Wendys Week, Shetland Isles

House

2009-05-17T16:21:00.008+01:00

Having looked at it on paper for long as a flat drawing it is sooooo exciting to see our new house go up and change every day. You seem to wait so long, filling out bits of paper waiting for those bits of paper to be approved, then all of a sudden you have foundations, walls, roof trusses and more to come. Now the roof is on (or, the trusses have been sheeted, got to get the correct terminology!) you really get a sense of the space, lots and lots of space, I didna really think it looked all that big, but everyone that comes along (male, they seem to be able to see it) says it's big, ok now I can see it, but it's not just a house, it does have a rather large garage (for me man to play with his Mini clubman) and there is a new Workshop for me (although I still refer to it as the Teddy Bear shed), so the main part of the house is not just all that big. I think I might see it better when the interior walls are up, then I will just have to decide how to fill the space, preferably with as little crap as possible. What a great opportunity to clear out all the crap and NOT drag it all to the Sooth End, I will be ruthless, might need Big Sis to help, she's good, although think she might need to do a bit of practising what she preaches.

The story so far, in pictures:

view from the dining/livingroom - view from the office window - trusses!

Up Helly Aa - men in chinos & Ugg boots?

2009-01-27T15:55:00.004Z

After being rudely awakened at 4 this morning by the phones going haywire, then the sound of silence (power cut), I ventured into Lerwick first thing with very very flat hair, no power, no hairdryer (I don't do flat hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!) on the busiest day of the year, Up Helly Aa!! people everywhere and no where to park and all I wanted to do was post a box. When I finally did find a parking space and made it to the Street I was trapped, police at every exit, no way out, aaaarghhhhhhh, I did hear the shouts of the Yarl Squad, but by this time was so damp, cold and my hair getting flatter with each step I took, I got back to my car and went back home again, only to realise that the bloody power was still off, no heating, no lights, no radio, I read the paper until my feet went numb with the cold then did a lot of strange things I have been meaning to do for ages, sort out my handbag, etc.

Anyhow the power came back on about 2.30pm and I thought I'd check out the Up Helly Aa Yarl squad online, the Shetland News website had some great images, nice outfit, but look closer, is this the fashion version? Looks like chinos under the tunic and is that a pair of altered Ugg boots? see for yourself........ http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/news_01_2009/IMG_3752a.jpg

New Year, no sleep

2009-01-05T23:14:00.004Z

OK, Happy New Year everyone, it's been a pretty good 2008 and here's looking forward to a pretty hectic 2009 (building a new house and all that!)

And as for the resolutions, well I kind of stopped that quite a few years ago, I think when you grow older (not that old) and are happy with yourself, what's the point? Although I did come up with one, I want to find a hair dye that will actually stay in my hair longer than 10 days? Any ideas? Apart from that I'm going with the same resolutions I was told by a VERY good friend earlier today, she said, 'I resolve to drink more bubbly and eat more takeaway's, because that's what makes me happy', I'm all for it. Although maybe not the drink more drink, after falling into bed for the last 2 weeks with a fuzzy red wine glow, I probably only managed to get 2 hours sleep last night (and the night before come to think of it), I blame late nights (watching a whole load of Sky+ recorded 2008 programmes), very late mornings/afternoon lie in's, and eating too much lovely rich food and chocolate, the healthy tangerines are only there to look festive, but ultimately grow white fur and end up with a really bad smell.

So here was me at 4.15 this morning trying desperately to get asleep, and what happens? my brain starts racing through the weirdest things, maybe I should decorate the bedroom before we move, I never did get that green wool I needed, the Hydro still haven't moved that pole off our site, and how did Scottish Water manage to cut a hole in a mains water pipe for us and charge a small fortune for doing so, how can they do that? and the list went on and on until an alarm clock went off and I thought I might as well get up and start a list of all the things I need to do.

If the same happens again tonight I will be up to get the Phenergan to knock me out.

Birthday, Christmas and all that's in between

2008-12-29T23:10:00.017Z

I know, I'm not even going to mention it again, time goes so fast, I forgot, blah blah blah..... you know the drill.
So since the last time I had another birthday, as did many other people, we have had Christmas and are on track for New Year.
Actually had a lovely birthday, I cannot understand these people who dread their birthday, its a fact of life we all get older so why not look forward to it and enjoy!!!!!!! As 'me Man' was away (think it was the football?) I decided to have a girly day/night with the lasses and I would get a Chinese takeaway and we would watch something girly, but as it happens my lovely peerie lass had her own ideas and had organised for the the lasses to come over earlier and bring food, so they all arrived and we had a proper tea party with cake, leading onto the Bubbly and we were joined by a kitchenful of young male company (Daughter's friends) which ended up with Big Sis teaching those same young men how to open and pour bubbly properly! and all this going on with the Burra Regatta in full swing outside the front door!

The following months were a blur of bears!! with a few parties in between, one of those being a big Sis special, the theme being evening dress, as I don't really do dresses I decided to go as the Man, and borrowed a Knockaboot suit, and if I do say so myself looked quite the part, it was a bit hot though, maybe try and borrow a dress next time?
So a few more months of what felt like 'Groundhog day', get up, cut, sew or finish bears, go to bed, usually not on the same day I rose then start all over again, I kind of got into a routine and about 3 weeks before Christmas I got out the Chistmas cd I compiled last year and listened to it on repeat for the next 21 days, it helped....... I think!
And in between all this 'me Man' got a degree, after a long 8 year Open University slog he now has a BSc (Hons) Tech (open), he is delighted to be finished with it all and just in time for the start of our new house, got the planning permission and the building warrant through, ready to start in the Spring of 2009! so anyone looking for a 3 bedroom, very tastefully decorated and well kept house with a garage, basement and workshop in the middle of Hamnavoe, please get in touch.

So here we are, December 29th another year over and a new one just about to begin ( I think that's from a song?) planning to have dinner on New Years Eve with family 'up nort' and then a drive around to visit everyone on the way home.
Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and are looking forward to a happy and Healthy New Year, xxx

p.s. if you look closely you can see santy in the tractor, who did his annual round through Burra on Christmas morning.

Edinburgh in July

2008-07-19T14:16:00.014+01:00

OK, so I 'did' London with big Sis last year, and this year 'me Man' wanted to 'do' Edinburgh as he's travelled through there a few times with his work. Had to get a flight from Sumburgh in the middle of the night, well having to be at Sumburgh for 6.30am, means having to get up at 4.45am, and when you work from home, believe me, that IS the middle of the night!

The flight was actually OK, I think as I get older my fear of flying has faded, weird but good! or maybe I was still asleep?

We were in Edinburgh too early to check-in so we dropped our bags and went for a wander, had breakfast and got a really good coffee, when I was away earlier this year with big Sis in Aberdeen I tried my damnedest to get decent coffee but failed every time, I ended drinking tea and when that failed stuck to Bubbly, can't really go wrong!

So we wandered up to the Castle, not a good idea as Edinburgh is very steep wherever you go and I was still wearing high heeled boots, and it was hot and sticky.

Came back down the steep hill, and by this time it felt like teatime as we had been awake for 9 hours! so we stopped for Pizza & Beer.

Checked in at our hotel, The Glasshouse, lovely................ proper doorman, nice big room, nice big bathroom, lots of mirrors and lights (not like that one in Aberdeen me & big Sis stayed in), balcony etc. etc. etc.

Had a snooze then went out for a cocktail and then onto Bar Roma for a gorgeous meal.

The next few days we did the tourist thing, took an open top bus tour, visited the zoo (saw a momma jagwaar but no Dora or Diego!), saw the Scottish Parliament (?), went to Our Dynamic Earth and did an underground tour of old Edinburgh, bought a pair of Levis & a North Face Jacket. I am officially OLD, I know but I actually enjoyed it.

We did have some lovely meals, went to David Bann vegetarian restaurant and Restaurant Martin Wishart, now that was something else, it was like having a tour of food, probably the most expensive meal I have every had, but it was good!

The last day we went to Stockbridge and visited Sheila Fleet's new shop, bought a bottle of Port from Raeburn Fine Wines (recommended by the Sommelier @ Martin Wishart's) and also bought some smelly cheese from Ian Mellis Cheesemonger. We had to have a drink at the Oxford Bar (something to do with Iain Rankin & Rebus), it was like the Thule used to be and how it still should be. Who knows what the next city break will be, I've done London, Venice and now Edinburgh.

Going to bed with Jeremy Clarkson

2008-02-24T22:57:00.005Z

OK, ok, not the real one (think he smokes!) but the paperback variety. I love watching Top Gear, it's not a girly programme but there is just something about it. So I was all set to buy the two books of Mr Clakson's columns from the Sunday Times, when big Sis mentioned she had just finished 'going to bed with Jeremy Clarkson' so I could borrow them, and they are worth it, I have to stop myself from laughing out loud and wakening up 'me Man'.

I fully intend to make them last as long as possible so I ration myself to a few chapter's a night.

You can read Jeremy's column online at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jeremy_clarkson/

You could also buy the books The World According to Clarkson volumes 1 and 2, and you to could find the delight in 'going to bed with Jeremy Clarkson', go on , try it, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Putting stuff on Ebay

2008-02-11T21:32:00.000Z

Me and big Sis spent Sunday 'putting stuff on Ebay', she's done it before, I hadn't and to tell the truth I don't know if I ever will again, bloody hell, I thought it would be easy. We started early on Sunday morning, got everything photographed, which was fine, didn't take much time, although I did take the weirdest photos of my boots. Don't, whatever you do take photos of boots, when they are on your legs, when you are holding the camera because the angle makes it look like you have the biggest legs in the world ever!

Anyhow, we did all the photos then went to the computer to 'put stuff on Ebay', and found out the photos wouldn't download. After a very frustrating hour or so trying to get the photos off the camera, I gave up and went over to Peerie Sis's house and she got them off and onto a disc and we managed to 'put stuff on Ebay', but god it's a long slow process, trying to think up GREAT things to say about a cheap polyester trouser suit (actually that was one of the first things to sell).

So after about 25 hours, we did it, well we did mine, still have to do Sis's stuff.

And now I am embroiled in the seedy underworld of Ebay and getting emails from strange people asking me to send photos of my sandals, but with my feet in them! mmmm, I don't think so!!!

Hey what am I complaining about, already sold 2 items. If they want, what I don't, who am I to argue!

Long live 'Putting Stuff on Ebay!'

Future Chef

2008-02-11T21:18:00.000Z

Me lass has been in the Semi Final of the Future Chef competition in Inverness, I went down with her and Mrs Dobson, her cookery teacher. It was at Inverness College, we went down the day before did a little light??!?! shopping and then had a lovely Meal at The Kitchen restaurant. The competition was the next day with an early start, everything went great, well except for the gas cookers breaking down about 3 times, but she did great and got a 3rd place against some very stiff competition, she was delighted and she got a set of Chef's whites and a set of rather serious looking Chef's knives, I actually didn't think BA would let us take them back on the plane, but they made it back to Shetland after a VERY bumpy flight, knew I should have taken the Valium tablets!

We have been Resumed!

2008-02-11T21:01:00.000Z

Yeah! we found out recently that we have our bit of land at Da Sooth End, it's all been resumed or decrofted or whatever it is they had to do. So it's all go for the new hoose, and it didn't take too long for the land to go through, plans are in aside Da Cooncil, and we just have to wait now. But we can go and put up a fence, and I was thinking I might start planting cuttings on the site, but somewhere that won't get in the way of the digging, when it all starts. And we get a view like this! Fantastic!

Now I have to start the terrible job of deciding on kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, handles etc etc etc, its a dirty job, but someone's got to do it!

Another New Year

2008-02-11T20:21:00.000Z

I think my New Years Resolution should have been to stop saying I am going to update my Blog on time, because, well I just can't seem to do that, along with saying I will do my accounts once a month, because that doesn't happen either, more like once a year, because I have to! to stop the B*****d Taxman taking even more money from me than he does already, god I hate January, oh look that's ok because it's already February!

Anyhow, New Year went great, we spent it with Little Sis and family on a perfect December night, it actually was, absolutely no wind, we stood out on her balcony with candles burning and took in the New Year to the sound and sight of fireworks over the voe, yes candles burning, and no I am not joking! We then visited Big Sis and got home about 4am, I was driving so had a little celebration drink when I got home, and sat up till 6am yappin. Also had a lovely New Years Day dinner back at Little Sis's house.

