damadcoo

Hi there everyone.
My apologies for my long absence but I've been very busy, I think.
I've been coping with menopausal loss of my brain function and then on top of all that THE EARTH MOVED for me.
It was the night of Auld Yule, 6th January, well actually early on the Sunday morning. I was lying in bed listening to Radio 4/BBC World Service ( a very interesting programme about seed stores in the north of Norway) when the bed started to vibrate.I sat up and turned off the radio and there was a kind of rumbling noise and the whole room rattled and shook.
When it stopped, I got out of bed, put on my coat and went outside to check that the house hadn't fallen down or the hill hadn't slid down on top of it.
But no. It was perfectly quiet outside. A few cars were moving about, it being yule night but other than that it was a lovely still night.
I checked the next day and discovered that there had been an earthquake!
I wonder if I'll make the bill this year!
Now about all this talk of smut!
Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about that kind of behaviour and it will take a lot more than a bit of Viking smut to entice us Northern Ladies to the Western Isles......................
but I dare say we are open to offers!

There is an afterlife. At least for these wellies.
See the glory of the born again wellies!

I have searched and searched but have been unable to find cow wellingtons. [If anyone knows where I can get some please let me know]
As an alternative I have bought these which I think are suitably bright!
I have not as yet been out in them as it has been very cold and wintery here but as soon as I do I'll let you know how they perform.

On Friday night, while most of the world was doing normal,boring Friday night things I was at Clickimin with over 500 other people taking part in an all night Relay for Life in aid of Cancer Research.
We were all in teams and each team had to have a team member on the track at all times from 8pm until 8 am Saturday. Some people walked, some ran, some were in fancy dress, there were firemen in full breathing apparatus and by the end of the night some of us were a bit staggery, tired and very stiff but everyone felt much better when we heard that the event had already raised £33,000 with more still to come in!
Congratulations to Belle Spence (whose idea it was) and Elizabeth Johnson who both worked so hard to make the whole thing happen.
I have to say that the people of Unst are some of the most generous folk I have ever known, both financially and with their time. Every fund raising event is well supported.Last week there was a curry night in aid of the CATS appeal which raised over £1300 and a Big Breakfast event at the school raised £122. On Friday night it seemed as if very second person I saw was from Unst. And all this at a time when the future of Unst's economy is very unclear after the closure of RAF Saxa Vord. WELL DONE UNST! And well done everyone who took part.

Thursday in Unst was a really beautiful day with no wind and clear blue sunny skies. So, instead of staying late in school working on my paperwork I sneaked out before 4.30 , came home to change into my lovely,much admired wellies and set off to Burrafirth for a walk along the beach[ see photos]
As I began my customary paddle in the sea,shock and horror! My left ankle felt wet. On close inspection I discovered a crack in my wellington through which the sea water was seeping.
I am bereft. These wellies were a Christmas gift from my middle son and they have provided me with many interesting discussions with strangers who feel compelled to comment on my wonderful wellies. They have also kept my feet warm and dry, except when Herman and I got distracted whilst paddling and got caught out by a rogue wave which came half way up our thighs.
I am considering sending them back to the shop and asking for a replacement pair but I am sure they will tell me that these are designer wellies and not designed for paddling in the sea.
Ah well, such is life.

Today we were back at school but since the road to my house has not been cleared I had to struggle through the snow to get to the main road and a lift to school. I was very tired when I got there and my face was bright red and stayed that way for most of the morning much to the bairns' amusement.
On my way home after school what did I find...a mixture of snow drifts, puddles and a raging torrent where the final steep bit of road used to be!!!
See attached photos.
It is now raining heavily so I may be able to get my car down the road tomorrow, unless of course it's flooded

In response to Herman's question about my icicle here it is again. I thought it was qite impressive.

In response to our friend from sooth at Magnolia Towers, I feel I must share some information with you all, something I discovered at Norwick Up Helly Aa. If you are going to drink Aftershock, do not mix your colours!! I'm sure that is what did for us.
I did go online to find out what exactly was in Aftershock. The red stuff is a cinnamon schnapps and I found a recipe for hot chocolate with red Aftershock in it which sounded quite appealing but not so much as the Wind Dog's Hot Chocolate with Chilli. I wonder if Andy would deliver??[Recipe available on his web site]

Here are some photos of today's snowy conditions.

I'm going to attempt to post some photos I took today. In case it doesn't work it was very snowy!