SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings  

 

Feedback from my interview yesterday: I was told that you get four points for each of the questions I was asked and got 4 out of 4 for every question – apart from one, where I got 3, the highest score one of my interviewers said, that they have ever had! Shocked and pleased about this! Not too bad for an old girl with short-term memory! 😂 😂 😂

Busy day tomorrow, preparing things for Saturday, when I'm meeting a builder at the property I am buying. Exciting times!

Lucy and Vivien (my sisters, for any new readers) met up for lunch today in King's Lynn, ahead of Vivien's birthday this Saturday, such a pity I was not able to join them. Hopefully I will get to see them early in the new year, after all the house situation has settled. Can't see me being able to get back for Christmas, but to be honest Christmas is not the same anymore. Christmas mean't gathering at our family home with parents, which is no more. Going back for Christmas now, will mean paying for a B&B, which I don't really want to be in over Christmas. Its not possible to stay with Lucy and I would drive Vivien and Ray nuts, staying on their small narrowboat and with limited water supply! Ray wouldn't be able to cope with two "Clarke's" on the boat! 😄😂

Had a lovely catch up on the phone with our close family friend Malcolm White (who lives in Heacham) this evening, who has been suffering badly with toothache and waiting to see the dentist. Hopefully you will feel better soon x

Huge thank you to all my readers and friends on my Blog, Twitter and Facebook for your congratulations for my job post and house find! Much appreciated 💖 xx

Third Time Lucky!!!

I did a completely crazy thing on Sunday, really crazy! I fell in love with a stunning property I stumbled upon, found out it was a holiday self-catering place from a lovely local lady. I googled and contacted the owners and asked if they would be interested in selling it. It turned out they only lived a short distance away – they came out and showed me around the property. I was smitten to say the least.

24 hours later on Monday evening, the owners said they would be happy to sell to me, stated their price and after further emails, we agreed a price. I couldn't believe my luck! A very good builder here, is meeting me at the property at the weekend, to give me any advice about jobs that may need doing in the next few months or years. I can't put into words how honoured I feel, to be able to buy this unique property, which has a fascinating history and with no bidding wars! I am not going to divulge where it is, until the day the sale completes. I don't want to jinx it or let anyone else know about it, until its mine!

Everything is now going extremely well! I doubt I will be moving until after Christmas, but hopefully it will be early in the new year, if all solicitors are prompt! 👍

Very Exciting and Fabulous News!!!

When I started work at the Gilbert Bain hospital on 8th May, my post was a secondment post that finishes on the 4th December and of course this was a massive risk, but a risk I decided to take. It was a risk worth taking, as I immediately fell in love with the job as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, my team and all the staff in the hospital. Such a wonderful, warm and friendly place to be a part of. Also, how many hospitals have awesome sea views just below the windows! I didn't know this until this evening, but there was Orcas swimming past the hospital yesterday I was told! You couldn't make that up!

A few weeks ago I heard that my post would be advertised as a permanent position, which was extremely exciting to hear! As soon as the advert went live, I applied promptly! I put my application through on 18th October and was given an interview, phew! I have been very busy revising and preparing. Today my interview was at 10am with Denise and Karis (both OT's) at "The Independent Living Centre" in Lerwick.

Its very odd having an interview for a job that I'm already doing. I was asked a number of questions from each interviewer and I felt it went very well, I felt nervous, but tried to keep calm to a degree – who doesn't in an interview?! A few hours later I had a phone call from Denise who very kindly said we would like to offer you the post!!! I became very emotional, which was a little embarrasing and my lovely colleague Catherine (OT) gave me a little hug and a smile and offered to make me a cup of coffee. I adore Catherine, she is one very special young lady and simply wonderful to work with. I love working with Sidonie too, who is our Locum Band 6 OT, I will miss her very much when she leaves our team.

I can't tell you how happy I am to be a permanent Occupational Therapy Assistant in this wonderful team and hospital. I have no intentions of going through any more interviews! I will stay here until the end!!!

🎉  🥳  "Celebration Time"  🥳  🎉

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings   

 

Heavy rain here today and darker much earlier than normal.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 31st October to 6th November!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyRoundup2023_46.aspx?s_id=417909920

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings  

 

A VERY important today tomorrow! More details about that to follow!

