Today Lerwick was quieter than we expected. The initial crowds from the Tall Ships have thinned somewhat but they're going to increase again tomorrow for the ship parade and leaving dock.
The ladies went out for important reasons (shopping) and to pick up some presents for people at home. They saw something very entertaining on the way to the shops.
First, they went across to Jamieson's where Laura had to resist buying some yarn of each colour. Instead, she bought some mementos for people at home and a grand total of two balls of wool. Denise bought some gloves.
Next, they were off to the post office to post 24 postcards. Watch your mail, people who wanted one!
On to The Chocolate Box, where Denise indulged in some rhubarb chocolate; Laura bought some presents, and a few goodies for herself. They had to go today as the shop (as well as a few others in Lerwick) are going to be shut to watch the parade of ships tomorrow.
In the afternoon, we were off for a visit with a friend I first met online in 2009, member number 3 of the Shetland Family History Society, Elizabeth Angus. We were catching a taxi to her house, but the roads are closed where we are so we had to walk to the Queen's Hotel for pickup. Laura got another picture of the boats and Jimmy Perez's house on the way.
As Elizabeth arranged the taxi, she came with it, which was a nice way
to ride back to her house. On a side note, I would like to mention she doesn't look like she's aged a day in nine years. If only we were all so lucky. Also, she's a former home economics teacher at
Anderson High School so we were assured some good lemon cake, chocolate
cake, and shortbread! It was as good as we expected.
I was at Elizabeth's house nine years ago and met her husband, Gussie, who has since passed. Somewhere in the old posts of this blog from our last Shetland trip, is a picture of me dressed up as a viking in Gussie's guizer costume. As a couple, they were very involved in the life of Lerwick, Gussie being a local councillor and piper, and the pair of them deeply involved in family history. Elizabeth is still here, there, and everywhere, sharing her expertise in all thing genealogical and historical. Amazingly, she walks to all her volunteering, even if it's on the other side of Lerwick.
One thing I remember about Elizabeth's house is the amazing view. It looks out over the water and gets the best view of ships coming and going. To make sure the ships are correctly identified, she has binoculars on the sill of her living room window. We even caught one of the cruise ships leaving harbour.
Elizabeth and Denise talked up a storm trying to figure out who was who in old photographs, family lineage, and trying to learn if they're related. Current research says no, but there's always more genealogical research to do!
I was served some delicious Norwegian coffee, and Elizabeth is the consummate hostess. Anyone would be fortunate to be a guest in her home.
As it was time for us to depart to avoid the dinner rush and traffic in what few streets were open in Lerwick, I refused to say goodbye. I just said farewell. Like the pickup, Elizabeth rode in the cab with us and walked us to our door. She is a charming and lovable friend and we will be chatting through email soon.
A wonderful afternoon was had by all.
Tonight is a night in, but as Elizabeth is always thoughtful and genealogically-minded, we received a message about a Bairnson relative who lives in Lerwick. Denise will call them tomorrow. We also look forward to the music and fireworks tonight that we should be able to hear and see from our window. One slight problem: the fog has rolled in so thick, we cannot even see Bressay anymore.
Somewhere behind that boat in the picture should be the island where they're setting off fireworks tonight.
One last thing, Laura received an email from our neighbour showing us how not worried our dog, Thora, is about where we are. I thought I'd share.
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