I have been searching my photo archives for pictures of the 1906 Spindle Back Gig in action back in the day when we trained and sold Shetland ponies to be driven.

The gig’s first show outing was to The Black Isle Show with my most favourite Shetland pony, Jackson.

He was perfect.  A mini-Friesian just Shetland pony size.

Then off to the Royal Highland Show in 2006.

The gig was also used for a tandem team – Charlie as the leader (front) and Andy, the wheeler (back) in the Multiples Open Private Driving Class at the Royal Highland Show in 2008.

A few days before, these two ponies had been going as a pair but had started racing each other in a very scary way so the day before the show, we made the executive decision to amend our show entry as a tandem rather than a pair. The Gods smiled and they went much better qualifying for the Championship held in the Grand Arena well as The Osborne Refrigerators BDS National Championships.

Charlie also took part in the Best Driven Shetland Class coming second.

Afterwards, we had some dodgy folk following behind the cart with a wedge of money desperate for us to name our price so they could buy Charlie.  They had to be escorted off the Royal Highland Show premises by Security when they started throwing bollards at us because we kept refusing their “offer”.

It was quite scary and we ran away in our lorry hoping we were not being followed!

So that’s the fun we had with this beautiful gig.  It is nice to remember.

I may have fallen slightly by the wayside, so to speak, on this walking a billion miles a year or whatever it was I mentally signed up for earlier in the year.

But when the weather was slightly less frantic and now I am feeling much better, BeAnne and I went for our usual 3 mile walk along the road and back again.

For the first time, I saw a nearly-white mountain hare in a field by the side of the road. I have never seen hares there so it was lovely to just stop, wait and watch.

I think mountain hares are very special.  So pretty too.

There were the usual hill sheep in their wide variety of colours.

They are always very inquisitive and on the odd occasion Lambie comes too he could be a different species.  He likes the idea of hill sheep but he doesn’t really get it, and sticks out like a sore thumb, coming home complaining they don’t like classical music and biscuits!

On my way home, the horses had finally left their food to see what they could find in the field which runs along the side of the track.  Efstur was having fun aggravating dear old patient Iacs.

Efstur was not going to give up.

He wanted a reaction, so Iacs told him.

And then it developed into a little game of I bite you, no I bite you!

And that is why Efstur is so nice.

Because he has the best teachers all around him.

Maybe not the brightest, but certainly the nicest.

It was nice to get out and about on my pins.

Every day, I try to do a little bit of training with Lilja and Dreki, my Icelandic horse yearlings.

Dreki is an easy-going boy who has matured in his head so much these past few winter months.  He is always easily caught (mostly because he is in my face wanting nose kisseys) and wears a headcollar happily.

We have even started leading though he is not very good at it but, still, it is a start.

Lilja on the other hoof, ever since we moved her to this field with her mother, has always been difficult.  She took huge umbrage at the time and has refused to get over herself enjoying her “issues”.  She is a diva and I have had to back off on any thought of training or getting her used to Mr Headcollar as I couldn’t get very near her.

But this past week, we have had a breakthrough – Lilja has been more open to discussion and, with careful body language, I can now put a headcollar on her in the field.

I have managed this on three consecutive days and yes, the headcollar is huge as it is used for her mother, but the general being-able-to-wear-it is an achievement.

Once on, I tell Lilja that no one, to my knowledge, has actually died from having to wear a headcollar.  This is Big Girl stuff.

Lilja is not certain that she believes me, but this is progress from the hysterical little Miss who was convinced she had a note from her Mum saying she was exempt from anything she wanted not to do, which was basically everything!

There is lots of being told what a clever girl she is.

I am pleased we have finally moved forwards.  I was beginning to worry!

The sun decided to make an appearance and I found my old friend, Haakon, having a little bit of sit in the sunshine and almost-warmth.

In the distance, Iacs (aka Mr Bimble) was on watch and even prepared to kill any potential tigers, but only if it required minimum effort.

Haakon is getting old and everything seems to have sunk.  Once he has shoes back on, we will see if he wants to be ridden.  I will know when and if he wants to retire.  Tbh I dread that day but I don’t think it has arrived.  Once he is fitter, he will have a better bottom.

Kappi, as ever, was looking for grass.  It is still a bit early but there is stuff about and if anyone can find it, Kappi can.  He is a food magnet.

I took off little Efstur’s rug and he was enjoying the sun on his back.

He was fast a-bye-byes – probably snoring quietly to himself.

There were a few who were not asleep.  Hjalti was mooching about, ever hopeful.

As were Taktur and Klaengur, in the background.

Even Albie and Newt were having a little bit of a sit in the field opposite.

I love it when they take time off to enjoy the first early Spring sunshine.

I have spent the day washing.  I have three carts I want to sell so I got them out of storage and washed them all down.

Up first was Floss’ little red cart that she used to drive Fivla in.

This is Fivla and Floss in their youth.  Cute or what?

While I was washing, there was help.  Natural fibres could make a lovely buffer cloth.

Then, having also washed myself, I brought out the next cart – a wheelchair access 2-wheeled vehicle.

Note BeAnne on the right – the Face of Resentment – I had just told her off for getting in the way.

Now totally soaked, I moved onto my last cart which is my pride and joy and going to be for sale.  An original 1906 spindle back gig restored by Barry Wheelwright.  It was found in a big house in Warwickshire.

Possibly the most beautiful little cart ever.

I am sad to sell it but needs must.

The driving days are over.  It will probably go to auction.

And so, with three carts washed and cleaned, we took photos and measurements and then put them back inside and went indoors ourselves.

Yes, OH is away in town.  Can you tell?

We all worked very hard today.  My back is testament to that (it hurts) as well as my soaked clothes.