12th February – Walk 7

Sandwick to Cunningsburgh – Showers, force 1/2. Had an earlier start this morning (about 10.40 a.m.), gave the Brass Band a miss, as I need to focus on my college project more. Had a bit of an ‘iffy’ Friday and beginning to feel a little snowed under with work, so the walk was more than welcome.

Beautiful day, though I did get rained on right in the middle of painting – interesting results and I managed to keep the next ones dry.

Decided to leave the road below Hoo Field and climb above the road up to the White Stane before turning towards Catpund. This forms part of old Viking soapstone workings – and is still evident in the excavated grassy mounds and by the holes in the steatite by the burn. It is a really pretty place and one of those little gems of a place you pass in the car, dying to get out and visit, but never quite getting around to it. I was delighted to sit by the burn and paint before heading down the hill and over the road heading towards Mail.

Decided to go by the Mail beach and off the road for a little way before walking by the cemetery. The light at this point was exquisite, and with a dark blue/grey sky as a background I managed to get a few good photos. By the time I got to North Voxter, my very special tea man turned up to take me home.

I took more time this week meandering over fields and diddling along the beach, so I was kind of surprised to find how time had evaporated. Maybe I’m simply in need of standing staring time!

1st of January 2012

Took advantage of the bright clear skies to start my walk from Sumburgh to North Roe. I really want to get outside and sketch and get some half decent exercise, I feel last year has been rather sedentary and I miss walking so much. With my present project concentrating on the culture of Shetland through song, what better way to engage with the aspects of landscape and natural environment than getting outside.

I started from the lighthouse at Sumburgh Head as the most Southerly point, it is so sad to see the state of neglect. Lighthouses used to be so beautifully maintained, I suppose it was out of a real sense of pride that lighthouse keepers kept these landmarks so spick and span, (apart from the reason to keep them well maintained for practical purposes). It was a beautiful light for taking photos, so my walk was interrupted occasionally by just standing snapping away and drinking in the beautiful landscape. The road was wonderfully quiet so both dog and walker had a nice smooth surface for most of the way, managed to get to Scatsness excavations before the poor dog (a very small Yorkie) began to drag a little.  I didn’t walk far this time, probably about 5 miles or so plus one stop at the start to sketch the lighthouse buildings.

Hope the weather next week is ok – Scatsness through to Virkie.