Shetland. Yell and Unst

---

Shetland. Yell and Unst.

Good news this morning as we woke up to a dry morning and a dry forecast for the next 5 days. The breakfast at the Magnus Bay Hotel was to die for, as was the meal last night. I can thoroughly recommend it for a stay.
Off we went down the bay and within 2 miles a 10% climb loomed in front of us for half a mile. Bottom gear and heavy breathing was the order of the day, especially when the wind was against us until Brae where we stocked up on supplies at the Co-Op. Luckily we turned north and it was behind us for the rest of the day. We passed the oil terminal at Sullom Voe and over the hill to the ferry at Toft. Since we are all old gits we managed to get tickets at £1 each for both ferry journeys today instead of the standard £5.50. Once we landed at Ulsta we headed for Burravoe but unfortunately we were too soon for the visitor centre which opens at 2pm on Sundays. The sun was glistening over the bay providing an amazing view when a guy came talking to us who was an ex army guy from Silsden and had bought a relic of of a house overlooking the sea with no roof and was starting a renovation. A major project.
We were due to stop at Aywick for supplies at the shop which opens from 2 to 6 o’clock, but passed the junction in error and found ourselves at Mid Yell at 1.15 and hungry. As we climbed the hill out of town and thinking lunch was history I could smell food coming from the left so rode over to what looked like an industrial unit and hidden away was LJ’s Diner which is open on Sunday 12 noon until 8pm. What luck, so in we went and had a good cooked lunch. Why do we always have to climb a big hill after a meal? Onwards an upwards towards the ferry at Gutcher. As we had an hour before the ferry sailed several of us found time to visit a small art gallery and tweed weaving gallery. We were given an interesting demonstration on how the loom was set up and the patterns created. The ferry came rushing in and took us out again to Belmont on the island of Unst. I have the utmost respect for the ferry pilots who are absolutely amazing by how they spin them round and dock so precisely. The Gardiesfauld Hostel is just 2 1/2 miles over a 10% hill overlooking the bay at Uyeasound where fishing boats are tied up and salmon fish farms are seen out at sea. After noodles and ham followed by raspberry jam crumpets the sun was still shining so bird watching was in order. Great Black Backed Gulls, Black Skuas, Arctic Skuas, Ring Necked Plovers, Red Shanks, Black Turns, Turnstones, Black Divers and many more. Sun set at 8.45 and dark at 9’ish.

---