Hey Jennie A Up HELLY AA

[Grandpadragon]

Saw a bit about this on the telly this morning, it looks tremendous presume you will be attending as it seems all 23,000 Shetland Islanders do Any chance of you taking a couple of snaps and posting them?

[Winged one]

I was watching that myself and got all excited, telling the toddler that one of my friends was telling me about it - it looked like great fun.

[JennieAtkinson]

I go to the procession which is fantastic, but as we have friends staying this year I'll not be going to a hall. Its an alnighter, finishing at 8 in the morning.

The whole night is fantastic and there are other fire festivals around the island over the next few months as well. Tingwall's nearest town is Scalloway and we have just had the Fire Festival there (its the first one in the year!).

I did post some pictures last year of the procession and burning, but I'll try and get some this year and post them - all depends on the weather on the night! Due to the immense organisation it is NEVER cancelled for weather.

[Seahorse]

I remember Blue Peter doing a feature on this when I was little (so sometime in the 70s) and it looked amazing!

Have fun Jennie!

[JennieAtkinson]

Here's a link to last night's festivities.

BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Up Helly Aa

I got some cracking photos myself, but not had a chance to load them on to the computer yet. Despite horrendous weather for the previous week (wind and rain) and an even worse forecast for this next week (lots of snow and gale force winds), yesterday's weather was superb - no wind and blue skies, but very chilly. After two hours standing for the procession last night I could hardly move my feet to walk back to the car! But yet again a fantastic sight.

Three cheers for Up-Helly-Aa (as they say here!)

[SarzWix]

Looks stunning Jennie, look forward to seeing your pics

[Flummery]

"Why not become a Viking?
You may find it to your liking.
To join you just grow whiskers on your chin. (Scooby-do, scooby-do, scooby-do)
There's lots of rape and pillage
In every town and vilage
We kick up a hell of a din."

[Nicos]

You OK Flum????

[Flummery]

I'll be ok after a lie down.

[seasprout]

Great laugh.

Saw a feature on this on Country-file a couple of weeks ago, it looks a riot, lots of *quaffing, shouting and more quaffing.




* quaffing is a form of drinking, but you end up wearing more that you actually drink.

[Seahorse]

And fires too!

Looks like a truly fabulous event

[JennieAtkinson]

"Why not become a Viking?
You may find it to your liking.
To join you just grow whiskers on your chin. (Scooby-do, scooby-do, scooby-do)
There's lots of rape and pillage
In every town and vilage
We kick up a hell of a din."

Crackin!

Still not got my photos loaded up yet. Glad you liked the link. The procession is really incredible. Judging by comments at work today everyone seems to have enjoyed the all nighters at the halls. I didn't go to a hall this year as we had visitors and I thought they might have to build up to an all night party!

[moggssue]

Sounds - and looks - like a cracking time Jennie! Cant wait to see your photos ...

[SueA]

Saw a bit about it in the paper yesterday, the pics. on the link are great Jennie. Looks like a good excuse to get dressed up & misbehave!