Obviously everything Lilja does, Sóley has to copy because Lilja is her big sister and that’s what little sisters do.

Copying her beautiful older sister is not always easy.

It takes some skill.

But like all work-in-progress, practice is the answer.

Lots and lots of practice.

According to K. Anders Ericsson, a psychologist, (and the theory was later popularised by Malcom Gladwell), it takes 10,000 hours to become world-class at anything. That’s just 416 full days.

I think Sóley is nearly there now.  I love watching her run.

 

And there you are – Sóley is beautiful too, like Lilja.  She is flying.

Tomorrow, it is the Minion’s turn with the photos.  Think more functional than aesthetic!

We have some grotty weather ahead so Floss kindly walked down and opened the gate to let the hordes through.

The hordes did not need asking twice and at one stage I had ten horses/ponies galloping straight at me!

While I stood in the middle of the field with my camera, I happily snapped away trying to capture the moment.

Lilja (and Sóley) flew around the field together enjoying this “new” field.  They haven’t been here for a few months.

The Minions were less interested (food!) so the Icelandic girls enjoyed the moment and ran and ran.

It was beautiful to watch.

The more I see Lilja, the more I can see she is growing up to be a very special lady.

Although not as tall as her brother, Dreki, she is a lovely shape with a gorgeous head.

Very like her dear father, Taktur.

And I put this photo in because, well just because really.  I like her shape and exhilaration..

Lilja will start her training next year and that is a very exciting prospect ahead.  Something to look forward to.

Lilja is a truly beautiful mare.

Took the old men out for a blast.  They were on flying form and there is certainly nothing retired about these two. It is embarrassing.  I possibly walk more on Klængur!

At 26 and 25 years old – guys, come on.  This should be a slow ride.

Daisy and I also had a nice ride on Klængur and Kappi.  The two ginger ninjas enjoyed their new shoes and we certainly had our money’s worth!  Lots of lovely tölt. So good for the soul.

After lunch, I went to collect BeAnne’s medication, food and syringes and took the scenic route home.

Garderhouse Voe

Silwick

Looking down to Fitful Head at the south end of the island.

Westerwick

Looking at Grossa Stack.

It was a perfect day.  Rain tomorrow apparently.  Meh but the grass is growing and my horses tell me they want a day off!

 

The farrier came today so the whole family had to be involved too.  Monster looked on.

We had full sets of shoes put on for Taktur, Kappi and Klængur.

Dreki and Efstur’s hooves were trimmed and rasped.  For the youngsters, who will one day be ridden, I think it is better for the farrier to trim them properly rather than me/Daisy attempting this.  Hoof shape will influence how young bones and muscles grow and develop.

Her Maj luckily she gave up today’s suicide mission and went to bed. She was exhausted from trying to kill herself under everyone’s feet.

Then down the road for Hetja and Brá’s pedicure and on to the Minion field for Sóley.

So that’s that for another few weeks.  A necessary job well done.  Daisy and my trimming/rasping work was approved of, so that was a relief and a bit of a pat on the back for us.

I haven’t been to Yell (the next island north) for ages (2017 last time).  A friend asked me to go on a day trip with her and so off we went.

Obviously it involved the twenty minute ferry trip from Toft (mainland Shetland) to Ulsta (Yell).

It was a perfect blue-sky day.

We decided to drive on the scenic coastal route around Yell and when The White Wife was mentioned, I said I would love to see her.

She was not easiest to find and, after one false start and a bit of a wander, The White Wife was located.

She just looked like she was waiting, forever waiting.

And what is her history?  The lady stands looking out across the bay, with a Bible held to her chest.  She is the reconstructed figurehead of the Bohus, a German sail training vessel which sank at the Ness of Queyon in 1924, with a crew of 39, many of them young cadets, and the loss of 4 lives.

Made of wood and in bad need of repair/restoration.  I suppose the elements are less than kind to her and she takes quite a battering.

We drove on and Yell was glorious.

One of my favourite pastimes is going into local shops to see what treasures are inside and so we stopped at “Mary’s shop” in Aywick – truly a goldmine of incredible finds. If they don’t have it, you don’t need it!

And then on up to the north of the island – Cullivoe.

And I met a lady who does very clever things with fleece – she makes the most perfect natural fleece rugs (‘Bert and ‘Ster – where are your’s? – I have a plan).

And then lastly on to see some old friends – one of my most favourite Shetland ponies – Wubby.

I tell myself he remembered me.

He was just the same as ever.

Plus these two hopeful angels – Rody and Fraser.

What a wonderful day. It did me the world of good. I needed to have some time away.

Now off to find ‘Bert and ‘Ster’s fleeces……