The Blog from Bressay

Please tell me!  Very scary.

Anyway been busy, busy here.  Have been doing varying things as per last blog.  Didn’t have housewarming as was too ill so a revised date to be decided.

Last weekend we had a Drama Weekend which was great.  I wasn’t able to do everything but we had a greatly productive weekend so watch this space…..  I was also cast in one of our 10 minute plays that we have produced for the Wordplay Festival and have cast my play (even though it’s not finished yet, need to get a wiggle on with that one!)

I have now got a date for ESA medical, next Monday so fingers crossed that it’s not as traumatic as the DLA one.  The Occupational Therapist has been and I am to get a Care at Home Assessment to see what help I need.  They also gave me a form to apply for a Social Assistance Grant which means that if I get it I’ll be able to get a washing machine.  It really is terrible being 32 and still having to go to your parents to get your washing done!

The Camera Group on Bressay is now in the process of being dissolved.  We didn’t have enough members so this unfortunate decision was taken but I think I’ve got plenty of other things to do so maybe one less thing on my plate might not be such a bad thing.

I’m still in middle of getting house sorted.  I’ve still to get 5 boxes down from Mam and Dads when my Uncle is free, hopefully next week.  Then it will be seeing where on earth I’m going to store everything.  I’ve still not got any shelving up yet so that might help.

On the crafty side of things I’ve been plugging away with my Chakra Blanket and I’m on my 3rd square just now so I shall leave you with a pic of the first two (they still need ironing) and Woody staring out the window (please excuse the mess).

I did mean to blog before now but life seems to have gotten in the way - as usual.

I’ve been very busy with Parent Councils, Hall Committees and Drama but thankfully it’s a bit more settled now to what it was.

The School is looking to upgrade the grounds as well seem to be abou the only school in Shetland whose grounds are totally covered in tarmac.  It’s been that way since I was there!  The Parent Council are helping to fundraise for this and will be having a Sunday Teas and Plant Sale next week.  I’m bringing some plants and also baking.  I’m nicking MLS’s recipe for Chocolate Brownies and think I’ll make chocolate rice crispies as they always go down well.  I’ve got a cooker and not sure about the whole temperature thing but will give making some fairy cakes ago.  Thinking of making some lemony ones.  The plants I shall be taking are spiders and Easter Cactus and maybe a cutting of the Shamrock/Clover type plant I have.  I’m hoping that Spider plants stay in one piece as Woody is terribly good at decimating them.  Nothing like a good chew on a Spider plant according to him.

Speaking of Woody not sure if I told you in last blog but have bought him a Furminator (hope I’m allowed to do next bit):

http://www.furminator.com/

He’s been shedding like buggery and I lost brush in move.  Ended up he got a couple of matts in fur and I used an old brush to try and get them out but to no avail.  I had to end up cutting them out and I have to say Woody was so good.  He lay down quite the thing and let me do it.  Anyway bought the Furminator as heard good things about it and I’m a firm fan of them now too.  It does look a bit like a torture tool but Woody is perfectly happy for me to use it on him.  The old brush I had I’d manage a couple of strokes and then he wanted to play but this he’s quite happy to stay put for a while whilst I get on combing him.  The comb takes all the dead hair from underneath and I was surprised to see how much hair comes off of him.  His coat looked good before but now it’s brilliant.

We’re putting on two events with Page to Stage.  One will be a rehearsed reading in June at the Flavour of Shetland event.  We are all putting up plays for this and I’m looking forward although nervous about how mine will go.  Not sure about how nervous MLS is about hers.  In September we are writing 10 minute plays to be performed at the Wordplay festival which I think is even more nervewracking as it will be a performance rather than rehearsed reading but really looking forward to it at the same time.

My housewarming is looming on  the horizon.  It shall be held on the 5th of June and I’ve even commandeered the Common Room as well.  I’ve invited a few people so as with all parties it will either be a feast or a famine we shall see.

MLS and I had a Spinning, Spotify and Spraffing (speaking) day last Sunday.  It was great.  Good laugh and really relaxing which is what we both needed.

