Out For The Day

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Having got all my ducks in a row (ie fed and watered everyone), I wanted a proper day out.

A day away from everything and everyone of nagging animal type.

So, we made a plan, which meant that Floss and I had to first clear the car out of all the recently bought animal feed, etc. I drove (because i am a control freak) and we went to Brae, on the other side of the island – to Frankie’s Fish & Chips for a proper Sunday lunch.

We had the best fish and chips and they made an excellent hot chocolate too, with all the trimmings.

So, that was a lovely Sunday lunch and one I didn’t have to cook or wash up. Win, win.

And then on to OH’s favourite haunt – the Nesting Scrap Store – which is basically two rooms in an old school filled to the brim with secondhand stuff.  A treasure trove of Lovely Things.

Floss and I bought something each – me, a bluetooth keyboard for £3.50.

We drove home past the wind turbines that rarely turn but are a blight on the Shetland hills.

Why don’t they turn, I hear you ask? – “the wind turbines often stand idle due to grid capacity constraints, maintenance, or extreme weather conditions. The primary cause is insufficient infrastructure to export the massive amount of energy generated, leading to “curtailment”. They may also pause for safety in high winds or for routine repairs.” – Google

All 103 were at a standstill today.

As we drove past Kergord Hatchery Bookshop, we decided to have a look because none of us had actually ever been in.

It was well worth a visit.  Lots to look at and peruse and want.

So another place to dig through looking for hidden gems on a Sunday.

And now I am home, lying in bed thinking I possibly over-did things (the driving finished me off) but it was totally worth it. A lovely day away from home.

And my bluetooth keyboard works – yay!

 

Rugs off, Rugs on!

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It was a lovely morning, so Flossie and I took off everyone’s rugs, and gave them a brush. It’s always good to see what’s going on underneath because you never know.

 

After brushing everyone who wanted to be brushed, so that’s everyone, we decided to put Tiddles’ rug back on as it is only a 0g fill rainsheet and he’s not that fat.  The other’s, however, have a good covering, though Waffle is feeling a little ribby for the first time ever. I am secretly pleased.

And then onwards down to the old horses and ponies who were very pleased to have their rugs taken off.

Again, it was good to see what was going on under there.

I was particularly impressed with Vitamin.  She looked fab.

The Icelandics were a bit flattened.

Kolka entertained herself with playing with the rugs.  I shouted at her to stop, please.

Floss hung all the rugs on the fence posts for putting back on later.  And, a little known fact, if you suspect you might have cauda equina, climb over an electric fence that’s on and you will soon find out (owie is all I will say and now I know the fence is working and I don’t have cauda equina!)

Later, in the afternoon, just before dark, the sun had long gone away and I called the old horses and ponies to us so we could put their rugs back on.  Fivla and Vitamin did not need asking twice, they were like two old ladies in the January Sales determined to get a bargain.  They cantered over full speed.

The others were a little more casual.

But we put their rugs back on as it was getting cold again and I possibly think they were grateful.

If Fivla and Vitamin could’ve done up the buckles and straps themselves, they would’ve.

Fivla loves her rug.  It is all she ever needs.  That, and food.

One Arrives, One About to Leave

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It’s been an exhausting day for everyone.

We were up an hour early to do the animals and then I drove to the airport to collect Flossie, who is taking over from Daisy (98 mile round trip).

Meanwhile, Ted went to the vet for his scheduled “dental” – he had to stay for the day and ten teeth were removed while the rest were cleaned.  Poor thing.  He’s just come home and seems relatively bright and is managing to eat soft food.

Anyway, I shall be sad to see Daisy go. Her help has been invaluable and she keeps me on track as to food, rugs and general looking after.  I need that.  And I think a wee dog will be miss her hugely as will her science companion, Monster.

So now it’s Flossie’s turn again – back to lugging buckets through the mud in hellish weather without a single complaint.

And she gets to work from home too during the weekdays, subject to the internet working.

Life goes on, apparently.

We’re Not Talking to Pepper

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No one is talking to little Miss Pepperpot this evening.

Not even her BFF, Monster.

I know Pepper was with me this morning as she helped me make Flossie’s bed for her return home tomorrow to help me around the place as it’s Daisy’s time to leave.

And Pepper was here to scoff her tea down as fast as she could and then, when Daisy and I went out to put the ducks/hens to bed and let the sheep in, no one had seen her for 30 minutes or so – each thinking she was with the other. She wasn’t anywhere. She had gone.

We asked around.

I checked my phone for any messages, shouted and whistled (two fingers in the mouth kind that gets you a taxi anywhere in London) but nothing.  No little orange dog.

And then I grabbed the car keys and off we both (Daisy and I that is, no sheep) to look for little Miss Pepper.

The first neighbour we saw said he had seen Pepper a few days’ back (really? we didn’t know she had gone) and had sent her home then but no, he hadn’t seen her today.  The next neighbour’s home was quiet and so we tried our third neighbour and guess who came bouncing out.  There she was “helping to fill haynets” along with a kind offer to happily keep her all day.  I won’t lie, at this point I was sorely tempted.

I do wish she wouldn’t do this.  I really do.  We are very lucky with our neighbours who know what a little terror/runaway she is.  She just likes visiting folk and maybe I am just her taxi collection service.

The Best Rugs

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Not much has happened today which, as you know, is how I and my back like it.  No drama, no fuss.

Everyone behaved at breakfast and that always makes life simple.  Afterwards, I spent my morning on the phone to a physiotherapist who phoned to talk about my GP referral (he never mentioned that). We had a good conversation and I felt I was understood and a plan might be made. You never know.  I am optimistic.

Then some games with Pepper, which involved me trying not to be chewed while someone tickled her tummy!

 

Pepper is (mostly) adorable and very pleased with herself because a few days back, she caught herself a mouse!  All her very own work too.

Because Pepper wanted to bring it home, I had to swap it out for one of the sheeps’ biccies to get her to give it to me to dispose of. Fair exchange is no robbery in this house.  She was a very good girl about this otherwise she would run around with the mouse in her mouth, tail hanging out like a gruesome lollipop!

The old horses and ponies are doing very well living in the centre of the summer track.  The two year old grass there is slowly being eaten down and will hopefully last a little while longer.  My plan is to keep them in their rugs (either a rain sheet or a 50 – 200g fill depending on the weather) while they live outside in bad weather 24/7.  That way, their rugs will do the job of keeping them dry and warm. I think they are happier like this and have wintered better.  They move around more too.

Anyway, that’s the plan.  It’s not a very cheap one, though.  I have learned the hard way that you get what you pay for.