Thinking of going to the Shetland isles next year as we can no longer go abroad due to health insurance comic prices.

[barryd]

Ooh you big fat liar Barry.

That Seal was trying to get out of your tent!

Don't be mislead by Seals. They might look all cute and cuddly but they are vicious nasty buggers! You should have seen the way its mates were staring at me in the morning when I opened the tent after I punched the intruder in the night. Then there was that one in Lamlash bay that tried to eat my Kayak. Thought he was Jaws or summat.

 

[2cv]

There is an old abandoned RAF base from WW2 on Unst as well. We had a good rake around that as well.

We used to go there when it was operational. I think part is now a range for launching rockets.

 

[barryd]

We used to go there when it was operational. I think part is now a range for launching rockets.

Funny story about being on South Uist. We were wild camping on a remote beach still half pissed early one morning and a load of black 4x4s and BMW's suddenly appeared and a load of 30 somethings got out and were eagerly running up and down the beach and dunes staring out to sea and using scopes. We just sat there stupefied wondering who the ferk they were. They were dressed as tourists but then it twigged. Spooks!! Uist has a big secret (not secret at all) MOD missile launch test site or summat like that.

 

[Technispark]

something went wrong as the message request is missing????
We are thinking of going in the spring and would be very interested in any information regarding places to see and stay
I think it will have changed from the late 60s/early70s and the building of Sullom Voe
Many thanks
Stay safe
Ken

We went to Shetland a couple of years ago and found it very campervan friendly there are many village halls where you can park overnight. Some of these are free and some of these charges and nominal £10 also a lot of wild camping spots.
If you are in Lerwick on a Wednesday. It’s worth popping into a bar in the middle of town called The Lounge . We called the great traditional music session there starting about nine, and there are other places with free live music around the island. We had a great time and will probably go again next year.

 

[winks]

The renowned Shetland fiddler Ali Bain was a regular player at The Lounge in the seventies when I often worked out of Lerwick.

Cheers

H

 

[kensowerby]

Many thanks for all your information, have contacted with Northlink Ferries and talked to a very nice young lady who gave me all relevant information regarding passage from Aberdeen to Shetland (cabin included) as overnight passage, from Shetland to Orkney with a time on Orkney and from Orkney to Stromness, with an all in price for the trip instead an individual price for each ferry.
Will now look forward to our visit and start planning our itinerary, our time will be unlimited and won’t have to think about getting back to UK before our time runs out and will have plenty of time to sample the local brew or two.
Once again thank you for all your information.
Stay safe
Ken

 

[kensowerby]

All depends on your definition of "comic".

I had a heart attack a few years ago and have to inject insulin dailly.
SWMBO is also diabetic (drug controlled and takes medication for a heart condition.
On our last EU trip in the MoHo she ended up in a Spanish hospital for a couple of weeks.
Both of us are nearer to 80 than 70.

Our joint annual multi trip worldwide cover costs around £1,700.
Under £5 a day, about 1/3rd the cost of 20 cigarettes. (Haven't smoked since the '60s)

Yes it is a noticeable expenditure, but the alternative is to die richer and pay a lot of inheritance tax.

Thank you for reply, my definition of comic prices was when I got the replies from requesting quotes from various sources which were based on one 89year old person and a toy boy of 88 with a 7 mar. Motorhomecraic, for 31 days as a one off trip to France and Spain, The first quote £3008-00, second quote £2620-00 I didn’t bother with the pence on the end the other 3 quotes were very much in the same range, hence I thought they were rather comical, my general opinion was that they didn’t want us
Stay safe
Ken

 

[r4dent]

Thank you for reply, my definition of comic prices was when I got the replies from requesting quotes from various sources which were based on one 89year old person and a toy boy of 88 with a 7 mar. Motorhomecraic, for 31 days as a one off trip to France and Spain, The first quote £3008-00, second quote £2620-00 I didn’t bother with the pence on the end the other 3 quotes were very much in the same range, hence I thought they were rather comical, my general opinion was that they didn’t want us
Stay safe
Ken

My quote included any number of 31 day MoHo trios in the year as standard.
I also got an insurance quote for a single 14 day package trip to Cape Verde and it was only about £150 pp less.

What are you going to do with the £3k you save ? No pockets in shrouds.
Don't forget that 2 tier Farmer Harmer has his eye on a lot of it.

My parents left me nothing, except the bill for their care home,
I plan leaving my kids somewhat more, but not at the cost of depriving myself.

If you want to go to EU .. Go. You've earned it.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

something went wrong as the message request is missing????
We are thinking of going in the spring and would be very interested in any information regarding places to see and stay
I think it will have changed from the late 60s/early70s and the building of Sullom Voe
Many thanks
Stay safe
Ken

Would your "going in the spring" idea maybe run into June, Ken?

We will be parked up in Stromness, Orkney the week of the Summer Solstice.