Last week I got slightly (well more than slightly) annoyed.  I’d applied for a Community Care grant to help me get stuff for the house I was turned down for it because the DWP department in Inverness said I wasn’t on Income Related ESA benefit.  So CAB called on my behalf to the Clydebank department to check and they said I was on Income Related and duly sent a letter.  About 4 weeks on from this I received notification that I wasn’t getting the grant as they again said I wasn’t in receipt of right benefits.  Queue lots of ‘phone calling.  Turns out they had been right and Clydebank were wrong.  I’m on ….. wait for it…..

Contribution Based Benefit!  Which totally confused me as I thought they were the same thing.  They sound the same thing but apparently not.  Contribution Based ESA is taking account of your NI credits from where you were working and Income Related is what you get when you’ve never worked at all.  So because I have worked I can’t get the grant.  Really annoyed and annoys me now.  The other thing is that Clydebank had “overlooked” the fact that I was supposed to get a medical about 2 months ago to see if I was eligable for the higher rate of ESA so I’ve now got another book to fill out about that.  I’ve got a date with CAB to help me with this as even though I’ve studied Law at Uni it’s still the DWP forms still completely confuse me!

Hope everyone out there is doing fine.

PS does anyone know why my smilies don’t work in my blog?  If not I’ll let Les know, just didn’t want to bother him if it was a box that was staring me in the face that I’d forgot to tick.

Well that’s me almost moved bar a few things, 4 boxes fae Mam and Dad’s hoose and other stuff, large broom, chest of drawers, computer desk which I’m getting from Uncle and also fridge freezer from him and a washing machine.  I think that is it.

I’ve been enjoying being in my own place and hope that it is a bit less burden on Mam and Dad.  They will be moving into my bedroom downstairs which they need as Mam isn’t as able for the stairs these days (although won’t really admit it).  I’m sharing fridge/freezer with Uncle who is next door so it’s making me think do I really need to get that.  Usually I do, but sometimes I can do with out cheese on spaghetti bolognese for example.

Woody took to hiding under the covers since the move, I made sure he was one of the last to move.  He’s coming out of hiding more and more.  He’s also discovered the windows and even been outside on the sill but with the weather soon came back.

I’m very grateful to Morrelessocks, parents, Uncle, soon-to-be-Aunt and brother who helped enormously with the big move.  I had lots of little moves before getting the big stuff in.

This week there has been loads written and spoken about the Volcanic Ash.  I have to say I was really surprised when they took boats from Orkney and put them to fetch folk that are stranded, surely there are the same amount (or thereabouts) of Orcadians that are stranded in either to or from home as Shetlanders.  I know there still is a service but drastically reducing that in such situations doesn’t add up to me.  Personally it’s not affected me much apart from the precaution of not being out too much, if it’s settling on cars can’t be good for lungs either.  I don’t think the amount that has come down would be fatal but I think since my lungs are fairly buggered it’s been a wise precaution.

MLS and I are getting the writing thing going again.  For some reason they decided to vote me in as Chair (and no they were all sober).  So I’ve been trying to get my head around what Chairs do as I’m usually Clerk or Secretary.  It feels really funny being chair.  I hate being bossy but I know there is a slight bossy streak in me so I’m trying to make sure it doesn’t come out too often although a crack of the whip here and there is sometimes required .

I will leave it there or I could write a blog to rival War and Peace.  i will be blogging more now that things have (slightly) calmed down.

I’m back.  I will be blogging more later but quick recap.

I have house at last, woohoo!!!.  Was away to Aberdeen a couple of weeks ago for the football, which co-incided nicely with being told I had house so got a few bit and peices there.  Imagine a large ginger person in wheelchair laden with stuff heading from one end of Union Street to Bridge Street.  I made it though (and back up on the boat!)

Will do a proper blog later.

Hope folks are all dandy

At the beginning I suppose.

At end of July had a call for the immediate family to come down to Edinburgh as Gran wasn’t getting any better.  So we booked on board the boat on Thurs 30th.  The Wednesday I had my DLA tribunal and was refused DLA.  On the Friday Martin and I split up.  Gran died a week later.  The following weekend was my sisters Wedding.  It rained on the evening of the Humanist ceremony so they had to hold it in Tyninghame Village Hall instead of the beach.  After that we went to Sister & now Hubby’s house for a buffet.  The next day was the Christian blessing, meal and Celiedh.  I even managed 2 dances, well two half dances.

