Flossie was exercising Taktur in the indoor school – to build up muscle and a good bottom, Taktur has to walk energetically for 20 minutes.

The field gate was open because a silage bale had been delivered and everyone was happily eating it, except for two small Minions who made the most of an open gate and escaped.

They made a bee-line for the indoor school, ducked under the bar and went inside to see who they could annoy.

Poor Taktur – he knew what was required of him – to walk, stretch down and to ignore the sideshow.

The sideshow were less than helpful.

They laughed in the face of danger.

And giggled at the thought of the fun they could have.

And they had lots of fun trying to eat each other.

Bless him, Taktur was a true gentleman.  Floss was well aware of her evil followers.

After riding Taktur, Floss caught Trouble-Maker No 1 and took him back to the field.

I think Waffle was jealous he hadn’t thought to escape with them.  He is usually one of the ring-leaders.

The bale remained popular by the big ones who had made it their mission to eat it all in one sitting.

Silver decided to play with Tiddles too.

Watching the little ones play fills my heart.  I hope they will always play together.

Meanwhile, Storm decided he wanted some silage and barged his way in between Esja and Klaengur.

No is not a word he likes or understands!

Nothing like four Minions to put the world to rights.

Floss and I went out this morning to be met by a pile of ponies.

Haakon, Brá, Silver and Tiddles were fast asleep where the bale usually sits.  The rest of the herd were milling about in the field.

Little Tiddles was looking particularly yummy.

Although, he was not very happy when Hjalti threatened to annoy him.

So I sat down beside Tiddles and kissed his nosey while I tickled his tumbly because that is what he loves best in the whole world.

Everytime I tried to stop, Tiddles would ask me to keep going!

Silver would hate anyone to sit beside him.

He is not that type of guy.

You have to wait for Silver to come and talk to you before you instigate any type of chat. He has always been like that and if you respect this, he is very loving and trusting.

Haakon is the same.  He would think things were strange, or even wrong, if I came and sat down beside him.  I have never done it.  He would give me a very funny look.

Tiddles, on the other hand, is always hugely huggable.

I think we saw Lambert or ‘Bert out on the scattald this afternoon.  I am pretty sure that the moorit (brown) sheep is ‘Bert and Daisy will hopefully confirm my sighting from the photo.  I shouted the usual greeting, Cheers-Bar-like “Bert” but he didn’t even look up at me.  He used to.  I am trying not to be sad that he has gone over to the Dark Side as he looks happy enough.  I can only hope he does not end up in someone’s freezer.  I have told the crofters when he is caa’ed in (herded together) that I would take him back or at least to leave him. I have hill rights.

So, having shouted Bert for a while at a brown sheep, Floss and I took the dogs out for their daily trundle.

Flossie gave me odd looks when she found I was missing and almost upside down in a ditch, trying to take photos/film of some tadpoles I had found.

I am pretty sure those are tadpoles – if not, what are they?

The ground is drying up fast, so I am worried they will run out of water before they can safely leave.

One our way home, we visited Taktur and Kappi and took them a good pile of silage for their tea.

They were very grateful as the grass in their field is not growing as well as the bigger fields.

I am loathe to move them but I will if the spring dries up leaving them with no water.

Where they are, at present, is perfect because Taktur doesn’t fret and stare at the mares.  Any closer and he will be a berk.

And as I write this, it has begun to rain so the streams may run again.  I never thought I would want rain.

We had a change from the usual sitting-in-a-field day (much to Lambie’s horror) and went into Lerwick for Flossie to be Bjørn”s hair model.

He works at Envi Hairdressers in Lerwick – 01595 691011 –

First Flossie had her hair cut and then highlights were put in for the first photoshoot.

Flossie is a good model.  I supposed she is used to having her photo taken by me and she also has an infinite amount of patience.

Then Bjørn put her hair up just for fun and for the next photo session.

This is my most absolute favouritist photo of Flossie – so beautiful and very natural.

Anywho, after living in the salon for five hours, we sent Flossie out for chips.  She took her hair down first.

Great chips and we had a good day too.  Some days it is nice to have a complete change and get out of the mud.

For more information about Bjørnæs work (not about the mud!), go and look at Hair by Bjørn Facebook Page

Spring is here!  Spring is here!  Long may this wonderful weather last. The mud is beginning to dry up.

I know this because the wild primroses (Primula vulgaris or Mayflooer in Shetland dialect). have arrived.

The Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) are also flowering sporadically around the field.  Little dots of yellow.  Celandine holds a special place in my heart as I did a school project on this flower when in primary school.  I remember it being a hard slog trying to find out information without such a thing as the internet!

Floss and I spent this afternoon sitting outside in the field with everyone (sheeps included) enjoying the spring sunshine.  I took my camera and snapped away, as ever, anything that looked pretty or one of the family!

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Les Grandes Dames enjoy the spring sunshine.  Their behaviour is completely different – Delia is slowly stopping her prescribed analgesia and I will see how she fares this summer before making any kind of decision about her future.  I don’t want to see her struggle in the warm sunshine.

Lambie and ‘Ster are learning how to be proper sheep by going outside and eating grass.  They are not keen on the mud but it is drying up now and the Boysens are now taking themselves to the fields to eat the short spring grass.  This is much better than hanging around outside the house.

Hjalti is looking wonderful.  He is such a dear boy, full of young Icelandic horse inquisitiveness with all of his father’s wonderful temperament.

Hetja, his mother, is always nearby but these days she rarely intervenes.  I think she is letting Hjalti work it out for himself.  It is the only way he will learn.

Happy sunny spring days.  I am so relieved we got through winter.