Patzel

looking for: 2 young shetland hens (blue eggs) to join our existing small flock of chicken (5 hens + 1 cockerel) and our cow needs (bovine) company. So we are also looking for a shetland cow (or ox) roughly in the age range between 2 - 6 years. The companion for our cow should be available to travel to Orkney between May and July. Should not be too shy and if possible halter-trained, our animals are trained to work on the fields with us and he or she will have to do some light farmwork (like hay-turning) in the harness together with our cow or one of the ponies in the future.

How come that any insurance company could ever have the idea of charging more for winter tyres which should rather be considered as a safety-plus? I am used to the other way round: if there is snow and you don't have proper winter tyres fitted the insurance might not pay in case of an accident (additionally you might get fined by the police for not using suitable tyres). The annual premium for insurance is the same as long as you have tyres according to the manufacturers advice fitted. I am just shopping around for car insurance in UK which I will need soon (none of them so far asked about the sort of tyres)... but haven't found one yet which is a cheap as my German one (annual premium for comprehensive cover including third party, fire and theft is € 161 at present).

some good advice! Thanks! So (correct me if this idea doesn't work)... if I get my car registered in UK whilst the process of relocating is still ongoing (got my importing a vehícle to UK-package from the DVLA already) then it should be possible to tow my trailers (stacking the smaller ones onto the larger one should be possible and weight restrictions are no problem because the Lada can tow 2 tons) through Germany with the British numberplates... could that work? The only problem is: if I do it this way I would not have a British MOT at the time of travelling but only the German equivalent. And I don't know whether there is any sort of mutual recognition scheme like the one about car registration. What if a visiting friend (with a British car) takes a trailer of mine home to Britain?

No, it won't be sold... it will be needed... (some of the others might not, but this one is definitely needed)

I have tried to search the web (without useful results) about the following: what rules do apply to trailers? MOT? Own numberplate (or the same as the towing vehicle)? I have 5 trailers (horsebox and smaller ones) and don't know whether I should just drive them up with the German numberplates. And then...? One of them is a (completely renovated) Eastern Germany trailer (2 axles) which can alternatively used for being towed by a car/tractor or by 2 horses. It is fully roadworthy and safe, has automatic brakes, lights etc., but there exist no papers (no vehicle idenfication number, no COC, nothing). Due to the high costs it has not been registered for use on public roads in Germany so far (own registration + MOT + SVA required here) and has only been used on own land. How to get this trailer towed to Shetland (apart from inside a lorry)? Any ideas?

good to know that horse wormers (as well as some other stuff) cost far less there than in Germany! (I was a bit worried that it might be the other way round.)

seems as if it's not going to be illegal but going to be expensive... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-15525950

It might not be a question of wanting it, but who cares about the fees in case of an emergency (like a horse with a colic)? The fees will just have to be paid then. I think it's up to each individual what he or she wants to spend money for. Some people spend money on a microwave or a flat screen television set, a big car or fancy clothes, my priorities are set somewhere else. Is there anything wrong with it as long as I pay the vet's bill? In my opinion this has nothing to do with accepting island life. Some circumstances have just to be taken as they are, others do offer a choice.

of course I will... it's just "thinking about" a boat at this stage, nothing more. After having lived for several years on the Western Isles und after having been out in rough seas I definitely do not underestimate the powers of nature. Did I mention anything like: oh, great, no license, let's just go out and put lives at risk? I don't think so. I just wanted to know what legal regulations there are (because they are the prerequisites). Hopefully every boat owner around does listen to the advices I've been given here...

No, have not served in the navy. I have been out on fishing boats on the Minch whenever I had the chance to, but more as a guest than as a member of crew. Apart from this my practical experiences are limited to sailing boats. This is why I would - even if this is not required - take lessons and get a license while I am still here. I don't think it would be very responsible to drive around with a motor boat when there are oil tankers, ferries and fishing vessels around without experience. It was just important for me to find out whether there are any rules which might mean that a German license is not valid etc.

a lot of useful information! Probably a smaller boat would do... it's just... have been out on this one (17 years ago) in really bad weather and was pleasantly surprised how good she was in those high waves and winds. Well, I was not so good... I felt awfully seasick Where do you insure your boats? How much is the premium (rough figure) p.a.?

is a trawler like the Comrade still considered as a "small" boat? Don't start laughing but the main reason for thinking about an own boat is to be able to pick up the vet if he is needed in the middle of the night when there is no ferry (please no comments on this... probably not everybody would consider this as a reason) And to have the option of being able to catch fish for our kitchen is an extra advantage.

thanks for the quick answer! Does that mean I could even drive a boat like this without any qualification?! There must be some limitation of size even for private use? To feel comfortable I'd still rather take some lessons while I am still here, even if they are not compulsory.

have been windsurfing for many years before but now paused for almost nine years due to a lack of time... but kept some gear... which means when I come to Fetlar I might pick it up again So, how's Tresta Beach for windsurfing? Any strong or dangerous currents? Any hazardous big stones? And: is there anybody on Fetlar who goes windsurfing?

Does anybody know what sort of a license is needed in Shetland for driving a motor boat? Probably moving to one of the remoter islands I like the thought of not being totally dependant on the ferry. So I am trying to figure out whether it might be useful to have an own boat (small pilothouse boat or an old creel boat or a small trawler). Do I need some sort of a "driving license"? I have asked around here in Germany and here I do need a motorboat license (sea) and a VHF license. Same requirement in Shetland? And if so, would the German license also be valid there? Any limitations regarding the size or the power of a boat? Who knows?