Finally. Back on the beach. Usually Quendale Beach at the south end of the Shetland Mainland.
Reporting Days: 28
Location: Oxford & Shetland
Distance Walked: 205 km
Distance Driven: 1270 km
Auks Spotted: Guillemots
Beaches Walked: Quendale, West Voe, St Ninians
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| February on Shetland - Snow on Quendale Beach |
In Oxford
I'm a creature of habit, I really like to start the day with a first-walk.
It shakes the stiffness out of my legs (and my head) - and gives me the opportunity to take a 'first' picture of the day, a standby just in case something gets in the way of taking another picture later in the day. And just in case you're counting, 28th of February was Picture of the Day #7737.
In Oxford my first-walk standby is Bury Knowle Park (three laps of the park is just about 3.5 km) - most days to be followed by another longer walk.
February in Oxford definitely brings the first hints of Spring - snowdrops and crocus being the most obvious signs.
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| Early crocus in Bury Knowle Park |
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| By the Oxford Canal |
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| Snowdrops in Stoke Place |
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| Narnia - C S Lewis Nature Reserve |
In Shetland
I don't let location get in the way of my first-walk habit.
There isn't a convenient park near the Shetland house, but there is a very nice beach.
Quendale Beach is less than ten minutes walk from the front door (the precise timing depends on the wind strength and direction). And if I choose to turn back where Eel Burn crosses the beach (or there is too much water coming down the burn to make it cross-able), the walk is just about 3.5 km.
There are several 'local' walks for the second (or third) walk of the day, regular options are Sumburgh Head, Scat Ness, West Voe, Pool of Virkie, Grutness Voe, St Ninians Isle.
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| Calm water at Scat Ness |
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| High tide in Quendale Bay |
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| St Ninian's Beach |
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| Guillemots at Sumburgh Head |
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| Guillemots at Sumburgh Head |
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| White water at Scat Ness |
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| At St Ninian's Beach |
The signs of Spring are thin on the ground on Shetland in February - its a bit early for snowdrops, crocus and daffodils, but the guillemots do spent more time on the cliffs and on some days at least there might just be a hint of warmth (as long as the wind chill isn't too dramatic).
And next month
More Shetland
