Actually, it was called Zetland before Shetland and they do not really consider themselves part of Scotland but rather a separate entity. The accent here sound like a cross between Scottish and Norwegian, but then I suspect that there is a fair amount on Norse blood flowing in these hardy Islanders.
Off the ship at 9.30 to meet with a pre-arranged cab driver that Ian had set up. What a delightful day we had with him, Roy was his name.
We seemed to be going non-stop the whole day. Lunch was a cup of coffee at 12.30. First we had a chat with some very friendly Shetland pony's.
Then to a lighthouse that is now a seasonal holiday rental outfit to see the Puffins and every other kind of sea bird imaginable. We are not really bird people but it was interesting. [Did you know that Puffins live at sea and come to land only to breed and raise their young?] I did not know that.
Next some wonderful photo opportunities and then to what I consider the highlight of this entire trip: A visit to Jarlshof, on the very southern tip of Mainland, Shetland. This is a site only discovered after a 1905 storm that washed away turf and soil. Stone age, Bronze age, Viking, Medieval settlements all one on top of the other or in close proximity and then forgotten in time and grown over by wind and vegetation until discovered after the storm. The first settlement was around 2500 BC. We spent more time than we should have there, but it was fascinating.
Next stop was a water flour mill, built in 1866 and recently restored to working condition. [The big beams are from BC].
Then to various other bits and pieces of interest. On the way we stopped into a knitting place in the hills where I broke down and ordered a sweater that will come in October.
All too soon we were back in Lerwick where we settled with the driver and strolled about with three large black trash bags, each with a fluffy sheep skin that we suddenly 'had to have!'
What a beautiful little town this is. The locals seemed to dress like it was a hot summer day, while we southerners dressed for a brisk spring day. We were at the 60th degree of latitude, which is about exactly the border between the top of BC and the Yukon border.
Back on the ship at four famished, for a 5 PM sailaway across the sea to Norway where we dock tomorrow at 8 AM. Clocks forward tonight for the 5th time on the cruise. We are now on UK time, eight hours ahead of BC time.
It is nice to be in temperate climate again where the sun actually goes down at a decent time, and it in not still light at 11 PM!
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