I hadn’t seen the horses since this morning so I thought we ought to go and have a look. I like to know they are alright.

En route, we found the “bouncy spot” and Floss jumped up and down!  I am not sure what you would call this pedological phenomenon.  I can only describe it as a saturated bump in the middle of the horses’ field that has appeared this year.  It makes excellent squelchy noises too.  Most satisfactory.

The dot is on the horizon is Taktur.  The drystone wall is the half way point of the size of the field and the horses are at the furthest point.

After an exhaustive yomp, we reached the chaps.

Waffle and Silver were standing together.

My little boys are all grown up now and they are both looking very *** cough *** well (read fat!) which is good as we are going into a very hard winter.  I know all about El Niño and what affect it is may have on Shetland.

Storm and Tiddles came racing up too for a chat.

This end of the field is probably the herd’s favourite place.  It is very different from the green-grass part as it is part of the original hill (the croft’s apportionment) that has been fenced in many years ago.

There is lots of space for everyone.

Dotted about are useful little pools of water, as well as a fresh burn that comes off Stourborough Hill at the back.

So we sat down, surrounded by The Minions and admired the average view!

There are roads in Shetland I go past and think “I must drive down there one day” but I never do.

So, today, we did!

We were in Tresta anyway (on the sunny westside of Shetland) and, after our appointment, Floss and I went exploring down a road I have always wanted to see what was at the end of.  It was a lovely day, I had my cameras, my camera-holder (Floss) and it seemed like a good idea.

We found this!  The entrance to Sandsound Voe.

There were some lived-in houses en route but the end of the road was more of a beauty spot than a place of habitation.  This is Runna Ness or Runnaness.

(I had a bit of a play with my cameras, I will admit)

And look – Trees!

So, it was a very interesting little exploration and I must do this again definitely with my cameras.

There was a break in the rain today so Floss and I made a dash for it to take the dogs out for a walk and to drop off a package at our neighbours.

Obviously, Lambie had to come too.  He noisily insisted so I put a collar and lead on him to keep him off my neighbour’s beautiful garden.

We were all invited in.  Yes, even Lambie.  Evelyn used to Lambie-sit (voluntarily) when he was little and needed regular feeds, if I had to go out.

Lambie was “quite” well-behaved but my neighbours were thrilled to see him, so all was forgiven – I did warn them.

After the dog walk, we went to see the horses and ponies or, as Flossie so succinctly put it, we went into a crack den with a bag of drugs (carrots).  I am trying very hard not to ask how she knows about this experience.  Perhaps she has seen Trainspotting, I am thinking hopefully.

They do like their carrots.

And there were some crazy hairstyles, mad eyes and silly faces today!

Tiddles is the worst, or best, depending on your outlook, for doing “weird”.  Bless him.  He actually is the most normal of all the Shetland ponies.  He is very grounded and is now a lovely little outgoing lad.

No malice, ever…..

…..just the best kisses!

Sometimes I feel the need to brush an animal to make them look nice.  Rare, I know, as I am not very good at grooming and cleaning, my mantra being a greasy dirty coat is a happy working coat.

This time it was the turn of my three last remaining Shetland pony mares from my Shetland pony stud.

Lyra let me catch her, despite not being Daisy, and I have gave her mane and tail a good detangling.

She looked lovely afterwards and I think appreciated being pampered.

They are all beginning to grow their winter coat now and are going into winter looking healthy.

This is Vitamin – Lyra’s beloved mother.  I think the phrase I am looking for is “a leg at each corner”.  Vitamin has always been the solid type.  She is also an old lady, one of the faces of the Shetland-pony-in-a Fair-Isle-sweater Visit Scotland campaign so entitled to have a bit of a belly.

I adore Vitamin and, after I had finished brushing Lyra, I went up to her and she whickered to me to say hello.  I love it when someone (equine, caprine, canine or feline – humans are meh!) is pleased to see me.

Sadly the girls cannot be nearer to me as Taktur, my Icelandic stallion, would spend all his days standing gazing at them and forgetting to eat.  So they have to live over in Sandness.

Lastly, in this field, is Raw Deal, who is getting on in years and found last winter very difficult.

**** sigh **** I will know what I have to do when it is time (yes, I am putting it off – I know that) but she appreciated her brush and relaxed with a blissful look in her eyes while I brushed and brushed her tail.  If she could’ve, she would’ve stood there forever with me brushing.  It was a special moment between us and I will remember it afterwards.

Say nothing.  It was raining and Lambert was AWOL.

It was not my fault.  Lambie was very upset and Flossie made me do this.

In return, she did very kindly offer to Lambie-sit and together they watched Real Housewives of Somewhere while I did some photography work.

This is Lambie’s happy face after Lambert decided to saunter home many hours later.  They have been outside ever since and yes, I have fessed up to OH that Lambie did come in the house before he read it first on the blog.

(what sort of time do you call this?  You treat this place like a hotel!  Yer, Lambidges!).

So, after that excitement, I gave Flossie a riding lesson on Haakon.  I wanted her to get used to him and to prepare her for her proper riding lesson on Wednesday.

Haakon is very different from Iacs – much faster and much more responsive.

Anywho, Floss did very well and learned about the difference between piggy pace (contents may settle in transit) ……

and tölt (everything remains in place).

I was thrilled with both of them.  Flossie is coming along brilliantly and learning quickly.  She is keen to practice and to do her best.  She has the makings of a good rider.

(The Olympic Games Selection Committee was down to one and a tad sulky today!)

Probably because both her mounts are busy!