This is me today.

I have been demoted to riding Sancho Panza’s donkey – Dapple (or Haakon as he is affectionately known).

So, Daisy and I went for a hack – this is the first bit, when we ride on a long rein to help the horses stretch.

Daisy rode her competition horse, Kappi.

He goes fast and very enthusiastically.

Going past local sheeples.

We even had a lovely canter.

I rode my old faithful Icelandic horse, Haakon. I have had him since he was three years old and he has never let me down but he is getting old (now 23) and is, perhaps, the “old style” functional farm model.

Over the years, we have been everywhere together.

His tölt is flat, comfortable but good and very kind to my back.

Sometimes we go up into the hill.  “Game of Thrones” territory.

And then home walking down the road in the Shetland summer sunshine.  We met absolutely no traffic.

A perfect ride.

But Haakon and I are still Sancho Panza on his donkey!  It is now the way it is.  We don’t really keep up anymore.

Riding is also very good therapy for me.

LD (Bardy) died this morning. I let him down.  There is nothing more to be said. He was loved.

So, today I have tried to keep myself busy.  We relaid the washed rubber mats in the stable with me on broom duty.  Then Daisy, Floss and I went for a good ride.  Haakon was wonderful and looked after a rather fragile version of me.

This afternoon, I spent some time with my other rescues trying to get my perspective back.  It is always good to talk to a Minion.  They are always very perceptive.

I went for a walk with the sheeples into the horses’ field.  They were keen to follow BeAnne and me.

Anywho, Minions are good for the soul.

I sat with them and had many hugs and kisses.

Seeing my happy little boys makes me realise I have some rescue success stories.

It does not make up for LD but, I tried my very best.  It was not enough.  There is a huge hole in my heart now.

We are struggling here.

Poor Bardy is completely off his legs and I feel totally responsible (The Ghastly Fall).  I am running blind here.  I feel I am letting Bardy down due to my total ignorance and am 100% responsible.  Not really a fit parent.

So, I remembered a friend telling me about Manx Wild Bird Aid and I phoned them, desperate for some help for Bardy.  They have been nothing but brilliant – all day, giving me advice.

Firstly, to prop Bardy up.

Bardy’s diet is all wrong too.  Beef mince plus vitamin drops have little, if any, calcium.  Bardy needs calcium to grow properly.  How could I have missed this?  I have a brain and I feel rotten thinking Bardy has not had all he needs to develop.

(there were also maggots/larvae and more woodlice in this pot – he wolfed them down)

Based on film sent via t’net, a diagnosis was tentatively made that Bardy may have salmonella (white diarrhoea) and/or spinal damage due to The Fall.

Bardy is now on daily 0.2ml Baytril. His weight has also fallen hugely.  Again, something I didn’t notice until it was pointed out to me – I hang my head in shame.

After Baytril, Bardy perked.  His diet has been changed to contain calcium and he is in his little bag shouting at YouTube videos now.

Meanwhile, apparently I have some ponies!

I have neglected them.

This afternoon, I did manage to ride Haakon to find his tölt.  It was nice to go outside and to also find some perspective.

Yes, Bardy is only a starling, but he is my starling and I have done bad by him.  All wrong. Please send healing vibes. He needs use of his legs, even one leg, otherwise he has no future and it is all my fault.

Up here, in Shetland, we have not had a horrid weather day for a while.  In fact, Shetland has had a “sunnier July than Cornwall“, according to the BBC so it must be true.

Today is an indoor day and I really don’t mind.  There is always lots to do.

On these kind of days, BeAnne adopts a supportive role.  It is what she does best.

Loki just went with disinterested – he had a walk this afternoon with OH in the rain.

There was stuff to do – creating different things.

Even Wu, in his own special way!

Bardy just shouted at me – all day, every day.  I must admit I have times when I feel a bit frazzled.

Anywho, this afternoon, as it is a Thursday, I was working for Transition Turriefield packing vegetables for the veg boxes and shops.  It is an much-needed interlude.

Work Benefit:  I had a kitten break!  Every work environment should have Kitten Break!

I came home late this afternoon to be shouted at again by Bardy. Yes, now he is sitting in a bag around my neck, while I post beef mince avec vitamin drops down him!

Sometimes I think I have no life.

Our visitors’ last request, before they went on the ferry back to Scotland tonight, was to meet the Shetland-Ponies-in-Sweaters who, a few years back, were an viral internet sensation.

So, in a convoy, we drove over to Sandness to see Les Girls.

Formal introductions were made.

And friendships were forged.

We pointed out the famous ones.

And, of course, they worked their superstar magic.

Lyra, being Lyra, even though she is not one of the Shetland-ponies-in-sweaters combo, made sure she was part of the whole meet and greet experience.

Bless, her, even Delia got in on the act.

I think we can truthfully say our visitors enjoyed meeting our little superstars.

Funnily enough, I was told about folk who had met our Shetland-ponies-in-sweaters down the south end of the island.  Allegedly some random Shetland ponies are pointed out as my two girls.

My two live on the Westside and, to my knowledge, they are not on the tourist route.  So the black Shetland pony and white Shetland pony, who had their photos taken and feature in holiday snaps, are not actually the originals but just lookey-likeys!

Sorry!