While the rest of the UK is basking in incredible high temperatures, Shetland is not.

I took this photo this morning – and we have enjoyed an ambient but overcast 13℃ all day, which is fine by me and my animals.  I am not worrying about anyone over-heating.

It got me to thinking, though, and I asked my OH this question. Which would you hate most – a bonkers hot English summer or a cold Shetland winter?

OH went for the bonkers hot summer saying that it would only be for a few days here and there and he could cope with that.  I couldn’t. I know – I used to live in London and the heat was awful and the pavements smelled of baked dog poo.  Gross.

I said I preferred a rough cold winter because, although it was difficult, it was much more bearable.  It is easier to get warmer than it is to cool down – both animals and people.  Though winter is very hard work.

Ok, this photo is of an extreme day in Shetland winter – Flossie and I were trying to convince our two new sheep to come home and have some food. It was Gussie and Dahlia who were being unhelpful and “lost”.

Having said all that, looking at the photos of winter, I am now not so convinced by my argument!

But Shetland summers are perfect – rarely too hot – and the wild flowers growing everywhere are beautiful.

All the animals are happy – no one is too hot and I am not worrying.  So I think I am saying that I can cope better with a Shetland winter because itis not as bad as an bonkers hot English summer, which would be unbearable for me.