilagets. It times of hardship, children would be sent out to gather these to be washed , combed and spun ready to be knitted.

Did you buy anything in the jewellery workshop? Do you like my earrings?

Lunch in the best fish in chips in all of the Uk then let’s enjoy the spectacular views at Esha Ness lighthouse ( the last of the lighthouses built by the Stevenson’s). Don’t go near the edge, no selfies and watch where you walk as the wind is gusting at 30kmh now.