ArdnortRupshot

A few photos from some recent travels around the north.

Firstly though, Stuart from Edinburgh asked on my last blog if the Boss was any good - He was indeed. 3 hours. 27 songs. Tremendously energetic performance. I believe a fellow blogger is going to be seeing him in Oslo. I wonder who? She is in for a treat.

I took the long way up from Aberdeen in April, stopping off at one or two spots including Culloden moor, and also Whaligoe. This is a now abandoned fishing station some 7 miles south of Wick. It was sited in a fairly inaccessible inlet, and to gain access to the sea a flight of 365 steps were hewn into the cliff face.
The women of the area would carry the catch up the steps, and allegedly carry the men out to the boats. Couldn't have them getting wet now could we. I include this information purely for educational and historical purposes, and make no further comment. I'm sure others will!




I was in Orkney last weekend with the Lerwick Jarl Squad taking part in the St Magnus Festival. We participated in the pageant outside St Magnus Cathedral, which also involved jugglers, acrobats, singers, dancers and the Kirkwall City Pipe Band. We did our usual quota of singing, and were also responsible for hauling the acrobats up the cathedral walls!

We also took the chance to visit a couple of well kent Orkney landmarks, Maes Howe and the Ring of Brodgar, for some photos. And the general amusement of the other visiting tourists. It'll be a sad day at the end of the year when the suit has to go away in a box and the trivelling comes to an end.

Three weekends ago the Yoal rowing season started.

Two weekends ago I was in Cardiff seeing a Bruce Springsteen gig. (No. 11)

This past weekend I was marching with the Lerwick Jarl Squad at the Midsummer Carnival.

This next weekend I am risking a visit with the Lerwick Jarl Squad to Orkney. Taking part in the cultural event I believe is known as "Magfest"

I daresay this is a complaint we all have - I NEED A LONGER SUMMER.

Phew, that's Scalloway Fire Festival finished for this year!

A perfect evening for the procession and burning, and for visiting the halls during the night. Not to mention the activities that took place during the rest of the weekend. The second weekend was the "Return" where all the acts are reprised in the Scalloway Hall for the benefit of other guizers. Another great night of entertainment.

I am now deep in the midst of final preparations for what will be a one and only guest appearance in the Jarl Squad for Lerwick Up Helly Aa. A hugely busy week lies ahead. Visitations to schools, hospitals and Town Hall on tuesday, and all climaxed with the torchit procession through the streets of Lerwick and the burning of the Galley. A night of festivities follows with visits to 12 halls throughout the night.

Any Island Bloggers out there visiting the event - then I'll be easily spotted - dressed as a Viking and with a beard. You'll have a one in 56 chance of being right!

However, it has not been all fun and games during the month. - Sadly, a good friend, Rowing team mate, and an ex member of our Trondra Men's fire festival squad died suddenly at the age of 48. He was remembered with an exemplary minute's silence before the burning of the Scalloway galley, and tributes at his very well attended funeral. As I seem to remember someone else commenting recently in a blog, there have been far too many early deaths in Shetland in recent months.

A come backI se diamondbigdog carelessly revealed my absence in foreign parts.

I have returned, rested, refreshed and raring to go for what will be a busy winter ahead.

No more chance of "syncope" I had to check the dictionary to see if I was being insulted.

Not quite the South West, MJC, but Texas, visiting friends who have followed the oil from Aberdeen to Houston. It was good to see them again, and to see that they have settled in well to the way of life.

Glorious weather. Trips to Kemah, Galveston and Nasa, plus a little shopping. Oh, and just a little to eat and drink. And relaxing by the pool.

Halloween decorations on many of the houses. And being encouraged to have a "Happy Halloween". Hmm

Took a visit to "da kirk" on the sunday morning. 6000 seat auditorium, rock band, big screens, and a last 16 American Idol participant singing. Whole experience a little strange. So well organised and business like, but it seems to work over there so perhaps we shouldn't knock it.

After an excellent week with Gordon, Jennifer, Sarah, and not forgetting Brogan the dog, I launched myself out onto the freeway to drive to San Antonio for the weekend.

Saw the Alamo, did some leisurely walking about, and by a stroke of fortune, such wanderings took me past the theatre, and got to see an excellent concert by Lyle Lovett and his Large Band. (It's not big, it's large!)

Drive back to Houston with the sounds of Springsteen, ZZ Top and Lovett himself from the cd player. Playing loud.

Return flight from Houston delayed due to a passing storm which disrupted connections, but cannot praise the groundstaff at Gatwick highly enough for their assistance in re-arranging flights.