Wednesday following the wedding was Grans funeral which Dad took, it was lovely but emotional and we had a wake thing after at a nearby bowling club.

I arrived back on Saturday.  Sunday I should have gone to Camera Club but had no energy.  Monday all the mail got delivered and found out that the DLA panel thought I was lying and quote “We are unable to accept the history which she proiveds as being accurate or genuine”   Grrrrrrrrr.  I’ve been livid about that all week.  I mean if I wanted to cheat the benefit system I’d think I’d come up with something less bizarre than having ME/CFS and a fainting condition.

Mam and Dad are on the boat tonight so MLS has been coming through to check that I’m ok.  I’m being a good girl and making denner for Mam and Dad the morn it was going to be broth but no broth mix so it’s now lentil soup and Mince for mains.  MLS and Jam have been great and such a great support to me I can’t thank them enough.

Tomorrow I’m off to see the Proclaimers with MLS and Jam.  Looking forward to that loads.

Monday I have an appointment with CAB to see what other benefits are available and to start applying for a Sheltered House.  It means that I will have my independence but there will be a Warden on hand if something goes wrong and I should get a home help as well.

Well here I am again after too long a break.

Things have been fairly busy here between on thing and another.

Sisters wedding is looming all booked for going away it’s just gettting booked for coming back now.  Looking like we’re coming back on the Monday after the Wedding so just need to rearrange that.  Martin should be coming back with us :D  which I’m really looking forward to.  The wedding will be over two days, the Humanist service on the Friday night with the Kirky blessing the day after.  Woody booked into cattery so I hope that he enjoys his hols.  Next week will be V E T time for him so jabs and a check up to make sure he’s doing fine.

Still need to get organised for the Orkney wedding but really looking forward to that as well :D.

Before we go away I’ll be quiet busy.  On Friday we have, or rather had, a meeting with the Chief Executive of Scottish Water.  Something has now cropped up so he will now not be attending and instead we shall be meeting with the Customer Service Delivery Director (where do they get these names from!?) and the Director of Communications.  We shall see how this goes and see if we can get any sense out them as to what they are thinking.

It was Mams birthday on Sunday so we had a family get together on Saturday.  Very enjoyable.  I made Chocolate Cheesecake for the occasion (seems to be my thing these days, making Cheesecake lol).  Mam had a great time which was really good to see.

This weekend MLS and I are heading down to Bigton to learn Spinning this weekend really excited about it.  I’ll probably hankering after getting a wheel afterwards.  Been looking forward to it for a long while now so hope that I can make the whole weekend and not just the Saturday.

It ’s been ages since I’ve been blogging so trying to think of everything that I’ve been up to.

MLS has updated you with the Water situation.  We’re still collecting signatures and found out on Wednesday that the Community Council will be putting in an objection.  The big Chief Exec is coming to meet MLS and I to discuss “our concerns” but has decided that he feels a public forum would not be any use.  How he came to that decision I don’t know.

Gran is now looking a lot better but unfortunately she now has an infection so she’s on more tablets.  We’ve still be seeing her on Tuesdays and trying to win the puzzles (the boys team are doing quite well the lasses will have to get their brains in gear).

Mam and Dad will be getting a new car next month with the Motability scheme so there has been lots of getting car sorted for that.  It’s a Toyata Corolla and they will be getting an Auris (I think that’s the right one).  She’s due in for MOT on Monday so fingers crossed that it won’t cost too much.  Mam prefers Toyota’s as she has Arthritis and find that they have higher seats which makes it easier for her to get in and out of.

Martin will be visiting next week!  Woohoo!!! I’m much looking forward to that. Not sure what day he is coming up will either be Monday or Tuesday he’s being a bit vague.

Last week we went to Yell to meet some friends and then went for a picnic.  It was a fairly nice day.  When we left Lerwick it was raining but stayed dry whilst we were in Yell.  We had an extra surprise - Killer Whales!  We were in the Wind Dog Cafe and were told that the whales were out so we all rushed out.  Unfortunately they were too far away and my camera doesn’t have a good zoom so no pics.  At 31 this is the first time I’ve seen Killer Whales it was great, I’ve now made up my mind I should visit Yell more often in order that I might get another glimpse of them.

