Wednesday 21
September 2005
Pro Session A short day--I'm pretty worn out, as I often am in the
early days of the trip. I spend a little time in Scalloway and the islands,
accessible by causeway, south of it. I take a good nap in the afternoon, hoping
to shake off the last of my jet lag.
The session in the Lounge Bar is a much more polished affair than
the night before. I've never seen so many accordions in one place in my life! A
Norwegian lad, over on the ferry from Bergen just for this, plays some Russian
tunes on the violin; his grandfather joins the
general jam with his button accordion. A local fiddler who has gained some
national reputation (alas, I did not catch his name) causes a buzz when he
arrives and sits in for a while. The Canadians and Dutch are there. It's a
wonderful evening. I've seen sessions in many pubs around Scotland, and in
Ireland and England as well, but nothing that compares to Wednesday night at
the Lounge Bar. Perhaps it's the Scandinavian tinge that makes it special
for me.
The Lounge Bar has two dozen or so malts. I'm trying
to taste things I haven't had before, or not in a long time. Among the surprises
for me are Tobermory 10 very cedary; I don't remember that at all--and
BenRomach, which strikes me as a mild Ardbeg. I'll have to try them again later
to see if my impression is the same.
The hostel has a curfew, so I say
goodnight to the Canadians and goodbye to the Dutch--I am off to Unst tomorrow,
and they will be gone when I get back. The Canucks are going to Unst as well,
and I feel certain I will run into them there.
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