Despite the “creepy neighbour” looking in all the time, our farrier, Bjørn, rode over to trim the young lads’ hooves this afternoon.

First up was Efstur as he was the most urgent.  We don’t do much with him but he stood like a good boy, picking each hoof as required one at a time and let Bjørn easily do his job.

He didn’t mind BeAnne (why should he?) and took an interest at what was happening.

Typical Efstur.  Always curious.

Hjalti was next in line and, while waiting, spent his time gazing at Bjørn’s beautiful Icelandic mare.  Again, Hjalti was a good boy about his feet.  As he is ridden fairly regularly now, he also gets his feet picked up in preparation of being shod in the not too distant future.

And last up was little Dreki Dragon who is growing, really growing outwards and upwards into a solid chap.

Dreki was not as helpful as his half-brothers, probably because we should do this feet-lifting thing more with him but once Daisy told him everything was fine and yes, she was his best friend forever, then he just got on with it.

It was not a fight, no raised voices, Dreki was unsure of what was going on.  We really must practice more now the mud is drying up.  It’s on my to-do list.  I just told him Lilja, his sister, would have behaved better.  That did the trick, he buckled down and behaved!  Sibling rivalry – works every time!

In my humble opinion, a morning spent with the Minions is a morning well spent.

Floss and I had taken two brushes with us and we attacked all the Shetland ponies’ manes and tails (plus any bits that needed attention) with the vigour of a Spring clean.

I think Storm suffers from the same affliction as me – no matter how much I brush, I always look like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards.  Storm is not dissimilar.  It must be in our genes.

It was lovely sitting down on the (slightly wet) ground.  A fact I only found out when I eventually stood up and found I had a damp bottom.  I have missed sitting with my boys.  The ground drying up is proof summer is finally on its way.

Mostly the ponies were with Flossie. Her coat is a magnet, an activity centre for curious wicked Shetland ponies. There is something about it that is magical to them.  They surround her and then try to bite the buttons off, travel the zips up and down and generally annoy.

And look, Newt and Floss have the same hair.  Another family resemblance there!

From the photos, you can sort of see  the ponies look slightly brushed.  So, that’s good then.

We are getting the herd ready to meet the public.  I guess I should brush my hair as well!

My friend, Karen, offered to teach us, that is me, Flossie and another friend, Joy, how to do wet-felting.  This is something I have always wanted to have a shot at.

We started by learning the basics.  We were making a flat piece first.

My background was black.

And then I decided I would be making a small wall-hanging depicting the Northern lights, or Merrie Dancers as they are called here.

Floss’ pattern.

Joy’s creation.

And then the hard work – the rolling and rolling and rolling and rolling….. (and add many more rollings).

Tidying up the sides (optional).

My artwork now drying.

A lovely lunch (yum to the spinach and bacon homemade bread) and off we went again.  This time making a something.  I was going for a small pot.

It was to have a yellow/gold interior….

… and black on the outside with green streaks (not artistically placed yet).

Joy was making a useful small purse.

Floss was the same as me – the pot – only with blue colours inside and out.

After the felting and rolling, time to cut out the plastic bit inside that holds the shape.

Mine resembled a small Frenchman’s beret – again I was going for the Northern Lights look but this time around I had learned to be more subtle with my colour distribution.  Less is most definitely more.

Karen was an excellent teacher. It was fascinating and we learned a lot.

My finished article.  It is ….. erm …. very organic!

Floss’ dear little pot.  I love the colours and shape.

And so this is what we did today in our Crafting Class.

An excellent day.  I loved it and a huge thank you to Karen for everything – instruction, soup and a good laugh.

 

Slowly but surely my shed (or Creation Station as it is sometimes nauseatingly known as by the family who snigger when they say this) is filling up.  I don’t mind. It is stuff I want or need and so it moves in.

I recently took possession of this very useful cupboard which OH lovingly restored for me.  It had been sitting in a shed for many years being ignored and it fits in perfectly.

Every day I work away felting my little animals and birds.  I did try to expand my repertoire once by making a small black pig but he quickly turned into a small black sheep (right). I don’t know how it happened so I am sticking with what I know for the time being.

My view is wonderful.  I love the light and the room gets very warm during the day too.

Today I could see Haakon with some new birds that have not been around before.

I was curious so took some photos and asked my Facebook friends who identified it as a Redwing (Turdus iliacus) – the UK’s smallest true thrush.

There were a few birds and they were a bit argumentative.  I watched them out of my window for ages.  The shed makes a great bird hide.

And then Lambie found me *** sigh ***. There is no hiding from Lambie.

I had to let him in to eat the tassles on my tablecloth, because he is obssessed.

For a diversion, and because I needed the exercise and to stretch my legs, I took everyone for a walk.

We haven’t done anything with Hjalti recently.  Lots of reasons but mostly weather, our mood and just the general winter meh-factor.  There is no point training a horse if you are not feeling like it.  No one benefits.

But, yesterday, we got Hjalti out of his packaging and tacked him up ready for a short session.

He hadn’t forgotten anything and worked well with Daisy, listening and learning her instructions.

They walked and trotted on both reins concentrating on transitions and a bit of steering.

Hjalti has the best square halt of anyone in possibly the whole world.

He learned to stop off Daisy’s seat rather than her hands.  He has lightening brakes anyway so she just taught him to listen to these aids.  A few attempts and he’d got it.

And so the pair of them pootled around the school happily and it was obvious that the little break had done Hjalti no harm whatsoever.  We have no timetable to work to so we can take our time which is the perfect way to train a youngster.

Withs lots of communication both onboard and off, Daisy and Hjalti are good friends.

Hjalti is a funny little chap.  He has a lovely temperament and is kind and happy to do anything.  I really love watching him learn.