Shetland with the Durhams

J: Had a great time up in Shetland with Gudrun, Maya and Sage. Here's Gudrun as we made our way over to Little Bousta to take a look around before the new owner's move in.


Looking back over to Muckle Bousta.

J: The main reason we went over there was to check on a few things from our time living there in the 70s. This was a cupboard door that our auntie Maggie painted. There were three in all but we only saw two.
J: And this is the water tank cupboard which had a Shetland Trader poster on it from when mum ran the business in the 70s.


J: Dad did a lot of the work on doing Little Bousta up. This is the main living/kitchen area.

J: Under the stairs Beth and Sorley had signed their names in 1978.

Blair Drummond Safari Park

J: Very happy that the Durhams (well, all but one unfortunately, but we'll see David at Christmas) came over from California. Here's Helen with Maya and Sage at the brilliant Blair Drummond Safari Park which is only 15 minutes from our house - now closed for the winter.

Blair Drummond house in the background.

J: It's great as the animals roam in large enclosures that you can either drive or walk through (depending on the animal of course).



J: Maya is a born climber.

Shetland August 2008

J: I have been up and down to Shetland since I returned to Scotland in August. This was my second visit with Sorley and Ben. (In actual fact though, this picture was taken by Gudrun a month or so later.)

We walked around so we could get a view back towards Bousta.

Here's grandpa with the cat that followed us for a few miles.

J: Muckle Bousta in the foreground on the left and Little Bousta on the right.

Little Bousta.

Muckle Bousta with its extension.


J: Sorley doing a Rimmer ...

Perhaps one of the coolest cats ever.


J: Great sequence of Ben leaving with the cat following ... I feel there's a story in there.

New Zealand farewells!

J: Long overdue, but farewell to everyone in New Zealand! This is a picture from my office in Wellington with the ACC crew.


J: Obviously the saddest farewells were with the Armstrongs. The following two pictures are from a wee while ago when Molly celebrated her birthday at the Blueberry Farm.


J: Here's Maddy doing what she does best - being the centre of attention! Standing on the newly uncovered Johnston-family kitchen table which came all the way from Scotland.


J: Helen and Molly share a contemplative moment...

J: Molly shows her Scottish roots... uisge beath!

J: We will miss our get-togethers at the Armstrong house.

J: Now if this isn't one of the most satisfied faces ever ... "Ah, smug mode."

Allanwater Apartments, Bridge of Allan

J: No, Gingers on the run have not disappeared! We just returned home. And interestingly that meant the camera did a vanishing act to some dark recess of the wardrobe.

J: Here is me in my (unemployed state) dressing-gown rescuing it from obscurity - the camera that is, the dressing-gown was rescued when it arrived safe and sound with all of our belongings from New Zealand last week.

J: With the arrival of our possessions came yet another session of unpacking/packing. It will NOT be the last. Currently we are living in Helen's dad's and step-mum's home in pretty Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. It is a close step to Dunkeld and Perthshire, very similar in lots of ways.

J: Bridge of Allan was a Victorian spa town. We are living in a flat in this building which used to be a hotel, and was part of the spa. Unfortunately the tower is not ours. But one day I will have a tower, oh yes, I will.

J: Right out the back door are these woods.


J: The flat has a small outer deck area with views of Stirling Castle.

J: Out to the trossachs and north.

J: The Wallace Monument - 256 steps!

J: Beth wanted to see the interior so here you go!



J: We need more pictures for the fridge Molly!




J: This is the old spa building, now an Italian restaurant, Bologna, which we are dining in tonight (within staggering distance of the flat), to celebrate our three year anniversary! It has been an amazing three years since we got married on the Isle of Rum and then took off to Thailand, India and eventually New Zealand.

J: Now we are home again!


J: Sorry for the long delay in posting. There will be more! Gudrun has inspired us with her amazing photography on the Shetland Trader of Scotland.