So far this year I have Spring cleaned (yes I know it's early, but you have to do these things as the mood take's you or it never get done)my wardrobe and the kitchen cupboard, yes that one, the one in the kitchen that has everything, plates, bowls, cups, pans and an amazing array of unnecessary plastic objects which have gathered over the years! Why do we have to own so many plastic tubs? Thank da loard that Tupperware is no more (or did I get that wrong?), well I suppose at least when it was Tupperware it lasted, unlike the cheapo versions, which melt and warp in the heat of the dishwasher (yeah OK your bored now!, stop with the housey talk!).

2008? where did 2007 go?

2007-12-31T16:14:00.000Z

I mean it, where did 2007 go? last post was May and this is New Years Eve, yes I know sad, sitting blogging on the last day of the year but I have to, it's kind of like when you are about to go on holiday and you have to get everything done before you go, so I have to pack in the last 7 months before midnight, plus I am driving tonight so it will take my mind off the fact that I can't have a drink until NEXT YEAR!!!

Review of the Summer (like they do in the papers!!)
Well, since starting the Peerie Burra Bears it's been mad, they have taken over from the big one's, so it's great they are popular. Bears in general have been going well, with a few new outlets, Scottish Parliament Shop, new outlet at Edinburgh Airport and of course the new Museum and Archives got their own exclusive range with Fair Isle pieces inspired by the collection's on show.

Maggie, wir peerie Border Terrier is a proper terrier so I decided to take her to dog classes, what a bloody nightmare, she was the worst dog, just wanted to kill every other dog (all of whom were far bigger than her!), and the barking, it was embarrassing, even the man who ran the classes had bother with her, I did persevere for a few weeks but then swapped my Sunday afternoon trip to the Tingwall Greenhouses for a proper Sunday denner and a nice bottle of red wine!! much less stress especially seeing as 'me Man' has taken over the Sunday denner cooking - RESULT!

The House saga continues, were planning to build at Houss at da Sooth End, absolutely gorgeous spot overlooking Papil, just a hassle trying to buy the bit of land, although I think we are nearly there with a huge helping hand from Betty 'wir cooncillor', I know for a fact that if it wasn't for her we would still be where we were 8 months ago - THANKS BETTY!!!

The house plans are also coming along nicely, well that's from our point of view, Planning Dept thinks differently, but I guess that's what they are there for, so we'll leave that one for next year?

'Me Man', his dad and wir nephew climbed up Ben Nevis, with a peerie Burra Bear in tow, he phoned me from the top, ah modern technology! he also changed his job (again), going back to an office based job and swapping the boiler suit for a North Face jacket, this time there was no going back as it's permanent!

I did Flavour of Shetland event on Victoria Pier, it went well, looks like it may not take place next year, cooncil spending too much money on it, nothing new there then! it will be shame though, it's hard work but great fun, Minty helped out so it was lightsome. Big Sis even managed to nab Chico the Clown to come to hers on the Sunday night and do a magic show for her birthday.

Me lass, got a job and won the local heat of Futurechef (Inverness in January 08 for next round).

Me and Big Sis went to London to see Norah Jones, god I do love her music but holy heck, it was like torture being at the concert, I honestly nearly fell asleep, it was a mad dash to get there as we'd been shopping, and then we had to wait about 3 hours before she actually came on in The Hammersmith Apollo, which was actually a slightly bigger version of the North Star in Lerwick. They kept coming with more and more different guitars for her to play, to end up with I was nearly greetin, the only saving grace of the whole concert was the man who played at the beginning, M.Ward, he was amazing!! Actually the best bit of the whole night was eating Chinese food after midnight in the middle of London!

We actually had a really good time in London, although Big Sis thought I didn't enjoy it! I just wasn't taken in with all the sights, it just seemed really peerie, and as for the Palace, well all you could see was Japanese Tourists, horses backsides (that would be the police horses). Things I did enjoy - the big hotel room we got, breakfast at the Wolsley & Fortnum & Mason (although I swear the Kiwi fruit tasted like onions!), Madame Tussuad's, lunch at Carluccios, copious quantities of Supermarket Cava (which was situated next door to our Hotel), in our hotel room with Harrods sandwiches, mmmmm, and the best was getting dressed up and drinking Champagne at the Ritz, it was perfect!

And the worst was the next day, when I was feeling pretty rough, getting to the airport late, missing our flight. Although we did have an angel watching over us as we managed to get on a later flight thanks to a really lovely lady behind the BA desk.

Clickimin Craft Fair went well, we were ultra organised as a committee, and everything ran smoothly, even thinking about having something similar in the Summertime.

So, to sum it all up, had a pretty mad busy year, ate lots of takeaways, spent the last 7 months in my shed working (me lass threatened to get me a bed to put out there!), had a weird night singing Karaoke in the Marlex, was part of the 100 Shetland Women exhibition at Bonhoga, had a really good meal somewhere other than Montys? the Queens Hotel restaurant, but the one thing that still confuses me is the Berlingo? why?

Happy New Year! xx

Bears, bears everywhere

2007-05-01T22:30:00.000+01:00

Ok, so where did March and April go? this is 1st May and I have kind of lost the last 8 weeks, I think it may have had something to do with the fact that we launched a new Burra Bear, the 'peerie' Burra Bear and it has been mad trying to keep up with the orders since. I thought it was about time we had a new bear as it was 10 years since the very first Burra Bear was made, we did launch the 'peerie oolet' last year, but this is the next big thing, as so many folk have been asking for a peerie version for so long now.

Lots of orders to catch up on this week, and keeping the shops stocked as it is Folk Festival weekend, so lots of visitors around. Guess that means no drams for me this weekend, just lots and lots of woolly bears to make.

Burra Bears holiday

2007-02-28T11:09:00.000Z

I forgot to mention, in January I visited the Whiteness School to present them with Jeemsie the Burra Bear. Jeemsie was chosen to take part in the Island Bear City Bear project, the Whiteness School had teemed up with a School in Glasgow, they both swop a bear and the bear stays with them for a few months, each child in the class takes the bear home with them and they visit different places in their own town or city. This gives the children a taste of life in different places, and educates them through the bear. The whole visit is detailed on the website, www.bearsholiday.edublogs.org , have a look at how Jeemsie the Burra Bear is getting on in Glasgow and how Mungo the Glasgow Bear is getting on in Shetland.

Elsi Arrub appears

2007-02-18T19:39:00.000Z

Andrew Halcrow's yacht, Elsi Arrub has appeared, off Australia, it is still in one piece, which is great news. I met Andrew's sister Marilyn yesterday and she said they had the boat under tow, so peerie 'Andrew o Fuglaness' will soon be on dry land and my what stories that Burra Bear will have to tell, his adventures on board as sole captain for all those months, he will be a very important Burra Bear, and will hopefully raise plenty money for the CATS appeal on his return.

Poopy bags

2007-01-25T10:03:00.000Z

Being the owner of 2 little dogs, Sparky a very wonderful long legged, long wire haired Jack Russell and Peerie Maggie, a determined but cute Border Terrier, I am very aware of what comes out of their back ends! I always make sure I take Poopy bags out with me when I go for a walk and insist me Man and me Lass do the same (every jacket pocket in our house contains one!). I am always horrified when out walking to see other dog's mess which has been left on the pavement, road, grass by the irresponsible owners, really how difficult is it pick it up? Anyone owning a dog should be made to pick it up, and I am glad they now fine folk for not doing this, just wish the Council folk who enforce this would come out here and catch them at it! Anyone walking a dog whether it belongs to them or someone else really should be aware of the mess they leave behind. I am particularly annoyed about this as Peerie Maggie has the most disgusting habit of eating other dogs mess, it is absolutely gross, Sparky used to do this when he was small but it was usually sheep's mess (and that's another thing, but don't get me started!), which somehow didn't seem so bad, or maybe I just got used to it lying all over the place.
The SIC even give away Poopy bags for free from their department at Grantfield, so there really is no excuse!
But it all comes down to the usual thing, people need to be educated, and if what I saw the other day is anything to go by there's not much hope! Sitting in my shed sewing bears I looked out the window to see a young mother with baby in buggy, stop on her way up the road, take a drink out of a plastic juice bottle and proceed to throw it over the railing and into the sea (or onto the pier, not sure which), so, what hope is there for the children when the parents are doing this?

Doing my bit

2007-01-22T10:40:00.000Z

I am doing my bit for the environment, well I have always recycled bottles (regular trips to the bottle bank, with beer and wine empties), and have tried to re-use anything I can, then last week on Radio Shetland I heard of a new scheme to recycle plastic and newspaper. The Council is to deliver purple and clear bags along with the black sacks, purple for plastic and clear for newspaper, but only in the Lerwick and Scalloway areas. They did say that anyone outside these areas who wanted to use the bags could fill them and deliver them to the Recylcing Centre, so I went there on Saturday and spoke to an awful fine man, who handed over the bags and proceeded to tell me that the paper was shredded and offered for animal bedding, and the plastic would be sent to China and re-made into garden furniture.

You really should go up there for a look, it's very organised (they even have different lanes on the road!), and you can drop off your recycling, it's great! I was a bit surprised when I asked for the bags and the man said he hadn't been told that they had advertised it yet, and that no one else had been up to ask for bags! Come on everybody do your bit too! We all go into Toon at least one day a week and if you have a car make that extra trip out to the Recycling Centre (follow the main road past Hughson Bros, and it's the 2nd junction on the left, failing that follow the smell (it wasn' too bad really). Makes you feel good!!

French bears

2007-01-10T09:08:00.000Z

The French Bears have arrived! John phoned this morning to say they had just arrived and only just over 4 weeks after posting? Maybe they went walkabout to America and back, It usually only takes 7 days to get there by post! I seriously think they may have been searching for their long lost brother who is sailing the high sea's alone on the Elsi Arrub. Anyhow, better late than never.

Had a lovely Friday night, me and big Sis did Give us a Tune on Radio Shetland (you can listen again if you go to the Radio Scotland Website), we had fun and all without any drams. Just hoping I didn't offend anyone, and it is still to be confirmed whether Paul Daniels lives in Wast Sanick in Yell? Here's to next time.

New Year already

2007-01-05T12:31:00.000Z

And didn't it go by fast, or is that just the fact that I am getting older and everything goes faster!

We had a lovely New Years Day, after spending New Years Eve driving and visiting family on the West Side. January 1st saw us heading back to the West Side to peerie Sister's house for dinner, we all cooked something, me Man got up early and cooked a beef roast while I went to Lerwick to the only shop open (Boots the chemist) to get medicine for peerie Sister's peerie lass, she ended up with the Chicken Pox, but was very proud, showing off her spots!

We arrived to a champagne table with party poppers, hats, masks (peerie Sis likes parties, preferably bairns parties, but that can be adapted for Big Eens too!), and we had a massive dinner of prawns, beef, chicken, lamb, duck, tatties of every kind, veg and a mountain of peerie sausages cosied up in bacon, then another mountain of puddings, and all washed down with quite a few glasses of Bubbly and Red wine, just perfect!
We washed up the dishes to Meatloaf, Paradise by the Dashboard Light, ahhh the songs of our youth. What more could you ask for to start the New Year!!

me, Josh Ritter and a white roast beef sandwich

2006-12-30T17:13:00.000Z

I had the most perfect night last night, I had the TV to myself as me man had gone to bed early so I settled down with my Josh Ritter live concert DVD, and watched it with a white roast beef and mayo sandwich, a pot of tea and a few Roses chocolates, absolutely perfect (this was all consumed after I had finished the bottle of Pop I opened earlier).
I bought the CD/DVD earlier this month from Road Records online, it's was the only place it was available from and it is simply the best, after seeing him live at Busta House Hotel I had to have it. It's 'Josh Ritter - In the Dark, live at Vicar Street.

even more........