We’re all booked and ready for going to my Sister’s wedding in August.  Because they have had to change all their plans I’m no longer officially playing but have been told to take the fiddle with me and my Uncle will take his guitar.  So if you’re in Belhaven in August watch out for the Musical Caravan!  No longer playing fiddle meant that I’ve had to come up with another present so we’ve decided that I’m going to do an Angel Card reading not your traditional wedding present but a very appreciated one.

This week was my Dad’s birthday so we celebrated that on Tuesday.  I made a Strawberry Cheesecake for him as I’d made one on Saturday and he was hopeful that I’d have leftovers from the picnic but it all went so I made another for him.  For Birthday Cake Mam got him one from the supermarket that was in the shape of a Champagne bottle that was a nice chocolate sponge and chocolate filling.

Tomorrow will be busy Auction at 2pm and I’m on the lookout for a desk for the bedroom so I can tidy up my computer, printer tower etc. Problem is that it needs to be fairly small but large enough to take Woody’s litter tray underneath.  Yeah I know probably not hygienic to have his litter tray in the bedroom but it’s a Ferplast covered one and we put it in here to make sure that he was close to litter tray when he moved up here as he spent most of the time under the bed.

Tomorrow night is the Midsummer Carnival.  Midsummer…. Carnival….. wasn’t Midsummer last week I hear you ask?  Yes it was but due to various things they are having it this week.  I know quite a few folk that will be in it so I’m heading across to cheer them on and if I’m feeling up to it will be going to a couple of pubs (if there is room to get in them) afterwards to celebrate friends birthday.

This week has been taken up with getting the campaign going against Scottish Water.  We’ve now got flyers, posters leaflets AND the petition up and going in the shop.  We’ve also said that if folk know someone that can’t get to the shop but want to sign we’ll come to them.

On the flyer we have details of who to contact to raise your concerns and also put in a letter that they can cut off and send.

Saw Gran on Tuesday wasn’t looking too good.  She fell out of her bed at end of last week so she has two black eyes and bruises and cut on forehead.  Was good to see her up and about for a bit even if she was drugged up to the eyeballs.  They explained that they don’t have the bed rail up at night as she goes to the toilet during the night so even if the did have that up knowing Gran she’d get over it.

Due to Wedding now being over two days and they are not having a parady/aisle thing I’m not officially playing at wedding, although my sister said to take fiddle down and Uncle is taking his guitar with him so might have a tune or two (this means we need a bigger repertoire eek!). so I’m sure it will be more practice, practice, practice lol.

Well have made trip down to Aberdeen and back again.  Main thing is that I don’t have Epilespy (which was kind of already known).  Other thing is I’m back on the Psychogical/Psychiatric roundabout again.  I’ve already been through this but they want to go through again as they think that my fainting could have a mental cause but they have ruled out panic/anxiety attacks.

Left for Sumburgh on Sunday after for the 17:00 flight to Aberdeen.  Dad took their car and drove Mam and I down to Sumburgh whilst Uncle had his car with girlfriend and Joe in it.  This was so that our car could be driven to Northlink Long Stay car park as Mam and Dad were back up on the boat on Monday night. 

The flight was lovely only 40 minutes as it was such a nice day.  We got a taxi from there to Red Cross House.  It was really nice and relaxing in there.  Mam and Dad went on the search for food so we had fish suppers courtesy of the Ashvale.  They were lovely :D.  After that it was in bed as early start.

Woke up Monday morning had a nice breakfast at Red Cross House and was taken by taxi to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in plenty of time to be admitted at 9am.  I’d gone in by McColls on the way up and purchased a 1.5lt bottle of water.  We had some waiting about and eventually I was seen by EEG technician who then glued all the electrodes on to my head and shoulders and fitted me up to the box of tricks I had to carry around with me.  I was in my room by 11am.  In the afternoon I still hadn’t been seen by my consultant and while I was at the toilet I heard folk talking in my room.  I came out expecting to see the Dr but it was Martin!  That was briiliant.  Of course first words out of my mouth were “what are you doing here”  I was gobsmacked couldn’t believe he was there.

He stayed for a couple of hours and took Mam and Dad to the boat and then headed back down South to get to work.

