HOME AND AWAY

On Wednesday, I went out to Strand for tea with my sister Mary, an experience made even more pleasant by having Korky the cat take advantage of the extra lap as soon as I sat down in her living room. After tea, we set out on the journey to Walls, which is just about as far west as it is possible to get on the Shetland mainland. The object of the exercise was to visit our mother, who is in the Wastview care centre for a fortnight's "holiday". There she gave us the news that Angela, my youngest sister, is heading out to Saudi Arabia to take up a teaching appointment in the new year, and is looking forward to the new post very much.

The weather, for our little trip west, was rather indifferent, with a westerly gale driving outbreaks of heavy rain across the islands. Colder conditions followed the next day, and, by Friday, the snow was sweeping over us, the strong north-westerly wind blowing it into drifts. These conditions prevailed into Saturday, when my stall at the Toll Clock Shopping Centre was to take place - it was doomed from the start.

On Friday evening, my old heart was gladdened by a concert from Maddy Prior and friends on BBC4. Her guests included June Tabor and some of the old Steeleye Spanners, and, to an old traditional folk groupie, since the 1960s, like myself, this was music to the ears - literally. The nervousness was showing in Maddy's voice initially, but she soon warmed to her task, and the audience was very warm towards her. Thank you, BBC.