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.

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.

At long last after requests, nay demands! For Teacosy pics here they are.  Unfortunately not had the best of weather for Teacosy so had to stay indoors but Teacosy has been busy making friends and looking around:

Meeting the locals

Looking out to back

 Making friends with Woody.

Now you are probably wondering about Woody’s water well it seems like Woody (not sure about the rest of feline kingdom maybe someone could confirm) prefers drinking out of most things apart from his own bowl.  He does drink out of it but if there is another recepticle that has water in it then bowl gets ignored.  After the gales of last weeks Mams double flowered Tulips were battered so she took then in and put them in water and in the tray she picked they did look lovely:

We were sorting out old papers and things looked round and saw this:

It seems to be his favourite hobby but probably not for much longer as they are starting to get past their best.  Wonder if it will be back to down the loo after this?

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.

After being back at home since October I seemed to have acquired a social life again.  I was looking back at my blogs and I’ve not been out this much in about 6 years.  It’s all good but I’m thinking of seeing whether I can space things out a bit better.  Everything seems to happen at the one time, not good for the old health (well particularly mine).  The Teacosy and I will however be meeting up with MLS.  Teacosy has been making friends in my house.

Next week I’m planning LOTS of nothing I’ve decided unless ZETrans/Community Council/Water Board decide to have a meeting in which case I have to go, well don’t have, have to but I feel the need.  Other than that I will not be venturing far or attempting not to.  I may need to go to Lerwick but that will be it.

I’m planning on going up to the croft to have a bit of a look about and plan how to tackle the forest that has grown at the front door of our old croft house.  You now need a machete and a wildlife license to enter in there now.  I may need a man with machine but we’ll see what happens.  This is something I’ve been procrastinating about since I first moved back but now the weather is turning it’s time to do something about it.  I may not be able to do a lot in one go so I’ll just do little bits frequently (much like how we’re supposed to eat these days).  Also I love being at the croft, it’s so peaceful and views are great.  To me it really lifts me being there if I’m having a down day.  I also promise to get photo’s taken.

On the plus front we almost have a caravan booked in Dunbar now.  Woohooo!!!  We found out that their phonelines had been down.  Also Woody is now booked for his holidays at Cattery.  We were thinking of getting someone to look in on him but he’s a shy thing with folk and don’t think he’d understand why everyone had gone for a long time.  He’s been in Catteries before didn’t like the first one but the second one he loved as he got lots of attention and cuddles and I know Gott Cats has an excellent reputation.

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.

Hmmm yes paranoia has slipped into my mind.  Why I hear you ask?  Well I’m waiting for supporting letters to come from ex employers for my DLA Tribunal.  The first one from ex employer 2 was sent about 3 weeks ago so I called at beginning of last week to enquire whether it had been sent and they agreed to re send it.  Ex employer 1 also sent theirs at beginning of last week and still no sign.  All my other mail has arrived and I’m starting to think that the DWP are nobbling my mail…….

*If you’re of an easily embarrassed nature please look away now*

It’s been trials and tribulations in the bra department here.  I’ve been using a lovely company called Bravissimo to order a good bra for me, they believe in throwing the measuring tape out and going on how it looks and fits.  I’m now on order no.4 :shock:  Trying to get the right size has become a bit of a battle.  The first one from Bravissimo was lovely but didn’t fit so tried same style in different size still didn’t fit.  The lovely woman at Bravissimo said that the company that makes them are notorious for having very small back sizes for the actual size.  They suggested another one which was sent but didn’t fit so are sending another one which should fit better.  All I can say is hurrah for Bravissimo!  I asked whether they needed anymore money for postage and packing and they said no it was more important for them to find the right size for their customers.  The women that I’ve spoken to are all very knowledgeable about where wires should be and how many hands you should be able to get under the back bit and are very patient with you.  I’ll update you on order no.4.

*those who are easily embarrassed can look now*

I have just about everything for Gladys Emannuel.  The apron arrived on Tuesday and the Nurses Dress arrived today.  I’m a woman of a larger size so wondered if they were trying to tell me something when I saw that the dress was made by a company called “Harpoon”.  I have a plan navy dress which I plan to add white cotton round the cuffs and the collars to make it more 1970’s nurse instead of generic nurse.

Brother has finally decided what he is wearing to his birthday bash but will remain a secret until a week on Saturday….

Tomorrow is Jams birthday and I’m getting very excited about it.  We’re going for a meal and then some pampering.  Saturday heralds the arrival of birthday boy Martin so will have a small family get together.  It’s going to be a weekend of excitement.

Woody has been loving the nice weather and wandering outside more as we’ve started to leave the kitchen window open.  He also likes hiding in the daffodils and is still learning to make friends with the other feline neighbours round about.

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.

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!

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