Lyra spotted her best friend and came from far away in her ginormous field to say hello.

She has always adored just one person in her life – my eldest daughter, Daisy.

Ever since she was a foal, Lyra has let Daisy catch her, play with her and do anything.  The rest of us are always on the edge and mildly tolerated.

But Daisy is Lyra’s special person.  I find Shetland ponies are very good judges of character.

I am glad we kept Lyra back.  Daisy begged us too and she is right.  I think Lyra would be unhappy without her Daisy.

Lyra is a pretty girl and very like her mother as well as her half-brother, Indy.  She is starting to look very much like her mum, Vitamin, who is down at Jo’s stables keeping Delia company.  Apparently Vitamin and Delia like the idea of regular feeds, a big field with a stable if required.  They have quite taken to home life.

Anywho, have a happy New Year and see you all next year. xx

Today Jo and Fiona came over with Tór (her new imported Icelandic gelding) and Hreyfing.  Tór is Taktur’s half brother.

Tór is pronounced Tor (like what you find on top of Glastonbury) and Hreyfing is pronounced, well I am not really sure to be honest!

The Minions were already in the indoor school, having their food while Daisy kindly mucked out their shed.  It is not easy to muck out with four helpful Minions so I had offered my diversionary services.

Tór investigated the school with the usual tour guides.

They made sure he never escaped.

Everyone introduced themselves very politely and, apart from the odd squeal, they were all a peaceful little bunch.

Silver was happy to share his hay with his new friend.

Iacs popped by as well, to have a shoe removed, and made friends too.

I love the way nothing phases my little Minions.  They are so confident in themselves.  When I think of what they were like all those months’ back.

Even little Tiddles was brave (so proud, sniff).

Waffle offered grooming advice to Jo, who obviously had no idea what she was doing.

And then the inevitable happened.

And that was that!

The weather is having a break from its constant battle so, Daisy and I made the most of a dry day and we went for a ride, with Daisy on Iacs and me on my little orange Klængur.

I always think of Red Fraggle when I sit on his back.

Same ears, I think!

Despite Iacs losing a shoe, everyone was keen to go out, including BeAnne who will only go on a walk if I am going too.  This has meant she has shovelled on the Christmas weight and become rather portly.

Iacs was his usual happy self.  He is a solid gentleman both mentally and physically.

Flossie was kindly walking all the dogs for me.  This was Walk No 2 as she had already taken Loki for his long run.  Jack(et Potato), aged a billion, only goes on a slow potter to the end of the track and back.  He hates the horses with a passion and so was trying to “run” away, ok walk slightly faster before Floss clipped him back onto his lead.

And so we walked, tölted (Klængur, pronounced Clang-gur), trotted (Iacs, pronounced Eye-Yaks) and cantered up our favourite track.  BeAnne had a wonderful time aquaplaning in the large puddles.  Afterwards, she even found something extra pungent to roll in and triumphantly brought it home with her.

We are past the longest night so hopefully the light will get better – this is my excuse for these shamefully bad photos.

I am enjoying getting back into riding again.  Klængur and I are beginning to actually trust each other which is the best foundation for a friendship.

Our day started with a lovely ride out on frosty winter’s morning.

Daisy rode Kappi.

I rode Klængur and he listened to my every word, which was wonderful.  He quickly realised I was terrified of the black ice on the track and did his best to look after me all the way.   Bless him, I adore this horse.

And Bjørn rode Taktur.

(apologies for the grotty photos – it was a case of pointing and hoping and then finding out too late that I had failed!)

I had mucked out previously, had all the feeds ready and upon our return, we distributed, got changed into our clean clothes and drove to watch The Royal Opera House with Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

It was incredible and we were glued to our seats at the Mareel, Shetland’s multi-purpose entertainment venue watching it on the screen. The score was by Joby Talbot and the sets were designed by Bob Crowley.

There is something very magical about watching an incredible ballet performance at Christmas and this is one we talked about all the way home and will remember for a long time.

There was someone waiting for us in the cold, who had been sat outside for hours.  She ran down the track when she spied the Land Rover returning and now she is asleep under my desk, happy that she has her family back.

(sorry the blog is so late – it took ages to upload – not sure if there will be one tomorrow as I am going to see ballet in Lerwick, like you do.  We is cultured, we is)

Today I gave The Minions some new toys and a huge thank you to the very nice person who supplied us with a Gym Ball.  The boys loved it.

I think the soundtrack fitted perfectly somehow!

Such fun!