Shetland Islands

Following our stint on North Ronaldsay we headed to the Shetlands for a 4 day visit. We hired a car and drove round.

Lerwick Harbour at night

St Ninians Isle this has a thin strip of beach connecting the mainland the the island

Me and a Shetland pony, soooo cute

Eshaness Cliffs, these looked a lot bigger in real life

More scenic views as we drove along the coastal way.

North Ronaldsay Sheep Clipping Adventure

In July, we arrived in North Ronaldsay after 1 night bus from London to Edinburgh, 1 train from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, 1 ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall and finally 1 cessna plane ride from Kirkwall to North Ronaldsay.

It was an adventure just getting there and along the way we visited Edinburgh and the famous Royal Mile. We also went to Kirton of Skene and visited Nigel's Grandad's birth place and had a meal in the pub that was once his home.

On the island we enjoyed learning to clip the sheep. We walked around a lot, drank a few drams of whiskey or ginger wine, played a lot of gin rummy and listened to the seals having beach parties outside our window every night.

It was a magical, quiet and unique place. I dont think either of us realised how much we would enjoy living there for a month and we really enjoyed working with the islands' locals. By the end of it I think I left a wee, peedie piece of my heart in the Orkney Islands!

This is the famous Skara Brae archealogical site in Kirkwall. These homes were found underground and date back 5000 years.

Nigel's Grandad's place in Kirkton of Skene, Aberdeen

Edinburgh Castle at night time.

This was what we could see of the island from the cessna planes windows as we were arriving

The old Beacon tower in the background at sunrise on North Ronaldsay

A friendly seal, so cute!!

We walked right around the islands dyke wall, it was 13 miles in total.

We had a bonfire before we left, here Nige is posing as 'rambo' in some double fleeces he kept

Here Nige is posing with the 'Lany' outside Charlies house, we loved driving that thing!

And the action shot, here I am clipping a sheep by hand using the shears.

Here is Nige on his very first day, learning to clip a sheep.

Scenic route home, we walked across the golf course which was on the edge of the beach each night.

A friendly cow we walked by everyday.

Nige is feeding this sheep a chip, or is the sheep feeding Nige??

Becs London Farewell

Our flattie Becs is leaving london to work in Singapore. We are so gutted that shes going cos she is great value but all good things come to an end. In fact, its the end of the flat at 3 Allington Court, we are all moving out come the end of next week. Nige and I are off to work on a sheep farm in North Ronaldsay in Scotland and then home for 2 months and Gemma and Kelvin are off to a new flat in London. Here are some photos from the party.

Gemma and myself laughing away.

Attempting to look gorgeous!

Gorgeous photo, take two!

Gemma is chasing me with the camera, but look at my pretty new earrings!

Becs is so sad she needs some wine to help her perk up!

Frank the Tanks Twin!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzagnQ9gC

QM

Click on this to see frank the tanks twin! frankie lives on!!!!

Cocktails in Clapham Common

We had some cocktails in Clapham Common. My flattie Becs was meant to come but she stayed at home cos she was sick. Gemma (Kelvins girl) and my sis and I went together.

Round 1....

Round 2....

Katrina enjoying the cocktails

Round 3

Paris Take Two

We decided to take Katrina to Paris for her bday. We arrived hoping for sun but we ended up with another cloudy overcast day, just like our last trip to Paris. Anyway so here are our photos of Notre Dam, the Louve, Eiffel Tower, the Catacombs, and Moulin Rouge etc etc

Nige at the Paris Stadium where the Rugby World Cup was played

Moulin Rouge

Afternoon Tea in a Cafe yummmmmmm the food!

Looking colourful and happy at Sacre Cour having a beer or two

Excuse the spelling ... I think: Sacre Cour? Its nice anyway, we bought food and drink and hung out on the lawn soaking in the parisien vibe!

Inside the Catacombs, miles of packed bones....clastrophobic?

The Light show

The Arc de Triomf

Picture perfect, the Eiffel tower at night all lit up, with the moon to the right, absolutely gorgeous!

View from the top of Eiffel tower at night

Arty shots of the Eiffel tower

Nige and Becs trip coordinators and map readers!

Awesome architecture inside Notre Dam

Gargoyles outside the Notre Dam

Oh the food, fromage, jambon crepes and french hot choc. mmmmmm mmmmmmm

Venus de milo

Guess who...

We arrived at the Louve and we left the free city tour here, nige and I took Becs and Katrina on our own tour of Paris!