On my way to my shed, I glanced over to check on the ducklings only to see that they had all vanished! Oh, the instant worry, slight panic and dread.

I turned around to see them all walking towards me with great enthusiam. They had learned how to get through a wire fence and had gone walkabout with their Mum.

They were extremely pleased with themselves.

So I opened the gate to their little paddock and shed and told them to go in and think about their behaviour, worrying me like that.  It’s not a ruddy hotel.

The pond has also been discovered.  So far it has just been paddling depth to check the ducklings can clamber in and out successfully. I was told that they can drown if they can’t get out (cue more worry, panic and constant checking for dead drowned ducklings).

This morning Daisy added some more water and they were all in the pond like a shot having a lovely time.

Our ladders have proved very successful too.

They all have learned how to swim.

There has also been lots of washing and preening.

They love all water very much.

I could watch them for hours.  They are very happy now they have a pond.  We will fill it a bit deeper tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the horses are all well though they are not half as fun as watching ducklings learning to swim.

Monster is used to sheep.  He has been around them for a few years now.  Nothing much phases him these days.

We were happily sitting outside in the afternoon sunshine waiting for our equine physiotherapy’s arrival.  Monster was with us, obviously, and therefore a cool dude (or as Flossie called him when she saw this photo “A White Whale” – she has a point).

Out of the blue, Monster found he had a fan.  Maggie. She adores him.

I have absolutely no idea why.

This worship is not reciprocated.

Not even slightly but Maggie won’t be told.

Harrel the Barrel is of course very tame, silly and much loved – here he is under the table where we sit.

Maggie has her tame moments too. They are increasing.

She is trying very hard but finds it difficult sometimes.  She is a tamer version of Madge.  One day she might believe us.

Look at Maggie’s face when she realises the object of all her affection is close by.

And off she goes and off he goes.

But there is no telling Maggie. She is on a mission.

And so they follow the Big White Cat!

Monster tolerates his God like status.

And Maggie is very persistent.  Meanwhile, we all watched and laughed!  Poor Monster (not).

Yesterday afternoon our equine physio, Uwe Abendroth, came to see his patients – Klaengur, Kappi, Haakon and Iacs.

First up was my boy, Klaengur who has been a bit out of sorts recently (tending to lift his head up and rush off for no apparent reason) and subsequently off work.  I had originally wondered if it was his poorly hoof, had his shoes taken off and stopped riding.  Uwe was my next port of call and he said he wondered if there was a lower back injury due to his unnecessary attention to the ladies.  Hmmm….. possibly.

So he had treatment.

Then Kappi was brought in.  Daisy wanted him seen as he is ridden regularly and getting older.

Haakon next. Last year he struggled in winter – stiffened up and lost weight too.  I wanted him set up to be the best he can. He is 27 years old, after all.

Of course, Lambie popped his head round.

He was rather taken with Uwe which is unlike Lambie.

He can be a bit stand-offish with folk he doesn’t know.

But no, Uwe was his new BFF!

As well as support for Haakon. They like each other.

And lastly Iacs…..

…. who apparently has the body of a horse 8 years younger!  He is a year younger than Haakon.

Iacs loved his treatment.

“oooh, just there, that spot, there!”

So, that’s all good.  We are ready for winter plus Uwe gave me exercises to do with Haakon and Klængur and I shall do my very best with this new regime.  I am really glad they have all been treated.  I feel happier now.

The midges are awful at the moment.  Yesterday was bad so we all sought refuge in my shed to play flute trios.  Lambie arrived to give his opinion on our playing and then spent the rest of the time knocking our music stands over.  He likes our playing but can be a bit destructive and attention seeking.  Of course we forgive him and his Winning Smile works every time.

The evening was more than anyone could stand so I let Lambie into the house. He immediately flopped down on BeAnne’s old bed and went to sleep, exhausted from being consistently plagued.  OH tolerated Lambie’s presence on the grounds that he was truly suffering.

And Lambie did behave himself, standing by the front door when he wanted to go outside for pee.  Luckily there was a bit of a breeze so he went off to join his sheepie friends.

This morning was not much better. Again, everyone was very tired from it all. We sprayed all the horses (and I did the sheep when they had their breakfast) and I hope that gave them some reprieve.

However, this afternoon, I was in my shed making a small Sheeple when Lambie arrived.  He just wanted to escape.  It’s been a very trying day for all of us.  Bloody midges!

Tomorrow might be better.

Today was the day so first we made a plan.  We always have a plan. We like plans. Plans are good.

We began by moving our duckpond.

We did this before everyone was allowed out of their house.

There was forethought needed for the construction and building.

The great release. Ta da!

We kept as much of their old stuff around so they it wouldn’t all be new, unfamiliar and smell wrong.

There was some initial exploring.

Later on, I found Mother Duck sitting happily watching her brood. She has done so well and still won’t leave them.  She had a little fly around us which made us smile.

Our chickens are taking full advantage of the unlimited food.  Total blaggers. I am ashamed of them. Apparently Mother Duck had a row with a chicken.  It was wings at dawn.

The little ones are relucant to go anywhere without Mother.  They like the familiarity of their old shed but have moved back into the original one (much bigger) so hopefully they will sleep there at night. It is much easier to shut them in.

So all is good on the ducky-wucky front and I am pleased (if not a bit relieved too).