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.

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.

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.

Just when you think that Spring has arrived and your planning everything in the garden, up comes the weather forecast to inform you that it Storm Force 10 tonight and 7-9 tomorrow.  When it’s windy there is nothing better than being tucked up in bed listening to it howl outside after being battered by Woody running and jumping all over you as he’s taken a maddy because of the wind.  It makes me appreciate being at home more.  I love all sorts of weather (maybe not too sunny and hot though) and missed it when I was South as I didn’t feel that there was the range that there is at home.

Not spoken to Gran this week.  Technical problems down in Edinburgh.  The PC wasn’t working so they just had the laptop and too many people to get around.  We heard that she was up and about so happy about that.  It’s fingers crossed here that all will be ok for next week.

Martin is thinking to come up in June so I’m looking forward to that.  Not sure when but if he comes up at end of June he’ll be here for Dad’s birthday and if he comes up at begining of June he’ll be here for MLS’s birthday.  Mind you we were discussing get out nails done again.  Not sure if he’s be up for getting his done as well.

I’m resting good style this week not helped by slight tummy bug the house came down with at beginning of week.  Very glad we had two toilets that’s all I’m saying!  MLS came to collect Teacosy and it was a quick switch as she’s got the cold.  I didn’t want to give her my germs and she didn’t want to give me her germs.  It was quite funny to see us as she said it’s the least we’ve ever spoken to each other.

Speaking of bugs, germs etc.  We got the Swine HypeFlu leaflet  through today.  Looking at the symptoms I think that I have had Swine Flu for quite a bit of my life lol.  I do worry about the male half of the population though.  How many of them carry tissues about?  Thinking about it, it’s usually the women that do in their handbags and the man usually nicks them when the need arises or they resort to sleeves lol.

We had a shock on Bressay last week the Headmaster of the Primary School died.  There is a Memorial Service on Friday and the bairns have been getting the church ready with photos and other things.  I can imagine that it will look beautiful when finished.

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….

Well not had the best of nights last night Woody was acting a bit strange.  He was very talkative all night.  Lots of “wrrrr, wrrrr” then lots of meowing.  At first I thought there was something wrong with him but found him in the kitchen looking out the back window while he was doing it and seemed happy enough when he saw me.  The only other time I have seen him do that is when we had a mouse in the flat South but he stayed in the same spot (well seemed to) for almost two days until he caught it.   He seems to have calmed down this morning and has been out.  He’s quite happy at using windows to get in and out now which means that he can find us when he wants in rather than us trying to find him and spoiling his fun.

Tomorrow over to Lerwick where I need to have a “financial review” at the bank.  I’m assuming that they will be doing their usual and trying to sell me products I don’t need especially at the moment.  Not a lot of money coming in but being self employed they seem to be under the misconception that I’m rolling it.  (Obviously don’t look at their records much!)

Also will be dropping by the Camera Centre as need to get lots of passport typed photos taken and also a new tape for the camcorder.  I know it may seem old fashioned but it still works really well so we don’t really see any need to chuck it out.  I’m getting to take it out the house on Friday for Bressay Up Helly Aa which I’m glad of as Martin won’t be coming up for it due to his shifts.  Means that I’ll be able to show him what it’s like and hopefully he’ll be there in person next year.

Spoke to Gran this morning a bit later than usual as she was having her hair done and it looked superb.  She was feeling her usual self as has the cold so hope she gets better soon.  The usual paper that the puzzle appears in didn’t come today so I used one that I had in my puzzle book.  (I do like my puzzles)  It felt a bit strange to be the one reading out the puzzles today and have to say the boys thrashed the girls today.  Oh well always next week…..

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