For a while we’ve been missing a duck. It’s hard to know which one as they all look rather samey.  Obviously we recognise Mr Duck, Mrs All-Black Duck and then there are “four others”…..

This morning, while I was on the phone to my mother (the daily call), Daisy shouted “we have twelve ducklings, got to go to work, bye!”

So I swiftly terminated my call with a swear word (Mum understood), and Floss and I went outside to see the new arrivals.

And, boy, are ducklings difficult to count – eleven in total. Daisy had made a random, if nearly accurate, guess.

So, what to do with Mum and eleven ducklings…..

Well, they couldn’t stay outside. That was very obvious. They would be picked off one at a time by the birds.

And then there was Monster, also now circling with intention.

We had words and I lugged him back to the house, closing the catflap.

Floss discovered a new skill – duck wrangling. I caught Mother Duck fairly easily with the lure of food, and then between us we had to catch and move all the ducklings.  They were not helpful and rather like very cute duck shaped soap!

We’ve given them Lambie’s first shed (the one with wifi, radio, etc) and we made it hopefully duckling stupidity-death-wish proof too.  And now I finally get to use my new bag of chick-crumbs that has sat in our porch unopened since last year!

Mr Duck has also been told of his parental responsibilities.

So that’s them safe for the time-being.  Mother Duck is a very good parent. All the little ones sit under her spread wings keeping warm.  However, I am not optimistic. In the past duck-raising has not been our strength but we will see how we go.

I messaged our equine physio, Uwe Abendroth, last night and showed him two films of Klængur taken yesterday with Stephen Gardiner, our farrier.  He agreed with Stephen that there was something wrong and suggested hot water bottles on Klængur’s back until he gets to us later next month.

So here we are today beginning this course of treatment.

After a while, I took off the covers…..

And doubled up the towel.

Then I rearranged them a bit.

Klængur was very good about all of my faffing about.  I gave him a haynet which he occasionally nibbled at but mostly he just wanted to talk to me.

We had a lovely time together, chatting.

I even groomed him.

And we took a selfie together!

So that’s us – 30 minutes every day and let’s hope it helps. I have also dug out the arnica cream and some pillules and will apply/shovel down appropriately.  His daily TurmerAid will help as well.

Poor old boy.  If Lilja comes back into season, Klængur will be moving bedrooms (ie another field).

Today Stephen, our farrier, visited us.

I call this photo “Waiting for the Farrier”….. Harry kept us entertained so it was no hardship.  He is such a wee fat sossage!

First up was Efstur – a full set on for him.  He insisted on standing like a tripod which was funny to watch.  He is learning how to do this.

Then Dreki, who was very sweet.

Daddy showed them how it was done – ever the professional.

Those that were shod, were all hot shod. No one minded.

Then Kappi who just, as usual, got on with it.

Then it was Sóley and Lilja’s turn – the girlie double act.

Lilja enjoyed having her “nails” done!

And Klaengur? – he had his shoes taken off, and a trim. He is now on full sick leave. He’s done something to his back and has not been right the last two times I rode him. The physiotherapist  is coming up at the end of August and hopefully this will help him or at least give us some kind of way forward.  I am very sad but maybe it can be fixed.  I think possibly having sex with Lilja every ten minutes may have contributed to this situation.

Now this is amazing. I have never seen two foxes (from this year’s litter, I think) “fox-trot”.  It is fascinating to watch them bicker – I turned the sound up for that bit – and then settle down and eat next to each other like nothing has happened.

This was the last film I took at Mum’s the night before we left to come home.

Floss and I eventually got home off the ferry this morning and yes, all my flowers are out, like I thought they would be.

They look beautiful.  I am so pleased.  My earlier efforts have been worthwhile.

I think OH watered them, which was kind.

In other fields, Harry, or as Daisy calls him “Barrelson Ford”, is doing very well. He was thrilled when our car came down the track and bounced all over the place in happiness!

Later on, I sat in the field with him and was duly ignored by everyone else.

Harrel still likes to sit on my knee although he is bigger, and he has beautiful eyelashes.

Of course there were also lots of lovely Minions around to kiss hello.

Daisy has managed the animals beautifully.

No one suffered in our abscence, despite their lies!

The wild flowers are out too.  I am so happy to be home.

Floss and I made it!

We’re on the boat heading home now. A huge relief. It’s been a long trip. This last leg was much easier.

After a good night’s sleep (I slept for ten hours straight!), we were first up for breakfast, and left at 08.30, reaching Aberdeen four and a half hours later. We treated ourselves to a nice lunch, a quick wander into the Apple store to quiz the staff about the merits of their laptops (Floss is on the hunt) and lastly Marks and Spencer’s, whose air-conditioning is sublime, to buy supper for the boat.

The boat is just leaving Aberdeen harbour, as I type. I can’t wait to get home. I wonder if anyone has missed us.