My first very positive impressions of Island touring begun in October in Orkney are strengthen by my drives around Shetland Mainland and Whalsay Island. I am enthralled by the shimmering light every time the landscape changes and I can glimpse the sea. The contrasts of the wind sweeping over land and water, seen in the sway of trees or grasses or flower faces and in manes or wool of the animals that race by my windows or in the waves that splash and crash the beaches or the water fowl that dance on the wind. All are feasts for my eyes. I have seen a tall ship docked in a bay, like a ghost from some distant era passed. Sheep and lambs gambol over fields and often roads. The ponies with their long flowing manes make my fingers tingle with wanting to touch. Dramatic sea views with large fishing ships and ferries create colorful contrasts. Seals bask on rocks in the sun. Rock walls and ancient houses and settlements and crofting cottages nestle on hill and in valley. The names of towns bear Nordic names in tribute to the importance of this island to the Viking traders of long ago. My lovely weather days give a romantic feel to life here, but I know better. The more regularly harsh weather would make living day-to-day a greater challenge than I would care to hold myself against. I am grateful to the weather god, Freyr, for his gift of mild temperatures and intermittent sun, no rain, and pleasant plane and ferry passage.
On Thursday, I visited a primary school in the north of the island with a total enrollment of 11 students, spanning seven grades. I was deeply impressed by the organization of the teachers (only 2) who have layers and layers of activities and individualized learning plans to allow time to work with the pupils in groups and individually.
This sweet video is from my day at Olaberry Primary. Two songs: one on caterpillars and the other on frogs.
 |
| Some (semi) independent work on shape recognition and literacy |
I enjoyed the day, but was near to exhaustion at the end. Maths then Literacy and Problem Solving. Snack. Silent reading, Crafts, and Lunch. Then Health, and Life Cycles. I got to meet the class tadpoles and we walked up the road to visit with chickens that they hatched from eggs. I got to be a road-walking buddy with a sweet P2 boy and underwent an extensive lesson in making a god's eye ornament from a P4 young boy. His patience was very appreciated, as I had to restart my ornament three times! Success was pretty sweet in the end and mine will hang with the children's for a summer music festival!
 |
| One of the helper moms. She kept trying to give me her ornament to finish...I would not have it. I worked until I could do it myself! |
 |
| My outstanding instructor and our products. |
 |
| That's mine in the upper left hand corner! |
 |
| Safety vests for walking up narrow country roads. This is the whole group. |
 |
| Chickens! |
 |
| This chicken is called Minty, because someone almost dropped their tooth brush on him during after-lunch
hygiene.
|
 |
| More chicken love. |
Thursday was foggy.
 |
| Notice that we cannot see the ocean past the lighthouse. |
 |
This part of the island, Eshaness, is known for its steep cliffs and
dramatic views. I only got the steep cliffs experience. This was a bit scary.
|
 |
| I took a bit of a walk to the cliff's edge. The sky was foggy, but as previously mentioned, the weather was mild. So mild that the two blow-holes in the cliffs
made no sounds as the sea was so gentle. I was a little disappointed.
|
Drove by people assembling at a rural church for a funeral and was reminded that life is precious and how much my dad would have loved my stories. I can imagine him with me and interacting with the pupils. The chickens would have been a highlight for him, for sure. I can almost hear him singing the frog song.
I ate Fish and Chips at Frankie's, voted one of the best (top 5) in all of Scotland for the past 3 years. I don't have a lot to say about this. Maybe I am a philistine, but fish and chips is basically the same everywhere. Hot. Fast. Greasy. Delicious.
Friday, I got up early to catch the ferry to Whalsay, known as the bonnie island. The school is in the Symbister House--originally a laird's manor. Pretty impressive with amazing views.
 |
This structure was the laird's toilet, complete with a
chute to dump the regal output into the middens on the
other side of the wall.
|
 |
| I am not sure what these round stone structures are for, but they lined
this small body of water. I have only seen them on Whalsay.
|
Tirrick is the Shetland name for tern
Maalie for fulmar
Shalder for oystercatcher
A wick or vik is a U-shaped bay. Firth and Voe (sheltered bay) are names for other shaped bays.
Aith is an isthmus--and Mavis Grind is the narrow isthmus between the North Sea and the Atlantic. There are signs here warning of otter crossings. :)
Place names for early settlements include -bo, -bister (dwelling) , -sta (farmstead), -ster, garth (enclosure like a garden), and gord. Iron age forts or brochs included burra, -burgh, -burgi, or brough.
Perhaps my greatest discovery?
I learned that the words "peerie smoorikins" mean little kisses in the local dialect. So I close with the wish of peerie smoorikins for you all. I can't wait to give them to you in person.
