puffinbillyunst - January 2006

As Ruthodanort pointed out, many of us have been south, so a lot has happened since the last update. Shetland readers will have seen my write-up on The Little Drummer Boy and Odyssesus in the local rag, so no more of that.

The trip away was nothing if not eventful. As well as having the inter-island ferries temporarily cancelled as we tried to make our way off the island, there were three hospitalisations, a funeral, an emergency vet call-out, freezing fog, toothache. You don't want to know!

Instead, here are some photos from our two destinations. In Liverpool, we visited Crosby beach to see Antony Gormley's latest installation: he is the man responsible for the Angel of the North. Inevitably, one of the 20-odd cast-iron statues on the foreshore had acquired festive garb. We also visited the recently refurbished palmhouse in Sefton Park.

In Edinburgh, I attempted to photograph the New Year fireworks. Not bad, but I think I need to be nearer next year.

As Far North commented, Saturday was a beautiful day - a real day between weathers with all the storms and rain either side of it. We went to Lerwick where my better half got her hair done and I went looking for photos. In the evening I was giving a talk on The Birds of Panama, which went well enough, apart from the techno gremlins!

Even the football went well on Saturday, but in answer to Herman Ess, no visit to Anfield at Christmas - no time. When will Herman get his blog sorted though? Or why not just start another!

Must get some Unst photos on here next!

One of those days when everything has been going on at school. My class began by writing letters and taking photos to send to a class in Japan who's teacher visted them last year. Then we had the dentist arriving for dental checks, which we completed in time for a visit from the Dogs Against Drugs team. In the afternoon, the 'high heid yins' from Lerwick were up for a look round and then we handed out the reports which have been occupying our thoughts and evenings for most of the week.

None of these things deserve being called 'outstanding', but the results of the HMI Nursery report were published in The Shetland Times today and this was the very word used to describe the Nursery provision. So well done Catherine and Alison and all who work in the Nursery.