Home for Christmas

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Daisy came home yesterday but she didn’t see the sheep as they had already gone out into their field for the day and then straight to bed when it got dark.

So, this morning Daisy came outside to help with the morning chores – it took half the time.  All the sheep came up to meet her.

Especially Lambie.  He came running, all smiles and got a fuss from Daisy.

And then he deliberately turned and gave me this look!  Like I was now redundant as his Muzzah.

Flossie came home later this morning and now my house is beginning to feel Christmassy.  It is lovely to have them both home and something I really do appreciate.

The tree is up and the house is decorated.  I am happy.

Where Do They Go?

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Most mornings (except when the weather is beastly), I lead the sheep out to their field of choice.

Currently, they all want to go into the same field as the Shetland ponies, which is absolutely fine.  Less grass for fat little ponies then.

But I do wonder where the sheep all go for the day.  It is a large field (26.26 acres or 10.63 hectare to be precise) and, once they are out of eyesight, they could be anywhere, even out of the gate at the back which has a nasty habit of breaking it’s manky rope during a good gale……

As I was on dog-walk duty today, I decided to find out where the sheep went during the day.  I found them right at the back of the field, somewhat near that gate I mentioned (luckily still shut).

This part of the field is fenced in apportionment (ie, hill) so it is rough grazing which is perfect for everyone.  No rich lush grass for fat little ponies or sheep.

Everyone was nearby.

All except for Gussie and Maggie, who seem to be a couple at the moment.

‘Tis the season when the boys are going around asking “do you have a boyfriend?”  ‘Bert was trying his luck with Dahlia who ignored him completely.

So I had to content myself with taking photos of the ones who were close by.

‘Ster

And ‘Ster not looking quite normal.

Dear ‘Bert

He has a very honest face.

Barrel trying his best.

And Dahlia who originally came rushing over and then decided as I had no food, I was not worth talking to.

Still, it was nice to know where they spend their day.

I also went over to talk to Gussie and Maggie but they were too busy looking for the hill ram to drool over.

The weather was beginning to turn, so I called the dogs and we walked home.  The sheep all followed when it got dark and went to bed.

 

My Creepy Neighbour

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This was the view that greeted me when I opened the back door while I was cooking in the kitchen (making eternal soup).  I was being watched by Iacs.

I had no idea what he wanted!

The others were all away eating but not Iacs. He was standing there just watching.

“I’m watching you, Wazowski. Always watching. Always”

So I went outside in my slippers (so not exactly prepared for traipsing through our wet muddy garden) clasping two carrots that I happened to bring with me.

Just in case, because you never know (believe me, I knew).

And I was lucky because, only out of politeness and because he was “brung up proper”, Iacs ate them for me.  Phew!

I had a quick look around to see where everyone else was and whether they would come a-begging carrots, but they hadn’t noticed so that was a relief.

Iacs had scoffed the lot by now and it would mean more traipsing back and forth to the house to get everyone’s fair share.  I didn’t want to do that as it was beginning to feel a bit soggy under foot in my slippers

I am Weak

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Today has not been nice, weather-wise.  A lot of wind with some vicious sporadic rain showers.

Even Lambie turned around and asked to come back inside appalled at the thought of being outside all day in, horror of horrors, a field!

I think Lambie secretly wanted to be in the house where he sometimes remembers he once lived and belonged until he ate computer cables and was evicted by OH.

Today, I mostly stayed indoors wrapping presents trying to vaguely ready for Christmas.

Anyway, while it was swiftly getting dark, I was getting everyone to bed (ducks/hens/sheep) and I met five pathetic Shetland ponies sheltering behind a small wall in their huge field saying they had nothing. So, having said I wasn’t opening the wee shed, I opened the wee shed and led Tiddles in so he knew it was there, and the others could watch or follow him inside.

I think I have just started “Shed Wars”.  In fact I know I have.  *** sigh *** Let the games begin (and the mucking out)!

Ted Time

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Today was Ted’s day.

He started it looking like a greasy Muppet and came home this evening looking much changed – very handsome.

This is not an easy transition for Ted – he loathes going anywhere on a lead and manages to get into a very unnecessary lather about the whole scenario.  The journey in the car never goes well either.

But we reached Scalloway in good time and I happily handed Ted over to Coni of Hundr Dog Grooming (albeit a little early too, sorry Coni), and ran away to drive over to Lerwick. I wanted to finish my Christmas shopping.

The street was not humming with the merry excitement of Christmas shoppers.  The place was derelict.  A few shops were busy, though, so that was encouraging.

There were some good Christmas windows too – this is Jamieson’s.

A few hours later, chips eaten (late lunch) and most of my shopping done, I drove back to Scalloway ready to collect a now-beautified Ted.

And he is officially gorgeous.  Coni has done a wonderful job and our greasy Muppet has been transformed into a Handsome Prince.

(There was a quick Christmas photoshoot so we can show the world!)

Photo by Coni Irvine, Hundr Dog Grooming

So a huge thank you to Coni.

Photo by Coni Irvine, Hundr Dog Grooming

We both know it was not an easy or pleasant job as Ted was probably at his most unhelpful.

Photo by Coni Irvine, Hundr Dog Grooming

But mission accomplished and Ted can now greet the Christmas festivities looking his very best.

Photo by Coni Irvine, Hundr Dog Grooming