The Blog from Bressay

This week will be a running about week.

Today I am having a nice rest after Camera Club last night, gathering strength for the coming week.

Tomorrow - I (along with Dad and Mam) will be speaking to Gran in the morning and will be heading down to do meet up wi folk and start printing off bits for the calendar in the afternoon.

Wednesday - Go to clients house in South Mainland during the afternoon and ZETrans meeting in the evening.

Thursday - Free during the day and Community Council in the evening

Friday - Go to CAB and sort out DLA stuff.

Saturday - Go to Coffee morning/jumble sale in aid of the Bressay Heritage Centre.

Sunday - Well after all that will probably have a Rawhide (See what I did?  Did you?  Did you?  Sighs. I’ll get me coat ) and will need to rest.

On Wednesday & Thursday night and also on Saturday will be being accompanied by Morrolesssocks.

I’m also in a large dilemma. My brother is having his 30th birthday soon and has organised a party (trying to figure out who needs to be invited and who he wants to be invited has been difficult, and has made me think of telling Martin we’re eloping to Wales to get married).  Anyway the theme is….. tv/film comedy characters and I’m stumped who to go as.  I’ve been banned from doing an Andy and Lou type thing lol.  I’ve also got to come up with something for Martin as well.  Not told him that it’s fancy dress not that he will mind.  So I’ll be sifting through quite a few sites to come up with something for that.  Will post the final decision in due course….

I’ve finished doing my work for the first client I’ve had. Really enjoyed it and hope to get some more at some point.

It was a lovely day here but it’s turned into a bit of a rainy one now. Felt very spring like and Woodys been out for most of the day.

I’m hoping to start getting up to our croft so I can tidy up outside our old croft house. It’s so overgrown you can’t even get near it never mind into it. I’ll be wielding the every trusty shears to get it mown down but in parts I may need a machete!

It’s been pandemonium here today Dad had loads of stuff to do and then Mam and Dad went out (I was working so stayed here), came back and are heading back out again tonight on 6:45 ferry. I’ve decided that it’s safer to stay in bedroom so that I don’t get under anyone’s feet.

I’m still on the hunt to find accomodation in Dunbar after my Sister had to change the date for her wedding. It was all booked and we were ready for 18th July and then a couple of weeks ago she got a call to say that the venue was very sorry but it had been double booked. After that they had problems with the cameraman and other things. The wedding will now take place in August so now it’s just hunting for a place that will take 7 of us. We’re hopeful of getting somewhere in a caravan park.

Got a letter through on Friday from ZETrans announcing a meeting at the Bressay Hall on Wed 25th at 7:30. We will be hearing more about the plans for a bus on the island that would connect with the ferries and whether it would go to Lerwick as well or not. Also looking at doing different things with the ferry service. I think this could be an interesting one.

Also waiting to see when the next Community Council meeting will be as they are doing their Environmental Plan which I would like to see and possibly have a say in.

I have been a busy bunny this week.  I got my first client since arriving home, so I’ve been working away with that.

The car is looking a bit dodgy again after getting back on Monday.  We went over on Friday and were told that there was a burning smell coming from the front end of the car we went out to smell it and we just opened the door when it wafted up our nasal passages. 

Woody has been enjoying more of the outside world I’m pleased to say, this must mean he’s feeling more confident.  When he sees the feline neighbours in our garden he rushes to get out, I usually oblige after all it’s his territory now.  Let him out on Tuesday night and expected him to do his usual run round to the front and want in the front window of the kitchen but he actually stayed out for about an hour.  Today he’s been out for a bit (even though it has been drizzling) and sees to be fairly happy with himself.  I think he’s still getting used to the sea air though as he gets quite knackered when he comes in.

