Di Boatie Hoose

I will write about today in a minute but first I'm going to reflect on the trip over to Noss National Nature Reserve last night. What a great trip. I did add a couple of extras to yesterday's blip if you'd like a glance. It was the calmest evening imaginable. The highlight for me was seeing the elegant gannets but there were also grey and common seals,  guillemots, fulmars, puffins, shags, terns and bonxies. The first four birds on the list still had chicks. Guillemot chicks are called jumplings. We moored in a tiny voe, after all the bird sightings,  for tea/coffee and biscuits and everyone enjoyed the peaceful scene. It was a good way to see a lot but I think I might prefer a walk on the isle. 

Anyway, today. Another gorgeous sunny morning and with only a gentle breeze it feels warm. We set off early for Da Gairdens over on the westside. You can read about this lovingly established woodland, garden, ponds and planting here. The main is in the woodland - a little house with a no longer seaworthy boat as its roof. A wonderful variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and water plants. 

I've cheekily made a collage for an extra:
Another building at Da Gairden - the Lamb House
A bird which I thought was a sanderling but on closer inspection I think is a ringed plover
The ruined St Mary's Chapel 
The beach beside the chapel

We'd taken a sandwich which we ate by the beach. We then came back to Lerwick and I gave Flora another walk. There's a big cruise ship in and the town is very busy. I scuttled home and had a cup of tea. We're eating very early tonight - the only booking available. I don't really mind that though. 

Thanks again for all the kind comments, hearts and stars