Tuesday 19th June update

I spent 2 nights at Uyeasound at the lovely hostel. The first night camping outside, the second inside. On Monday heavy gales and winds were forecast, so I thought it prudent to take down my tent and leave the stuff inside before I cycled North to Hermaness, the point on Unst where the road ends. Then a 3 mile walk to the lookout point for Muckle Flugga and the most northerly point in the U.K.There was nothing but the lighthouse between  me and the North Pole.

The cycle/walk back was not easy, with wind speeds of 35 miles per hour - it was hard to stay upright on the bike. When I got back to the hostel I spoke to a shell-shocked cyclist who had just arrived. She had been sitting for half an hour with her jacket on, de-stressing and her boyfriend had the bus schedule timetable out! I felt quite proud of my 25 miles.

Today  I have returned to Lerwick because tomorrow I cycle to Sumburgh for the plane to Bergen. The 3 miles to the first ferry took me 40 mins as I tried to stay upright pushing into the wind which had increased overnight. The bus at the other end did not take bikes, but after 2 miles I was rescued by Jason who had just dropped his wife (the teacher) at school and who took me 18 miles to the ferry for Toft (in the wrong direction for him),

 There he 'commandeered' a local builder with a van who was going for a hospital appointment to Lerwick, to give me a lift!

I have already cycled this route! It  would have been impossible to retrace by cycle today.

So Shetland is stunning. It has great roads (no potholes- just smooth surfaces and double track even on the islands). Most islands have a leisure center and a newish school, This is because of the foresight of the council director; when oil became big he ensured that the oil companies contributed to the local community. A group of Shetland school children were staying at the hostel when I was there- they where charming and their teachers excellent. A great place!

I have now stocked up with provisions for Norway at Tesco - Shetland not that remote!