Today was outing all by myself.  I went to go and get tickets for the Strictly Clan Dancing, it’s Strictly Come Dancing for Shetland celebrities in aid of building a new Cancer Centre.  Off I go on the 12:45 get money from the back and get on bus, well try to.  There was a bit of a problem with the ramp on the bus I wanted to get on, thankfully there was another bus behind it so got on that one.  Got to the Clickimin Centre where they were selling the tickets only to be told that the venue had changed in the Centre.  It was in the Bowlers Bar which is nice and easy to get to if you have wheels but it had changed to the Loch Bar which had steps, I was very glad that I’d called earlier to let them know that I would be with wheels.  They were great with me helped me get to where I needed to go. 

The organisers of this had decided to issue everyone with a raffle ticket to denote the place in the queue at approx 13:30 I was 141st place (goodness only knows what time the person who got ticket no. 1 was I know the person who got ticket no. 4 was in at 10am)  and was warned that it might be that there would be tickets left to get into the main hall but there would be tickets for the Bowling Hall where they were showing it on large screens as there would be about 4 cameras in the main hall so we wouldn’t miss the action. 

We were told to come back about 2 and queue.  I was taken down to the end of one of the queues (they ended up with two queues one at the top and one at the bottom).  I sat queuing and also half organising. 

“What number are you?”

“116″ came the reply

“You’ll be ahead of me then”

After 20 mins a guy came out and said that all the main tickets had gone. Only 86 folk had got tickets as they were allowing a max of 4 tickets per person.  After that they seemed to abandon the tickets numbers (they may not have done but that was the impression that I got) and those that decided that they were in the Bowls Hall went to get tickets so I got two.  Very proud of oneself lol.

Headed out to find out what brother was doing as we were going to meet up.  Wheeled myself a bit of a distance to get the bus back (I decided to go to bus stop across from the shopping centre as I was thinking to get something to eat as I hadn’t had lunch and at that time still thought I was meeting with brother). He was to finish at 2:30 but it was so busy that he stayed on to help the other guy out.  Said that he might come across tonight so I’ll be looking forward to that if he does.  After that bus was coming towards me as I got to stop and was in good time for 3:30 ferry back.  I was feeling slightly smug with myself for having managed this until I went to put chair in back of Dads car, cluck and hit the deck (I’d fainted) so may have done a tad too much.

I’m now having a rest and seeing what the night brings Morrolesssocks might be coming to visit, as might bro and another friend so it’s all excitement although knowing me I’ll be asleep by 8:00.

Speaking of Morrolesssocks I’d just like to welcome her again to IB

Due to a muddle up by software company they took total amount out of my account instead of direct debit.  So cue lots of calls etc.  Anyway they paid back the sum and said that they would refund my banking charges wwaaaaheeeyyy. 

They then asked if they could get the statement by fax…….

I was quite happy with that as I remembered I has fax software with my printer.  Waiting for statement to arrive which it did on Saturday, I thought leave it until Monday and set everything up.

This morning fax software not working as computer couldn’t find the modem I’m using to connect to the internet (I’m using a wireless connection so I think that is the problem).  Tried several different way eventually realised it wasn’t going to work so I asked my Dad if he could send it using the software on his.  2 hours later it was done.  Called to see if software company had received it and was informed that it would take an hour for the person that is dealing with my account to receive so fingers crossed that she has if not it will have to be by email as Dad is going out this afternoon.

Tomorrow I have a meeting with my first client up here so I’m a bit excited and hope that I can do something for her and get my first job.  I will be hoping to speak to Gran tomorrow as well.  Last week we weren’t on for long as Gran had a cold and we were cut short by technology as well.

Weather wise things have calmed down greatly.  The ferries were off yesterday and it was generally a day to stay in apart from my Wonder Woman friend who walked down to the shop and back.  I say more power to her elbow!  Woody did want out but gave me a completely disgusted look when I opened the door and it was a flying gale outside, I may try to be in control of a lot of things but the weather is out of reach my furry friend.

