Tuesday, July 23

Our last day in Shetland. Our last day in Scotland. Its been a different adventure with some real highlights. There are a couple of things left on our list, but they are all nearby, so we think we can get them all in. The first stop is the Shetland Museum and Archives located by the docks in town. We are surprised to find out that admission is free. There are two floors that trace Shetland history from the beginning of the earth, through continent migration, people migration from about 5,000 BC, housing and commerce up through WWII. Lots of artifacts and good explanations of what tools were used, how they built and prepared their food and fought their wars through the ages. We spent at least an hour in there when we thought it would be about 30 minutes. We stopped to eat lunch at the Hays Dock Cafe within the museum. I had a traditional Caesar Salad and Linda had a salmon frittata,. Then we spent another 15 minutes exploring the second floor that included more information about fishing and WWII.

Next, we drove about a mile down the road to Jamieson & Smith, wool brokers that Craig told us about yesterday at the bar. Farmers bring their wool here to have it graded and get their pay. They also have a shop with lots of wool skeins for sale. Linda buys a few things.

Last on our list was Scalloway Castle, about 5 miles away. There is a museum and a very small castle there. The museum had a lot of things similar to the earlier one we had just come from. But, they had an exhibition about the Shetland Bus - an operation based in Scalloway during WWII to receive Norwegian escapees from the Gestapo, to send in infiltrators and saboteurs, and to send supplies to operatives. Over 350 refugees were rescued from 1940 to 1945. A quick walk thru the castle was all that was necessary. A little ways down the road was Meal Beach in Burra. We parked the car and walked 300 yards to a small sandy beach where a family with two children were playing in the water and the sand as if the temperature was in the 80's instead of the 50's. Yes, the beach sat down in a bowl that was protected from the wind, but, come on. On the walk back to the car through a field of sheep, we stopped to chat with a few of the sheep.

We headed back to Lerwick for Linda to visit Harry's Department Store, looking for small gifts. Then she headed for another shop while I went to the Peerie Cafe for my espresso. Then we decided to return to the Scalloway Hotel for mussels. We walked over to Monty's to cancel our 7:00 reservation and headed back. We walk in to the hotel restaurant and find out they do not have any mussels. Its the wrong time of year. There was even a statement at the bottom of the menu. We stayed and had a good meal: wild goose and rabbit terrine and a pnmint (peas and mint pureed) shot as a complimentary beginning. The young lady had to say it 4 times before we got it.  I had the scallops which included the whole scallop, meaning there was a little protrusion from each. I asked the waitress what it was. She called it roe, but went back to the kitchen and brought out a book that showed it as the scallop's reproductive system. Ummm, I'm eating a uterus. Each scallop was sitting on a bed of spinach. There was also a large serving of fennel. Linda had a whole grilled Megrim on a bed of green mashed potatoes, and sweet peas, string beans, and carrots on the side. It was very mild but needed deboned. I had a glass of Malbec and Linda had Glenfracias whisky recommended by her friend Rachel. It was strong. She cut it with water and was very happy. I think she has been drinking more whisky than I have. Go figure.

Back to the B&B to pack for tomorrow.

We will be on the road for the next two days without any internet access. So, we'll be back on line when we get to Soest, NL on Friday.