Overnight ferry from Aberdeen is the other way to arrive by sea
Overnight ferry from Aberdeen is the other way to arrive by sea
Overnight ferry from Aberdeen is the other way to arrive by sea
Sustainability is an important value to Shetlanders
Sustainability is an important value to Shetlanders
Sustainability is an important value to Shetlanders
The Shetlands are the northwest section of Scotland
The Shetlands are the northwest section of Scotland
The Shetlands are the northwest section of Scotland
Entry to Fort Charlotte which never needed to defend Lerwick during the Dutch Wars or the War for American Independence
Entry to Fort Charlotte which never needed to defend Lerwick during the Dutch Wars or the War for American Independence
Entry to Fort Charlotte which never needed to defend Lerwick during the Dutch Wars or the War for American Independence
Artist’s rendering of Fort Charlotte
Artist’s rendering of Fort Charlotte
Artist’s rendering of Fort Charlotte
Artillery that could have defended the island
Artillery that could have defended the island
Artillery that could have defended the island
West wall of the fort
West wall of the fort
West wall of the fort
Named for a King of Norway
Named for a King of Norway
Named for a King of Norway
Spring gardens in full bloom
Spring gardens in full bloom
Spring gardens in full bloom
Shetland Museum was a wealth of information
Shetland Museum was a wealth of information
Shetland Museum was a wealth of information
Shetland has a long human history
Shetland has a long human history
Shetland has a long human history
And archeological sites nearby
And archeological sites nearby
And archeological sites nearby
We loved the displays on textile arts
We loved the displays on textile arts
We loved the displays on textile arts
Fine lace making
Fine lace making
Fine lace making
And warm winter sweaters
And warm winter sweaters
And warm winter sweaters
Watercraft so important to life in Lerwick
Watercraft so important to life in Lerwick
Watercraft so important to life in Lerwick
A French restaurant in the Nordic realm of Scotland provided nice refreshment
A French restaurant in the Nordic realm of Scotland provided nice refreshment
A French restaurant in the Nordic realm of Scotland provided nice refreshment
Too soon we return to Jewel of the Seas
Too soon we return to Jewel of the Seas
Too soon we return to Jewel of the Seas
And wave goodbye to the Shetlands
And wave goodbye to the Shetlands
And wave goodbye to the Shetlands
Next stop – Iceland
Next stop – Iceland
Next stop – Iceland
It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of visiting the Shetland Islands was nothing more than a pipe dream but today we got to at least spend a few hours exploring Lerwick, Scotland, the capital city of the Shetlands. In this port the ship is anchored out in the harbor and we got to ride in one of the lifeboats to arrive at the quay in downtown. From there intended to set off for a self-guided walking tour. What we weren’t quite prepared for is that many places are closed on Sunday morning so along with a cadre of other passengers we visited the Tourist Centre where we got a list of places that we might visit and a tourist map as well as the location of a local yarn shop which was our next stop. There at Loose Ends we had a most delightful conversation with Dee, the owner and learned about the variations of Shetland sheep and about some of the local crofts that raise the sheep and produce wonderful organic Shetland wool We came away with ten skeins to for a future knitted or woven project. As we continued to wander we paused to chat with a local who was commenting to a friend that there were an awful lot of people in town today. From him we learned that the people of the Shetlands identify more with the Norwegian culture than with the Scottish, that the islands were a royal wedding dowry and a part of Scotland only since 1469. From there we made our way to Fort Charlotte, named as such when it was rebuilt in during the War for American Independence but the fort has stood guard over Bressay Sound for 350 years since the Second Dutch War. It affords fabulous views of the town and the harbour. Next we wandered one of the neighborhoods and walked through the King George V Play Park where families were out enjoying the beautiful weather. Next we headed to the Shetland Museum and Archives where we immersed ourselves in the geology, archaeology, and history of these remote islands. Did we mention that textile arts play a big role in Shetland culture? On the way back to the ship we paused for a cultural experience, lunch at C’est La Vie, a French cafe where we enjoyed Croque Monsieurs and coffee. Yes, this is a place to which we will yearn to return.
Off the beaten path is Hampstead is the more than three hundred year old Burgh House with a fascinating history. It’s now a community center, local museum, gallery, concert venue, event space, and more open to the public four days a week. We popped over for a bite to eat and to peruse the galleries to learn a little more about Hampstead history.
Ever since its debut on Broadway the two of us have wanted to see “Wicked the Musical”. Today we realized that dream. In the Apollo Victoria Theater in London’s West End we were witness to the incredible prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the story of the Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
London’s National Portrait Gallery’s temporary exhibition, “Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens” presents an amazing collection of portraits, jewelry, personal effects, books, costumes, and more to illustrate not only the lives of the six women who married the second Tudor king, but the effort across five centuries to keep their memory alive.
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