A rainy summer solstice in Shetland

We've just had the summer solstice here in Shetland.  That time of the year when the long days of summer merge together in a haze of soft sunshine and warm breezes which are punctuated with the sweet smell of squill and thrift, a time when the laverock's (skylark) song never ceases and the sun only dips below the horizon momentarily...  Or not.  This past week has seen the worst weather of the summer so far. Today, Saturday, I stayed indoors most of the day with the fire on - yes, in June! - watching from the window as my neighbours braved the wind and rain to have their annual midsummer BBQ (hats off to them, they did it)!  The wind has decimated the garden and the few trees which do endure the elements here have been stripped bare of their new, spring leaves.

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