At night I was teaching my Brother the wonders of Facebook, Bebo and Windows Messanger.  He doesn’t have a computer but does have his mobile (and my computer when he’s over) so he has caught up with some friends that he’s not been in contact with for ages.  In between doing that it was off to the Camera Club.  I had my dues all ready to pay but unfortunately the Treasurer wasn’t there.  Things appear to be on schedule for the calendar (famous last words eh?) so looking forward to getting the last of the photos in for that.

Today is nice far less windy.  Woody has been out twice but still is too windy for him.  We let him out round the back and he appears two minutes later at the front kitchen window.  I’m assuming it’s too windy however he maybe laughing at the fact that this seems like a good game for him to play with me.  We’re hoping to get the car back today, which would be great as the courtesy car we have now is the tiniest (and tinniest thing) I’ve ever been in.   It’s a Toyota Aygo and I’m sure if I sat on the bonnet it would crumple completely.  Glad Martin isn’t up as he would never fit in it at all and Mr FourX, just don’t consider it, you may get a leg in but that would be it!

I’m having a bad day but not that bad in the general context of life, more of the extremely annoying kind.

It’s one of those keep dropping things, losing things, forgetting things, things being skewed outwith your control kind of days.  I have however managed to get the washing out hurrah!!  Mind you later than anticipated as member of family forgot I wanted to washing today so put bedding on instead but at least it is out.

I’m planning on a fairly quiet weekend, well needed after last weekend woohoo.  I had a call from someone interested in my services so if it works out that will be my first client up here (I’ve got fingers crossed and trying work out how to make wooden clothes so I don’t have to touch it the whole time)

It’s getting a bit colder here today (well I think so) so had to don gloves to hang the clothes up.

I’m all hi vised up now.  Bought a vest for the wheelchair (got the idea from a very nice lady) and a jacket to put over mine so drivers will be able to see me coming from the front or behind.

Got a package from Martin a couple of days ago 12 Sachets of Feline Fayre for Woody (they are his favourites but haven’t been able to locate them up here yet.) and a small box of 6 Guilain (sp?) Belgian Choc Sea Shells for me.

We’ve decided to forgo his March trip up as he would only be up for about a day in total and spend the rest of the time travelling.  He is going by boat with no cabin, which for some bizarre reason he seems to like, I think that may change when he encounters a bad trip.  We’re going to use the days off he would have taken this month and put them together with next month so he can spend longer up here.  So I’m a bit sad at not seeing him but happier I’ll be able to see him for longer.

I had a thoroughly great weekend at the Bressay Up Helly Aa. 

Started on Friday afternoon at the Sheltered housing saw all the Jarl Squad and the musicians there.  The Jarl then came to our house as he is a neighbour and knew that Mam and Dad weren’t going at night.  They all came in just as I was in shower.  Decided not to go to precession as I was feeling really tired and wanted to spend more than an hour at the hall.  Got to the hall just after 9.  I had outfit problem the one I was going to wear was too loose so had to radically change what I was wearing quickly!  Upon arriving at hall went to put my coat up on the the peg and duly fainted oops.  I managed until 1am and then went home.  Had slight problem with taking photos camera not great with the zoom thing and also folk decided that being in front of the wheelchair was the place to be so not a lot of photos taken.

Saturday night we got to the hall for 9pm for the Hop night The Vinyls were playing.  I’d heard really good things about them but even that can’t explain how excellent they were.  I managed the full night and headed home for about 1am.

Sunday was the Shave Off at the Pub.  They collect money for Charity by bidding what do to with the Jarl Squads hair and beards £5 a bid.  There were some haircuts there I can tell you.  Still waiting to hear how much they raised.

Now that all the adrenaline has gone I’ve gone hurtling down hill and not been the best but to be honest it was worth every second of not feeling well for the next week.

The car has broken down again same problem as at Christmas - clutch so we’re currently waiting for a curtesy car.

I would like to say hurrah for Island Blogging doing periodical saves.  The power went when I was in the middle of this and I didn’t have write it all out again.  Woohooo.