Back to Norway

Busta House Hotel near Brae dated from the 16th century. Typical Shetland construction with walls several feet thick. Ancient, with squeaky floorboards under deep carpets. Sumptuous lounge with large fireplace at the end including glowing-coals fire. (No, not peat). Mature service. Excellent restaurant and dinner together with Hans, now let out of hospital and in fine form.

Before enjoying the hotel we explored northwest, to Eschernes, its lighthouse, Stephensen’s last, built square, not round, because it saved money.

and rugged cliffs, swirling with fulmars. Where there is grass there are sheep. Everywhere, nibbling away all day.

Strange rock formations formed aeons ago. In the foreground, a freshwater loch (lake), of which there are thousands, of all sizes, but we only saw running water once, in a little waterfall. The rain, plenty, gets absorbed into peatbogs.

More exploring found a crofthouse, a relatively large one and recently in use. Barn and byre behind.

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Then a gentle drive south again, through rolling open hills, all the way back down to Sumbrough, out to Shetland’s southern tip and the lighthouse, (well almost there, as we were running out of time).

From the Busta House hotel near Brae back to Strusshamn and Josin took all day. Delays at the airport due to technical problems with our scheduled aircraft. We sat in the departure lounge with the ‘plane just outside the window, and waited. And waited. And watched as all the luggage was removed. Bad sign that. Alternative ‘plane, smaller, rather well-used, and noisier. But it got us safely back to Flesland.

Bybanen to the bus station. Wait for bus to Askøy. Wait for bus to Strusshamn. Chinese restaurant closed for holiday, so minimal food shopping and the walk back to Josin, patiently awaiting us.

Alls well.