Viking Unst or Rain Rain Rain
Posted: Thursday, 26 July 2007 |
Annual family holiday in Unst - brilliant as usual. how could it be anything else?
Weather - rubbish
Scenery - superb
Folk - brilliant
Accommodation - top class
Shopping - fantastic
We go up to Unst every year - this time no Ruthodanort. Remind me - where is she? Oh yes, last seen sailing in a easterly direction!
We visited every archaeological dig we could find - Unst is full of culture and heritage at the moment. there are ancient finds all over the place. There's a new dig at Hamar - a Viking longhouse - and its amazing. Julie Bond of Bradford Uni showed us round - you can see so well what it represents. A tiny house and a big byre - well - priorities were different then. They did really clever things with drains and running water - the water was drained from round the house, the clean water was used for household purposes, the rest drained through the lower end - the byre end - and cleaned away the muck. How sensible. There are also digs past and present at Underhoull, Belmont and Da Easting (da aest ane) is a fab beach with wide flat white sand full of Viking remains. It is not repeat NOT called Sandwick as it says on the map and all the archaeologists insist on calling it. (not their fault of course)
There are literally hundreds of Viking remains in Unst - its going to be a big part of the Viking trail that stretches across Europe. We visited the Skibladner - the Viking longship situated in Haraldswick, they've put a shelter roof on it and installed two handsome Vikings who were awfully glad to see us on a rainy Tuesday, they have not had much publicity so folks don't know they're there! They made me a Viking bracelet, they showed us some carving and weapons, we made rope, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. There had been a Viking feast on last weekend, which sadly I missed by one day - but it sounded brilliant, they had a fight over a princess, and drew blood (he showed me his scar...)
As usual we shopped - Ethel's - and bought loadsa stuff. this time I bought some stainless steel bits - a colander, a tray, and a bowl. (no, I don't really need these items) a CD of Ike and Tina Turner, some coffee, noodles, and some dipping sauce not available on the mainland, and a handbag. (a HANDBAG, she said in the tone of the importance of being Ernest)
On the beach I had a funny experience - a friendly dog appeared, complete with spherical object - hmmm - looks familiar - MAC! - usually accompanied by Muness view and/or Ruthodanort - complete with temporary owner - was that Damadcoo in those wellies?
My sister had a more exciting experience on the beach - as we scrambled over rocks in a lonely isolated spot - she came face to face with ... a RAT! oh my GOD! did we run!!!
Weather - rubbish
Scenery - superb
Folk - brilliant
Accommodation - top class
Shopping - fantastic
We go up to Unst every year - this time no Ruthodanort. Remind me - where is she? Oh yes, last seen sailing in a easterly direction!
We visited every archaeological dig we could find - Unst is full of culture and heritage at the moment. there are ancient finds all over the place. There's a new dig at Hamar - a Viking longhouse - and its amazing. Julie Bond of Bradford Uni showed us round - you can see so well what it represents. A tiny house and a big byre - well - priorities were different then. They did really clever things with drains and running water - the water was drained from round the house, the clean water was used for household purposes, the rest drained through the lower end - the byre end - and cleaned away the muck. How sensible. There are also digs past and present at Underhoull, Belmont and Da Easting (da aest ane) is a fab beach with wide flat white sand full of Viking remains. It is not repeat NOT called Sandwick as it says on the map and all the archaeologists insist on calling it. (not their fault of course)
There are literally hundreds of Viking remains in Unst - its going to be a big part of the Viking trail that stretches across Europe. We visited the Skibladner - the Viking longship situated in Haraldswick, they've put a shelter roof on it and installed two handsome Vikings who were awfully glad to see us on a rainy Tuesday, they have not had much publicity so folks don't know they're there! They made me a Viking bracelet, they showed us some carving and weapons, we made rope, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. There had been a Viking feast on last weekend, which sadly I missed by one day - but it sounded brilliant, they had a fight over a princess, and drew blood (he showed me his scar...)
As usual we shopped - Ethel's - and bought loadsa stuff. this time I bought some stainless steel bits - a colander, a tray, and a bowl. (no, I don't really need these items) a CD of Ike and Tina Turner, some coffee, noodles, and some dipping sauce not available on the mainland, and a handbag. (a HANDBAG, she said in the tone of the importance of being Ernest)
On the beach I had a funny experience - a friendly dog appeared, complete with spherical object - hmmm - looks familiar - MAC! - usually accompanied by Muness view and/or Ruthodanort - complete with temporary owner - was that Damadcoo in those wellies?
My sister had a more exciting experience on the beach - as we scrambled over rocks in a lonely isolated spot - she came face to face with ... a RAT! oh my GOD! did we run!!!
Comments
Want to reconsider the life swap Scallowawife!? The viking age is a passion o mine..I would hae LOVED tae see the longhouse! folks are often surprised tae ken the Norse often had indoor toilets tae, and maist hamesteads had their ain bath hoose. sigh...sounds like my idea o` a great trip. :-)
Hermit from Sanday
The Vikings eh? They had some cairy oots, and they knew how to have fun. The good old days eh? I'd like to say that it's good to see your back ( please note that the spelling is correct) but, how couldI??
Tws from The Dark Room
a good blog,scallowawife! glad you enjoyed it-- its seem very interesting and the pics are lovely! were the viking lads at hermits feast on sanday??
carol from feeling jealous
Hello again Scallowawife. Nice that you're back after a break. We have archaeological digs in Ness on Lewis too. (No this is not a rude comment about local B&Bs). Archaeologists have recently found an ancient kiln inside a building that has been excavated on Dun Eistean near the Butt of Lewis. The wee, steep-sided island was the 'historical stronghold of the Morrisons'. More reasons to visit Dun Eistean?
