Two months in Shetland

The decision to live two months in Hillswick, a town in the north of Shetland, is one of the best decisions I have made.
Staying in a self-catering place that has hundreds of years of history- a barn built in the Eighteenth Century sitting atop buildings built much earlier, possibly a monastery- a barn that has had variety of uses over the years, including housing some of the seals recovering from the Braer oil spill in 1993...
Getting things I need at a local shop which is a short beach walk away and occasional bus trips into town...
Quitting my job and not actively pursuing employment...
Exploring activities I love, especially those that don't fit into a work week...

I'm glad I found a way to make it happen. And while I will be returning to the workforce, there are aspects of the my life from the two months that I intend to carry on.

Hillswick. See the white house (Old Manse) on the ness (peninsula) - looks like it is on the left end of the beach? I was staying in a stone building just to the left of it.

Wildlife sanctuary

What has been the best part of my recent stay in Shetland? Spending time at the wildlife sanctuary. I am tremendously grateful for and inspired by their dedication to the local wildlife and the community.

Prior to coming, I had been following their recent work with helping abandoned and/or sick seal pups and otter cubs via Facebook. When I arrived, I descended on them out of the blue to volunteer. While I have been here, I have spent a number of afternoons at the sanctuary. My intention was to help, put myself to good use. The reality is I have benefited so much from spending time with them, so much more than I have helped.

The release of two seal pups into the wild was a moment I will never forget.