2006-12-30T16:46:00.000Z

Since Christmas Day, every other day seems the same, up late, eat more food, chocolate, maybe time a for another peerie dram, oh bedtime already. But in between all this we did do some sense! had a few long dog walks as the weather has been fantastic, up untill yesterday when it came a force 10 gale, the one day I was going somewhere, and on a bloody ferry!!!
Big Sis phoned to say all the lasses were going up to Yell to visit the Auntie's and would I like to come, so we headed off for the 12 ferry, and even though the sea was rough, you would hardly have know you were on the ferry. We went along Auntie Winnie in Mid Yell and she had made a lovely lunch of home-made tattie soup, mutton and her own home-made bannocks (perfect!!) and then a big Strawbery Gateaux. We sat a while and then went to Burravoe to see Auntie May and had more bannocks and ham with her lovely home-made fancies (mmmmmmm). They were making ready for the Tar Barrell, and annual event which has been held for many years, they tow a burning barrell through Burravoe to help summon the early arrival of the Sun, think it was originally an old Norse thing, used to do it in Lerwick but they burnt someone's door and then they started with Up Helly Aa, maybe they should have stuck to the Tar Barrell, it would have been a lot easier.
Anyway, we headed back home to very rough trip back over the Sound, big waves!!!!!!
We were treated to a light show at Voxter - is this the most decorated house in Shetland? (sorry about the quality but we were moving when I took the photo)

I came home opened a bottle of Pop and settled down for another night in front of the telly, lovely.

more Festivities

2006-12-30T16:35:00.000Z

Had a lovely Christmas Day beside big Sis. We arrived laden with flowers, bubbly, red wine, to a cosy warm house (they were spending Christmas/New Year in their old house, which they have been madly decorating and generally 'doing up' for the festivities),and a gorgeous dinner of Turkey, Goose and all the wonderful tasty trimmings, big Sis is a very good cook! We sat back for a while after and had more drams, the brandy and port was a must as their wasn't a Rennie to be found (shame on you Hughson!). It was all 'joost luffley'. Even the Charades, nice bike Maurice!

Festivities

2006-12-27T15:05:00.000Z

More parties, this one was my niece's 25th birthday with and eighties theme, she was born then and I was going out, so we had to get dressed up in costume, I made up the music, and we had a fabulous night, even had the food of the era, everything 'in a basket'.

Christmas party - you're never to old for Santy

2006-12-19T00:26:00.000Z

Nearly there

2006-12-19T00:10:00.000Z

Amazon have delivered as promised, actually some of it arrived the day after I ordered it, how do they do that?

I bought, wrote, stamped and posted all Christmas cards at the weekend, the wrapping paper is awaiting present's (when I have a spare moment). Me man has been for the Christmas Drink, and we have even acquired an old fridge freezer (for the beer and bubbly!), I have been to the Globe butcher and even managed to beat the queues! So I think we are nearly there.

I have had a last minute rush on bears, having to remake 2 which are somewhere between here and France lost in the postal system. I realised that an order which I was going to send out today should have been 2 bears instead of one, and also receiving a parcel of silk, velvet and taffeta to be transformed into bears for 'the first week in January'.

But all is well as I found the most gorgeous pair of green boots today in Lerwick, mmmmmmmm, absolutely yummy!! I know I don't really need yet another pair of boots, but, well, they were green and I don't have a green pair!

It doesn't take much to make me happy!

Christmas Shopping

2006-12-09T14:54:00.000Z

OK, so I broke the habit of a lifetime and did all my Christmas Shopping early. I did it all on Thursday night and I didn't even get wet!! Yes I cheated, I went on Amazon (for 5 hours) and bought everything. After a whole evening staring at a computer screen I was a bit brain dead, but got to the point where I wasn't leaving until I had everyone ticked off my list. I thought, this is great and went to the checkout, then I got a message saying my items would be delivered after 25th December, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I went back to see what I had done wrong, I had been so careful to check that everything was in stock, and then I realised the last item was on a 2-3 week delivery, I changed it to something else, paid for the whole lot and went to bed feeling very pleased with myself!!

All I need now are cards and wrapping paper, maybe better leave that for a week or two, don't want to break old habits too much.

Rocking in the Long Room

2006-11-30T10:37:00.000Z

Well, I can honestly say that I doubt The Long Room in Busta House has ever seen anything like that before, it truly rocked, wonder if the ghost enjoyed it. It was fabulous right from the start, I can't even remember what he started with, but a lot of songs were the old one's that you knew and the other's had same style which I love! He is such a showman, he really could have been a stand-up comic, he was hilarious in an unassuming way and the stories about Nicola the air stewardess and the Golden Coach had me almost in tears I laughed so much. But back to the music, he has the kind of voice that makes you feel all warm and cosey, and sometimes makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, which is just what you want. Mind you it was all a bit surreal, being in the Long Room on a Wednesday night listening to this man (have to call him that although he looked like a boy, so young) with an amazing voice. He obviously takes his music very seriously as you could see by his face, but simply couldn't stop smiling once he had finished. The other man in the photo was Zach, his pal, who also played and was really good and had the most unusual moustache, with the curly ends, think he must use a lot of wax/mousse/hairspray?
So by the end (it went so fast) it was getting pretty warm and Josh and Zach finished with 'California', which really was the kind of song that felt like someone had wrapped you in a big, warm cosey blanket, well that's what I felt like, a perfect end to a perfect night, oh and everyone even got a cuddle on the way out, he wis joost luffley!
Come back very soon boys!! Now I'm away to listen to my signed CD.

Josh Ritter at Busta House?

2006-11-28T18:53:00.000Z

Oh my god, I have just managed to get 2 tickets for Josh Ritter in the Long Room at Busta House tomorrow night!! I can't beleive it! When I saw it advertised in the Shetland Times, at first I couldn't remember where I had heard his name, then the song came back to me, 'Snow is Gone', heard some time ago on Radio 2 whilst having a shower late one night. Then I forgot about it as the Craft Fair took over my mind, and when I did remember to phone all the ticket's had gone, I think there had only been about 50 in the first place (the Long Room is quite small). Then on Radio Shetland tonight at the very end it said there were 2 tickets available and I thought, 'will I phone?' then I remebered what big Sis always says, just do it, you never know what's going to happen tommorow, so I phoned and I got them. Me and Minty are heading up to Brae tomorrow night to enjoy some fantastic music.

the last minute.........

2006-11-28T11:59:00.000Z

Doing my usual, I am sitting here desperately trying to finish off my 2005/2006 Accounts, so I can get them to the accountant in time.
Is this a female thing?, a Ritch thing?, or is it just me leaving it till the last minute as usual?, I think it's probably the third one, just me. Is there anyway you can change this?, I know I have said it before but if you give me a month to do something I will always do it in the last few days and get there just in time. I work better when I have far too much to do, I tend to get bored when I don't have much on.
One year I decided to be 'organised', and got all my Burra Bear orders finished well in time, I did all my Christmas shopping in time I even ended up helping Big Sis to do her last minute things because she was having a 'last minute' year. But after all that, quite frankly I was completely bored and pissed off as I had nothing to do, so I said never again, and this year will see me quite happily rushing around da Toon a few days before Christmas, in the rain, trying to find presents and wading through all the folk in Somerfield buying up all the food you think you have to buy at Christmas and end up throwing away a week later from a fridge which is groaning under the strain, but that's what it's all about, much as we like to moan, it wouldn't be the same and, god help me, I LIKE IT THAT WAY.

Maybe I should start a campaign to KEEP CHRISTMAS CRAZY, although I think we can usually mnanage that quite well on our own!

Annider party

2006-11-26T23:58:00.000Z

It was brother-in-law Colin 'o' Semblister's 'BIG 40' party last night in the Aith Hall, we dunna do thing's by halves when we have a party! There was over 300 folk invited, the night started with a little jamming session on the fiddle etc, all Colin's family are very musical, plus he is part of the 'Red Vans', so they were all there too. After everyone had arrived and been given their free drink at the door (just like a wedding except Colin didna have a suit on), we went straight into the Auction, this was to raise money for both the local CAT scanner appeal and 'Mind your Head'. The Auction included some weird and wonderful items, hand made fishing weights, 3kg of fresh mussels, a fresh lamb (in bits), spaarl puddings, still no sure what is actually in these, and then there were the compulsory Fair Isle Thong x 2, Fair Isle Footstool, Peerie oolets, and we also had a Cashmere Poncho (one of Mam's last one's), an oil painting again by Mam, and a garden bench made by Colin, then there was the slave auction, 4 handsome men auctioned themselves for the day. The Auction raised £2600, the most expensive item was the Garden Bench which went for £230, and was bought by, Me!, I got a bit carried away, may have had something to do with the red wine!! I think I made a good choice though, the Fair Isle Thong went for £75!
The supper followed the Auction and then straight into the disco. I left at about 12.30am, and speaking to little Sister this morning, she said they only got to bed at 6am, but a good night was had by all, so far the total raised stands at £3500 and they are still counting!

it's all go

2006-11-23T13:06:00.000Z

Having sorted out everything from the Craft Fair and had a committee meeting to disect it, I'm all go for Christmas orders.

I wrote up my order board, and having reached the bottom I think I need a bigger board!! This is when I start to panic, and think, 'should I really have promised all those Burra Bears for Christmas?', but hey, I do this every year, so in a few days the panic will be over and I will settle down to working a full week instead of a few half days like normal!

Daughter is looking for a job, so I wrote up an amusing CV and have sent it to a few places, main points 'is handy with a hoover, Mr Sheen and Mr Muscle!', thought that might get a few responses. I did put in the serious points, like what she is interested in and the fact that she can work a sewing machine, glue gun, guillotine and laminator. I remember when I worked in the Toon and you would get these young eens coming in the shop with a dour face saying 'do you hae any jobs goin?', not really the best way to find employment, then you would get the nicely written letters, showing that someone had taken the time to think about what they wanted, it really did make all the difference.

Take note...............

peerie oolets on show

2006-11-20T16:31:00.000Z

peerie oolets

peerie oolets - ooie bears for your bosie

2006-11-20T15:27:00.000Z

Our annual Craft Fair was this past weekend. We hold this every year in November to showcase all the Shetland Arts & Crafts Association members, including our associate members as well as the full members (for full members see www.shetlandartsandcrafts.co.uk). This year there were over 50 exhibitors, with some new startups.

I even managed to come up with a new product! It's only taken me about 5 years. After constantly being asked for a 'peerie bear', I did it, and 'peerie oolets' were born. I did my uusual and left it till the last minute, so the weekend before the craft fair I was madly trying to come up with a peerie bear which was practical to make from felted fair isle. Peerie oolets are nothing like the style of the Burra Bear, being more a flat bear you can cuddle to you, and more aimed at bairns, although I did sell quite a few to adults, as one man said when I asked if he was giving his 'oolet' away as a gift, he looked at me, took the 'oolet' out of the bag and said, 'no, I am definately keeping him for myself', with a big grin on his face.

I came up with 2 sizes, 'peerie oolet' and 'peerie mootie oolet'. The word peerie in Shetland spaek means small, mootie meaning very small and the word 'oolet' according to the Shetland dictionary means brat, which would be right as I remember when we were peerie and Mam was annoyed with us, she would shout, 'you peerie oolets!'. I also thought the name might spark a Shetland craze, as the Bratz dolls did throughout Britain. And judging by my weekend sales you never know.

Anyhow, by Sunday night at 5pm (when the craft fair ended) my feet were ready to go home, having been in the Clickimin Centre since 8am on Friday morning, being part of the committee means having to come in early to set up the hall for all the exhibitors, this includes marking out the floor (my thighs are in agony from all the bending), sorting out screens (we never have enough), putting out tables and chairs, and then the fun begins at 2pm when exhibitors arrive to set up, and we realise that someone hasn't been given enough, tables, chairs, screens, and so it goes on. But in the end everything worked out ok, and we look forward to next year.

I hope this doesn't mean I have to come up with another new product?

Technology

2006-11-01T10:09:00.000Z

I have been up to my ears in leads, phones and computers. Having updated our broadband connection to make it faster (don't know if it really makes any difference up here), we were given a second phone line with another number, so we can receive free outgoing evening and weekend calls, which is fine, if not a bit confusing trying to remember what phone to use after 6pm. So I decided I would update the other phones in the house and I had to get a set with extension's so I could have one out in the shed for when I'm working, which I found, no problem, and even got them at a 'good price'. I bought the phones on Friday and managed to get them out of the box on Monday, ready to get them all plugged in then I read the instructions, 'leave to charge for 16 hours', so they had to sit another day. Yesterday I got them all plugged in and got the old one's unplugged and untangled, now I just have to learn how to work the bloody things, buttons in the wrong place, address book, ringer melody, volume............... bored? maybe tomorrow.
Talking to a friend the other day who was having problems with her Email, we were saying, bairns noo adays dunna keen they're born! we were reminiscing about when we were 'peerie', and we didn't have any MP3, ipods etc, we had to wait for the charts to come on Radio One on a Sunday night and get the tape recorder ready to record our music for the next week, and you couldn't just go away and leave it, you had to stay there so you could quickly turn the cassette over when side one finished, so as not to miss any music, and if you didn't have a radio/cassette player you had to place the radio next to the other stereo that did have a tape recorder and hold a microphone next to the speaker and then make sure that no body spoke while the recording was going on otherwise it would pick up their voice's, god, imagine? and this was all done on a machine the size of a bloody fish box!, none of your portable chewing gum packet size contraptions, and we both agreed, they don't know they're born!