Annie B from the usual
Nice to know Mac is being a good boy Scallowawife. Glad your holiday was good. Hope to see you (& infamous large sofa) soon.
Muness from Elsewhaar
What??? No picture of the handsome Vikings??
Michelle Therese from Mainland Orkney
The pics are great. Someday... Someday I'll get to see it with my own eyes.
CVBruce from CA, USA
Yes I would have liked a look at the handsome Vikings too Scallow are you keeping the pictures pinned over your bed just for you ?
Barebraes from Shapinsay
I never took me camera on the day we visited the vikings on the long boat - but my sister did. I'll blog them - if she parts wi them!!
scallowawife from shetland - its sunny today!!
Sorry we missed you all! But it's good to hear all that's goin on at home. I'm goin home in a couple weeks, and taking my own handsome viking with me (don't get too excited Carol, it's just for a visit, not permanently). We'll have to visit lots o the sites you're talking about, so he feels at home. And maybe we can get a loan of Mac for a day or 2? Muness? You listenin?
Ruthodanort from still in Norway!!
you say its sunny? scallowawife, can i send you the some heat to go along with the sun?? for the best part of june and july the weather here has not been normal but my god the heat's back with a vengence!! the man with the--is talking me trampling in the pyrenees so hopefully it will be cooler-only drawback i'v to sleep in a tent--hated that as a girl guide,but as he say's its all to do with getting prepared for the trip to the south island in jan.
carol from 36° in the shade
Shopping. On Unst. Scallowawife is the Shetland repository of positivity...
Flying Cat from a virtual boat haven
Carol - get a tipi !!
Michelle Therese from Things Go Moo in the Night...
the shopping in Unst is very good! ask anyone who's been!!! its true. Carol - in a tent - cold dark and wet - does not appeal in the slightest. no personal facilities such as washing, hair stuff and a good wardrobe plus mirror, and no make up - not for me. BUT to go with the one you love, in a warm climate, up a mountain with fantastic scenery, cosied up in a sleeping bag....mmmmmmmmm... think I'd manage.
scallowawife from in positive mode
michelle: one of my closest friends is an expert on native american indians, she spends most of the year in NM(not with mjc) and she brought back a tipi one year and whilst she is in france doesn't sleep in the house she sleeps in it--i've done it once,but its not for me--i'd rather sleep in the back of the car-pascal has a station wagon in nz-which is huge compared to europe sizes or in a backpackers(NZ equilivent to youth hostel)
carol from in the sun
I'm off there next week.Other than the dig that I think is now shut for the winter what would you recommend as good places to visit. We're walkers and where is Ethel's shop? I've been to Hermaness before but the weather was terrible soescaped early back to Whalsay.
aquaerial from whalsay
Dig at Hamar - Think it is still open - go past Bobby's bus shelter and walk over the hill, the cows won't hurt you. Bobby's Bus shelter - take 10 mins to have a good look, carry on north to the garage - its a brilliant shop and cafe too. go further north to Haraldswick - viking boat, heritage centre, boat haven and CHOCOLATE FACTORY (a bit off the beaten track) brilliant hot chocolate stop. keep on the road to the RAF base - lunch - pub an restaurant - everything in theat area is the "furthest north" whatever. Hermaness - brilliant day out for a (hardy) walker. Hermaness visitor centre - stick your hand down a puffin burrow etc. hmmm what else - Ethel's is in the middle o Baltasound just down fae the crossroads, a tiny white sign says "shop". leisure centre - has everything a fit (pool, exercise stuff, courts to hire) and an unfit person (comfy seats, hot drinks, chocolate bars) needs. Castles, beaches, ancient monuments, standing stones etc etc good walks - try Woodwick, Kollaster, Colvadale, Saxa, Gosh the list is endless. what have I missed - not sure. apologies for omissions.
scallowawife from in the book of things to do on rainy days
scallowawife: i can get by without make-up(someone's got me going completly "au naturel" we are (so he says) to make camp at the riversides,so as to have water to boil and to wash with) what am i letting myself in for?? this must be love or maybe a ailement even worse!!
carol from in the shade cause its b****y hot
Ruthodanort: send us a pic of the hunk--there's one of mine of the IBHQ page under the title "Oh l'amour!! glad your having fun!
carol from 36° in the shade
Carol - he's the skipper in one o the photos in her last blog
scallowawife from shetland - cold and windy today (Monday)
Do you keep adding to this blog Scallowawife? Or am I going aff ma heid? Or both? Or neither? How does the wee bit underneath the clothes peg get dry? Just curious, which I can be, without fearing death ( sometimes).
Tws from A Safe Hoose
Scallowawife's Guide to Unst is the best I've ever seen. Maybe she could pop down here and re-write the Hoy brochure page accurately!
Flying Cat from an admiring glance
Right I know what's happened, there are 2 blogs by Scallowawife, very confusing. I only ever look at the pictures though.
Tws from Free Free At Last
Is that not Wee Free At Last? You're in the right place for it.
Flying Cat from psalm enchanted pleasnat valley sunday
Are you trying to make a Monkee out of yourself FC? ( did you see wot I did there FC? Well didya? )
Tws from Petes Sake
i forgot to tell you scallowawife, but nz is not the hotest place on earth highest temperature in summer (on the north island is 26°) nice compared to the heat we have here
carol from where its b****y hot
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