Seal at Funzie Bay, Fetlar

We made it to Fetlar and back on another day of glorious weather. Upon ringing the ferry company we were informed that the 11.30 am from Gutcher to Fetlar was fully booked but we could turn up and see if there was space. We were able to book a return though!

Turned up nice and early at the terminal and were first in the queue for non booked vehicles. Turned out there was plenty of room in the ferry - and on the way back too!

Fetlar (population 59) is known as the garden island and it certainly had a more gentle feel to it. May be that was because the winds were from the south making it feel much milder than of late.

We went on a wild bird chase, trying to spot the red necked phalarope despite the best advice of the locals. Saw redshank, curlews and snipe from the RSPB hide at Funzie - no phalarope.

Spent some time at the interesting heritage centre and the local shop for coffee and cake. Very enjoyable.

Vainly searching for that phalarope left little time for walking but we did manage to get to Funzie Bay where, after the frustration of the lack of phalarope, a seal obliged us for today’s blip. Quite content with us being siclose too. A brief step along the coast brought yet more spectacular coastal views.

My early morning trip to get mussels from Cullivoe pier was successful, exchanging a bottle of wine for a very large bag of mussels harvested earlier this morning. We enjoyed them tonight, cooked with shallots, garlic and white wine. They were excellent.

The regatta starts this evening with a ‘blind hoe” fishing competition, barbecue and disco. We shall go down later, no doubt to taste the beer.