I don’t know what to write really.

Floss and I made the careful considered decision to go into town (Lerwick) to get some essential supplies for both the animals and people. I had phoned first to see what the protocol was and we followed it to the letter.

This is an ingenious way to enforce “social distancing” – bales of wood shavings used for bedding in front of the tills.

After the feed merchant, we went to get hay from our regular supplier.  He was awaiting my arrival and all I did was open the back doors of the van and stand well back while the hay was  loaded for me.  It was all very odd.  Usually we stand and chat but no, we avoided eye contact and drove off.

And lastly to Tesco’s with the shopping list.  We had to queue the required distance and it was all very easy.  One shopper came out and the next shopper went into the store.

A few items had been cleared out – there is no white or brown strong flour for bread-making to be had on these islands but we got the essentials and then went home.  Everyone avoided eye contact.

I found the whole day unsettling in a weird way and I don’t want to go anywhere again unless I have to. Like I said, I don’t know what to write.  Home is the most “normal” place to be and that is our “normal” (so pretty odd in real life!)

The “weather” (of which I am obsessed – a girl has to have a hobby) had died down, so I spent some time in my favourite place – Leradale.

(Note: only Storm would walk towards me with his tongue stuck out!)

Floss and I climbed the hill to check on everyone and give out the medicinal TurmerAid to Fivla.

For an old lady, she (and Vitamin) are looking fabularse dahlings!

It was lovely to be up in the hills with my silly little ponies.

Ever the comedian!

Tiddles had an “I am Magnificent” minute.  It was brief.

And I told him he was.  Very.

Dearest Waffle.  As wide as he is tall – the photo just doesn’t do his wideness justice.

Floss and I sat on some rocks and watched our world.

Floss got the Magnificent One to talk to.

Lilja and Sóley came up to me.  Lilja was apologising for being arsey to Albie while I stood next to her.  She had had a telling off  by me that her behaviour was completely unacceptable.  “Pas Devant Muzzah” I had shouted so she is sucking up to me while pretending all is cool with her little sister (like you do – we’ve all been there!)

You can see just how small Newt really is stood up next to Silver who is about 38″.  Very My-Newt.

We had forgotten Fivla’s usual (dog) bowl for her TurmerAid and had used instead this plastic container which of course they all had to play (read destroy) with.

Storm was particularly taken with the container and, clever boy, even managed to hand it to Flossie as we were leaving.  Now that takes skill.

That could be his one talent!  *** sniff ***  I am so proud.

The others are talented too (more sniffing).

While the world is currently orbiting Planet Swivel-Eyes, it is always good to have some perspective, right?

BeAnne is doing ok.  It is still little steps – every day we see a difference but her appetite is increasing and slowly she is returning to her old self.  I am still syringing her medication down her along with the hepatic diet but she now turns up and asks (I love this little dog more than words, greasy whiskers and all). She is also playing with us more which is lovely to see.

BeAnne sleeps a lot but I am a great believer in sleep.  Sleep is when your body heals.

Weather permitting, we go out for a daily walk in the afternoon.  And we have friends. They insist on coming too.  Madge and Edna are good about staying at home.  We all walk happily along in a procession, just a rather odd one.

When BeAnne stops for a sniff, they all stop for her and wait patiently.  The Boyzens are kind like that.

And then off they all go again.

These days, we rarely meet anyone and, if we do, we all move to the side of the road and wait for them to pass.

Once I met a Council road worker in his van and he just nodded sagely and said one word – “caddies?”.  And that was it. That was us summed up.

So, we are doing our best and hopefully my little dearest darling doglet is on the mend.

 

The chaps at Leradale all seem to have settled down now.  We have a happy herd.

And here is Lilja sporting her winter look (plus a filter).  They say mud is good for the complexion.

She really is growing into a beautiful mare.

Very pretty and with lots of “look at me” going on.

So we are all duly looking at her!  It’s her world.

Meanwhile not-so-little Sóley-the-Foalie is strong, fit and well.  She has just about forgotten about missing her Mum, Hetja, and Lilja is a good companion.  Today, we found them flat out asleep together in a pile on the side of the hill out of the wind.  It is good Sóley has her big sister to be there for her. She made an excellent windbreak!

The Minions are a fairly good influence – (said in a steady slightly disbelieving tone).

Their plotting and evilness remains a constant delight in these difficult times.  While they have a leg in each corner, all is good.

“Oh, Lambie (** sigh **).  Why, just why?

You idiot boy.  You did this.  You made this happen.

You were all bouncy-flouncy yesterday morning, and you had a go at ‘Ster and ‘Bert to see if they wanted to have a good butting session and this is the result.  You lost the only nubbin of a horn you had and made it bleed down the front of your head.  You truly are not the brightest star in our firmament.

I really do despair because horns are not your strong point unlike others.”

Even ‘Bert has very slightly more though he did not start the Butting War.  He has been very cautious ever since the Horn Incident of 2019.  He does not take them for granted.

However Lambie did.  Spring is most definitely in the air. There is a definite bounce from the Boyzens and it can only result in tears and a bad mood.

And this is most definitely Lambie’s bad mood face.  Daisy and I had to corner him in the shed, stand astride him and get him a headlock to examine and then spray his head with antibiotic spray.  He hated me all day and only mellowed when we spent a good part of the afternoon sitting outside and talking him down from his misery cloud.

Such a cross face but it is all his own fault.

Happy Muzzah’s Day!