Not everyone relishes a nine hour Atlantic storm and 60 mile per hour winds and torrential rain, but I do.
To take pleasure in the van rocking around and the rain drumming on the roof will seem strange to many. Skill is required to position the van so as the side door can be open at the time in order to appreciate the turbulence and inclemency to the maximum.
Once, when in Iceland I sought the far west of the country and a place that reputedly had the wildest storms in the world. I recall being disappointed when all we got was a few showers of rain.
During the storm my senses are heightened, I find my brain works better. It’s a good time to save a really good book for. And even to do a bit of work, which I did in the early afternoon. It was T20 finals day also, so from time to time I watched some of that.
It was a complete contrast to the evening before when I spoke to my brother over the phone showing off the late sun and clear sky over the ocean behind me.
I’m on the far north coast of Yell, the middle of the three main Shetland islands, just tucked in behind the Gloup peninsula above Breckon Sands, one of Shetland’s wild beaches, but it’s a mile away, and I haven’t been able to get down there yet. The storm began just after 8 am, and lasted until 5 pm, with quite a noticeable start and finish. I cursed at 8, as I had failed to get out with the dog beforehand, though he was quite happy to wait until the evening. The pics above show the fine evening yesterday, and the contrast to after the storm today.
I drove up here yesterday afternoon from West Sandwick. The guy originally from Carlisle who lived close by chatted again that morning, and recommended me a route to the north of the beach. It heads out on an inland track on the hill to the Loch of Birriesgirt. Though it was quite a bleak walk out there, on a fine morning, the Loch itself was one of those special places, that one discovers from time to time, and puts me in mind if that David Byrne lyric, this must be the place. It is sheltered, has sandy beaches, and yet the ocean and cliffs are just thirty metres away over a grassy rise. It would be perfect for a wild tent camp. It’s in the photo above, and the two below. Roja has an amazing knack of finding balls in places which you think would be the last place a lost ball would be.
I then took the coastal path back south, which was much tougher and slower, mainly because of the fence crossings. In all we were out for four hours, though included in that is sometime to appreciate the surroundings. It was a really good route.
On the way north, just a thirty minute drive, I called in at the Cullivoe shop. This is the best stocked of the various local shops I have called into, and indeed they all do have a considerable range of produce. It was quite a warm afternoon now, at 20C, and I spent some time chatting with the woman serving.
It’s orca season, and quite a few of the visitors to the islands are here to try and spot them. There are more sightings than ever, perhaps due to the climate they are further south than they would usually be, and perhaps also due to relative ease of taking pictures of, and filming them. Here’s a couple of examples from the last couple of days..
Shetland Orca Sightings | Hulk and Nott share seal for supper, At the skerries of skea last night.
Back to Saturday night, the T20 final with a couple of beers, and probably a movie later.
Safe Return Doubtful 
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