SATURDAY STORM

One of the nastier Shetland gales blew up on Friday, and continued to blow for most of Saturday, driving a large number of fishing vessels into Lerwick for shelter. The storm was accompanied by heavy rain, and I had serious doubts about the wisdom of carting my artwork down to my stall at the Toll Clock Centre. With the help of my sister Mary and her trusty Volvo, however, I did, and very glad I was that I had done so. A regular stream of customers, no doubt grateful to be out of the weather, visited my stall to buy prints, many of them taking their purchases to the nearby Camera Centre to be framed. My neighbouring stallholders also reported brisk business, and it was with a sense of satisfaction, as well as relief, that we packed up our remaining goods in the late afternoon to head homeward through the tempest. That will DEFINITELY be my last stall of 2008. Mind you, I said that last week.....

Now, on Sunday morning, I'm watching, through my window, the fishing fleet heading out again, battling through the still-heavy sea to get probably their last catch of the year. The sight of these boats plunging and risng through the swell is what first inspired me to put brush to canvas, and has continued to do so through the ensuing years.