The Blog from Bressay

I’ve been ill, yes again my immune system ain’t what it should be lol. 

It’s kind of been all go here in one way or another.  Friday had CAB appointment, or rather I had CAB appointment up until 12pm when CAB called to postpone.  I was very grateful for that as I was in no way able to function that day.  Another ‘phone call came in the form of my Uncle who had called to tell us that he had had to get 9 stiches in his hand as they’d been moving the boat and there was an accident.  He’s a very, very lucky person to only have to have 9 stitches and nothing more.  3rd ‘phone call Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.  They’d sent the wrong forms I’m only going to be monitored for 48 hours now woohoo less cabin fever.

We had folk come over on Saturday afternoon.  Was supposed to go up to the croft with them but I was just not well enough to go and did not want to be out of sight of a toilet.  They came back here and had a few drinks, a natter and tea.  Saturday night - the big one!  Eurovision!!! OK I know I’m a weird individual but it’s always been a family thing in our house and we do love it.  I was so pleased that Norway won, I couldn’t believe the points margin.  It made up for Aberdeen losing against Rangers (OK it didn’t but I’m trying to persuade myself it did).  I’m hoping that I may be able to get tickets for next years Eurovision and actually be there.  That would be brilliant but don’t make me choose between Aberdeen being in the final of something or going to Eurovision.  I may explode with indecision (I’ve pretty much been exploding most of the week)

Sunday thought I would try the AGM of the Camera Club as it’s only a 2 min wheel down the road and toilet on hand.  I am now Secretary of said Club.  I asked if anyone else wanted to do it and got the response well you’re taking the minutes due absence of other secretary.  Dammit remind me not to fill in for Secretary at any other AGMs lol.  It was all going well until I left when I got out of chair to get a lift back home as it was pouring down and unceramoniously ended up on the deck having fainted.   Needless to say I was a tad wet when I came round.  I got home and went to bed.

Monday was spent in bed downing varying pills and wondering what the side effects of taking so many varied would be. 

Yesterday off to Drs in Lerwick to discuss going to Aberdeen and see if he been informed correctly or not and to see if he had any clue to what I had.  They had given him the correct forms and I remembered to ask for the Travel for me.  I got a diagnosis of possible Gastroenteritis and virus or just virus.  Just keep taking what I was taking (co-codamol for fever & sore throat, Ibuprofen to try and get glands down and Immodium Instants for the other bits)  I got out of Drs in time to make 3:30pm ferry back to Bressay congratulated myself on a job well done and then it struck me and and audible “shit” was heard by my parents in the car who wondered what had happened.  I forgot to get my repeat prescriptions while I was in there.  Doh!! as Mr Simpson would say. 

We didn’t get to see Gran yesterday as her Arthitis wasn’t too good, she’d had a bad night so wanted a lie in.  There are now quite a few more using Moose in the Hoose’s services in her home.  There is now another link to Australia, one to Canada and I think the other one is to Peterhead so it’s all busy on the computers there.

Today I’ve felt a bit better so it was time for “the feeling a bit better bit”.  This involved putting clothes in washing machine, clean sheets on bed and shower for clean me.  It does make you feel a whole heap better psychologically I find when you do these things.  Might not help as much physically but I find I feel less yucky after doing that.  I’m now going indulge myself in drinking some more water.

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.

Things have been hectic here it all started last Friday when Martin just walked into my bedroom!  I was speechless he had said that he was coming on the Friday night boat but decided to surprise me and come a day earlier.  After I’d got over the shock I started getting ready for meeting up with Morrolesssocks for our friend Jams birthday. 

We set off on the 1:15pm ferry and met with Jam.  We weren’t sure if we would be able to keep quiet about our surprise of Jam having a massage as well as getting nails done.  We had problems trying to get into Kveldsro even though they have a disabled parking space no disabled entrance.  After a bit of toing and froing we decided on Osla’s.  I hadn’t been there before but really want to go back again.  Didn’t have starters as planned on having pudding but we were all too full for that!  Quick stop off at M & Co before setting out for the pampering bit.  I hadn’t had my nails done before so wondered what it would be like.  I actually quite like it although as I said to MLS and Jam it’s not something I’d want to do every week.  Jam hadn’t twigged at all when we said about her getting a massage as well but neither MLS or I remembered to take camera’s out to take picture of her face when we told her.  After nails were done, Jam went for a massage we had a complimentary drink and a bit of a laugh.  I had a faint but was ok all part of a day out with me!  Heading back it was really strange to think that Martin was there at the house.

