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.