Think this means your getting old, when you talk about the younger generation and reminisce about your past, ahh those were the days!!

Sad September

2006-10-11T23:12:00.000+01:00

September has gone and it was a very sad month.

Wir Mam passed away after finding out 4 months previously that she had Cancer. She was having Chemotherapy and had almost finished her final lot of treatment, but in the last 7 days her condition deteriorated very rapidly and she fell asleep on 19th September.

She passed away very peacefully with all of us family around her bedside, and having seen all her close friends the previous day.

We were prepared in the knowledge that we knew it was going to happen within 6 months from diagnosis, but something like this can never be easy and it will take time to sink in.

We have all taken comfort from the quantity of wonderful cards and messages received from family, friends and people whom you would never imagine are thinking about you, and they are still arriving by post every day.

I like to think that Mam is up there when the sun shines down through the clouds, when the moon peeps out behind the night sky or when the sky lights up with the Northern Lights (as it did at night after her Funeral) and am happy in the thought that she is up there with all her peerie Angels.

'Night, night Mam, spaek you later'.

The face of Shetland Yogurt

2006-09-06T23:07:00.000+01:00

One of my many sister's who works for Shetland Farm Dairies had decided that I would be perfect for the face of Shetland Yogurt? Yes, I know, I did wonder myself, but hey the older you get the more you kind of just get on with things, and what the hell. So last week she picked me up and we drove to Scalloway to collect Angela and baby Will also going to be another face of Shetland Yogurt. Big sis had decided that Angela would be the 'Yummy Mummy' face, hence the 5 month old cute as hell baby Will, so I said, 'ok, what does that make me?', 'oh, your the successful business woman', I kind of wondered where she got that one from but who am I to argue, if that was her impression then let's go for it.
So we arrived at our photoshoot destination, a gorgeous peerie crofthouse with the loveliest garden, and she set about taking photos whilst me and Angela swopped places, postitions and props, trying to keep the resident cat's away from the Blueberry Yogurt and the camera (they were very fond of both), and also keeping Will amused.

3 hours and thousands of photos later (I thought I was fussy), we finished for the day and I have yet to see the photos, although she assure's me that their were some lovely one's (so long as she photoshop's out the spot on my chin!).

Wonderful weekend

2006-08-29T23:09:00.000+01:00

My wonderful weekend probably began on Thursday because that was my birthday. Me man was home all day and I got my present, a lovely new green Motorola Pebl mobile phone and a bottle of Moet, what more could a girl ask for! I mentioned when I got up that fresh croissant's would be nice and when I was finished in the shower hadn't he been to Scalloway and bought them, what a man!!

We spent the rest of the day having lunch and driving round looking at houses (need to get some ideas for the new build). He had booked Monty's for later on (the only place I would eat out in Shetland, with the exception of our fabulous Indian and Chinese restaurants), and as usual all the food was fabulous, duck to start on a bed of green salad with rhubarb chutney, followed by steak with gorgeous fresh veg and tattie quarters cooked to perfection and followed by chocolate marquis (anything chocolate is perfect) this was so rich and creamy, and all washed down with 2 very tasty bottles of red wine, the perfect end to a lovely day.

Friday started a little wobbly and in a bit of a rush, went into Lerwick to pick up the car from last night, then came home and rushed to choose my music for Radio Shetland's Give us a Tune programme, me and Rachael were presenting the request show, we are asked once or twice a year and we have a great laugh, you can listen at www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland and click on Local bulletins then under the 'Radio Shetland' section click 'Fri' to listen again. We had a great time, Rachey had to keep me in order as I was excited because I got loads of birthday request's for myself.
After the show we met up with the lasses and went for a drink and then onto the Gurkha Kitchen, Indian and Nepalese restaurant. This was the first time I had been as it's not been open long, and it was absolutely delicious, the place was really busy and we had lovely waiters who just kept arriving with chilled bottles of bubbly. Another lovely night!
Saturday arrived even more wobbly than Friday, and I had to go on the bus to Lerwick to pick up the car (again) as me man was away in Aberdeen for the football. I can't remember the last time I was on a bus?
So I did some food shopping, not a good idea when you are hungover and hungry, bought lots of chocolate puddings and meat and various other unhealthy items.
Sunday started not too bad, I was up early and decided to do normal stuff and tidied the house, then I went up to Mum-in-law who was having a little food and drams for her 60th birthday, I got there at about 1.30pm aand arrived home after quite a few bottles of bubbly around 8pm, but had a lovely day all the same.

Now I need to detox, but there are still quite a few of those unhealthy items of food staring at me from the fridge shelf everytime I open the door, the chocolate puddings have long gone, but there is a very tasty looking Carrot cake just sitting there and the best before date is fast approaching - well, it would be a waste not to eat it, wouldn't it?

August 24th already?

2006-08-23T23:16:00.000+01:00

Yes, yes I know it's only the 23rd, but 24th is tomorrow and that is my birthday, so a day off to be lazy and be treated (me man is taking me oot for denner), and get lots of presents (hopefully), that's the joy's of coming from a large family, they all buy you presents!!
So I know last time I said I would try harder to update the blog regularly, but that was over a month ago and here we are, but I have been busy, really. I've been away to Aberdeen twice (That'll be me that doesn't like travelling then) first trip was away to hospital with me Mam (her sense of direction is even worse than mine). We were away for what was supposed to be a couple of days, I was there with big Sis, to keep her company. This ended up being the journey from hell, a bit of a Groundhog Day, or few days, as we got stuck in Aberdeen with the mist for 2 extra days, by which time we were getting rather fed up of the British Airways Fancy Lounge in Aberdeen Airport (apparently if you have a full fare ticket you can use the facilities, drinks, snacks, wide screen TV's, internet access, and and Air Conditioning system which was our saviour, all free of charge) if you travel APEX you stuck downstairs in the sweltering heat, thank god for the good old NHS, they don't do too bad sometimes!!
Just home and I had to hotfoot it up to the Eshaness Cafe to meet up with my American friends on the Simply Shetland Tour, they visit Shetland every year and love all things woolly, so my bears seem to be high on their list of sought after items, I met a few new faces plus a few who have been visiting for a few years now, they always say that this year will be the last, so Gregory, guess we will se you in 2007 then?
So back to making bears (madly), as I had a load of orders and horror of horror's my Mary is on holiday (I kind of give up when she takes holidays), but I got through the main orders just in time for my second trip to Aberdeen.
This trip was to take me lass shopping, she'd been saving her pennies to buy clothes (I gave up choosing clothes for her a few years ago, it's a waste of time as she doesn't wear what I think she would wear, that's either a cause of me getting too old, or her becoming a fussy teenager), so we arrived in Aberdeen off the boat after quite a good trip, although all of it was spent in the cabin as neither of us care for boats. I thought we would get a taxi up to the Caledonian Hotel, have a long breakfast and then head to the shops. Have you tried to get a taxi in Aberdeen at quarter to nine on a weekday morning?, they don't exist, unless you want to wait and hour.
Now the walk up to Union Street from the Ferry terminal isn't that far, but by the time we arrived having been caught in a heavy shower and having lugged a heavy bag (daughter doesn't believe in travelling light) up various flights of stairs, we arrived at the hotel, me feeling quite headlight and every so slightly sick. We had a lovely, if quick breakfast (daughter thinks once you have finished eating you get up and go, no sitting around).
So by 9.30am we were shopping, she had most of her money spent by 12.30pm, and we stopped mid afternoon for a huge coffee (chose Costa as they have internet access and me lass was getting withdrawal symptoms at not being online for at least 6 hours!).
We arrived back at our hotal room around teatime to a chilled bottle of bubbly (for me), which I enjoyed big time. The evening was spent down at the Beach, TGI Fridays for tea and then onto the Cinema to see the Breakup.
So around 10.30pm we came out of the Cinema and I thought I would phone a taxi to take us back up to the Hotel, have you tried to get a taxi at 10.30pm in Aberdeen on a Friday evening? - they don't exist!! So we walked over to the Patio Hotel and asked the nice boy on reception to book us one, and lo and behold it arrived 5 minutes later.
Day 2 was spent shopping for dog toys, it was Peerie Maggie's birthday, so we bought toys, new collars, new leads, pink for Maggie and blue for Sparky, and a pink T Shirt and Pink Tweed dog coat for Peerie Maggie.
We were on the boat by 4.30pm, in the cabin with M&S sandwiches and a few small bottles of red wine.
I think that's plenty travelling for one year, but you never know, maybe I will get used to it.

C.A.T.S fundraiser

2006-07-17T21:10:00.000+01:00

Another party has been and gone, and what a party it was!!

It all began on Saturday when we went over to help Big Sis make food for the party, we arrived at lunchtime to egg buns, Tunnocks teacakes and Snabaas (that'll be Billy speak for Tunnocks Snowballs), so after the refreshments we got stuck in to making salads, coleslaw, rice, cous cous, pasta, you name it, we made it by the ton!! the day ended with Billy cooking up on his new BBQ.

Sunday arrived and we all headed off for the West side again, me and Minty greeted at the gate for an hour, with a bottle of Bubbly and two glasses (for us, not the guests) and then we headed up for Lunch on the Lawn (as the invites said), or to coin a better phrase, 'Grub on the Girs'. After lunch Gillian Isbister and David Bissett arrived to sing away the afternoon, absolutely fabulous!! they had a break which was filled by the Fair Isle Auction, hosted by the one and only, ME!!!! I even had a hammer (bid plastic toy one), the Auction raised over £1000 which was fabulous, and there was some heated bidding wars going on, but all in good fun. Gillian took her second afternonn singing session inside as it was starting to get a bit damp, although spirits were still high (that may have had something to do with the Engineers Arms bar which had been set up in Billy's shed). The day rolled on with various artist's appearing, Robbie & Danielle on fiddle, Colin and Violet on fiddle and accordian, Norman on accordian and Uncle Ian in fine voice accompanied by his own guitar. A great day was had by all and after counting the money at 10pm, we were up to £2500, but donations were still coming in. We left at about 1am, but I have heard the party slowed down for a while but revved up at around 4am and carried on till breakfast. And the best bit is that it was all in aid of a great cause, see www.catsshetland.org.uk.

Think we need to rest for a bit now, till the next time.

Busy summer - party pictures

2006-07-09T22:45:00.000+01:00

Busy summer - Party time

2006-07-09T19:39:00.000+01:00

We had a lovely day at Rachey & Billy's for Rachey's birthday, a 'Floppy hats and flowery dresses' party, everyone made an effort, with hats and dresses a plenty, it was just like a wedding (me man even put his kilt on), and we got a gorgeous mild day for it.

We had a lovely lunch on the lawn of all Rachey's favourite food, home made of course, nothing but the best for us!! Rachey does know how to throw a great party. We were outside all afternoon, and the bairns had a great time with all the outside games and the dogs to entertain.

To mark the occassion we had booked John Coutts to come along and take family photos as this was one time when the whole family was going to be there, and when he hadn't arrived by 4 pm we were getting worried so I phoned him and realised that we had told him the wrong date!! completely our fault, but he was kind enough to say that he would come along as he was just coming out of Mousa, he arrived about half an hour later. We got some lovely photos, and all of them outside, now there is not many days that you can do that in Shetland!!

The perfect party ended with everyone going home (only after we had tidied up, that's the law) with takeaways and happy memories. Thanks Rachey.

And here's to the next one, this coming Sunday, she is repeating the whole thing but on a massive scale, it's to raise funds for the CATS appeal (scanner that is not the 4 legged kind), invitation only, with a real live bar, live music, auction, raffle, loads and loads of food, drink and fun!! Isn't it great living in Shetland!

Busy summer - Flavour of Shetland

2006-07-09T19:12:00.000+01:00

It's that time of year again when everything seems to happen at once. In the last few weeks we have had the Flavour of Shetland event on Victoria Pier, this year to tie in with the Johnsmas Foy, a celebration of sail which coincided with the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland race and the Shetland-Bergen races, so you can imagine the atmosphere, a harbour filled with beautiful yachts and pretty sailors!
I spent 4 enjoyable days on Victoria Pier selling Burra Bears and Mams Rowes. The Flavour of Shetland seems set to become and annual event after the big launch last year with Shetland hosting the Island Games. The event includes live local music, 24/7 food and drink and load of quality art and craft stalls. The best part of this year for me was bumping into Mark Radcliffe from Radio 2 on the Pier on the second day when the killer whales came in shore by Bressay for a look at what was going on! Oh, and by the way Mark, you never did send up your old jumper to have made into a bear!!

