Snow, sheep, and Vikings

It has been a memorable week. Tuesday morning began with bagpipes and being hollered at by a Viking Jarl Squad in splendid attire. For it was Up Helly Aa. At lunch, I ignored the rain and went to catch a glimpse of the longship that was to burn that evening. So much attention to detail and I was particularly struck by the raven perched on it. In the evening, I stood with a silly grin on my face as the Viking Squads took to the streets with torches. So beautiful to watch. The clouds cleared and under the starlight, I watched as the squads threw their torches into the longship. I could feel the heat from some distance away. Absolutely gorgeous to watch the flames leap up the mast and incredibly, the raven flag seemed unharmed until the mast finally gave way. Then gazed up to the sky for a beautiful firework display. (you can google Up Helly Aa 2016 to see photos)

This is only halfway through the festivities for most as the squads will go from hall to hall to perform skits all night long. I headed home. The next morning I came across more than a few who were still enjoying the festivities - quite impressed to see some large, hairy men still attired in slinky, yellow, skintight mini dresses with wigs. Most impressive is that they still had on a nice coat of pink lipstick!


Then the end of the week brought high winds and finished with snow. Some measurements claim the gusts were up to 105mph. It didn't seem that high to me as I peered out my window.

I did desperately want to get a photo of the sheep but I figured I would have a hard time keeping the camera steady. And I didn't want to startle them (even the two troublemakers...but more on them later). I have never seen sheep look so fluffy...the wind billowing through their fleece gave them a frizzy, blown out look.

The storm did bring quick bursts of rain and sleet. I was wishing I had something like windshield wipers on the house windows. The first photo is looking out the window after some snow.

Today I enjoyed watching the hills get coated with snow. It is not the first snow of the year but the first I was able to enjoy. Unfortunately, the snow dampened the frizzy fleeces as seen below.

Two of the sheep from the neighbouring field have been almost daily visitors into my yard. It is always the same two sheep. Their place to get through the fence has eluded me and I suspect they must be keeping it a secret from their mates as well. You can see the two culprits at the bottom of this photo.