Shetland!

The longest journey for the shortest time. I got back in Cambridge at 11am today, after departing from Walls, Shetland, at 5 o'clock on Sunday evening. The wedding was excellent fun, the ceilidh was hilarious (because we English ones had not a clue how to do it, mostly; we gave it our all and thus also had incredible fun too!), the wedding ceremony: Elaine was stunning, as were the bridesmaids, and Joe immaculately smart in his suit. I cannot wait to see some of the photos.
The second night, (all Shetland weddings have a second night!) was held in the local town hall with another Ceilidh, this one more relaxed and less formal and more I was more drunk for that reason (available free beer throughout the evening rather than just at the start (as on the wedding night's ceilidh)), and us young ones carried on partying round Joe's best friend's (whose other half is absolutely stunning!) house. It doesn't get (totally) dark in the mid-summer and we were all stumbling along in the verylight 3am night on route, which was very strange. Apple Sours, some rather tasty Shetland spirit, and homemade wine... Totally fucked my Sunday up! Speaking was a real challange, and I was glad to get on the boat but not glad to leave Shetland which I really really like.
On Saturday we walked to the local beach, along the coast, inland a bit, and back along the road. One can go anywhere! It is amazing, as long as you make sure to circumnavigate bogs and people's houses just pick a route and do it! I wanted to go to Ronas Hill (450m, highest point on Shetland) but there was no time. Hopefully it'll be less than the 8 years, between this and last visit, before I am back!
The return journey was long, the sea was more rough too, with layover in Aberdeen for 12 hours. Luckily the weather was excellent and I had great fun lying on the green grass above the beach reading my book and catching some sunburn. Bus back to London last night, and to Cambridge after 2 hours in Victoria this morning. There's an Auntie Annie's in Victoria. If you don't know, they sell excellent handmade Pretzels and had been a very favorite when we were in New York (stall at Penn Station if you want some in NYC). My favorite's definitely the "cinammon sugar" as it was called this morning. mmm.

Cambridge is still very sticky, a huge contrast to Shetland two days ago where it was 10⁰C, blowing a gale, and drizzling furiously.

she don't love me like I do

Shetland - cold, north, light 24hrs a summer day, extremely windy, I'll be there this Friday
I wish there was a cheaper way, but taking the bus from Cambridge to London, then up to Aberdeen, is the only cheap way. That's a fucking long bus journey! An overnight ferry on Thursday night and by Friday I'm sure I wont have slept for very long. I have not been to Shetland for far too many years, about 8 years by a rough guess. This year I am going there! My cousing Joe is getting married, there is going to be lots of rellos, lots of scottish dancing (Ceilidh) and lots of drinking!! Plus the fact that Shetland is in the far far North, and doesn't get dark for some time around mid-summer... ==> this week!!! Excellent!

Ha yeah!

I am back from the biting North. Finished the Coast to Coast walk (200 mile Long Distance Walk from St Bees, on the Cumbrian Irish Sea Coast, to Robin Hood's Bay, on the North Yorkshire North Sea Coast, in 13 days) yesterday and what an exceptional journey through paradise and hell it was! A trip report on my website to follow. By bus to Middlesborough and train to Cambridge only 8 hours, felt far too quick to me. All the noise, all the people.

New housemates have moved in, and a TV too! An English bloke and a Korean (not Japanese as previously stated) girl. Seem okay at the moment!

This evening I watched Brazil beat Greece in the footie, drank too much hot drink: green tea, black tea, hotchoc all buzzing round my blood right now. Now its late but it feels early, I am still energetic from all the walking I have not done today!