Andrew 'o' Fuglaness sets sail

2006-06-27T12:00:00.000+01:00

I had a phone call yesterday from Marilyn Stewart, wondering about having a Burra Bear sent around the world with her brother, Andrew Halcrow, once he returns he could be auctioned off (the bear that is, not Andrew) for the local CATS scanner appeal. I said yes, of course.
Andrew is sailing single handed, non stop for a year around the world in the Elsi Arrub, and when I say non-stop I mean Non-stop, Marilyn explained that if he wants to say he did it single handed he can't accept anything from other boats etc. So imagine planning how much food you are going to need for a whole year on your own, with no one to talk to but a Burra Bear, he's a brave man, I doubt if I would get much further than the Lighthouse!!!

Andrew and his brother Terry did their first round the world trip from 1988-1995 in the same boat.
So the photo above was taken just about half an hour ago when he left, I was assured that Peerie Andrew 'o' Fuglaness was safely packed on board.
Good Luck Andrew and we'll see you in a year!

Venice in May

2006-05-29T21:43:00.000+01:00

What can I say, 6 plane journeys and countless boat trips, but it was wonderful, if short.
We arrived on Saturday afternoon, and got a water taxi to the hotel, hubby sat out the back of the boat (Miami Vice style), whilst I wedged myself inside the cabin to keep upright (and that was sitting down), too many bumps in the water (guess they do that specially for the tourists). The hotel was lovely, so peaceful and quiet, you would have thought you were the only people there.
We spent the first night wandering around the back streets just looking (me man was a bit hungover from previous afternoon's drinking with Davy in Aberdeen, that'll teach him!), we had a pizza (well, we were in Italy) and went to bed early, absolutely knackered, the stress of flying knocked me out, and I managed without any vallium, maybe I should have taken them!!
Got up the next morning to breakfast of fruit, chocolate croissant's, real coffee and bubbly. Thought as we were only there a few days, we'd better do the Tourist thing and went to St Mark's Square (on a water bus), where we fed the pigeons (well, me man fed the pigeons, they were a bit too friendly for me), looked round the Doge's Palace, thought about the Basillica, but by the time we got there the queue was so big we thought we would leave it for another day, then sat down at the horrendously expensive Caffe Florian (thanks for the warning Beverley), we had coffee (cup a bit too small for my liking), chocolate cake (well, looked more like a bloody chocolate swiss roll) and a beer, and that little lot cost about £20 plus another £8 for the orchestra playing in the background, but I suppose you had to do it (only once though).
We headed back and had drinks in the hotel's garden, all silver service and lots of snacks (a bit like the Carlsberg beer ads on telly, everything you want), ended up having dinner by the canal about 9pm, fish risotto with a little octopus on top, it was actually really nice, but I was quite glad we were eating outside and it was dark as I couldn't see the octopus, a bit like something from 'Alien'. Arrived back to our hotel room, to a perfectly turned down bed, poems and sweets on the bedside table and a little mat by the bed to stand on, joost luffley (there's that Carlsberg ad again).
Another day, more coffee, fruit, croissants, bubbly, and onto another water bus to St Marks Square, we thought we'd better just wait in the queue this time and only stood about 20 minutes, but it was worth it, the Basillica was beautiful, then onto the Campanille (big tall tower, where you can see the whole of Venice).
Had pasta and wine late in the afternoon and came back to the hotel for drinks before heading out for dinner in lovely little restaurant with big prices (having said that, pretty much all the food had big prices, you ended up getting used to it).
Tuesday was our last day and we took one last tour around on the water bus, and had a Gondola ride around the back waters (had to do that one too). Got a water taxi back to the airport, I actually sat up the back this time and quite enjoyed it.
And I can safely say Venice was great, and no, it didn't smell. Arrived Gatwick, found the Seafood bar, scoffed down a big plate of salmon and prawns before hopping on another plane upto Aberdeen and the Caledonian Hotel around 10pm, to order room service and have a big bubbly bath.

Holidays

2006-05-16T11:53:00.000+01:00

We are away to Venice for a long weekend, this is me Man's birthday treat to himself. To take me somewhere to which I have to fly 3 flights, and I absolutely hate flying (Sumburgh-Aberdeen, Aberdeen-London, London-Venice and back again a few days later) then when we arrive we have to travel by boat (not to keen on boats either) apparently in Venice you either walk or take a boat, so that will be different. But these are the things we do for love, you never know, maybe I will love it and become a traveller (doubt it though).
I asked a friend about Venice and he said that he only knew one person who had been there, they thought it was fantastic but the smell was awful, and me that permanently has a 'smell' in my nose.
So I am doing my usual and trying to get organised before I go, catch up on all the Burra Bear order I have been putting off, sort out clothes to take, his clothes to take, dogs to kennels, daughter to pals house, Bears to be made whilst I am away and so the list goes on, god, I should go away more often, I have done more work this week than I have done in the last month and it's only Tuesday!
Big Sis was away in Aberdeen for a long weekend and came home with a Sports Car (mazda MX5, I think), she says her man never makes an effort to get her something for her birthday, well, Billy boy du's outdone de sell di time!, I think that will last for many birthday's and Christmases to come. They came out for a visit on Sunday, but the car wouldn't start when they left, so I ran them home and their nice shiney Sports car sat in my drive for the afternoon, which was quite nice, as I'm sure anyone passing may have thaught it was mine, if only for the afternoon, get a few tongue's wagging (It doesn't take much).
Must go, I think everyone knows I am going away as there goes the email with another order.

April already?

2006-04-16T19:31:00.000+01:00

It's April already and here's me, who was planning to update the blog at least weekly, well that didn't last, so I will try again to keep a regular update, even though no one probably reads it!
So, the mini has landed, me Man and me Sister's Man went down to da Ness with a trailer and picked up the car a few weeks ago. Apparently it had been in the byre for the last 18 years, and the man who owned the byre was there and was absolutely delighted to see it go. They made it to the Easterdale shed in once piece (I actually thought it would fall to bits when moved). They both said it looked better than they thought it would, which was just a well. And in the last week he has also acquired an engine, fancy tyres and various other bits and pieces, and all found locally. So I am now finding out about sub frames and other technical terminology of which I have little interest, but I guess that's going to be the topic of conversation for a long time to come. It is nice to see me Man interested in something for a change as he has been pretty bogged down in the Open University course which he has been slogging through for the last (what seems like) 25 years. And Roby seems pretty interested too (which is unusual for a 13 years old girl), she thinks that by the time it is finished, she will get it to drive.
It's been pretty busy on the Bear front too, it's that time of year when everybody is stocking up for the start of the Tourist season, so the sewing machine has been given a bashing in the last few weeks.
The Shetland Arts & Crafts Association (of which I am Secretary) has been going through a busy time too, we have finally got a handle on our website and are able to update it ourselves, which means we have added quite a few new members, take a look at www.shetlandartsandcrafts.co.uk, and there are still more to come. We also have a permanent display of our members products in the newly refurbished Tourist Office , which is looking fantastic.
That's about it for now, will try to make sure I post weekly from now on.

And a party too!

2006-03-19T16:48:00.000Z

Yes, I did organise a party, well a small one. I phoned family and invited them for cake and champagne on 'me mans' birthday.
He had the afternoon off from work as they all went to the Great Wall for a Chinese lunch and then a few of them went pubbing in the afternoon. So I threw together a little food in the afternoon and we had a lovely night, every one came around 6, 'me drunk man' and 2 drunk pals arrived about 7, we had cake, candles and champagne.
As most of the family were driving they left around 9, then me, 'me man' and his pals spent the night drinking more pop, straightening hair (male hair), tying shoe laces and discussing why you shouldn't try to chat up ladies with a talk of your pet budgie! It's amazing what seems a good idea when your pissed.
This party thing doesn't seem so bad after all, although I did have to stay in bed untill 3pm the next day. Just as well it doesn't happen very often!

The Big 40

2006-03-19T16:22:00.000Z

So, 'me Man' has had his birthday, he is now officially 40, and I can let you know just what I did finally decide to get him (couldn't let you know before just in case he read the blog and found out, yeh like that would ever happen!).
It was a week before his birthday and I was lying in bed, and it came to me! I knew he was looking for an old Mini to 'do up', he has been checking the internet and the Mini World magazine for some time now, he does tell me all about it and I nod and listen (with one ear). So that was it, I decided there and then, I was going to get him an old Mini, I was going to get it in Shetland, in 7 days, and it was going to happen (and I may even organise a small party!). The next day came and I got on the phone, I began by phoning around the local garages, now I knew they wouldn't have one, but they are all male and they know about cars so thought they may be able to help, so I was given various names and numbers of people who may have or may know where I could find an old mini, and I phoned them all. I had a mixed response, 'sorry I got rid of it last year', 'no it rusted away', and the ultimate was 'yes I had one registered in 1966 (me man's year of birth), but I got fed up doing it up and no body wanted it so I ran over it with a tractor a few month's ago' (I nearly cried!).

I even resorted to knocking on doors and asking if they would sell me the one that sat outside. But finally I found one which had been advertised in the Shetland Times back in January, it was a 1978 Mini Clubman Estate (I looked up the internet, they are ugly!!!, but it's not for me), so I arranged with the boy to take a look the night before 'me man's' birthday. I took a Billy brother in law with me as I know precious little about cars (although I have found out a great deal since beginning my search), we arrived at the byre it was being stored in (in the dark), there were no light's and when Billy turned on his torch, I was actually quite pleased there were no lights. To me, it looked like a ruty old heap of shite (and that's being polite), I had at least expected windows and doors (well, they were there, just not attached to the car) but he dutifully looked over it for about half an hour and announced that the bodywork was 'sound', that was good enough for me, I took photos, got the keys paid the man (bid him down first) and set off for home.
I got home and wrapped up the keys and handed them to him with a big early 'Happy Birthday' kiss, he opened it up and actually said very little, so I showed him the photos and explained that the bodywork was 'sound' even though it looked absolutely horrendous.
All in all I think I did very well, I got him something he has always wanted, and I managed to get it in 7 days in Shetland, and after it had sunk in, he was pleased (I think he was shocked I had managed to get it). Just got to persuede Dad to let him use the shed now for the renovation!

Cabin fever

2006-03-06T19:27:00.000Z

I'm still here, and it's worse than it was before!

Shetland woke up this morning to more snow, roads blocked (so SIBC said, by the Police no less), schools closed and nowhere to go.

I did manage to get out of Burra on Saturday morning, I made 'me Man' drive me into Lerwick to get some much needed shopping!, hadn't had the chance to panic buy like everyone else.

Spent Saturday afternoon filling the skip which is still outside the house. Our basement is much better, although I'm sure we could have filled 2 skips if we had them.

'Me Man' was home from work today as I doubt he would have managed to get his car up the muckle road (it was fun watching other folk trying though). We took the dogs out this morning, but even Sparky is getting rather fed up having to bounce through the snow drifts to get anywhere, we thought about going down to the 'Sands' but decided against it after Sparky sunk to his oxters as the snow was so deep.

'Me Man' spent the afternoon making a Burra Bear out of snow (looks more like a mouse), he said it was difficult to get the nose right.

Roll on tomorrow, the rain is coming, hurray!!!

Snow in March - nothing new there then!

2006-03-02T12:47:00.000Z

Well, I am snowed in! It's a moorie caavie (Shetland for blizzard) outside, the schools are shut and the roads are white. But as I work from home, I am stuck in the office, so rather than do paperwork, and it's far too cowld to go out to the shed and make bears, I thought I would update the blob!
The dog's are loving it! As Rob is home from the school, they are all outside making a snowman.

So, what's been happening. I am still on the Spring cleaning, we currently have a skip sitting outside the house, it arrived on Monday, but so far the only thing in it is a whole lot of snow, as it's been too cold to fill it. We are going to clear out the basement of all those things that have gathered with the usual excuse, 'well it might come in handy some day', that day has come and it's going out.
Me man's 40th birthday is fast approaching and I am completely stuck for a present, what do you give a 40 year old? He has already booked his present to himself, a long weekend in Venice with me, me who hates water and is scared to fly - well that should be fun then! Big Sis called this morning with a birthday present plan. Now, unlike most folk reaching 40 me man actually wants a party, but there are so many other things on that weekend, Brae Up Helly Aa, Charity sponsored walks, etc etc. that there would be hardly anyone left to attend, so she came up with a plan which I am still mulling over, it's a big one! and to top it all off she has just called to say even if I go with her suggestion I still have to have a party, the thought of my cream living room carpet with lots of feet on it - I don't think so!
My decorating has come to a bit of a standstill, I got the kitchen and dining room decorated and am waiting on blinds, curtains and cushions to arrive from Big Sis, then it will be complete. Then there is only one room left to do, our bedroom, but that's a case of stripping out all the walls and re-lining, which is quite a big job, so we'll maybe leave that one for a little later on.
So it's looking like I am going to be stuck here all weekend as my little Citroen is a bit crap on snow, so I may even add another update soon.

