The Minions love to be brushed.

Well, everyone except Tiddles who hates it.  He is the exception so I mostly don’t bother.  He  runs away and I would miss out on my daily kiss.

Waffle is always first in my brushing queue, as is Albie. They arrange themselves almost under the brush so I can’t avoid them even if I am brushing someone else.

Storm likes to “help” in his way.

The chaps don’t look bad after a brush. I have been using mane and tail conditioner too in the hope it will prevent rainscald which usually starts appearing this time of year – Vitamin and Newt are the most prone. I have no idea why.

Fivla is not a huge fan of this attention but I can do bits before she gets fed up and walks off. She stays around, though, hopeful we will remember that this time last year she and Vitamin had a daily bucket of food.

We haven’t needed to feed either of the old ladies extra yet.  They are doing well this winter.

I was updating The Cast on the blog, which I haven’t done for a few years. I found Vitamin is 28 years old – the same age as Haakon (who is busy running away).  They are both looking great.

I spent a lovely bit of the morning brushing Minions and checking they were alright after yesterday’s storm.  They were all happy, fine and obviously very, very handsome.

When I got home, Floss and I executed our latest plan to move the horses to slightly less muddy fields.  First we opened the gate and called Taktur, Efstur, Kappi and Dreki over. They cantered over, through the gate and were gone. Fine. Perfect. We thank you.

Then Floss caught the girls (Sóley and Lilja), while I put headcollars with ropes on Klængur, Haakon and Iacs. We decided to move them in one go with Floss leading the girls and I would take Klængur and possibly either Haakon or Iacs.  Someone could follow.

No chance.  Haakon and Iacs set off up the track!

So, once we had the others in their new field, we went after the Old Men.

And they knew we were coming for them.

There was even a massive hooray-buck from Haakon as they looked back and saw us.  They then set off up the track at a faster pace.

Floss was faster than me on her legs and she collected the horses at the cattle-grid.

Haakon and Iacs should be jolly thankful because two silent cyclists whisked past behind them just as they turned to come home with Floss.

The girls and Klængur were waiting patiently for their friends to come back.

We told Lilja we loved her and her sister the most (Klængur would’ve gone if he could’ve).

Yes, we do.

We most definitely do.

I never thought Haakon would do that. Iacs? Yes. Not Haakon.  He knows better.

A shitty day, a really shitty day. The wind hasn’t stopped blowing and the final straw was hail alongside a 75 mph blast.  Floss and I struggled to get the hay nets (No 2 of the day) out while being attacked by fire ants on a mission. It hurt. We were unhappy as the wind picked us up and pushed us along – it was quite scary at times.

I alternate between feeling really sorry for the horses – this is mostly when I am indoors and it looks awful outside – and then thinking they are all fine, as we lug another hay net out to them all while they are busy playing. No one is shivering or cold. Yes, wet and fed up but I honestly think they would hate to be inside far more. They get very panicky if they are in for a long time. It does no one any favours and they are built for this.  I reminded myself of this all day.

When I went over to check, the Minions were having a lovely game so I threw  carrots at them. Arguing obviously keeps them warm. They have plenty of shelter and food so no worries there.

We’ve all battened down the hatches and now we have a power cut – I have given up for the evening.

Floss and I cooked supper (a Korean chicken thing with homemade kimchi) in almost pitch dark with head torches – I mean who chooses the most complicated recipe to prepare ?- well, that would be me then! I never learn.

The lights have just come back on and all we can think is the hydro folk are incredible – out in a Force 11/12 trying to get our electricity back.  It is not nice out there.

I’m going to bed now – ok, it is 7pm but I don’t care – like I said, I’ve had enough of today.

The weather is deteriorating today ready for full scale war overnight and tomorrow – rain and a serious storm are forecast.

But it is warm – double figures so no rugs.

“Yes, Haakon, no rug because you know what happens when you wear one. You just stop moving and that is never good for you.”

Meanwhile the sheep have all hunkered down.

They all know where they want to be.

And Madge is not stupid.  She has all she needs.

In the house, the fire is lit, I have a nice large cup of tea and I think I will update the Thordale website and the Cast List to this blog as it is very out-of-date.

Wish us luck for tomorrow. It’s not looking nice – gusting 75 mph winds.

Today was one of those days – the if it could wrong, it would go wrong day. So it did.

The horsevan wouldn’t start. It very convincingly died.

I will admit I shouted at those who didn’t need shouting at (but fer cryin’ out loud, Edna, please stop ramming the front door after your biccy ration in the hope you will get more).

In a furious temper, leaving the van which had now immobilised itself, in the capable hands of my OH, I drove over to check the Minions. They did their best to cheer me up and tried so hard. There were moments when I forgot my van problems.

On my way out having resigned myself to driving to Lerwick in the car and putting 6 bales of hay in it (resulting in a huge mess), I phoned OH to say please put the spare battery on charge and we could have another shot at de-immobilising the van, when he said it was now running.  Feeling a bit more cheered but nervous, I went home, collected the van and drove to Lerwick to collect hay.

I didn’t turn the engine off all day!  I just didn’t dare.  The van goes to the garage (if we can start it) on Monday.

Once home, I said my sorries.  I doubt I will ever be forgiven though.