Helen came up to Shetland and joined Island Mouse for Up Helly Aa! (Up Helen Aa!)

It was WILD AND WINDY.  There were VIKINGS and there was FIRE.  We spent a lovely afternoon at Mareel watching Fiery Films – a selection of films made throughout the years about Up Helly Aa, including my sister Marjolein in “Storytime with Marjolein“.

Then the Procession, with over 1000 burning torches…

Then the burning of the galley…

Then the party!

Lots of dancing, drinking, short skirts and squads with bizarre and (mostly) amusing acts…

AND LOOK WHO I DANCED WITH….!!!

Watch it on the next series of BBC’s Coast – Neil Oliver KEPT telling me that my dragging him around the dance-floor was definitely going to get me on the telly.

And for more info and some really superb pictures of the Viking Jarl Squad by Jeff Mitchell and Andy Buchanan, check out this report from the Guardian website.