Jonners

I think independence would do Shetland a lot of good. Take as an example the Faroese. Think what you like about them but their adventurous, gung-ho attitude to life seems to have paid dividends. Since they took charge of their affairs their population has risen sharply. Shetland's, in comparison, has dwindled. Faroe is also a prosperous place - and that's without an oil industry. The situations of Faroe and Shetland are so similar it would appear logical to presume that Shetland could benefit from greater autonomy over her own affairs.

Wha's up for it?

Is that not a bit of Dynamic Earth? We could sell that off too. It could become Vladimir Romanov's not-so-secret lair.

I remember really enjoying Spam fritters at Brae until I was about 10 and then I sort of realised what they were and stopped eating them. I always remember going to Whalsay for fitba or something and having to eat school dinners there. The dining room was so smelly! I've noticed this in several Shetland institution-style places over the years. It's a stench that seems to be made up of about a third sweat, a third sick, and a third disinfectant. Gym halls are a good place to experience this whiff.

Like most right-minded people, my initial reaction is to say the Scottish Parliament has been a complete waste of money. Wee Jack comes across as a cringe inducing gnome, Cathy Jamieson looks uncomfortable out of her shell-suit, and Nicola Sturgeon is about as likeable as Jeremy Beadle. I think that it's only fair that since we had a vote to start the Parliament we should be allowed to have another vote to disband it. That would be real democracy in action! Then each citizen in Scotland could be given a share in the building and get a dividend as it's sold off as luxury flats! However when I take time to think about it I have to applaud the Scottish Parliament for the smoking ban.

Is this the classic 'bloopers' edition with various hilarious moments including ball being kicked into loch, and dog almost running onto the pitch? Jeremy Beadle would give his right hand for such material. So, what's the real reason for the demise of the infamous cherry-reds? Was there an aborted coup to depose Wobblers tyrant/manager-for-life, Andy 'The Vulture' Walterson?

It sounds really good. Is there any way us Scottish mainland ex-pats can get to see it?

Total idiot! He also gets far too much media exposure. He's not famous enough to merit a place on the news. Fair enough if it was Cliff Richard jacking up on heroin, but I'm not interested in this pleb. I think in a way the media is desperate to have another Kurt Cobain character on their hands. He's only famous by associatian with Kate Moss.

I love the fact that this thread has had 33 views and no replies - until now. It's almost as if the world has been struck dumb by such seismic news. Either that or nobody gives a toss. I do give a toss however, as I'm proud to have been one of the several hundred people who turned out for this footballing behemoth. The mighty 'cherry-reds' have left an indelible (skid) mark on the face of Shetland football forever. Who can forget that 17-0 thrashing at the hands of Whalsay, after goalkeeper Steven Leask revealed he'd forgotten his contact lenses as the ferry docked at Symbister? I will toast the passing of the good ship Wobbler with a pint of vimto this evening. I can't believe it's over.

If anyone from SOUL is reading this, how far away are you from getting the 40 grand you need to take your case to court?

Cripes! Have you read the whole thing peeriebryan?

What should they call this new whisky they're making in Unst? I thought 'Thule' was quite good - but maybe it's too obvious? I mean, Orkney has Highland Park which I think is a distinctly average name that you think is good because the product is actually good. Having said that, I think whisky drinkers would be put off by a name that is too glam because that's not what whisky is about. Whisky is for the older drinker who wants to sit on a chair, look at a sunset and ponder. The name should be slightly craggy - just like your average whisky drinker! I think this could easily turn into an online poll. If it doesn't get called 'Thule' then my money is on 'Muckle Flugga'.

I think you're right Poolhaddock. Isn't there a circular groove on the ground on Linga that is supposed to have been made by the bear? It was chained to a post - if I remember the story rightly - and all it could do was circle the post. I hope whoever chained the poor bear to this post came to a sorry end - most people did in the olden days.

Poison were class, in a way. Every rose has it's thorn Every night has it's dawn Every cowboy sings a sad, sad song Every rose has it's thorn Yep, Brett Michaels was basically Shakespeare reincarnated.

