Tuesday 31 July 2012

Shetland, the final day

The slowest start to any day in Shetland yet which saw Will up and doing before me. It was well after ten when we had packed up, handed the keys back to the custodian and hit the road to Lerwick. Following the additional bag debacle at Aberdeen airport I decided to try an alternative. To get an extra bag on standby from Sumburgh to Aberdeen costs ten quid, remember that there is no guarantee that the bag will actually arrive at the same time. Also, considering that we may not be able to hang around long enough to wait for the arrival of our wayward luggage an alternative was necessary. Parcelforce delivery to Gosport £15, Flybe extra bag £10 on standbay, Easyjet extra bag £18, no competition.
Breakfast consisted of a couple of bacon baps from Faerdi Maet, not brilliant but very welcome. Will was still hopeful of seeing a seal of three in the harbour but was, once again, left disappointed. I hoped that a visit to Sumburgh Head and the sight of hundreds of Puffins would pacify him somewhat.

On the way to Sumburgh we took the opportunity to stop at Quendale, a rather large but dull beach. The highlight of this fleeting visit was the washed up skeleton of a sheep, no photos of this grisly find but a few of the beach.



We pushed on to Sumburgh Head and did see dozens of Puffins. Will went a little bit mad I think and became snap happy with the camera taking far more pictures of Puffins than we really needed.



With the seals forgotten Will was surprised at the size of a couple of whale skulls that were on display alongside the path to the light-house. He was now upset at the lack of whales, there's no pleasing some people.



With still some time to kill before check-in we stopped off at a couple of beaches, Grutness, very stinky seaweed and West Voe. Will spent some time perfecting his somersaults on the sand before we left for the airport.



Checking in was so different from the experience at Aberdeen with the clerk, what do you call them, suggesting the best luggage options to ensure that my slightly over-sized and overweight cabin luggage was allowed onboard.

The journey home was uneventful although it was well after 2AM before I managed to fall asleep.
I really look forward to my next visit to The Shetland Islands, fishing and wildlife next.

NB No photos at the moment as my camera is still in my pack at home. Will update this evening.

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