A stunning day of beautiful sunshine, mist, frost and magical light. Highlights whilst I was at work: Rose-coloured Starling, Dusky Warbler, Barred Warbler, American Wigeon, plus Waxwings, Mealy Redpolls, Northern Treecreeper, Northern Bullfinches, Siberian Chiffchaffs, Continental Coal Tits, Hawfinch.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings 

 

One of the most exciting days of my life!!! All will be revealed at a later date, can't say anything yet! A lovely local lady I know, said to me "what's before you winna go by you" – how right she is!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings 

 

Viewed another property today, but from outside only, booked appointment to view tomorrow evening. Very busy with BIG things going on this week!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings 

 

Busy day viewing three properties. Managed to squeeze in seeing a Firecrest and a Coal Tit at The Orca Inn in Hoswick, no time for serious birding today. Met up with Jill and Rob for lunch at the Hoswick Visitor Centre, lovely soup, carrot cake and coffee, then flew off to view my last property. Aurora showing well throughout Shetland – not seen from my house, plus too many lights here and felt too tired to drive out anywhere.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings  

 

Lovely social evening out at Saffron Restaurant in Lerwick this evening. An OT get together for Denise, who is very sadly leaving the island soon! Fabulous food, far too much and excellent service, but a bit echoey and hard to hear conversation. Bought some new funky Fly London boots for the occasion and for any future gatherings! Its been years since I bought a pair of going out shoes! Beggs is an excellent shoe shop in Lerwick with a big range of brands.

Two/possibly three house viewings tomorrow! There is a cracking albino Blackbird at Bigton, which I hope to see over the weekend.

BIG  NEWS !!!

The DNA from the Western Olivaceous Warbler at Whalsay, confirms its identity and that this is a first for Britain!

https://twitter.com/RogerRiddington/status/1720364082195214586

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings 

 

More houses to view over the next few days! 😊

In Memory On Your Birthday

Happy Birthday to My Dearest Father

You would have been 97 today – 2nd November

Thinking of you today and always

Forever in my heart

Always in my thoughts

You would be saying I was crazy moving to Shetland

I can hear you saying
"why on earth do you want to move to that cold place for?"

We were similar in many ways,

but you adored the heat and I adore the cooler temperatures!

Always with you, wherever I am

 Until we meet again

💔  💔  💔

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings 

 

A little breezy here 😊

BEAUFORT SCALE – SHETLAND EDITION!

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings 

Fair Isle Bird Observatory, Latest Sightings:
https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.htm

SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT fem. (for 2nd day) at Hametoun Burn, Isle of Foula, Shetland

RBA Weekly Round-Up 24th to 30th October!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2023_45.aspx?s_id=76089832

Buying Property in Shetland!

The one thing I hadn't fully realised when I moved to Shetland, was how difficult it is to buy property here. My first bid failed and I was only third in line out of four. The bidding wars here are like playing Russian Roulette. There are very few good properties that come up, they either need lots of expensive work doing beyond my budget or they have been built with Sullom blocks, which you avoid like the plague. When a good property comes up at a good price, everyone is after it and the highest bidder wins.

One month ago a beautiful 'former croft' came onto the market – I was the first person to view it, I put in an offer the following day and my offer was accepted straight away without anyone else viewing the property and no bidding wars! I couldn't believe my luck! I loved this property, it was everything I was looking for, large garden, sea views, detached, one level and inside was just so quirky. It was almost too good to be true 🤔! I could see myself living there forever, I was excited and couldn't wait for the sale to go through. I was also looking forward to being in my own home before Christmas.

Last week the sellers' solicitor informed my solicitor, that the majority of the garden had not been de-crofted. I won't say much more and my thoughts on this, but I was shocked, angry and highly disappointed. I have been very stressed and upset all weekend. This morning (Monday) I decided to sensibly withdraw my offer and have lost around a month's wages on paying the solicitors fees so far. Another door closed. Not a good day at all 😠😞😢

Again, I restart my search for my dream home, which hopefully will be third time lucky, with no hidden surprises or/and crofting issues. 🤞

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings 

Fair Isle Bird Observatory, Latest Sightings:
https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.htm

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings 

Fair Isle Bird Observatory, Latest Sightings:
https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.htm

Had lots to deal with this weekend, so very little birding sadly. Went to the Geosetter Burn this afternoon – Blackbird and one Goldcrest. Four Coot along with Whooper Swans, Goldeneyes, Tufted Ducks, Mallards, Redshank at Spiggie Loch and loads of Fieldfares and Redwings in the fields along the path to Spiggie Beach.

SHETLAND BIRD NEWS & MORE!

Shetland Bird News, Latest Sightings:
https://www.nature-shetland.co.uk/latest-sightings 

Fair Isle Bird Observatory, Latest Sightings:
https://www.fairislebirdobs.co.uk/latest_sightings.htm

 

Black-throated Blue Warbler fem. on boat at sea (then flew off) off Mizen Head on 16th October, Cornwall

 

Loads of Fieldfares and Redwings in the fields next to St Ninian's Isles car park this afternoon. Also a Sparrowhawk shot through with prey, but couldn't see what it was exactly.