The Blog from Bressay

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.

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.

It’s been lovely this week lots and lots of sunshine (although still had a bit of a wind with it some days).

At the weekend I got a letter from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary informing me I’d be staying a business week with them (Mon - we think Fri).  I really want to get things sorted out but can’t until I see my Doc next week and see when I’m going to get discharged.  Mam and Dad will be going with me but won’t be staying as they are both Polling Booth Clerks for the European Elections.  Martin is coming back up with me whenever I get discharged. 

Didn’t see Gran on Tuesday again.  Dad did for a few mins.  She’d had a lie in and by the time they had finished with other webcamers it was time for Grans dinner.  Went out to enjoy sunshine on Tuesday at The Peerie Shop Cafe and had a lovely couple of cups of Peppermint and Liquorice Tea.  If your into your herbal tea I’d highly recommend it.  It was lovely sitting outside in the sun and chatting to folk.

Wednesday I had a day off as I’d been out Monday and Tuesday and have a busy couple of days coming up so I needed the rest and had a mainly bed day.  I was supposed to be going to Community Council but I knew if I did there would be trouble after.  The Clerk is next door neighbour so I’m going to see if I can get the minutes from him to peruse.

Today I’ve been practising tune for Sisters wedding coming along nicely and thinking of seeing if she wants to me to play Ode to Joy as her and her man walk back down the beach together.  Also been doing a bit of chucking out and cleaning.  I had to rescue escapee sock from hoover but all ok in end.  I’ve been trying to clean our white, plastic furniture and have found out the reason it’s not cleaning up.  It’s been outside for far too many winters so the newer ones are coming up good but other not good I’m afraid will try and persuade Mam and Dad to put it all in the Shed this winter (PS if anyone wants any boxes we have loads looking for a good home).  Woody has not had the best of days between strimming, fiddling and hoovering.  He’s hoping for a far quieter night.

The Chinese is coming across tomorrow night again.  Trying to persuade Mam & Dad that it would be a nice idea and have a night off cooking.  Still working on it though.  I’m also off to the CAB in the afternoon to sort the stuff for my submission to Tribunal out, still not heard when the date will be.  If I had to put a bet on it will come up when I’m in Aberdeen!

Saturday we’ve got folk coming over and hopefully the phone that my brother ordered from eBay will have turned up.  Sunday it’s the Camera Club AGM.

I’m hoping to get more washing out very soon as I’ve managed to get one load on but I’ve been thwarted by folk getting to machine first and other folk strimming the grass.  Tomorrow I shall get to machine first and there will be no strimming.

After the exertions of last week I needed to have a bit of a rest and relax.  Unfortunately this has meant not updating the blog (bad Mirlnlass!).

I managed to do most of the week but didn’t manage the Jumble Sale and Coffee Morning at the Bressay Heritage Centre I was just too knackered by that time and had to admit defeat at that point.

Woody went missing last Monday night around 9pm but eventually turned up on Wednesday at 12:40am.  Very wet, soggy and scared.  I was really glad to see him as it wasn’t like him not to come back at all.  He had decided on the Monday night to escape when no one was looking.  Mam had gone to quickly chuck stuff out the back door and that’s when he made his move.  We hadn’t realised that he’d gone as it’s quite common for him to sleep for hours under the bed at night.  It was only when he didn’t appear as Mam and Dad went to bed that I started to wonder but by that time he’d thought that he wasn’t going to get back in.  To say I’m very glad he’s back is an understatement but also made me very glad that he is microchipped even though we live on an island.  It’s now back to persuading him to go out again as he’s very timid after the escape (get a funny feeling he won’t be doing that again for a while).

Tomorrow is Strictly Clan Dancing so I’m really looking forward to it, although I have already chosen my favourite but may be swayed if there is some brilliant dancing by others. 

We’re still trying to arrange where to stay for my Sisters wedding feels like it’s been non-stop for ages now.  Martin has eventually decided that he’s now coming up for his Birthday on the 18th but knowing him this could well change.  For my Brothers Birthday bash I think I might go as Lois Griffin from Family Guy as it’s fairly easy to do.

Updates on meetings that were attended last week.  The Transport department went away feeling the full wrath of the Bressay Public over the ferry fares and are having a “rethink” about things.  It has been proposed to give out a monthly ticket for foot passengers that will be £30 for Unlimited Travel.  They are yet to decide what they are going to do about cars.  The first idea was to have reduced fares/unlimited ticket for off peak hours only and you could only travel 5 times a week.  After being shouted at (literally) they’re thinking maybe something different.  The tunnel has been “put on hold” until the Capital Expenditure Programme can allow for this as Central Gov money on transport has been used up on the Forth Crossings and other Central belt stuff.  We heard the  words 2017 but have no idea what that really means.

Good news on the Bressay Bus front this could be up and running by June so those of us who have no transport would be able to get to Lerwick easier and also for a night out.  We might be getting wind turbines on Bressay which I think is a great idea.  They would be the size of the ones at Burghdale and not the size of the ones proposed by Viking Energy.

Phew I’d better stop there before I bore you all to sleep/tears!

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 don’t drink that often and don’t see my brother on his own that often either so when the two collided last night it was a fine opportunity.  Enjoyed our night and even had a bit of the deep and meaningfuls. I’ve decided I must learn to do this:

a) not at stupid o clock in the morning (drunk or sober)

b) not drunk

Brother made the ferry for his work this morning.  I was in feeling like a wet rag territory this not being familiar to me for a while.  So I’ve had a quiet day and also catching up on emails as been fairly busy this week.

The Community Council was good and my friend and I are planning to go to the next one.  At the moment the water board are of the impression it’s going to be too expensive to build a new water treatment on the island and so are thinking of piping water across from the mainland.  Most of the island are not happy about this as the water quality, we feel in the town is not that great plus I feel it would mean extra chemicals having to be put in to the water in order for it to be “fresh” when it gets poured out our taps. Also it means that if the pipe taking the water across gets damaged we have to wait until a team comes up from South to fix it.  They had planned to take tankers over with water but the very time a pipe will get damaged is when there is high winds and if there is high winds no ferry ergo no water and if (touching wood very tightly) a fire were to happen at that time the Firefighters would have to rig up to the sea water to hose it down.  They guys representing Scottish Water said that they would do a Community Consultation and take the island views on board but ultimately it would play no part in their decision making.

Well rant over about that.

Next weekend I shall probably suffering from a hangover too but as it’s going to be a long night I think I might cut back on the alcohol a bit and take some lovely soft drinks with me as looks like I’m going to be in charge of the camcorder.

My herbs that I planted a couple of weeks ago are growing.  Coriander first, Parsely second, Chives third and so far a no show from the Basil but hopefully we will see something from the Basil soon.