On Tuesday, Fair Isle resident Tommy stopped by the studio to say hi. Tommy moved here in 2006 from Saratoga Springs, New York and currently runs the Auld Haa Guest House Bed and Breakfast here on the island.
If you’ve searched the Google for anything about Fair Isle, he’s probably come up in your search as he has a fun blog about his life here on Fair Isle and is a very popular host with his busy, 2 bed guesthouse.
And well, to make a long story short, we made a date for tea at noon on Wednesday.
Tommy serve all my favorite things plus but he was so fun to talk to!
We talked about the most random things. Like the difference between packaging in the UK {smaller quantities / smaller prices} vs the US. And especially things like trying to stay warm in the winter.
{Fair Isle gets its electricity via windmill power {which isn’t always running} so there are also portable heaters and coal stoves}.
At the Auld Haa Guest House we also talked about cooking and his favorite mince pie recipe {cream cheese, lemon curd with a little mince on top}. And how he tends to shy away from cooking traditional British recipes for guests unless they come from a particular old school, British baking booklet. 😉
Did I mention Tommy is an artist?
So of course, there was an art tour as well.
He has some of his artwork for sale on his blog HERE. He also makes hats. And has a youtube channel as well.
How he finds the time to run a guesthouse and cook for people plus invite random strangers over to his house for tea is beyond me. But I’m so glad he did!
Check out this carved cuttlebone I spotted on his mantel. I should try and do that with the one I found in Port Isaac.
I was particularly fond of this sheep.
And this old felted rug a friend of his made was pretty cool too. The rug was created with three different types of wool. How cool is that?
Tea with Tommy on Fair Isle. What a great way to spend an afternoon. 🙂
~Mavis
Linda says
Tommy is from my neck-of-the-woods.
His afternoon tea looked so inviting.
Holley says
You are one woman tourist commission for Fair Isle and we thank you!!!
Jennifer says
Absolutely, for those who have never even heard of it, it definitely knocks a few places off the old bucket list.
Julie says
What a nice man. He looks a bit like Santa on a pirate vacation with his grey beard, twinkling eyes, big rings, and rosy cheeks ❤. Spending a cold day with warm company and having good conversations over delicious treats and beverages is nice. Your time on the island is well spent.
Nancy D says
Yes Julie! I agree with you! What a treat! Thanks Mavis!
Eileen says
Like so many others, I’ve been following your adventure to Fair Isle with delight–thank you for sharing with us! Tommy sounds like a great host and I enjoyed getting to peek around his house and at all the treasures in it. The one thing that caught my eye was his telephone–old school with a dial! Wish we still had one. It’s about to get cold here in my part of NYS (sub zero temps with wind chill warnings for -40 degrees), so I’ll just curl up with a hot cup of tea and enjoy your posts. Take care and have fun!
Kristina says
OK, so I’m kind of in love with this man. He’s got it all – cozy house, warm heart, artistic talent, sparkling blue eyes. Can cook. Gah.
Tommy H says
I’m single I almost have it all.
Laura says
Saw news coverage of a Viking festival in Lerwick yesterday. Told my husband that you spent the night there when your flight was canceled. Can’t recall the name but I bet your neighbor John would know! Such a small world!
Wendy C says
Thank you for sharing your adventure!
Marcia says
Ooh, I could get lost in that blog…
Anne Radesi says
I can’t believe how friendly everyone is to strangers. I used to live in Saratoga Springs which is also a fine place to live!
Tommy H says
Saratoga Springs is a fine place to live. Living with a view of the Atlantic Ocean & the North Sea is amazing. In Sarasota all the water is underground.
Cathy says
LOVE that teapot with the birds!!!!
Tommy H says
The teapot is by the very trendy English Emma Bridgewater
sandyf says
Oh what a delight! I have followed Mr Tommy and his videos and art, he has a lovely son that is at Uni. Love his paintings.
What a tour guide you have been for us. If you ever decide to organize a trip-sign me up. Cotswald perhaps?
Cheers
Tommy H says
Hello thanks for following me.❤️
Sherry Ward says
You are just the best, Mavis! I’m loving our visit to Fair Isle; how did you select it as your destination? Looking forward to your next post. Stay warm!
Tommy H says
I really enjoyed meeting Mavis unfortunately I finally met her the day before she left. She is quite inspirational if you haven’t noticed. ✨❤️⭐
Tommy H says
I’m single I almost have it all.
Catherine Bishop Willis-O'Connor says
good morning,
We met a couple in BC on the inland ferry travelling to Vancouver Island, who purchased a house used in the Series 5 of Shetland. They are photographers of birds. They were away from the Shetlands touring Canada and Alaska while a bathroom was being built in their new purchased house.
Randy and I are travelling to The Shetlands April 2024 and wanted to try and find their place and see if we could meet up again. I think they are Elaine and Bob. I am terrible with names.
Can you help me here?
Many thanks
Catherine