Friday 18 November 2016

Walk from Sumburgh to Fitful Head through Quendale and back


I decided to have a walk from Sumburgh Hotel to Fitful Head, which is one of the highest points at the extreme South of Shetland. First I passed through the Airport's Runway, after that through village called Toab, then walked along the Quendale beach, which is Natural reserve and nice place to be seen and after that following the the cliffs I got to the highest point of the Fitful Head. From there after some time walking about the area I got on the main road and returned to Sumburgh. The whole thing too a few hours, but otherwise wasn't difficult at all, just a bit of uneven terrain. At some point on my way back when I was near some seagull-infested place I heard something strange, like a seal call or similar, but different and it is in the video also, but I can't find yet what makes such sounds, so I am open for suggestions.

Thursday 17 November 2016

Sumburgh Airport, Shetland - turboprop airplanes on the runway


Just a few turboprop airplanes taking off and landing on the Sumburgh Airport runway, which crosses the car's road.

Wednesday 16 November 2016

Jarlshof - prehistoric and Norse settlement near Sumburgh, Shetland


Jarlshof is amazing prehistoric and Norse settlement near Sumburgh, Shetland. Its history spans thousands of years and it was home to prehistoric people, picts, vikings and more.

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Sumburgh and Compass Head, Shetland


I had a walk around Sumburgh Head. Started from Sumburgh Hotel, after that passed through Grutness, after that continued along the cliffs to the Compass Head, from there the slithers and the Sumburgh Head itself. From the lighthouse there walked back to the hotel along the West coast. The whole exercise shouldn't take more then 3 hours, even with breaks and taking pictures. The distance is around 6 km, nothing steep or difficult, so I'd recommend this route for virtually everybody.

See this link for more information about the route.

Monday 14 November 2016

Grey Seals near Scousburgh Sands (Sppigie Beach), Shetland


I had the luck to see and film this colony of Grey Seals near Scousburgh Sands (Sppigie Beach), Shetland.

There are a lot of seals around Shetland, but this place seems to be especially easy to access and as a bonus even if the seals are not there the area is very picturesque and nice. This as far as I understand were Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus), which are a bit bigger then the Common Seals and have more "bull terrier" - like profile. Sadly they were too timid to let me get closer to them, which may be legacy from the times when they were hunted.

Opposite to Scousburgh Sands (Sppigie Beach) beach
These Grey Seals were lying on the Sppigie Beach
Another group of seals on the other end of the beach, Scousburgh Sands


Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) on Scousburgh Sands (Sppigie Beach), Shetland
One of the Grey Seals is getting curious




Saturday 12 November 2016

Montenegro area, near Faro, Portugal


Montenegro, place with the typical for the Iberian peninsula look. Just a few words about it and the place where we were staying.

Friday 11 November 2016

Praia de Faro, Portugal - from the bridge to the Ilha Deserta


I had a walk from the bridge to the East end of the Praia de Faro, where it faces the Ilha Deserta. It happen to be low tide and it looked nearly walkable.

Thursday 10 November 2016

Jardim da Alameda João de Deus - Faro, Portugal


I had a short walk around the Jardim da Alameda João de Deus in Faro, Portugal. Seems that this garden is the only one of note in Faro and despite of being pretty small one it has free range peacocks with peachicks, which is awesome.

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Ilha da Barretta (also known as Deserta) - Algarve, Portugal


I put together some video clips from my visit to Ilha da Barretta (also known as Ilha Deserta), Portugal. The name implicates desert place, but actually even if secluded and not really accessible it is kind of normal beach, except there are very few people and most of the time I couldn't see any at all. This also is the reason that place to be known as a popular naturist or nudist destination.

I also learnt that on this small island is found the Southernmost point of Portugal, Cabo de Santa Maria, which while nothing exceptional is still kind of cool fact.

At some point I am showing pretty large shell from Mediterranean Geoduck (Panopea glycymeris), which is one of the bigger and more interesting mollusks living at these places.

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Albufeira, Portugal - Visiting the old town and the beach


I spent a day in Albufeira, Portugal. It is one of the most visited places in Portugal and it is for a reason. The old town is the typical Mediterranean picturesque village with the small cafes and restaurants, the beach is covered with quality golden coloured sand and everything in general says "1st class resort".

Monday 7 November 2016

Cathedral of Faro, Portugal


The Cathedral of Faro (Sé de Faro), other then being a Catholic temple is also some kind of museum and is one of the National monuments of Portugal .The entry is some symbolic amount of euros, but nonetheless one has to pay if wants to see it.

Despite of not being some big or very famous building it is still an interesting experience to see it.