I had to leave my little Pepper-pot busy eating my wellies and the socks that live in them.  I mean how could I be cross with that face?  She is so sweet with more than a hint of wicked.  She’s currently taken to finding a shoe (preferably a slipper) and running through the house with it in her mouth, taking it to the garden!

I had to pop to town for various things – a car check at the garage as I’ve got to drive south on Monday (will say more another time), to get my hair cut so I look clean and tidy for this drive south, a food shop and lastly to top up my sheeple field (note-to-self, they need more white ones – now on my To Do List).

It was a lovely morning, really beautiful but as usual, the street looked deserted.  Wool Week has been and gone and the cruise ships seem to have stopped now, though there might be one or two late ones at the end of the season.

But as I went further down the street, I found out where everyone was – they were busy filming “Shetland”, the tv programme that has put Shetland on the map.

I asked if it was ok if I walked through, otherwise I would’ve had to go the long way round (up and down a few side streets), and was told it was fine.  I didn’t see anyone of interest – just lots of film people standing around looking important.  I shuffled on and got on with my messages.

Little Miss Pepper is on a vertical learning curve.

Although, utterly perfect, she has to learn what is acceptable and what is not.

I enjoy our daily walk in our fields  and I hope she does too.

I encourage Pepper to “look for the mousies” as hunting is part of her genetic make-up.

Although, we probably don’t have the kind of hunting she would like (foxes, badgers, rats. etc…)

When in doubt, Pepper sits down. I think she just met a frog!

But everything has to be investigated.

And off we race because a rabbit strolled past and went home, totally unaware of the small chasing thing behind it!

So Pepper sat down again to consider her options.

And I called her back to me with the help of a pocketful of Dreamies (small cheesey cat treats).

Pepper has a good leap on her.

But this can end up in a splat!

But, “never say never” is Pepper’s motto and she picks herself up and off she goes again.

A darling little girl who listens to her own voices, as my previous and much loved neighbour would’ve commented.

On the way home, Pepper talked to ‘Ster and then chased ‘Bert. We had words and I told her to “go home”.

So she did.

We don’t approve of the sheep chasing, even though they are my sheep. To be fair, Pepper did listen……. eventually.  So much learning to do.

This is the view from my bedroom window first thing.  Not too shabby really.

My morning routine consists of something like this….

I get all the sheep into the big stable for their breakfast (in case they need to stay there – it is a good habit to have).  7 bowls out for 6 sheep.

While Lambie has his own private speshul bowl – I have to stand guard for him against potential marauders like ‘Ster or ‘Bert.

Leaving the sheep in the shed, once Lambie has said he’s finished, I put together five buckets of food (all different except for the girls who get the same) and lug them over to their field where everyone is waiting.

I stand with Haakon (again guarding his bucket for him) listening to the quiet munching and admire the amazing scenery and light.

I have taken to popping 5 carrots in my pocket so that those with less (Sóley and Lilja who only get a smidge for the sake of it), don’t come and hassle Haakon who has more to eat. I see it as not dissimilar to protection money for the Mob.

Buckets finished, removed, carrot payments made, I walk back home, wash the buckets in the stream (think of the last scene of The Jungle Book and yes, I do hum the tune the girl sings).  Then off to find the sheep and to put them, horror of horrors, into a field!

If there is time, there may be sheep hugging.  As you can see, Harrel is almost a grown-up now and definitely one of the lads.

And I haven’t even had breakfast!

Daisy and I went up to the Minions’ field to “do feet”.  It is neverending for obvious reasons.

While Daisy worked her magic on Newt, I was in charge of the front end.  I also had to hold the bag of hoof trimming equipment to keep it out of the way of prying minds and teeth. They had already scattered the contents around the field once.

Storm, and his little friend, then proceeded to be very irritating.

One friend, Albie.

An eternal irritation.

Silver was “helpful”.  I won’t let them nibble or get in the way – that’s not fair on Daisy who is doing all the work.

Then it was Fivla’s turn for her hoof trim.

Of course, she was a stoic and a sweetheart.

She put up with a lot from Albie.

This time it was Newt’s turn to supervise – well, it’s always good to have an expert on hand or hoof, depending on your perspective.

I shoo’ed them all away and told them to “get a job”.

“Seriously, a job?”

So they annoyed each other instead.  Well, that’s a job, I guess!

I took Pepper in the car (as she has to learn to travel) to see the Minions.  They were fine and afterwards as her reward, I took her to the beach to explore.

She was keen as mustard.

And thought the beach was BRILLIANT!

To start with, I kept Pepper on the lead as I was not sure about her recall.

There were so many distractions.

Everything had to be explored.

We pretty much had the beach to ourselves.

The trouble is Pepper is almost totally invisible in any background (my next dog will be fluorescent, I have promised myself).

More exploring.  This was Pepper’s walk so I let her do what she wanted.

And then we met a friend.  They were my almost-neighbours and, after some consultation, we agreed to let our dogs of their leads to play.

Pepper was totally smitten but she behaved much better.  She had nice manners and, although besotted by a bigger dog, she didn’t annoy.  A small someone is going to sleep well tonight and probably me!