Once you get logged in Sammy are you going to unleash your sizeable portfolio of the paranormal on this website? You are the Fox Mulder of Shetland after all. I think I may have seen the picture you're talking about. Are you going to post it? I'm sure it's only a matter of time before you get abducted and gang-probed.

I think Lynn Scully has got to be my least favourite Neighbours character of all time. There's something pathetic and unhinged about her. I also don't like Harold being nasty either. This goes against God. Any truth in the rumour that Susan Kennedy is a lesbian in real life with tatoos all over her body?

I don't remember the Sandwick UFO but I do remember a few years ago a report on SIBC about a UFO sighting in West Burrafirth. I like the idea of aliens and some of the reports from the guys stationed at RAF Saxa Vord do sound convincing. But I always think it's strange how aliens end up making contact with assorted crackpots, weirdos and trailer-trash. Why don't they abduct somebody more reliable like Steven Hawking or Nelson Mandela? I supppose that would blow their cover. I once came across a picture of a UFO spotted above the cliffs at Eshaness. It was just a black spot in the sky and could have been anything - a distant bird maybe, or even just a photographic glitch. It could have been aliens I suppose but I doubt it. It had been taken by a Norwegian tourist. I think he was trying to make some cash out of it. I'm going to see if I can find it.

I'm listening to The Albion Band's 'Rise Up Like the Sun'. It's not all good, but when it is good it's great. I warn you now - folk is due a proper revival and this is the template!! It's only a matter of time before people in the mainland UK learn not to be ashamed of their indigenous music of yore. In this sense Shetland is well ahead of the game! Am also listening to Jose Gonzalez and Madonna, just in case you mistake me for a crusty who reeks of cider.

Thanks Poolhaddock - I suspected my sick mind had gone into overdrive, and I was right. You refer to the exact news report I was poorly remembering.

I was watching 'House' on Five last night and was shocked and pleased to see that the guy that used to play Billy Kennedy - youngest son of Susan and Karl - is one of Hugh Laurie's student doctor pals. Akin to Alan Dale - aka Jim Robinson - turning up in '24'.

Interesting article in The Shetland Times today. http://www.shetlandtoday.co.uk/Shetlandtimes/content_details.asp?ContentID=18877 Good to see Davie G isn't letting this sort of sinister, stupid nonsense get to him. And whatever opinion you hold on this whole debate it casts the 'anti-brigade' as the bad guys. One bad apple and all that. Whoever was making these phonecalls really is a complete idiot who has shot themselves in the foot. Reading between the lines - rightly or wrongly - the finger is pointed in the direction of the pub lobby. Any credibility they had has taken a big blow. Cynics might say Davie G is using the media astutely. Of course he is! But there's nothing wrong with that. The bottom line is that some people have decided to use bullying tactics to try and knobble him. That was never going to work. Good publicity for this site as well!

Thanks - I have a lot of time for Doc Huxtable and his garish ganzies! I hear it's all been a bit wintery up in Shetland of late. I realise I have become a southern ponce but I must say it's been right cold in Glasgee of late too. I keep on dressing for summer and arriving in the office frozen to the bone. I know I should wear more appropriate clothing but I see it as a war of wills. It's April for gawds sake! It should be getting at least a bit warmer shouldn't it?! The wearing of summer-style clothing despite the weather is my way of shaking a fist at the weather god. Admittedly it's a puny act of defiance, and completely pointless.

I feel like 'Chicken Tonight' - ho ho! You have to laugh. I live on the south side of Glasgow and am actually terrified. Not that I usually have anything to do with birds in that area other than cursing nearby pigeons. Thankfully I have yet to see a swan in Kinning Park. On a more serious note what are the symptons of bird flu? I'm sure I heard somewhere once that what happened was that the head of the infected bird actually exploded! Seriously! I think it was from some news reports about the infected chickens in Turkey. Surely this is too gruesome to be true and for some reason I just had a dream about it.

I am an ex-pat living in Glasgee. I get the impression that most of the people who post on this website don't actually live in Shetland. Is that true?

I have to agree! It's mildly distressing. I can't help imagining a messy accident happening in the night when hippo rolls over and crushes duckling.