Kazza

What about nursery rhymn theme? Fairy Tales? Countries? Olympic? Colours? Raise money for a charity? I am sure I saw something on google when I was sourcing face paints..That is a good, easy and cheap way to have fun. For the cost of £30ish you can paint upto 600 faces. I am sure it is 'face paints direct'. Or check out fancy dress for hire web sites they will have lots of ideas. Hope you find what you are looking for

I remember 1995, I was snowed in with 3 bairns in a tiny village 50 miles North of Inverness. Power was awful, on and off like a yo yo, I left a light on in my bedroom so if the power came on in the night I could cook, make flasks etc and save...lol The school stayed open for most of the time, which was helpful. We just got on with it. Always bought in bulk as it was a monthly trip to the shops so had plenty of ambient food stuffs. Biggest problem was the freezer. (note to self, have freezer in a cold room and not in the house) lost a lot of meats that winter As far as driving in the snow, Scotland is so much better equipped, my first year in England 1997, there was a frost, nothing major and the entire town closed down, roads closed, lorries skidding, panic buying etc I was totally bemused. Sensible approach is the best way, read the highway code for driving it is all there, from stopping distance to coping in a skid. Hopefully Andy and I will be well settled this side of winter with enough food etc to last 6 months along with good books and we will be very happy

I saw this and was amazed. Andy then burst ma wee bubble by informing it only works during daylight hours and if there is a lot of sunshine....But! we will give it a go anyway

Definately not my intention to open a can of worms, but I enjoy a good debate as well as the next person. Wish there was a like button for posts, would make responding easier I may be wrong (sure someone will let me know if I am) is the drug/alchohol issue a fairly new(ish) thing? It appears to be. Generally my opinion is Andy and I will be fine, we are happy with our own company but also enjoy good company as well. Haven't been in a pub for several years except for a bar meal now and again. Haven't been to the cinema for years as I can't bloomin' hear (even with loop) ditto theatre etc Our decision would have been made in a different way if we were bringing school age children as it would be their future as it is it's just Andy and I so we are happy.

Thanks again for comments, totally agree with Scorrie, integrate not overtake. I suppose in a way the Lake District has a lot of issues with incomers but on different levels. We have the very wealthy who have bought up the housing stock, lots of jobs in hospitality (min wage), but most of our young people leave as they cannot afford to live and work here. None of my 6 live in the Lake District

Andy and I have done a lot of research, not exhaustive but enough to understand the challenges we will face (most of 'em anyway) we aren't perfect (well I am almost ) and hope to integrate with the community we move to and become a real part of the way of life. What I am looking forward to the most (I'm wearing the rose coloured glasses now ) sitting in front of a real fire toasting bread, drinking hot tea with a really good story book. No doubt the reality will be: Run out of fuel, no milk for my tea, and worst of all missing pages from the crucial part of the story. However I work with my glass half full so will have bread and jam, black tea, put on another layer, and let my imagination finish the story.

Thank you so much

OMGiddy aunt, I do know a KID is a baby goat, I was brought up with the term 'wean' for a child but over the years have adopted the much more understood term of KID, once again my choice I wonder (Kavi) that you allow internet technology to be a form of communication in your abode (but as you are online duh!), as you have, you may but probably not (judging by comments) have utilised this medium to educate yourself to how life has moved on and we can live in more remote places and still be in touch with the 'real' world. To be honest I haven't had any intelligent responses from yourself regarding OUR choice, just a mish mash of negative uninformed comments (you have no idea who we are) We all must change with the time and allow the new to merge with the old and progress. In what way have I suggested my/our decision to move to Shetland was 'PC' connected? My/Our decision not yours, my/our choice not yours live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I was born and bred in Scotland, I like many ambitous people left home to follow a career and now would like to come back home(ish) spend my money and enjoy my life. To the residents of Whalsay, your island is beautiful and no narrowminded individual should be allowed to say otherwise. We hope to be your neighbours soon. Andy and I would like to say thank you for all the emails of support we have had and all the positive comments

Awwww I wanted to live at the top right hand of that there wee box...

Getting more excited at the prospect of moving. Anyone wanna buy a house in Kendal :wink As Drewyd (Andy) has said we are looking for a quiet life away from cities and to be totally honest less people the better. Our kids may after the first visit decide they don't want to come with us and that will be their choice just as it is our choice to move to Shetland. As far as the elements go bring it on!! Andy has worked with both Mountain rescue and caving rescue and we have dealt with force 12 on a regular basis in Morecambe sailing etc We are well used to expensive public transport £11 for 1 way 15 mile journey. Our decisions haven't come overnight but the time is right for us and the fuzzbutts (ferrets) all of whom are nuetered/spayed, microchipped and vaccinated. Thanks for all the advice and we will hopefully see you soon, meanwhile will probably continue to ask questions which have been asked before.

Thank you Kavi for correcting me re: the true meaning of KID, perhaps someone else will enlighten me about the meaning of you quote: 'the financial chicken lol You may think we have rose coloured glasses on but we brought our 6 kids (small humans now grown up) up and fought all kinds of moral battles along the way. Shetland doesn't have the monopoly on drugs etc. As far as jobs etc it was a genuine question and my youngest is still at Uni, 1 is a plumber, 1 a chef and another an events co-ordinator/license holder, eldest is a district nurse and eldest son serves in the forces. The weather has no real impact on our reasons for choosing Shetland and neither has the negative sale techniques we have witnessed on various threads on this forum. Most of the threads have been a joy, a good laugh to read and very informative. I may have missed a thread or 2 and if my questions have already been answered then apologies Must do better at researching. Our reasons for moving to Shetland are complex yet very simple. We want to fulfill a lifelong dream (ours not yours Kevi) of living our way with out conforming to large town/city social expectations. I am also losing my eysight and hearing before I do I want to experience and live before I have to be limited (to an extent). We also want to create a better life for our animals, we have 21 rescued ferrets, a rescued skunk, 2 rescue cat and a wee poodle.

Put moving to Orkney as opposed to moving to Shetland....My bad!! Just another question...I have 6 grown up kids, 4 of whom are showing interest in moving to Shetland with us (they are on rubber bands they keep coming back...lol) Hubby works in IT from home and I am going to be a housewife (tongue in cheek, as have always worked). What are the job prospects for young adults on say Whalsay? ( My fave island so far)

Hi guys, First post on here and apologies for long list of questions, hubby and I have house on the market and when sold (fingers crossed soon) we will be on our way to Shetland Here goes: 1. Best property solicitor and can they do the selling of our house in England as well? Don't really want to have 2 solicitors. 2. Island cars, what are the rules and regs for this? 3. Is there someone (private or company) who can look at property on our behalf? (We can't leave our animals) 4. What is the availability of DIY goods (we expect to buy a distressed home) and where from? 5. Does Shetland have LETs? (Local Exchange Trading) where everyones skill whether a lawyer or a dog walker is the same value? 6. Who has the flight contract for Shetland? Getting mixed results when googling. Any other hints or tips you can share will be gratefully received. Thanks again [*** Mod edit - threads merged ***]