Daisy and I walked over the hill to my other croft, Clothie, which I can see from the house – where the old men and Klængur (I refuse to call him old because he isn’t. He is only 17) live.  Iacs is 25.

and Haakon is 26.  Iacs and Haakon are cousins.  You can sort of tell.

Her Maj came too.  There was enthusiasm and delightful running with a hint of bounce over the tussocks.

Daisy brought carrots and some cauliflower stalks (Haakon and Iacs’ favourite) – and there was more enthusiasm for them too.

BeAnne asked if could continue our walk and, as we are close to lambing time now (I won’t take her on the hill or the road) we went through the garden and down to another field.

There’s a bit of colour just starting in the garden and OH did his first grass mow of the year.  He needs to let me put the ponies in. That would save him the effort. Sadly, he does not see it like this.

And down to the stream to check on the wild primroses which are in full bloom now.

So that was us.  Tomorrow is rain but I tell myself it will make the grass grow.  We haven’t had proper rain for a while.  I almost miss it!

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day. Today less so.  Still no lamb.

Edna came to sit beside me and chew her cud.  We had a long discussion about potential motherhood, ie not leaving me in the lurch, not walking into the burn with wee-lamb upon arrival (apparently lambing is thirsty work and the ewes do this afterwards, drowning offspring as they go) being nice once wee-lamb arrives and other general stuff.  Edna is a dear sweet girl – she really is and I am so pleased she is with us, even for her last years.

Madge looked on from a safe distance.  Probably wise but she edged nearer and sat down.

Everyone is much more relaxed about BeAnne too, which is good.  We have had words about being mean and not giving her a bunt at the front door.

After sitting together and having our good long chat about potential motherhood, I went to the burn to see if the marsh marigolds were flowering.

I am always pleased to see them. They are such a vibrant colour.

BeAnne had a little potter too. She has good days and bad. This was not a particularly good day for her. She was very tired and vacant.  Some days I really wonder if we are doing the right thing.

But she perked up after a nice roll in some duck poo.

And so I sat by the stream and filmed it. I hope you enjoy it. This is my favourite spot.  The place I go to in my dreams when I just want to relax.

Efstur and Daisy’s training is going well.  We have gone down the bitless bridle route, for the time being, as Efstur fussed and was distracted with a bit in his mouth and it wasn’t working well for him.

Although apprehensive about starting Efstur bitless (new territory for us) we realise that if that is what he likes and goes well with, then let’s see.  Daisy did her research and bought one that “hugs the head” – a cross-under one.

So, we started on the lead-rein, with me walking alongside and have migrated now onto a lunge line.

Up until recently, Daisy has just kept Efstur in walk so he can get used to the aids as well as  weight distribution with a rider onboard.  He is actually very balanced and apart from always (absolutely always) looking back at Daisy’s feet – each one – when she mounts, he hasn’t really said anything.  He has a huge amount of wanting to do the right thing, which is always helpful.

Efstur’s trot is sometime tölt but he is going forwards and listening, so who cares.

And today was the first day Efstur and Daisy went solo around the edge of the school – so many firsts – the track in both directions (some days he is forgets how, no lead-rein, no lunge, bitless…)

Training is coming along well. We go slowly because that is what works best for Efstur.  His sunny sensitive nature doesn’t like rushing and in return he takes it all in, listens and learns.

These two are very good together.  I would watch this space.

Look who was waiting to meet us this morning?

Despite our kind neighbour’s generous offer of two pick-up tyres that fit perfectly around the buckets, a certain small chap has not been deterred from his swimming practice.

Yes Waffle!

He was wet which means there had been muchos splashing.  Perhaps the tyres just add to the fun. Like a good springboard.

We had words.  Well, I had words and Waffle refused to look guilty or like he remotely cared.

The buckets were refilled and I made sure everyone had a good drink.

Well, that’s all I can do.  Like I say, boringly, they have easy access, if they walk, to streams and a loch.

Afterwards, I shooed them all away and Waffle did his usual smirking while he cantered off to join his friends.

And then I came home to sit in the sunshine with these two who were having a lovely little chat!

Oh, and I made this for The Golden Paste Company

I went down to the burn to take photos of our wild primroses.  Obviously I took my little friend, Her Maj who insisted on going paddling.

My back was turned and I suddenly noticed she was off, swimming upstream and then she vanished!

(sorry for shaky video)

Anywho, she came back and stayed with me while I continued to take photos. It involved us both standing in the stream to get to them.

This part of the stream has a wall on either side of primroses interspersed with celandine.

Down stream they give up.  The primroses always grow in this spot.

After our little adventure, we went into the other field where the sheep were, all five.  I sat on a rock while BeAnne pootled about, coming back occasionally to check I hadn’t moved.  The sheep came up for a chat and Lambie sat down with me.

We are all making the most of this fabulous weather.

And it is lovely to enjoy the sunshine with BeAnne.