Saturday was Martins birthday so we waited up until Midnight and said Happy Birthday and gave him his pressies.  We decided to meet up with my Brother and go for a couple of pints and watch the football scores coming through.  Aberdeen got beat 2-0 by Celtic but at least we’re in the Top 6 so I’m quite happy be even happier if we make Europe but we shall see.  After this we all headed back to Bressay and got some nibbles, sandwiches & cakes together and had a nice night laughing at Family Guy (we love it although I realise that it doesn’t appeal to everyone)

Sunday was a nice lazy one.  We went down to the shop got a couple of things and went to have a look at the seals at the marina.  It was lovely and relaxing.  I’d also phoned the Camera Club to say that I wouldn’t be going this week as I was spending time with Martin while he was up.

Monday and Martin and I had a nice night alone as everyone was out.  We just chilled with the cat and relaxed.  We also shared the chocs that Martin got for his birthday.

Tuesday there was a funeral on the island so the family and I attended that while Martin went to Lerwick to do a few bits and peices.

Today it was getting Martin ready for going & Bro turning 30.  Making sure everthing that Martin took with him up was there for taking back down plus pressies (all edible ones had by this time gone).  I had a bit of a deck inspection earlier so decided to stay at home which Martin was glad about.  At this moment in time Martin is on the big blue and white boatie down to Aberdeen and we’re waiting for Bro to arrive over here once he’s finished drinking with his friends.

Next adventure shall be Bros Birthday Party on Saturday night and although I’ll be very happy to attend it, I’ll also be very happy when it’s over.  So much to organise and most of it can’t be done until the acutal day, although we got a drinks fountain delivered for the punch which I assembled almost as soon as it had got here, just to make sure it was in working order and to clean it you understand.

I’m just going to relax as much as poss before Sat and be as laid back as Woody, who will be missing Martin as much as I do.

but very happy!  Parents went away today on the boat so I’m on ownsome.  I’ve got a homelink button that I wear on my wrist and someone coming to check that I’m ok so I’m fairly covered that way.  Mam is very worried something is going to happen and I’ll end up in A&E up here so I’m taking things very easy and just doing little bits.  (I have to admit I’m finding this even more harder than usual)

Saturday was Strictly Clan Dancing and it wasn’t good…..It was brilliant!!  I wasn’t sure what to expect as we sat in the Bowlers Hall, but the camera work was fantastic so we didn’t miss anything.  They had a panel of four judges who were great and some had even been writing down a few “scathing/sarky” lines to say out although some of the jokes did leave something to be desired.  There were 8 couples and 4 rounds.  The 2 couples with the lowest score left each round until the final.  Voting was 50% judges and 50% audience.  We voted by putting £1 coins in the buckets of the couple we thought were best.  £14,000 was raised on the night by doing this.  It was really good to watch the couples dancing you could see that they had been training hard but the nerves got to a few of them, even the experienced ones!  The dresses were lovely and we even got to see the Leader of the Lib Dems in a lovely gold tightish shirt that his partner tried to get him to unbutton slightly (shy boy that he is).

After that Camera Club came calling on Sunday.  We’ve been printing off for two weeks now and have managed to get 4 months done so far.  We’re hoping to get 200 done and ready for about Sept/Oct time and if it demands it we could maybe print off a few more.  The last time it was done it was the first time that the club had done it so it took more time to do.  I wasn’t there the last time but I think being this organised is quite good as it means that we can take our time with things.

This weekend I think I will be trying to take nice photos of the daffodils that we have, and we have lots of them!  They eventually came out even though it’s been really windy here.  My friend might be coming over to see me for coffee tomorrow but we shall see what happens.  Even better news is that Martin will (fingers crossed as he’s still not booked it yet) coming up next weekend for 4/5 days!!! OOh happy, happy Mirlnlass when that happens.

Woody is still recovering from his escapades of a week or so ago.  He seemed to have a thing about being in his toilet the whole time last week and was very quiet and seemed low.  I was worried that he may be constipated but after cleaning tray out that is not the case I think he’s just recovering from what happened.  He’s very happy to sit in windows but not as happy to venture further to outside world although I think his nose may be telling him different things.  I’m hoping that he regains his confidence soon but won’t push him out until he feels ready.

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….

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 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.

No more snow in Bressay the very last of it was washed away today.

Mam has had her arm replastered in replendant purple.  Looks fab!  The surgeon is happy with her so I’m very glad that things seem to be on the mend.  Only 4 weeks to go after this and it will be off for good (fingers crossed)

It was lovely while the snow was here although Woody wasn’t too happy about it.  He was out this evening and got soaked.  I’ve never met a cat that doesn’t mind getting wet.  He’ll quite happily go out while it’s raining (as long as it’s not hitting off the ground) come in soaked.  I usually get and old towel and bundle him up like a baby until I take the worst of the wet off him.  Then he usually goes for a sleep.

Speaking to Gran tomorrow so I’m looking forward to that but will need to get the puzzle head on need to beat the boys this week!