The Stromness campsite is currently fully booked up for that week with a bunch of motorhomer/wc reprobates, but I understand there is also a very nice campsite in Kirkwall too, which is only spitting distance from Stromness? Orkney also very good for wild camping. There's an elsan point and fresh water (and hot showers and laundry room) available at the Stromness campsite which can be used (for a fee) by other campers/mohos not staying on the site.

Maybe too complicated to plan in if you are wandering around at your leisure, but maybe worth a thought?

 

[JQB]

for

That is abroad, Scotland not England.
NI is a good bet, NHS etc

 

[JQB]

We used to go there when it was operational. I think part is now a range for launching rockets.

UK Space Centre maybe...

 

[JQB]

Funny story about being on South Uist. We were wild camping on a remote beach still half pissed early one morning and a load of black 4x4s and BMW's suddenly appeared and a load of 30 somethings got out and were eagerly running up and down the beach and dunes staring out to sea and using scopes. We just sat there stupefied wondering who the ferk they were. They were dressed as tourists but then it twigged. Spooks!! Uist has a big secret (not secret at all) MOD missile launch test site or summat like that.

Top of the range Merc 4x4s and yutes around these parts not spooks but a certain mistrusted "community"

 

[JQB]

Many thanks for all your information, have contacted with Northlink Ferries and talked to a very nice young lady who gave me all relevant information regarding passage from Aberdeen to Shetland (cabin included) as overnight passage, from Shetland to Orkney with a time on Orkney and from Orkney to Stromness, with an all in price for the trip instead an individual price for each ferry.
Will now look forward to our visit and start planning our itinerary, our time will be unlimited and won’t have to think about getting back to UK before our time runs out and will have plenty of time to sample the local brew or two.
Once again thank you for all your information.
Stay safe
Ken

Before your time runs out? Sounds ominous!

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Before your time runs out? Sounds ominous!

No, it’s a reference to going over to Europe and the 90 day limit.

By contrast, going to Scotland and the isles you can travel around and stay there as long as you want, no need to worry about time limits.

 

[kensowerby]

Would your "going in the spring" idea maybe run into June, Ken?

We will be parked up in Stromness, Orkney the week of the Summer Solstice.

The Stromness campsite is currently fully booked up for that week with a bunch of motorhomer/wc reprobates, but I understand there is also a very nice campsite in Kirkwall too, which is only spitting distance from Stromness? Orkney also very good for wild camping. There's an elsan point and fresh water (and hot showers and laundry room) available at the Stromness campsite which can be used (for a fee) by other campers/mohos not staying on the site.

Maybe too complicated to plan in if you are wandering around at your leisure, but maybe worth a thought?

Hi Marie.
Not sure if we will make it to Orkney at that particular time as we are having to change dates due to family commitments, but if possible I will let you know nearer the time
Stay safe and enjoy your travels
Ken

 

[kensowerby]

ITEM OF INTEREST
With reference to my foray into the cost of health insurance for wrinkles and the comical prices quoted and being convinced that insurance companies are not willing to cover you if there is chance it will cost them their profits.
As we bank with Nationwide and they have change to Aviva I thought I would give them a ring, and it was most interesting, I quoted the exact same list of ailments as before and was pleasantly surprised, they quoted for a 12 month multi trip with a maximum of 31 days in any one trip in Europe £456-00
Now we have to decide if we are going to renew passports or go to France in a rubber dinghy as an illegal immigrant, you never know we might get put up in a fancy hotel with all found and pocket money to boot

 

[Thistle]

@kensowerby
What about Ireland?
We can’t do Europe easily with our three dogs, the pet passport BS is just too onerous and expensive plus swmbos health may also make insurance very expensive, so we are considering Ireland for next year.

 

[kensowerby]

@kensowerby
What about Ireland?
We can’t do Europe easily with our three dogs, the pet passport BS is just too onerous and expensive plus swmbos health may also make insurance very expensive, so we are considering Ireland for next year.

Thank you for your suggestion, we have been to Ireland a couple of times and had a wonderful holidays with plenty of places to explore and some wonderful agricultural shows, will be going back eventually but at present we are looking at Shetland and Orkney.
My advice for Ireland is don’t think about it just go the people are wonderful but don’t get involved in their drinking sessions unless you have a good park-up for a couple of days so that you can recover
One suggestion if you’re doing the north, you can purchase vouchers for the inland waterways to be able to use the services always very handy
Happy travels and stay safe
Ken

 

[paulhelenwilko]

We would thoroughly recommend Shetland. Loved it. There were places to wild but also community centres and marinas/sailing clubs charged a nominal fee and had facilities.

I have sent you a message with link. If you want anymore info please say.

Paul and Helen.

 

[kensowerby]

We would thoroughly recommend Shetland. Loved it. There were places to wild but also community centres and marinas/sailing clubs charged a nominal fee and had facilities.

I have sent you a message with link. If you want anymore info please say.

Paul and Helen.

Thank you for information, after reading about your holiday hopefully we will be able to do the same subject to the weather, I have a good price from Northlink ferries - Aberdeen - Shetland - Orkney and then to the mainland subject to the confirmation of approx dates.
Happy travels and stay safe
Ken