X-mas 2011, galeforce 11, winds over 100 miles/hour (>> 160 km/u), truly a new experience. The 25th of December, the second time this month the power was off for more than a full day. With the candles burning X-mas diner wasn’t spoiled, it just got better. And as the winds were gusting over a 100 miles an hour going out and back home was no option.  These winds pick up everything that is not properly battened down, including roofs and cars. Every body on Shetland deals with it no problem. Some even have a backup generator, most have candles and oil lamps. It’s the freezer that is most worrying. Over a day no electricity and it’s lamb chops for the next week until the lot goes off.

Extra assistance for Scottish and Southern Energy to repair the storm damage to power-lines was flown in from mainland Scotland and soon power was restored. But not after we enjoyed the pleasure of X-mas old-style. Good food (even ‘erwtensoep’), a peat fire, candle lights, stories and songs and nothing to distract from that. Do we really need power everyday?