tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post8749676832249256545..comments2024-03-25T22:59:30.053+00:00Comments on Desperate Reader: Foula, Island West of the Sun - Sheila GearDesperate Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-73419817097543971862022-02-24T20:04:01.672+00:002022-02-24T20:04:01.672+00:00In many ways the life she describes wasn't via...In many ways the life she describes wasn't viable, or usual anymore, even when she wrote it - though in some ways it's probably more viable now if, and it's a big if, you can get a croft. The biggest problem remains schooling, children have to leave for the mainland around age 12, although at least everyone has phones now, and internet so it's no longer a case of not seeing or speaking to your children at all for months on end anymore. Crofters are increasingly selling yarn directly to customers now, rather than fleeces to the wool-broker for very low prices (wool is generally very cheap, yarn demands a considerable premium). Modern heavy duty plastic planti-crub's (like a poly tunnel but capable of withstanding Shetland weather) mean you can grow things we wouldn;t have been able to imagine back in the 80s and wind turbines are another game changer for the really remote islands. Boats are also better so when the weather is good it's easier to get things in and out safely to Foula than it used to be. <br /><br />In all honesty it would be to remote for me, I like to browse in a bookshop and sit in a café on a regular basis, but I'd move back to mainland Shetland anytime. It's one of the most creative and cosmopolitan places I know. The only thing that's stopping me are family commitments down here because the distance can make things difficult, especially in the winter.Desperate Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-34759233039598215612022-02-24T19:50:17.369+00:002022-02-24T19:50:17.369+00:00Absolutely worth republishing, I loved it both for...Absolutely worth republishing, I loved it both for the descriptions of the wildlife on Foula, and the discussion of island life generally. I need to find out more about yule bread too!Desperate Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15708411387912078122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-13219914578738266682022-02-24T15:51:03.904+00:002022-02-24T15:51:03.904+00:00Such an interesting post, and I really appreciated...Such an interesting post, and I really appreciated hearing your thoughts on the book as you have a personal knowledge of the region. It's certainly a book that raises many issues about the way we live now and whether the kind of island lifestyle is still viable. I imagine the mainland temptations must be even stronger now that they were when she wrote the book...kaggsysbookishramblingshttp://www.kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8011557877105021955.post-49696348684338046492022-02-24T06:47:59.327+00:002022-02-24T06:47:59.327+00:00So many interesting points here, Hayley: the discu...So many interesting points here, Hayley: the discussion of critical issues this book generates makes it worth republishing, let alone the simple pleasure of reading it. Thanks so much.Michael Walmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00033096170021038784noreply@blogger.com