New Year Spring Clean

2006-01-10T16:48:00.000Z

Me Man has been on about tidying up the laft for a while now and thought we would get it done last Saturday, but having only got up at lunchtime and then being invited to big Sister's house for food and gossip (copious quantities of both I might add), I only arrived home at 6pm (with a Chinese takeaway), and well anyone with a life knows that on Saturday night you certainly wouldn't be tidying up the laft!

So Sunday, it was! We started, and the usual things went through my head, 'what the hell was I thinking', 'why did I keep that', 'did I really think that would ever come in useful again'. Around 4 hours later, I ended up with an ultra organised laft (well you have to keep some crap on the laft, isn't it the law!!!), a car full for the Charity Shop, another car full for Harry Hay's auction room (I'm sure he'll be delighted to see me again), and about 6 black bags full of rubbish for the Essy Kert (we did try to burn the paper stuff, but with only a small barbeque and a force 9 gale blowing we decided it wasn't very practical).

Monday arrived, and Rob went back to school, me Man went to work and I thought I'd better do some sense! so I went out to the shed, thinking I would start work, but instead, spent the whole day tidying up the post Christmas mess! and in between all this the phone rang, with a very nice lady from Channel 4 TV, who wanted to know if I would be interested in taking part in Wife Swop!, my exact words were (after I picked myself up off the floor), 'god no!'.

So, all in all, it was a funny old day, I wonder what delights await me in the shed for the rest of the week!

New Year

2006-01-05T16:55:00.000Z

I found Reestit Mutton at the fabulous Globe Butchers (www.globebutchers.co.uk) in Lerwick, still haven't actually done anything with it yet, but will try Soup soon.

New Years Eve saw us on a whistlestop tour of the West Side, but first we had a lovely beef/pork roast dinner at the in-laws (it's a Shetland thing, you can't just have one meat!). So after a lovely dinner (alcohol free for me as I was driving), we set off to Semblister to see Peerie Sister and family (she was most disappointed that me Man didn't have his kilt on for the occasion), then back to Whiteness just in time to see the New Year in with Rachey & Billy, we then made our way back to Burra to the in-laws, who were still up and with a few bottles of rather nice Bubbly chilling in the fridge, so I made up for the drink free evening and at around 3.30am, tottered down the road to our house with the remains of the last bottle of Pop, by now I was actually wide awake, so sat back and watched Still Game and ended up going to bed around 4.30am.

New Years day began in the late afternoon with the aroma of Honey Roast Duck wafting through the house (I told me Man I was off duty and he would have to make the dinner), and at around teatime we sat down to a beautiful dinner of Duck, roast parsnips, carrots, tatties, creamy mashed tatties (you can never have enough tatties), stuffing and chipolatas (yes I know they don't really go with Duck, but they were from the Globe and they were soooooo good).

Monday came around and I decided that I would have an alcohol free night, but we had to have a bottle of wine with the leftovers from Sunday, and then thought the bottle of Taittinger champagne I got from me Man might go down rather well (but that would be it), so we put on American Pie (the first one, hadn't seen it in a while), and at 3am after another 2 bottles of bubbly and another 2 American Pie films I fell into bed and vowed that there would be no more alcohol, well at least till the weekend!

Festive soup

2005-12-31T00:28:00.000Z

Go into any Shetland kitchen at this time of year and you will find a large metal pan on the cooker which contains some kind of soup, traditionally made on reestit mutton (salted, cured yowe) and including, onions, tatties, neeps, keel and carrots.

Now I am not a big fan of this (too salty) and it could also be because I am a bit crap at making soup and various other dishes, it doesn't help that I am plagued by a family of wonderful cooks. And yes I know soup is one of the easiest things you can make, Billy (he of the 24 hour, hunder weight o tattie soup marathon), but I am really just not that good at it. So, I decided to give it a go, first to get the meat, and I decided on ham (or smoked hough, ham joint, have to get the terminology right) and I did get a lovely bit from the Globe butcher (simply the best butcher in the world, ever!), it also helped that it came vaccuum packed. I knew what had to go in the soup but wasn't sure in what order, does everything go first, or do you boil the meat first, so I did what anyone would do in that situation and phoned Rachey (I would have phoned Mam but she was in bed with th sickness and didn't think she would appreciate talking about food). I boiled the meat with an onion for 2 hours as instructed , tasted it (a bit like hot water with oil on top) and again, as instructed added stock cubes (what would this world be without stock cubes, it doesn't bear thinking about) to give it a taste, and do you know I had already bought ham stock cubes in anticipation and they come wrapped in baby pink foil - brilliant! So I added the rest of the ingredients and cooked for a further hour and would you believe it wasn't actually that bad, and quite tasty once I added the ham from the hough thingy.

So I will head off to town tomorrow in search of reestit mutton (I'll be bloody lucky at this time of year) and I shall attempt to make real tattie soup.

Now there's a new years resolution, to make soup (wonder if Billy would be willing to give lesson's?, I promise not to make fun of him and his soup making).

See you next year.

Christmas and beyond

2005-12-28T18:07:00.000Z

So with all the presents wrapped, all the cards sent (even managed to catch last date for 2nd class stamps), I thought me and Rob would go up to Whiteness and visit Mam, Susie and Minty (they were staying at Rachey and Billy's to look after the dogs over Christmas whilst they were away in Hong Kong). We had a lovely night, swopped some presents had some drams and ended up staying all night. The next day me and Rob went to Lerwick to find flowers, and not a one could we find! We did end up ordering a bouquet from Stems (beautiful as ever Steve!), which I sent me Man in to pick up later on.
We spent Christmas Eve beside the in laws, had loads of food, swopped lots of presents and had quite a few drams, then came home and gave each other our presents, I got a Sex and the City boxed set (just need a few days in front of the telly to watch it now), and lots of other lovely things, oh, I even got a plastic gun thing which catches spiders (will be great for the shed!).
Got up on Christmas Day, quite late (9am), I think Rob has finally grown up, and didn't want to get up for Santy (usually awake at 5am), but I dragged her out of bed and we went through, and would you beleive it, I got Santy too!!!!!!!!! It was great. We had Brunie (or Huffsie if you come from Whalsay) and tea, then cracked open the bubbly and fresh orange.
We had a taxi booked to take us up to Whiteness for Christmas dinner, and after Mam calmed down because the oven wouldn't cook the Turkey, 'Soooosin, I telt you we should have put on da Turkey at nine o'clock, it's all your fault', we had more presents and more drams and an absolutley fabulous dinner.
Maggie and Sparky couldn't come up to Whiteness, as Millie (Minty's dog) would probably have killed them, but we got pictures of them under the Christmas tree looking very festive.
The last few days have been very lazy, sleeping late, eating at the wrong time and generally lying around.
So the next round is Hogmanay and into the new year.

Update

2005-12-28T17:13:00.000Z

It feels like month's since I was here last, but I must post an update on what's been going on.

CHILDREN IN NEED
We had a party at big sister Rachey's house for Children in Need, it was a sort of auction night, everyone had to bring clothes to auction and a good raffle prize (I took a Burra Bear), the other lasses had brilliant ideas, Rachey donated a gourmet meal for 2 (in your own home), Susie donated a full house Susie shine (top to bottom house spring clean), Sharey donated her time for a day to do anything (she's pretty crafty, and can turn her hand to anything), Billy donated a boat trip, Big Tam donated a paint job, Melanie donated a smoked trout, and Mam donated 2 of her Mam's makkin ponchos. There was a prize for the best dressed (from a Charity shop), and Sharey won, she came dressed as Teenie Ingamore (see the photos)
, she was hilarious, Mam didn't even know who it was to begin with!! So on top of all this we listened to BBC Radio Shetland's Children in Need and bid on items in their auction. We won such delights as a Poly Tunnel, tickets to the local Panto and a chance to name a fudge. There was also the auction (in house) and Rachey and Billy were stand in's for Harry Hay, as he couldn't make it. So all in all it was a lovely night with good food and many drams, and we made over £400 to go to Children in Need which Rachey left with the Radio Shetland Team.

DECORATING
You know, decorating is one of those thing's that once you start it's really kind of hard to stop. For those of you who followed me in the Shetland Weekly, you wil recall the decorating antics. So we started once again, this time on the end room (used for office, dressing room, studying room etc etc etc). Now this wasn't a case of slapping on some paint and paper, the whole 4 walls and roof had to come down and be re-lined and insulated, which was rather nice as most of it was the dredded V Lining. So me Man started, and all the room's contents had to be emptied and found new homes in the garage, bedroom and the living room (it was really quite a small room, but there was some pile of crap that came out of it). So the dust rose and settled for a few weeks, then he painted, the furniture arrived and I now have a rather nice room which actually looks like what it is meant for, an office!
While all this was happening I had a lovely big envelope arrive through the post one morning with Rachey's writing on it, and it was wallpaper samples and within half an hour I had phoned her up and she had ordered the ones I liked. It arrived the very next week and I called Colin (the decorator who is simply the best), he came within a few days and the kitchen and dining room were looking perfect (I did try to scrape off the old paper, spent about 3 hours, got about 1 metre square done and gave up). Praise be to the decorator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PANTOMIME
Around this time of year the Burra players hold their Pantomime, and it was all set, we were in rehersal (after me making a fuss about not wanting a big part, and getting my own way), when came the news that it had been cancelled due to one of the main characters having to go for an operation doon sooth. Now after being delighted and punching the air excitedly, I did think it was rather a shame it wasn't going ahead. But we had the after show party (without the show) and that was fun, although I do have vague memories of getting home from the Sooth End hall, I checked the camera the next day as I did remember taking photos (see me, Bobby and Gordon, team for the Quiz, can't rememer if we won?).

OTHER STUFF
So in between doing all of the above I have been madly making Burra Bears, as we have to work as well you know. Spending most nights out in the Shed sewing, stuffing, finishing, labelling and generally trying to get all the orders done in time for Christmas, but with the help of my fabulous Teddy Bear makers we did it, and with a week to spare would you believe it!
So the weekend before Christmas I was all set to go shopping for presents as I hadn't actually done anything about that side of it. And then the snow came, now I did attempt to get into Lerwick but got to Scalloway, and my little C2 started to protest by sliding all over the road, so we stopped, skidded around for a while before actually managing to turn around and headed for home. As with most Shetland weather it disappeared as quickly as it arrived, and the next day (Sunday) we headed for town, got there around 12, did a little shopping, had lunch, did some more shopping and was home by 6pm with all presents bought (think that has to be some sort of a record). The next night I wrote out all Christmas cards, wrapped all presents and got to bed about 2am, absolutely delighted with my achievements and a little drunk (well, you need somthing to see you through all that).

Da Muckle Gravit

2005-11-17T19:33:00.000Z

SUCCESS! I managed to download the photo of me and Joanna Hunter makkin on da Muckle Gravit at the Mael Sands in Burra.

The Gravit (Shetland speak for scarf) was the brainchild of Jane Moncrieff and it all began at last years Craft Fair, an ingenius way to get folk knitting and keep the Arts & Crafts Association to the fore throughout the year. It has had many interested parties having a go and knitting a few rows, from the very young to the more experienced knitter. And who knows we may even break the record. Apparently the longest scarf ever knitted was made in pieces and sewn together, whereas ours is in one continuous piece.

Thanks to Hazel Hughson, our Indigenous Crafts Officer, it is growing very quickly and has its own diary which includes photos and notes from where it's been. Hazel looks after the Gravit's appointments diary, which is quite full for the next few months. Thanks Hazel, it's much appreciated.