Just a few pictures for the amusement of, and mockery by, the IB community.

After last week's ideological/lifestyle diversions how's about everyone gets back to their normal ramblings and bloggings about their daily lives. You all seem to have gone very quiet. I'm missing you all! Come on now, out you come again.

The second Round Trondra Rowing race took place on 17 August, to finish off the season. Apart that is from the prizegiving to take place at Quarff Hall in September.

This race was a charity race, in aid of Shetland Aid Trust.

Two races, a women's race, three boats taking part, and a men's race where four boats were rowed.

Teams were mixed up - a so called hat race - names drawn not from a hat, but in this case a plastic bucket.

Women's race was won by the Trondra Yoal, Whiteness & Weisdale second and Burra third. The men's race was won by Burra with Lerwick second, Trondra third and Bigton fourth. Some closely fought battles, particularly between Lerwick and Trondra in the men's race. A good end to the season, despite all being a bit damp by the end of the race. Soup and sandwich's eagerly consumed at the Trondra Hall afterwards.

A few photos taken from Diamondbigdog's boat, and at presentation in hall.

A brief mention of the rowing has been mentioned on other blogs, but time perhaps to give a bit more info for the wider community.

We, Trondra Yoal Rowing Club, are organising the final points race of the season from the Scalloway Boating Club on the afternoon of Sunday 5th August.

Points races have been held in Collafirth, Bigton, Whalsay, Yell and Reawick so far this season.

Normal race distance is 1000 metres, and winning times generally fall between around six and a half to seven and a half minutes depending on wind and tide.

The Brae to Aith race has also been held, the winning time was around 1h 7m

Championships to be held on 11 August in Burra, plus a round Trondra race on 17 August.

Boats are based on the traditional Shetland Yoal - and are raced with a crew of six rowers taking one oar each, plus a cox. Boats come from communities around Shetland.

Categories raced are U16, U21, Open and veterans (over 40). Men and women.

Anything up to 10 boats are raced in each category.

The actual rowing is but one part on the event - they are great social events, involving plenty of yarning, eating and just a little bit of drinking. Purely to quench ones thirst after having been rowing, of course.

If you get the chance come along and watch, and even better, take the chance to go along to your local club and get involved.




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Yes, The Peerie Neep has been and gone and a great day was had by all.

Our other Trondra correspondent should shortly be posting some photos taken by our visiting blogger and photographer Ruthodanort. She seems to get everywhere! Available to photograph your events at reasonable rates.

The 'sporting' nature of the day commenced with that now (after saturday) traditional Trondra event of Toss the Neep. Competititors ages from about 5 and up and vast distances were naturally achieved.

The bungee neep run required a large degree of determination and, lets not be coy about this, weight, to establish the winners.

This was followed by the customised wheelbarrow competition. Otherwise known as 'Pimp my wheelbarrow'. With no apologies to MTV. Space age special effects. Wheelbarrows then raced. Far more exciting than Formula 1.

Plenty of drink and food consumed over an otherwise leisurely afternoon and evening. All sitting outside in a circle yarning, drinking and watching the sun go down. Perfect. And then competition kicked off again at 9pm with a fiercely contested series of Tugs of war. Or should that be Tug of wars? We all worked up an appetite for the final battle of the day - the tattie bake bake-off. Competitors nervously lined up before the judges pronounced. I think some of the smiles and congratulations from the losers were a little forced. The winter months clearly will be spent perfecting recipes before next years event.

Next year - Oh yes. But even bigger and better. Start clearing your diaries.

A relaxing couple of hours winding down after supper - raffle, drinks etc etc.

Conclusion - perfect weather, perfect day.

I see an impatience in certain parts for more Peerie Neep news.

Things are moving along apace and all set for 30 June. 3 till late.

The event is not just the standard Shetland excuse for over indulgence - there will be a series of exacting neepie inspired Field Sports to test the unwary. Rules still being considered! We naturally recommend that anyone planning to come along should already be undertaking a programme of physical jerks and stretching to be ready for the big day. Adults especially.

More to follow from our other Trondra correspndent shortly.

You've started something now diamondbigdod.
Is is meant to end as ..dod - or was it supposed to be dog?

Disappointing to see so many islands without any postings. Trondra punching above it's weight again.

Anyway, peerie neep is a great idea, and some interesting ideas already coming forward.

This is also an opportunity to appeal to the wider community for any old photos of Trondra and of it's people, as a photo display is also planned for da big day.

Or if anyone has any interesting tales involving Trondra inhabitants long departed.
Nothing too recent please - don't want to be changing names to protect the guilty.