It was a lovely sunrise this morning and look, look blue sky!  We haven’t seen that in a while – it is a most welcome sight as well as that yellow thing in the sky.

While the Icelandic horses ate their breakfast, I sat on a rock waiting to leap up in case anyone went a-thieving.  Kolka finishes first, pushes Iacs off his bucket who in turn pushes Haakon. I make sure this doesn’t happen.

I always try to put a little distance between everyone and Pepper likes to come along so she can hoover up anything that falls.

So, I was sitting on my rock, checking my emails, etc (the best internet connection anywhere is in this field) when someone appeared on my shoulder!

It was an ambush.

And I was Pepper’s prisoner.

There was no escape.

Pepper is full of character and my funny little girl.

And I took this photo later on after a glorious day of sunshine and total calm.  Now we have a week of storms ahead.  It was brief, but it was nice. No, it was wonderful.

Today has been revolting.  Perpetual rain, a vicious northern wind (F8 gusting F10), everywhere is waterlogged and we are all miserable.

I battled over with my three buckets thinking I must be mad but I have to do this as the old Icelandic horses need fuel for their internal central heating.  I couldn’t rug them earlier as I was waiting for them to dry out first and that never happened.

But they all seemed ok about the lack of rugs and were just getting on with their daily lives.

(my constant companion came too)

Monster continues to swallow his antibiotics which are in liquid form and thank you to everyone who has given me invaluable advice on tactics.  We have resorted to a large towel, gauntlets and speed (not the drug, just me being quick with a syringe).  Anyway, today was successful (ie no blood) but Monster is barely talking to me now.  Let’s hope it is helping him.

As it was so vile outside, the Shetland ponies left their grazing to stand in the containers so I put out extra haynets, which were very gratefully received.  Fivla and Vitamin were eating the grass surrounding the house.

Albie got kicked out, as per usual – ever the victim – but he did not starve.  I would never let that happen.

And Newt said he does not share.

Not now, not ever.  Wee hippo.

As you may, or may not, know, OH and I have been umming and aahing about Monster and his lack of appetite.  This has been a very slow decline but now is noticeable.

So, today Monster finally went to see the vet.

First Monster was weighed and he has not lost weight, so that’s good.  I was beginning to think I could see less of him and, as I said to the vet, Monster never refuses a meal and loves eating so this behaviour is not normal for him.

6.5kg Monster, that’s quite a big cat, just sayin’.

But no one mentioned anything about being over-weight so we’ll leave that there.  Not even the vet and he would’ve said.

The diagnosis was that Monster has gingivitis and needs his teeth cleaned.  We were given some antibiotics to clear up any infection (his gums were not pretty) and an appointment was made for next week for “a dental” and I also want him to have a chest x-ray for his asthma.

Monster was very good about everything

Even to the point of climbing back into his travel basket unasked once finished with (and it was quite the fight to get him in on the way there).

So, we’re all home now and I gave Monster his antibiotics (first blood was drawn on OH who was holding him) and I can see the next few days are going to be fun while we continue the course.

Pepper felt very left out.

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything.  There is just so much to do on a daily basis.

And today, while cleaning out the stalls, I noticed one of Skippy’s wheels was not turning. I panicked. I can’t do without Skippy.

When OH came past to collect Pepper for the dog-walk, I asked him if he could look at it. The ways of Skippy are not known to us as I bought it brand new and it has never broken down until today.

So OH jacked up Skippy and took a look.

The dogs had to wait patiently and I am sure they didn’t really mind as it was pouring with rain (note Vitamoobag in the distance trying to catch my eye).

And actually it was fairly simple – the wheel needed to be refitted as it had lost a split pin causing it to go off all wonky.

A few days ago I found this washer on the floor (I kept it) which apparently was part of Skippy’s wheel.  So, reunited and an improvised split pin and all was fixed.

As it was raining, I let the girls in early to graze around the house.  I gave them a bucket of grub too.

And then later on everywhere I went, I kept meeting Vitamin or Fivla.

You can see them wandering past my shed.

They are pretty much my scary neighbours now.

So much to do, so little time.

This morning saw Monika (Sandness Equine Services) and me loading up Tiddles and Waffle to take them to the vet to have blood taken so we could decide upon the best treatment for them.

I thought I could save some money if I took the ponies to the vet and they both loaded beautifully, even Tiddles who can have a bit of a moment about the horsevan when he thinks about it.

Yes, Tiddles you know you do!

It was actually easier than I thought it would be and Waffle was perfect, while Tiddles managed to rear about 2″ off the ground when he was waiting in the van.  It wasn’t very dramatic and he looked like a large chess piece having a bit of a strop so Monika went and comforted him while Waffle had his blood taken.

Once home and we put them back to join their friends again in the field.

After lunch, I let Fivla and Vitamin out to graze the grass around the house.

Seeing Vitamin in the rain made me think she should could do with a little extra weight on her.

Vitamin was very obliging and followed me around telling me how she would like go back into the shed and have an early tea please, possibly two.

So that’s us. We will wait for the blood results next.