Tuesday I had a faint but all my brain signs were normal so no Epilespy but they wanted me to see a Psychiatrist before I went.  Wednesday I was up and ready to go at 9am.  Had electrodes taken off by Acetone (Nail Varnish Remover to you and me lol) and then the long wait to be discharged began.  The Psych Dr turned up at about 10:30 and I was with him for an hour and a half and will be writing a letter for my Dr.  After that I was chasing up when I was getting discharged and eventually was at 12:30.  My escort from the Red Cross arrived at 1:30pm and we took the Red Cross Bus to the airport.  Got plane at 15:30 and was thankful I wasn’t on the flight to Majorca as there were 3 Hennies  and 1 stag party on board and while I usually enjoy these things I was just too tired for all the fun.  The best bit was getting back to my own bed nothing like it and I slept very soundly that night.

Mam and Dad were Polling Clerks on Thursday (I hope you all voted!) so I had a visit from my Uncle to check that I was ok and see if I needed any help in the cooking department.

The main thing I’ve been doing since I’ve got back is meeting up with MLS in order to get the campaign against Scottish Water going.  We’ve enlisted the help of a councillor who has been immesurably helpful so far and we’ve hardly even started.  We’re writing to the Bressay Community Council, the Shetland Islands Council.  Scottish Water and getting a petition up and running.  We’ve also written to Tavish Scott who has been great also.  Will keep you updated on all the events and happenings with this.

The beginning of the week was mainly spent in my room printing more months for calendar.  Finished one month and almost finished another before handing it over to one of the other members.  Then only the front cover to be printed and the printing part is done.  After this we will collate it into the actual calendar and then do the punching and binding.  I probably won’t be doing the latter stuff as I was on the printing group.

Also been getting things ready for leaving on Sunday to go down to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a two day stay in Ward 40 for Video EEG monitoring.  The Big Brother of hospital tests I’d say lol.  I’ve got new wardrobe for the occasion as I can’t put anything over my head so front fastening things ahoy!

Wednesday had the CAB meeting that was postponed from a a fortnight ago.  We’re getting everything ready but still no word on when the actual Tribunal will be.  The thought at CAB seems to be July now if it is then it was be shy of a month to the year that I actually put the application form in.  I’m hoping that becuase I’ve had to wait this long that there will be good news at the end of it.  Because Dad was preaching at Edward Thomason House on Wednesday evening they left me at CAB and headed back to Bressay.  On Parental instruction I was then “looked after” by my Uncle and my Brother, although sometimes it’s me looking after them.  We had a lengthy discussion about who should take over at Aberdeen and then heard the breaking news on Sky Sports that Celtic were looking to speak to Owen Coyle which completely bemused us!

Before my Parents dropped me off we all went to the library.  Dad is still reading his book so had a perusal of other ones.  Mam went to look for a book on beetles to try and identify the one that we had in our house.  I got three books: Sputnik Caledonia by Andrew Crumey, Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger & the Unadultared Cat by Terry Pratchett.  I’m a huge Pratchett fan and had said I wasn’t going to get a Pratchett book this time but saw the cat one and had to get it.

Yesterday was getting clothes washed and dried so I had underwear, trousers etc for going to Aberdeen.  Last night MLS and myself went to the Scottish Water “Consultation” in the Bressay Hall.  Scottish Water are proposing to pump water from the mainland of Shetland over to Bressay and do away with the supply on the island.  Not really impressed with the “consultation” yesterday but as per usual in order to get real answers we had to press them to get them.  I still don’t see the need to pump water from the mainland to Bressay.  Because of where we are the pipe is certain to break as we found out when they laid the electic pipe to Bressay at the North Mouth of Bressay Sound, where they are proposing to lay the water pipe.  They do have a contingency but have not really answered about how long it will take to repair.  Water Quality does remain one of the big issues but the other is that it’s an amenity that is being taken away from the island.  Although I do understand the cost issue I still think we’re not getting the full financial picture as regards the financing of both schemes.  We were given a carefully worded leaflet yesterday and have gone through and a lot of questions have been raised by doing this.

We’re really opposed to this so we’re going to do something about it and get the community joined in.  A lot of people are against this but the majority don’t know where to start (and some are just lazy).  It only takes a couple of people to get the ball rolling and hopefully we’ll get to keep our lovely water.

BTW if you know anyone that is served on their island by a mainland water connection I’d love to hear their views on how it is going for them.

Thanks in advance.