Was at the Camera Club last night and things are going well on the calendar front, as the pavements were clear decided to wheel myself back to the house.  It was good just to out in the night and the air (it is just as good being out in the daytime too!)  I need to start taking more photos and actually learn about digital cameras.  I find it easier reading from manuals that are printed rather than ones where you have a CD rom so I’ve not got round to it yet.  Hoping to maybe do a class later in year.

I did start again with my knitting last week.  I’m not the best (Mam is great at it) but I’m starting just doing squares.  I’m doing a pink square first in plain then will do one in a purl.  I was thinking about making a scarf out of the squares in the Chakra colours but we will see what happens.

Got up this morning managed to have leisurely breakfast.  I have an odd breakfast of Oats mixed with yoghurt, it’s honestly yummy just think of it like a certain cornered yoghurt and cereal mix

Spoke to Gran and we did puzzles today.  There was a new resident that we got introduced to so he was included in the fun and games.  Have to say the boys were quite good but the girls were getting better in the end.  Gran is doing well can’t believe she’ll be 101 this year it’s fantastic!

While Uncle was here told him that Camera Club meeting will be this Sunday and not next Sunday so that was duly put in as an appointment on the phone.

Mam and Dad went over to Lerwick but I decided to stay as wasn’t feeling 100% and the streets were still really bad.  I really need to find out if they do snow chains for wheelchairs……..

Went to let Woody out and heard water gushing from somewhere thought it might have been problems with our overflow but going a bit more into the garden found it was my next door neighbours (and co-incidently one of my best mates) house that had sprung a quite considerable leak.  Where I was looking it looked like it was coming out the kitchen window.  So rush to phone friend not answering aarrrgggghh! Sent text to call me urgently which she did. Explained problem and then on closer inspection pipe had gone on outside.  Much toing and froing with phone calls to let her know what was going on needed to find Stopcock to put water off.  Didn’t have strength to do this thankfully other neighbour was just about to go to ferry so he managed to turn it off.

Friends Mums Friends (if that make sense) came from down the road to see if they could help as Friends Mum had called them.  Son did what he could, I clunked to the floor face first.  After having profusely apologised for said clunking, the problem was getting sorted and will not take much for it to be righted so thankfully they have water this evening.  It’s amazing what a bit of frost can do to metal.

Friend came through this evening so sneakily gave her some Word Searches to sell at her work.  (When starting this forgot how much of a sales person you need to be)  We chatted for ages which minded me we’ll need to go out for a proper chat at some point, make a date and stick to it!  We’re terrible at things like that, life seems to get in the way.

All this has not bothered Woody, who was in the huff earlier as I wouldn’t let him out to “play” with the blackbirds and robins in the garden.  He’s forgiven me now and is currently sleeping.

Thankfully it’s been a far better Monday than last Monday.

We had more snow here but not as bad as the North and West of Shetland.  Woody has been exploring in the snow.  Mostly managed to forget to take camera with me but here is a couple of him when it started snowing:

He has discovered that he can get in and out of window today, being in a upper 1/4 villa before he wasn’t allowed out windows.  He has also been watching the other cats there are about 6/7 in the very close vicinity.  Today we had three on the fence posts so there was some hissing and making known that this is his territory now.

With the snow arriving I have meant to go and build a snowman but found not really been able.  We stocked up on food and stuff last week so we knew if the worst came to the worst then we’d be ok. 

Didn’t manage along to the Camera Club last night as I was told it had been cancelled so I wasn’t best pleased when I found out that it was on and a lot turned up.  Grr.  The Chairman called up today and said that there would be another meeting this Sunday as we are doing a Calendar for next year.  We’re trying to get everything as prepared as we can so it’s not a huge rush at the last minute.

The moon was lovely earlier on this evening at about 5 it seemed really big.  I have taken pictures but not transferred them to the computer yet. 

At the moment I don’t have the best camera but it’s my first one and I’m hoping to save up and get one with a large optical zoom on it.  This may be boring but I do internet survey, the kind that are quoted in the news etc. so for everyone I do I get points and get to choose what the reward is so I’m saving my points towards a camera.  Last year on one of the panels I’m on I managed to save up and get £70 of vouchers for clothes which I’m planning to use next time I’m south (unless next time is hospital visit)

Tomorrow we (plus my Uncle) will be speaking to my Gran who is in a home in Edinburgh.  They have people from a scheme called Moose in the Hoose which lets them use the computer.  They get help with emails and set up times to speak to people on the webcam.  We usually have a lot of fun as it’s not just my Gran and the Moose in the Hoose people there but other residents as well.  We always have the puzzle as well and there seems to be the boys against the girls.  Of course the girls are quite good at this but the boys are catching up.  I think using technology in this way is great it means that people they may not normally are able to “visit” them on a regular basis.  I hope it gets used in other places as well as Edinburgh.

Ooh gone for the essay today looks like lol hope you managed to stay awake!  Questions will be asked later