Hotel @nyware

Fighter jets have the sizzle. Bombers bring the steak.  But cargo aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster can always take pride in doing a good day's work. What a ride it had been this year in Afghanistan. At war since 430 BC,  I survived by following Startrek's Prime Directive (google it)! In the fictional universe of Star Trek, the Prime Directive (also known as "Starfleet General Order 1", "General Order 1", and the "non-interference directive") is a guiding principle of Starfleet, prohibiting its members from interfering with the internal and natural development of alien civilizations . View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif) Looking Back On Time In Afghanastan: We landed in Kuwait 4 hours after takeoff. Just like that we are out of Afghanistan  No more body armor. A lighter life! Many canine jobs besides those born for herding include, Service Dogs, Police Dogs, Military  Dogs--- See my...

 Found the natural  rock pool with Sarah and Skyelark today. It was cold but not as cold as the Arctic North Atlantic waters.  Caaíng:   We have to move some sheep. Should be simple enough!'

  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif)

After a walk down by the South Lighthouse, Skye, Sarah and me went to the dock to see the Good Shepherd unload and load up.. I joined in and gave a hand with the fleece-it's going to market.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Reif (@edreif)

    The Good Sheperd Loaded For Delivery  There's no place like work when you are home on the range.  I was not volunTOLD, but volunteered to help with the round jup and loading. A pleasure to assist with the precios cargo. now ready for market and sale. Then the regular day begins:

 Skyelark Counts Sheep On Fair Isle Glen, Skyelark's Boyfriend looks after the herd Purpose driven Dogs- Mush! While many dogs are simply  man's best friend, other dogs have additional serious jobs. Working dogs generally have natural instincts that are carefully honed with intensive training to perform a specific task. AKC  and dog breed organizations categorize certain breeds into a "working group." of herding, tracking and guarding That includes our lovely Scottish Terreier, a farm dog, who can herd cattle and here on Fair Isle is having her internship in tracking Sheep.  Call it OJT On The Job Training! Many canine jobs besides those born for herding include, Service Dogs, Police Dogs, Military  Dogs--- WAR PAWS Detenction Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs. Bird Dogs, Tracking Dogs, Sight Dogs, Herd Dogs. We love our dogs!  I trained Skyelark based on this course I created, compiled fromt he wisdom of professionala and amatuer dog whisperers alike: Eat Pray ...

   Rounding Up The Sheep For Market and loading them on The Good Shepherd We are talking about a relatively small number of lambs – under 1000 – so its all about finding a niche market and selling the lamb. It is an amazing product to eat and because it is so scarce and produced in such an environmental way, it is a specialty product. Bye Bye Black Sheep. You have had a great life on Fair Isle.

What’s my best experience of seeing Orcas, Hawaii? Alaska, SeaWorld?   I’d always say that the best experience I have had of an orca sighting is the one I last had, which is today. Thanks Dan for the Orca alert, and, taking these super-closeup photos with your camera. There’s a direct correlation between orca being seen when the sea is calm., and also we being more aware of wildlife now on the island.

  Small is beautiful Sarah is joined by Skyelark

Feral Sheep are corralled   No Petrol Stations-Have to pour our own This is a crook, the only kind of crook on Fair Isle. What a privilege to witness the round up and sheering of the sheep today. Fleece Navidad. It's Christmas in August!

What to Expect on Your First Island Hop Flight from Tingwall to Fair Isle Shetland island hop flights are also known as ‘puddle jumpers.’ Planes tend to be small and service airports that consist of one tiny landing strip. They’re also notorious reputations for running off schedule due to the vicissitudes of fickle  weather. Think old Cessna planes built sometime between 1927 and 1997. There is no cockpit door separating passengers from the pilot. These island hop flights are  safe, scenic, and an economical way to get around. The  30-minute flight can save you over 2.5  hours spent on a the Good Shepherd ferry to make the same 23 mile transit. FYI: THERE IS NOT A REAL  A BARRIER BETWEEN YOU AND THE PILOT YOU MIGHT BE WEIGHED ALONG WITH YOUR LUGGAGE. IT WILL BE NOISY IT MAY NOT BE AS SMOOTHA S YOU THINK READY TO FLY? With these expectations in mind, your first island hop flight might be a fun adventure rather than an anxiety-inducin...

Sarah waits for The Good Shepherd to pick up provisions. This converted SUV Hybrid  serves as an ambulance for the island too   To not have entirely wasted one's life seems to be a worthy accomplishment, if only for myself.. Enjoying the island, with it's own pace and rhythm, dependent on weather, and the arrivals and departures of The Good Shepherd Ferry and the Airplane service.

  Our Croft With The Kirk and Wind turbines in the background Edgy Another glorious day on Fair Isle. Where? Shetland, also called the Shetland Islands and formerly Zetland. It  is a subarctic archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland, situated in the Northern Atlantic, between Great Britain, the Faroe Islands and Norway. It is the northernmost part of Scotland and of the wider United Kingdom. And 24 miles from Shetland  MKainland, is Britian's most remote inhabited island Fair Isle,