ISLANDERS AT WORK AND PLAY

Shetlanders are good at organising and enjoying a party, as was clearly demonstrated during the Tall Ships Race of 1999, and the International Island Games two or three years later. I recall mentioning this faculty to my mother on the occasion of the former event. She looked at me with what amounted to slight indignation, and said, "Of coorse! Look at an Unst wedding!". Although the scale was a bit different, the enthusiasm and skills involved are much the same.

We are now on the threshold of Shetland's big summer bash, at the height of which the population of Lerwick will almost double. This week, a number of happenings are going to coincide as they never have before, and amalgamate into a gigantic party around the Victoria Pier area. The 2010 Hamefarin begins tomorrow (officially), and lasts for a fortnight, all kinds of events having been organised for the visitors, who will have returned to the land of their forebears "fae aa da erts". This happens once every ten years or so, and this year the competitors in more regular events, such as the four-yearly Round Britain- and annual Bergen yacht races will be here at the same time. All these people will be well fed, watered and entertained by the Flavour of Shetland binge from the 17th to the 20th, and a good time is going to be had by all. There will be a gastronomical and musical extravaganza at the harbour, and the only losers will be those yachtsfolk who want to get some sleep! The climax to the whole thing will be the midsummer carnival next Saturday evening. As for me, I am hoping, perhaps forlornly, for some overspill from the Victoria Pier area to visit my stall at the Toll Clock Centre.