Craft Fair

2005-11-13T22:34:00.001Z

AUNTY WINNIE & FIONA MAKKIN ON DA MUCKLE GRAVIT

An update of the past few weeks.
Maggie is growing fast and terrorising Spark as I type.
The annual Christmas Craft Fair has come and gone (organised and held every year by the Shetland Arts & Crafts Association, of which I am, for my sins, Secretary). See www.shetlandartsandcrafts.co.uk.
That's about it, however, there has been huge quantities of work done in this time. Not only have been organising my own work (Burra Bears) to make some money at the Craft Fair, but I have also been sorting out my Mam's wares (Mams makkin, Fair Isle Poncho's, we shared a stand at the Fair). And finally I have been doing what Committee Secretaries do best, all the bloody paperwork for the organisation of the Craft Fair. Well, I might be slightly exaggertaing this as we have a fantastic committee and everyone did their bit to make the whole event run fantastically well, even if John did turn up late on Saturday morning with the money!
We even got together on Saturday night at the Great Wall Chinese restaurant to marvel at all the work we had done, over quite a few bottles of red wine and a fantastic meal. Isn't it funny how a few glasses (or should that be bottles) of wine, make it much easier to speak to folk and you end up asking questions you would normally never mention. Having said that, everyone was still talking to me on Sunday morning so I am assuming I didn't offend anyone, I am just terribly interested in folk (although some would say nosey!).
As the attached photo shows, we had fun doing the whole thing, using ourselves to advertise the event. It was originally mentioned that we do the knitting on the beach naked, but decided no, it would be rather too cold, and there would probably be a little unwanted attention. Can't seem to attach the photo, but you can view it at www.craftscotland.org.

So that's what's been going on, although I did have last week off, I couldn't bear (pardon the pun) to go out to the shed to sort out the remains of the craft fair, bears, ponchos etc etc, so I kind of did all those things you would normally never do in a million years, I ironed lots, I cleaned the house and sat and stared into space a lot, god, I even watched telly in the afternoon (and anyone who knows me, knows I don't do that), but I have gotten over it, and I guess I'd better do some work next week, as I have a load of bears to make, including a dozen for Bamford's in London made from arran jumpers and cord fabric, hey that's life.

Maggie has arrived

2005-10-12T23:21:00.000+01:00

After a long search for a peerie sister for Sparky, we finally picked up Maggie on Friday.
We have been looking for a Border Terrier for a while now, and finally found a litter just outside Aberdeen, belonging to a lovely man called Bob. 'Me Man' had been down to see them a few weeks ago and chose one.
So we now had the problem of getting Maggie up here. British Airways were going to charge over £100 for her to fly unaccompanied, which was ridiculous. But we finally found a way through Scatsta Airport (they couldn't have been more helpful, and there was no charge!).
So we arrived at Scatsta on Friday at 1pm and watched the plane come into land, only for it to take off back into the clouds without hitting the tarmac, I was told that it was too windy and the plane was on its way to Sumburgh (approx 50-60 miles away), so we all got in the car and headed South, I called on the way down to make sure it had landed and was told that yes it had touched down and all the passengers, including Maggie were on a bus on their way back up to Scatsta, so again we turned around and headed back North.
The bus arrived a little later, and there was a very nice lady who had volunteered to take the puppy on board, and had managed to get her a seat in the cabin in her box. So Maggie travelled in style up front in the big jet plane. But with a face like that how could you resist.
Sparky was a little unsure to begin with, I don't think he thought she was a dog, until she started nipping his, feet, ears, bum and pretty much anything else she could reach! But it's looking like thy will be the best of friends!

Friday's

2005-09-18T22:04:00.000+01:00

My usual Friday consists of writing shopping list, sorting out banking, writing lists of stuff to buy (I usually only go to Lerwick one day a week, must have reached that age).
But Thursday I got a distress call from big sis asking me to come and help her clear up all her paperwork before she went away for a week (She had the flu and had to spend a few days laid out on the sofa with lemsip, magazines and telly, cos that’s what you do!).
So Friday I headed out West to help, I was given a list and got through it in plenty time. We went to Town and delivered pattern books, curtains, cushions etc. then headed to the Peerie Shop Café for late lunch/tea of sandwiches and coffee.
I had a call from Radio Shetland last week to see if we could do Give Us a Tune on Friday night, and said yes, of course, so we went through our music list and sorted out the banter, whilst eating and drinking our coffee and sandwiches. We had a lovely night, and since we have done this a few times were not nervous, although I guess the bottle of bubbly always helps! (Gordon never complains when I top up his glass!). So after another successful Friday night Give Us a Tune, we both headed to the Great Wall for a takeaway, to the Co-Op for more Pop and home for an easy Friday night in!
Imagine having to go out on the pull? I don’t think so.
p.s. You can listen to the show again at www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland, follow the links to radio shetland.

The Perfect Pink Party

2005-09-12T21:53:00.000+01:00

So, what are the ingredients for the above?

Ask big Sis, because she held one on Saturday night. A belated birthday party for me (she is holding one for each of us Sisters, she’s good like that). I sometimes think that when you get to a certain age you shouldn’t have parties, it’s kind of a bairns thing isn’t it?, but then I think of the fun you have (and we always do), and I put my fears aside!

So we arrived around 7pm (she said, ‘don’t come early, I had a lie-in due to a late night so I need all my time’), Sisters only, all dressed in pink, to a beautiful pink table (see photo) complete with pink covering, pink food, pink bubbly, pink balloons, pink streamers etc etc etc, she had gone all out, complete with pink wig ordered specially from Dundee (as I said, she’s good like that). Once everyone had arrived we toasted with Pink Piper (I couldn’t get Pink Bolly!), then we started into the party games, pass the parcel for big girls with prizes which included pink shoes!!!! (bliss!!!). She had also arranged a Charity Auction, which we all had to bring something that everyone else may want, I did my usual party CD music, a compilation of Perfect Pink Party Music and an After Midnight Pink Party Music (the kind you can greet to once you have had enough Pop, hence the After Midnight!), there were many other items to bid on, a fabulous pair of pink suede high heeled boots (I had to have those!), a pashmina, a photo of a little Angelina ballerina, pink perfume, and the ultimate, a PINK Rampant Rabbit from Anne Summers (Sister Susie had spent all week trying to get it sent up from Aberdeen). The bidding started well, with various sisters taking turns in imitating Harry Hay, we even had a phone bid at the most crucial moment (Mam phoned when the Rampant Rabbit was up for grabs!, her that is hooked on Bid Up TV, she did put on a reserve, and thankfully, it was overtaken by miles by sisters aplenty!).
We then went on to the Music Quiz (one of my favourites as I do like my music), I won, of course.
Then the Sisters who were driving had to leave and we all got PINK Party Bags, with fantastic goodies.
It gets a bit hazy now as we retired to the upstairs sitting room, with yet more pink pop and the after midnight cd, which we listened to with tears in our eyes.
I went to bed leaving 2 big sisters asleep on various sofas.
But all in all it was a simply wonderful night, good company, good food, fantastic entertainment, and perfect pink pop, what more could a thirty-something ask for on her birthday! Roll on the next one. And we raised over £100 for charity (going into the Cancer Research shop next week with a cheque).

Summer holidays nearly over

2005-08-15T23:03:00.001+01:00

Well, the holidays are nearly over and the schools go back on Wednesday much to my daughter's disappointment (all the late nights and even later lie in's will have to stop Rob!). Were just back from a few days in Aberdeen (where Shetlander's go for breaks to get away from the peace and quiet), the noisy City, but then I guess every City is noisy compared to living here (I don't really do noise and folk and cars and all the other City stuff).
So as I said we were away for a few days and 'me Lass' took one of her pals away, imagine 5 days spent with 2 x 13 years olds, shopping (which went very well apart from the fact that the 'Pal' tried on nearly every pair of Jeans in Aberdeen), bowling, cinema, and the Fair (with all the grabby machines which very rarely spit out the toys you sooooo want), unfortunately for me, 'me Man and 'me Lass' ended up with a giant size, Tigger, Eeyor and Piglet, they did try for Pooh, but we ran out of time.
I did get one day alone shopping (and did bag a fabulously loud coat from River Island for £10 - its wonderful and a bargain), whilst 'me Man' took the lasses to the Football (I don't do football, I went once in January and said never again, not sure if that was to do with the cold, or the fact that it was, well, FOOTBALL!), been there, done that, don't really want the T'shirt.
On our last night in Aberdeen we headed for the Lemon Tree to see Gwyneth Herbert (heard her on R2, fantastic voice, got the album, a few covers and a few of her own songs), she was the best, the kind of music that sounds as good live as it does on CD, and there are not many that do! And I don't think there are many Pubs in Aberdeen (or anywhere) where you can get quite a nice Spanish Rioja for £9.50 a bottle! Needless to say I drank the whole thing to myself as 'me Man' was having beer. And a good night was had by all, well that's what I thought till the next day when daughter, pal and 'me Man' all said it wasn't really their kind of music, guess that's what you get for taking me to the Aberdeen Football Stadium in January, Mo!
Oh I must just add a little note, the day before we left for Aberdeen I had Muriel Gray (yep, the one off the telly and now on the radio) at my house in the morning recording part of a programme about dialect for Radio Scotland, and I had John Carolan (photographer extraordinaire) along in the afternoon taking photos for his Shetland Women project. I can't wait to the see the pictures, although I am more excited about seeing the pictures of my peerie dog, Sparky!
So the fun is over and I really must get back to work, still in holiday mode even though we've been back nearly a week and the Burra Bear orders pilling up fast!
But all is well, my Mary is free to sew, I've just bought a Gaggia Coffee Machine (that will add to my grown up Sofa and Dining Table - see when you get older, you buy thing to last, not cos they're cheap!) and it's my birthday next week with a BBQ planned (sun will shine or else!) and a second night at Big Sis's house for a girly night. So life is good. But I am starting to decorate again, kitchen and dining room, so watch this space!

Whats new

2005-07-31T23:24:00.000+01:00

Well, there’s been quite a bit going on in the last week or so. I will start with last weekend, big Sis invited me, me Man and me lass (and her pal) for dinner on Saturday night. So we arrived to what I thought would be mountains of rich buttery, creamy yummy food, but she had decided to ‘go healthy’. This may have had something to do with the previous week when she invited other sisters, families and wir Mam for tea and ‘did wir Mam in’, with all the rich food (she was up the whole night with indigestion). We began with a bottle of Bolly (got to have the real thing), and not even a nibble or crisp in sight. But seriously, the dinner was lovely, a huge platter of simple fresh fish to start, lobster, prawns, smoked trout, crab and some kind of seaweedy thing that was really rather nice. The main course was chicken with cous cous, roasted veggies and a tiny tiny jug of juice from the meat, to which I managed to persuade her to add copious quantities of white wine and cream! Mmmmmm! We finished with what I can only describe as HEAVEN! (she must have been feely guilty as all the food was soooo healthy) a chocolate cheesecake with a baked bottom and as much real chocolate and cream as it could hold, and god, it was good! We finished upstairs with more pop and were sent home just after midnight. I got home thinking another drink would be a good idea and settled down with a bottle of beer in front of a live Coldplay concert on Sky!

Sunday night and I was off up to Busta House to meet up with my American Knitting friends. Gregory Courtney of the Simply Shetland knitting book and his gang were back in Shetland for their annual Tour, and they wanted to meet up and see some bears! I also brought Mam along with her Fair Isle Rowes, Jayne Kelly with her fabulous jewellery and the Muckle Gravit. We joined everyone in the dining room of pudding and then went through to the Long Room where I did a little intro and then we settled down for coffee and passed around the Gravit so they could all have a go and add a bit. What a lovely night, and even Mam enjoyed it (her that ‘doesn’t really like that kind of things!’). We left to promises of all 20 of the group calling along my house on Tuesday to see the Teddy Shed & Sparky dog.

Tuesday arrived and true to their word, the Jamieson’s bus parked up outside and all 20 of them poured in. They had to take turns in the Shed as it can only hold about 6 at a go (tightly packed). But Sparky was the star of the show (3 year old Parsons Jack Russell, looks like Eddie off Frasier), I dressed him in his Kilt, and the cameras started clicking, he loved every minute!

Friday
QUESTION: Have you ever been told off for talking to someone whilst filling your car with petrol?
I was!, on Friday, in Lerwick at a garage I have gone to for the past god knows how many years, I wouldn’t care but there wasn’t even any cars behind my car or the car of the person I was talking to, but she came out of the shop waving her hands and saying 'excuse me!', gesturing that we hurry up, so much for customer service, I was furious and I will be looking to buy my fuel elsewhere from now on, just a shame that they are the cheapest in Town. Maybe she had the PMT/Grumpy Old Women syndrome? Who knows.

After the Island Games

2005-07-19T23:43:00.000+01:00

So it’s all over, and my, didn’t it fly by, here’s a rundown of my week working at the Flavour of Shetland Event hosted by Shetland Islands Council (a 5 day event to promote Shetland through music, food and craft), selling Burra Bears and Mams makkin Fair Isle Rowes (aka Fair Isle Poncho).

