I've been wanting to return to Fair Isle again for so long and I can't believe that after living for over three years in Shetland that I haven't organised a trip across the water! Its been 16 years since my last visit! I had intended to plan a trip over on my next annual leave off which is June, but I decided to try very hard and bring it forward to see the Northern Parula. It took a lot of working out, one minute I was half going on the Good Shepherd, but changed my mind because it was leaving from Lerwick and there is no way for any bird or person was I travelling for four and a half hours on that washing machine trip! Anyway after lots of phone calls and arranging accommodation and getting time off work, I was insanely lucky and got a flight booked for today which had been cancelled. I found this out and booked this flight at 7.55am yesterday (Wednesday). The Northern Parula was being watched on Tuesday, but as luck would have it, an hour or too after booking my flights, the NP had disappeared overnight! Warblers are my favourite birds, I would have given the world to see that, but sadly it wasn't to be. I made the decision to carry on with my trip anyway, as its been way too long since I last visited the "emerald isle".
I recently purchased lots of bedding plants for my garden and I knew if didn't get them in pots and in the garden, that I would potentially lose them whilst I'm away, so gardened until 10.50pm last night. Then..... I had to pack for my trip! I also had to stand on the scales several times to ensure my total luggage didn't exceed 15kg which is the maximum weight limit on the 7 seater Airtask plane. 9 kg of the weight was my backpack containing camera gear, laptop etc.
Went to work today and then had a very early finish with TOIL owed at 2.38pm. Drove straight to Tingwall Airport. At 3.30pm I checked in and my luggage was exactly 15kg, brilliant|! Had a lovely catch up with Hollie Shaw who had been away. There were 7 of us on the plane. I didn't take my serious sickness tablets, just took some Stugeron tablets, mistake, big time! This flight was hideous to say the least. It was the perfect day to take pictures of the glittering turquoise seas below, but OMG I felt sick and had a sick bag ready, there is no way I was in a state to take pictures. I couldn't take my eyes off the back of the pilots seat in front of me for the majority of the journey. The plane was really rocking for quite a while and the other passengers told me when we got off that it was not a fun ride and that there had been a cross wind and the plane was border line being cancelled. If I had had a crystal ball, I would not have stepped foot on there at all!
Anyway, landing on the airstrip was a huge relief. I was shaking when I got off and in a real state. My friends I'm staying with met me at the airstrip and then took me to their gorgeous home. My body and mind settled after a while. After a cup of tea and two gorgeous little buns, I wandered out with bins and camera for a pre dinner walk. Dinner was at 7pm. I ambled as far as Tommy H's house, Da Haa. It was SO good to be back here, so good! 6 plus swallows and 2 House Martins skimming over the pitch and putt, a few Wheatears, House Sparrows, Rock Doves and the usual seabirds including Gannets and Eiders. I didn't have time to walk to any of the gardens and places where they had been some scarce migrants today. Mitchelin starred cooking with vegetable chill with rice and yoghurt, guacamole dip and tacos and the best rhubarb crumble and custard I have ever experienced! Before I arrived on Fair Isle today I had lost 1 stone and 6 pounds. Will be restarting the diet when I return to Shetland in a few days time!
]Looking forward to a early night's sleep and getting out early in the morning.
It feels surreal and strangely odd, but truly wonderful to be here again. Looking forward to exploring tomorrow! Here are a few quick snaps I took on my walk.
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