Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Cycle Tours => Topic started by: Matt2matt2002 on April 08, 2016, 10:25:17 am
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Just returned from a very enjoyable 2 night / 4 day stay on the Shetland isles.
I managed to reach Muckle Flugga for the second time since being there at the start of my Scottish End to End tour, 2 years ago.
Unfortunately the mist came down. But I know the lighthouse was there!
Test picture to see if I am pressing the right buttons.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bxLY83DiB_4/Vwd2TymWxrI/AAAAAAAAKto/f3zph9a1tHEDrGD45Z4hEDEi0dj0eJcrA/w958-h719-no/Shetland2016%2B023.jpg)
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Ah ha...
Looks like my links work so on with a few snaps.
I stayed on the middle island, Yell, in a Bod. There are 8 or 9 owned by the Council and available for £10/night. Basic accommodation but great for a night or 2.
Here are the local Shetland ponies. Hardy looking but cute.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JkrAqtrQe7o/Vwd2nK-B1WI/AAAAAAAAKtw/Y0ZDdf7gy70mJNfwtYGRBpNJ-9bkcb0QA/w958-h719-no/Shetland2016%2B033.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4b67cSrLRRI/Vwd2rqv5zsI/AAAAAAAAKtw/frW2WfXjMg84FNrteBtHpuVyNHqyKYGOA/w958-h719-no/Shetland2016%2B034.jpg)
Not many trees up here but great roads. Long slow low hills. None requires great effort but I found the first few a bit draining.
I'm use to short sharp climbs. Ones that go on for miles can be a little annoying. But I soon got my head around how best to tackle them.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6CglJLwYlmI/Vwd2PRW30KI/AAAAAAAAKto/aDVPaFuJ6w8jOzKMW8L4PBVgM3h7tGpsw/w958-h719-no/Shetland2016%2B015.jpg)
Here is Muckle Flugga. It was a good half hour walk to the very top where the lighthouse was playing hide and seek in the mist.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CYqKZUMirTs/Vwd2WkLRE6I/AAAAAAAAKtw/6npdfiLSfeEzRVM4ti-SIgDe8vS8y-F8A/w958-h719-no/Shetland2016%2B014.jpg)
Many of the bus shelters on Unst and Yell are decorated. Very unusual and fun.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NYG8XxeYY68/Vwd2BG0DjDI/AAAAAAAAKto/FvJStsVrfsM7Az_p58Bk1Enxvusqo1XKQ/w958-h719-no/Shetland2016%2B009.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BjnRvIitiqI/Vwd2F6mBqtI/AAAAAAAAKto/aID6ivxwZu0M7l7BbMVOrWnOZnTrUQqXQ/w958-h719-no/Shetland2016%2B007.jpg)
(http://[https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NYG8XxeYY68/Vwd2BG0DjDI/AAAAAAAAKto/FvJStsVrfsM7Az_p58Bk1Enxvusqo1XKQ/w958-h719-no/Shetland2016%2B009.jpg/img]I had left my rear panniers at the hostel so traveled light to the top.Raven performed perfectly.[img]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BjnRvIitiqI/Vwd2F6mBqtI/AAAAAAAAKto/aID6ivxwZu0M7l7BbMVOrWnOZnTrUQqXQ/w958-h719-no/Shetland2016%2B007.jpg)
When the sun is out and the wind drops it's a stunning part of the UK
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-18BM2kwu0_I/Vwd1znqUnDI/AAAAAAAAKto/bbOrZPaiiOk-HUfIFGN6Rf7yBSf4LVtIQ/w614-h819-no/Shetland2016%2B002.jpg)
There are a couple of forum members here who live on Shetland but if anyone needs advice of more info on this beautiful part of the world, please PM me.
Matt - who will be back.
;)
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Thanks Matt, interesting post and photos. It looks as though a seagull was after you!!
Never been to Shetland, but keen to go.
Lewis
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Thanks Matt, interesting post and photos. It looks as though a seagull was after you!!
Never been to Shetland, but keen to go.
Lewis
Seagulls.....
2 years ago when returning from the top I missed a turning and finished up walking through a nesting area of Great Skuas.
The locals call them Bonxies.
It was like being dive bombed by flying microwave ovens. I was honestly fearful for my safety. They came at me from all directions, swooping very low. I was told later by a local they they often make messy 'deposits' on unwelcome visitors!
I was very careful to follow the correct path back.
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Great pics - you're brave to go at this time of year. I believe the trick with bonxies is to hold a hat on a stick above your head - it gives a little more clearance. A Zefal HPX pump would do nicely!
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Nice shots Matt, thanks for sharing!
Robbie
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Excellent, did you get to those wonderful mesolithic sites? That would be a big draw for me to head that far north!
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Super photos, Matt, and you seem to have enjoyed decent weather too. (A dump of 25 cms of snow just welcomed us back to Ottawa, so my cycling season has been postponed for a few more days.) The more I see of stories and photos like yours, the more I'm convinced I have to get a tour of Scotland organized. For some years now, I've been thinking about a tour of the Celtic fringe of Europe--time to do something about it, I reckon.
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Hi
Loved all the pictures!
John
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Great pics - you're brave to go at this time of year. I believe the trick with bonxies is to hold a hat on a stick above your head - it gives a little more clearance. A Zefal HPX pump would do nicely!
Just wave a stick about above your head. That usually does the trick. They can give you a nasty peck if you don't!
Well done on another trip up here Matt.
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We're just back from two weeks touring in Shetland, great weather, good scenery, friendly locals, smooth roads, courteous drivers.
A few sample pics, the rest should be up on flickr by the end of the week or so.
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Great pictures. Brings back good memories
Interesting last picture.
I was at my son-in-law' s brother's wedding a few years ago and started chatting to a lady say next to me.
I started telling her about my latest adventure and, long story short, it turned out she had lived in that building, a pub/ hotel, as a young girl, 40 years ago.
I was even able to show her a picture on my phone from the same spot.
Small world, indeed.
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Stunning photos as always, Rual. Always look forward to your "latest".
All the best,
Dan.
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Thaks, Rual. Great photos as always. I was especially taken by the brooding wet townscape in your last photo -- thought your camera had only sunny skies within it ;-)
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Our Shetland trip photos now online at flickr https://flic.kr/s/aHskVyJvDr
Also in slideshow format on youtube https://youtu.be/15rbaY2O9Fo
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Excellent. Many thanks. I was able to recognise many locations.
Matt, who will be back.
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Matt, slightly OT, but what brand of jacket is that you are wearing? It looks to be a good one. Is it was canvas, or some other material?
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It's a Haglof.
Got it in front of me now but no name fixed to it.
I bought it for my trip to Tajikistan. The hood is good for fitting over a helmet.
Came in handy in the Hebredes.
But there was a wire in the brim of the hood but I found it too restrictive, so pulled it out.
Sleeves extra long so usually fold them back but good for extended arms on wet bike rides.
Sorry about not having a name for it.
It must be 3+ years old by now so superceded for sure.
Good make though.
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Our Shetland trip photos now online at flickr https://flic.kr/s/aHskVyJvDr
Also in slideshow format on youtube https://youtu.be/15rbaY2O9Fo
An impressive array of photos. There weren't many places left unvisited. Looks like you did well with the weather.