Monday
Monday dawned fine and bright (here’s hoping for the rest of the week). I arrived early as I wasn’t sure how long it would take to set up, and we were supposed to open up our tents at 11am.
It was busy pretty much right from the off. There were big Liners in the harbour which meant lots of visitors. Mams Fair Isle Rowes (aka Poncho) were a huge hit, almost sold half the stock, which I thought was going to last all week (phoned mam and told her to keep makkin, no sleep, just keep makkin!). I did sell Bears too, but the Rowes seem to be the latest craze!
Only one problem, the BBQ, all day the wind blew the reek right on the front stalls, which included me, so went home rather hearse and a bit reeky, hoping I wouldn’t end up with smelly Rowes and BBQ bears, hopefully it will be sorted tomorrow! Treated to a selection of live music all day in the main tent, what a lovely atmosphere, like holidays! Went home 8pm.
Oh, also got a photo taken for da Paper (that’s the real Paper) with Patricia Ferguson (minister for sport, culture and few other things for by), good publicity, a bit of free advertising, I seem to be good at getting that.

Tuesday
A bit quieter today, but sales went well. Fair Isle Rowes still flying off the hangers, sold nearly as much as yesterday, getting worried now that there will be nothing left for the rest of the week, so I will take in my 2 Rowes tomorrow as samples. Bears went well today.
YESSSSSS – they moved the BBQ round the back so fresh air aplenty today. Finished around 8pm again. Big Sis put in a Tea takeaway with Sister Susie, 3 kinds of tatties (creamy, mustard and a third I forget), sausages with onions and gravy, mmmmmm, every Shetland persons dream – lots and lots of tatties (well one of my dreams, guess that’s mams doing). Oh and a cheesecake with poached peaches and a raspberry coulis (she’s so Nigella).

Wednesday
Got into a routine now, come in early, set stock out and get coffee from Peerie Shop Café before 11am. Eating Toffee Crisps and Peanut M & M’s like they are going out of fashion!
Colder today (and you know how I hate the cold), I am actually getting used to being outside, although I did have my scarf today (yes scarf in the middle on July, must remember to take gloves tomorrow).
Sold around 8 Rowes today, really not many left now, although Mam has been knitting and I got a late delivery of another 4, but 2 simply sold before they were out of the bag. Having to take orders.
Did an interview for the Shetland Times about how the week was going, did big promo on Mams Makkin, again good FREE advertising. Stayed in till 8pm again.
Oh, yes, one of our photographers, John Carolan is doing an exhibition of 100 Shetland women, and he asked if I would take part, so he came in and clicked away for a while, me all wrapped up in a Stripey Rowe (a new design from Mam, and a scarf and feeling very cold), god alone knows what I will look like, but I have seen John’s work, and it’s really good, so hopefully he can work his magic on me!

Thursday
A lot brighter this morning, although even with the cold, it doesn’t seem to matter, as it’s really has been a lovely week, such a good atmosphere, with all the folk, the music, the crafts and the food (I highly recommend the Hot Smoked Salmon Wrap, mmmmmm), I will say it again it’s like being on holiday, not work!
Rained really heavy in the afternoon, but even that was ok.
Rowes still going well (guess the cold weather is helping!).
Got lots of coffee today, told me Man that if he is coming down to visit just get coffee on the way (only Nescafe available on the Pier, and we don’t do that!).
Getting a double Cappuccino now, extra strong, I will have withdrawal symptoms next week!

Friday
It’s the last day, I can’t believe it has gone so fast.
Saw the Paper this morning, they put in the photo, but I look every so slightly crazy, like when you point a camera at a peerie bairn and ask them to smile and they put on a really huge grin – well that was me! Good write up though.
Thankfully it was quite nice in the afternoon, Shetland was in the final for the Football against Guernsey, and they won (I think it was 2 nil), now although I have little interest in football (me Man being a devout Aberdeen fan), It was lovely that they won, we watched it on the big screen on the Pier and could hear the cheers from the Gilbertson Park seconds before they scored on the screen. So it all ended on a good note. Couldn’t tell you what medals Shetland got, although I did hear it was quite a few (not really into Sport).
Big party on Friday night for most folk, although I packed everything up at 8pm, and loaded up my car, then had to go and get me Man’s car and loaded that up too.
Got home about 9.30pm. Now after a whole week working 11am till 8pm, you would think I would have wanted to sit down and have a drink (big Sis very kindly left me a bottle of fizzy chilling in the fridge – Thanks Rachey!), but I got home and all I wanted was a ‘cup o tae’, and that’s what I had along with the white ham salad sandwich Big Sis gave me for lunch (I had already eaten by the time she came with lunch).
I took me peerie dug, ‘Sparky’ out for a walk, felt guilty leaving him for most of the week. And then as I was about to go to bed, I got a phone call from me Man to see if I wanted to pick him up, so I got in the car and went back to Town.

Suffice to say I made up for it on Sunday by having lots of lovely red wine with a very tasty Chinese takeaway (after spending the day in my pyjamas, on my new sofa, it finally arrived, in my lovely decorated sitting room, we did get it finished, watching all the programmes I had recorded from the last 3 weeks, having had no time previously to watch as I was up to the lugs in Burra Bears).
So that was pretty much a perfect end to very enjoyable week.

And I got the photo’s that John took, they are lovely (not meaning I am lovely, but made me look half normal, not like the one in Paper) but they are so natural, and black and white, I think that does me justice.

I went into Town yesterday and put an ad in the Personal column of the Paper, to let folk know about this Blog, so if you read the ad and are now reading this, let me know!

Island Games

2005-07-10T22:48:00.000+01:00

Having spent the last few months (actually seems much longer) up to the lugs in Burra Bears and Mams Rowes, the Island Games are finally here. Yes, the Natwest Island Games (I think thats what they call it) has arrived and after a very wet (torrential rain) Opening ceremony last night, today dawned fine and sunny, which was just as well as I had to set up on Victoria Pier for the Flavour of Shetland event which is being run over the next week to co-incide with the Island Games. Its 5 days of live music, food, drams and fantastic high quality crafts (that'll be the longest week's work I've put in for a while then), that's 11am to 11pm every day.
So as I said it was a beautiful sunny day, and we arrived at the Pier just around 4pm to set up, and everything was looking good, and all went well. We were even treated to some live music from the kirky folk.
So here's to next week, and lots of sales for those fantastic Burra Bears and the new high quality Mams makkin Fair Isle Rowes!

Mael Beach Man

2005-06-26T13:46:00.000+01:00

Big brother arrived at my house last week with his digital camera and a tale of a 'Man' they had made on the beach (him and the 3 bairns), so at 10.15pm I set off to the Mael Sands to see for myself and here he is!
He actually started as a burnt old wooden log which was lying on the beach, so they made eyes, nose and mouth, hair and even took clothes to dress him with.
I said he looked like some kind of god sent to watch over the beach or even an entry for the Turner prize, well let's face it there's a lot more work gone into him as some entries!
As this was last week, I would be interested to know if he is still standing or have the vandals been and had a go?
So there you go Kevin, on the web for all to see!

Issue 11 - the very last one I wrote for the paper that didn't get published

2005-06-26T13:39:00.000+01:00

Boring, frumpy, uncool or just plain getting older and can’t be bothered. Whatever you want to call it, I just don’t get the latest fashion trend, which seems to come under numerous headings. Read any glossy mag and you will see, ‘boho chic’, ‘urban cowgirl’, ‘peasant’, ‘gypsy’ and ‘hippy’. What is it with fashion, can’t someone invent something new, why do they have to keep churning out all the old stuff from years ago. A few choice items which really should have been left in the past – batwing tops, drainpipe jeans, rara skirts, legwarmers, the dreaded black leggings (with lycra) and now we are back with the hippy look and as with most fashions past it’s not the kind of thing that just anyone can wear, it always looks good on the models, but then they are all size 8 with legs up to their oxters, unlike normal people. But I guess this hippy phase isn’t all bad, there is some lovely jewellery around, but I say ditch the floggy, cheesy, clothy skirts and floppy hats and stick to what you know.
It’s not always easy to dress for your age, especially when fashion decides to completely confuse and go back a few decades. No one tells you what age you have to be before the words fashion, mutton and lamb are all used in the same sentence. You just need to look at some of the award ceremonies on telly to see what I mean, it’s not so much mutton as old heddery yowe dressed as lamb.
I have finally grown up in the clothes stakes, I now own a proper grown up handbag, having given up buying fashion bags which I then got too attached to even when they were falling apart at their poorly finished seams, only one problem though, how do you clean pink suede without having to take out a loan to cover the dry cleaning costs?
I own a proper wool girly coat which I would even go so far as to say is verging on a style from a past era, but in a very tailored chic way, I also believe in spending serious money on good quality boots and if you count the cost per wear, they really do justify themselves. The last time I was Sooth I bought boots from a grown up real shoe shop (Clarks), I had looked through all the fashion store shoe’s (much to me man’s dismay, he doesn’t like shopping and absolutely hates shoe shopping, as I’m a bit fussy), but just couldn’t find what I was looking for. I wanted walking boots (you know your on the slippery slope when you start to need shoes for a purpose), which were practical and comfy, but still looked nice and something which was not black (do you know how hard it is to find ‘not black’ ankle boots). I have a thing about black footwear, I do own one pair of black boots but only wear them with the one pair of black trousers I own (I have the same problem with black trousers).
But in the end we all wear what we feel good in and who am I to criticise having been through the eighties, but I would like to think I now have the sense to know that when it all comes back around I will leave it up to my daughter to wear.

Issue 10 that never was

2005-06-23T21:54:00.000+01:00

I really do love my food, and was recently re-introduced to an old favourite – Mid Brae coleslaw.
As a thank you for doing a Trinny and Susannah on her wardrobe, Sister Susie treated me and big sister to supper. She was actually quite horrified when we had finished the wardrobe and she saw how little was left, but as we pointed out, everything that was left was clothes she actually wore, so she had to agree it was good.
Now I have always had a thing about this particular coleslaw, it’s so creamy, smooth, tasty and home made and the best thing is it doesn’t have any onions (as they do tend to come back on you), in fact the last time I was up in Brae visiting my Mam I went along for a coleslaw takeaway, believe me it’s worth it! So we had a lovely supper, meat salad with big homemade chips (you don’t see those very often nowadays).
I thoroughly believe in what I would call ‘right made food’, and if you are going out for food it should be better than, or at least as good as you can make at home. I won’t say I’m a great cook, because I’m not, I can do what I have to but am not very adventurous, and I tend to stick to the things I like. My Mam loves cooking all types of food, savoury, sweet, baking, you name it she can make it, and she doesn’t have to measure, when I ask for a recipe it’s all, “joost pit in a peerie bit o dis and a handfoo o dat”, I can’t do that, it never turns out the same. Mam loves meat, she actually acquired the nickname ‘Marina 2 meats’, it came from a brother-in-law who was amused that she always had at least 2 meats on the table for a Sunday dinner, it might have been chicken and beef, chicken and pork or chicken and something, but there was always a chicken in there somewhere. I think this 2 meat thing came from when we were all peerie and one meat would never have been enough to feed us, although she did seem to have magic powers over a single pound of mince which she could feed to at least 8 people (I’m lucky if it feeds 3). But I’m not knocking it, I would be highly disappointed if I went for lunch and there was only one meat, imagine?
I am quite fussy when it comes to some things like tea and coffee. My rules are – Tea should come in a packet and be loose leaf which you spoon into a proper tea pot, add boiling water and leave to track. Tea bags are ok if they are herbal, otherwise only use in an emergency. Instant tea, don’t even go there, it should be banned, I just don’t get it!
Coffee should be real, there is just something about the smell (mmm the smell), the taste (rich, slightly burnt) and again it should be made in a pot, either Cafetiere or Espresso, I don’t like percolators, they kill coffee, left to stew for hours, yuk. Instant coffee – no comment. And the finishing touch, a biscuit, as you can’t have a cup without a biscuit, no, really, you can’t.
Must go, I hear the Espresso pot bubbling on the stove and the biscuits are calling.

2005-06-23T09:18:00.000+01:00

Where do we go from here?

2005-06-23T08:55:00.000+01:00

So, the Shetland Weekly has gone under and I was just kind of getting the hang of writing about stuff that's going on so when big Sis mentioned doing a Blog (well she didn't actually call it that as she doesn't know the right terminology for computer/internet stuff) I said it was something I had been thinking about, but what about all the folk that read my column and don't have access to the internet? she said they would get their bairns to print it off for them, so here's hoping! My first posting in the Blog spot - Wendys Week (why change the name of something that works!). See you soon xx