Today we had a break.  A day between weathers as they say here.

Everyone was outside making the most of this.  The last few days have been exhausting and only the bare essentials were done.

I went to check on the big boys who have been outside all the time.  Taktur came galloping down for his Extra Handsome Prince Food and I let him out to eat it on his own.

Meanwhile Kappi hung over the gate trying to convince me that he was being starved.

I wandered round the field, checking the boys, feeding them carrots and looking to see if anyone was suffering.

Errrr….. nope.

I doubt if this lot even noticed there was a storm.  They have shelter, food and fresh water.

Clothie, my 5 acre croft, is the perfect field for winters. I generally try to keep it just for this kind of weather. Across the open hill from Thordale means I can easily keep an eye on its occupants.

While Taktur was eating, BeAnne offered her assistance as general crumb monitor and hoover.

It was nice to see the boys and I am glad I don’t have to worry about them in these storms.  Today was a nice day but another storm is on its way for tomorrow so they will probably have to fend for themselves again.

Wish us luck, again.  The electricity has been off and on  most of the day.  I am not holding my breath.

I was woken early with a ker-thump.  BeAnne had arrived on the bed, a shivering wreck of misery.  She hates storms and it was revving up for a good one outside.  OH got up, the power went out and I let BeAnne go under the duvet where she shook and refused to settle.  I ended up holding her, while wrapping myself around her, spraying the bedclothes with calming lavender bedclothes spray and played my Disney songs (usually played for the Minion playtime) on my iPod for her to listen to.  She calmed down very quickly after that and went to sleep to the tune from Cinderella.

Meanwhile, the house shook.  The whole house, with walls 3 foot thick shook.  The roof creaked like an old wooden boat on the sea and all I could hear was the thundering howling wind and rain accompanied faintly to chirpy Disney tunes coming from under the duvet.

So as it got light, I got up and dressed.  When there was a lull, I made a dash for the shed to be greeted by four smiling faces, all dry, fluffy and happy.

I had been organised the night before and set aside the Minion food, where they couldn’t reach it, so I dished it up and they ate, while I mucked out.  Then, I put new hay down, kissed the noseys and left them all to it.

Still no electricity so I brushed the clingy BeAnne and made a nest on the sofa with her.

It has calmed down now.  The boys have been outside for a few hours this afternoon but I found them back in their shed when I went to check on them.  I have shut them back in there as tonight is not meant to be much fun either.  It is getting colder and snow is now forecast.

Thank the Gods for that shed (and the lavender bed spray).

Last night we had some weather.  It was not nice and, as I knew it was about to appear, I shut the Minions into my new shed.  The Icelandic horses have good shelter and long grass in their field so I was not worried about them

This morning’s sunrise did not bode well either and the weather forecast for the next 48 hours is scarily horrendous.

The boys have been outside today as much as possible despite Waffle’s desire to live in the house.

I did all my chores as early as I could before the bad weather returned and then at 15:00, we called the boys back into their shed before it got dark.

Lured by carrots, they happily went in.  It is the perfect shed for The Minions or the Icelandic horses.  I hate splitting anyone up into separate stalls unless they are fighting, ill or being bullied.

There are no haynets and hay is on the floor.  Last night Silver managed to wrap a haynet round his hoof so never again.  Luckily I checked them after supper and managed to extricate him before any damage was done.

Tiddles is very happy here.  He is much more relaxed and chatty.  I think it is the space.

So, wish us luck through these next few days.  It is going to be very hairy scary out there.

She is better than many folk I know who call themselves riders.

The horses like her.

No, they do!

She is watches Daisy riding her horse.

Though sometimes it can get a bit boring and she nods off.

She can sit to walk and trot even if Daisy changes rein (go in the opposite direction).

She is perfection.

She is BeAnne.

Today is what is known as a “Day of Shite” so I brought The Minions in to be fed and rest.  Their wet rugs were taken off and they had their food.  Tiddles left some of his food (I gave him a big bowl on his own) so I gave it to Storm seperately, much to Waffle’s horror and disgust.

I had left out a big pile of hay for everyone else and while the others were eating, Tiddles came over to Daisy and politely asked her to scratch his bum.  He loves this more than anything.  He has lots of nasty lumps where the fur has clumped, matted and taken the skin off.

He sat on Daisy’s knee with happiness.

Tiddles is beginning to come out of himself now and he is a delight.   He comes up for kisses and is beginning to think like a Minion.  All good.  He appreciates his rugs and we change them without any problems.  A dry rug everyday.  He has even learned to lead nicely and have his feet picked up without a fuss.

And we are beginning to see the real little boy’s character – determined, solid and never panics.

Now this is why I have two daughters.  They are both put to good use by the Minions (Floss has Silver to talk to).

This is the face of bliss.

And this is the bottom of resentment!