It’s Daisy’s last day before she goes south again so we went into the stable to put the rugs away, followed by these two inquisitive sheep (Maggie and her son, Harrel-the Barrel).

Last year, Daisy catalogued all the horse and pony rugs – no mean feat, I can tell you – and then I went and looked for rugs disturbing the “library”.  We needed to sort it all out again.  Plus many rugs had been sold/given away and needed to come off the list.

We sorted everything into various piles and drawers.

Categories were:

• Rugs I don’t need immediately but shouldnt be thrown away (bottom 2 drawers), ie for when the Minions get older, plus various stable rugs in case anyone is shivering and needs to come in to warm up.
• Sheep rugs – I like to be prepared and no one is getting any younger.
• Rugs to grab easily for Fivla and Vitamin, even in summer – two rainsheets each and a rug with fill as well.
• Rugs for the big ones in winter – two rainsheets and a rug with fill for each of them as they don’t like going inside in winter but need to keep warm.

This was my pile that I went through again and mostly put back, much to Daisy’s horror. I had to justify each rug I was keeping.  She was tough.

And I got it down to this smaller pile to give away or go to the tip.

Et voilà – a lovely tidy space.

A place for everything and everything in its place until I need it quickly and just throw it all on the ground to find the one I want.

And then Daisy and I can start all over again…….

I went to town this morning for various messages and saw some old friends for a catch-up.

The town was fairly buzzing as there was a massive cruise-ship – 2,100 passengers wandering around.  I did all I needed to do without my shopping list which I had left at my first stop, the animal feed merchant.  I then had to wing it for the rest of the day, which was very annoying and when I returned home, I realised I had forgotten the main reason I needed to go to town!  Isn’t that just the way?  I will have to go back or find someone who is going.

But one of the items I bought, that wasn’t on the shopping list, was celery which was on special offer.  I know that the Minions love this, so I bought four bags and thought it would make a nice treat for them.  Something different.

When I got home, Daisy and I took two of the bags down to the track.

Everyone wanted some.

Lots of munching and crunching.

And then it was all gone but I have two more bags for tomorrow.

Apparently celery is high in Vitamin K and I have absolutely no idea what that actually means. (goes off to research the benefits of eating celery while wondering it Vitamin K is a made-up vitamin. I thought it makes you pee).

Well, that’s us for another year.  Flossie has gone back south and we will all miss her hugely.

Floss and Newt

I listened-in while she said goodbye to Fivla, who has always been her beloved special pony – “You have got to be here the next time I come home”, she said  (*** sniff ***).  I totally agree but we all know this is never a certainty when everyone is very old.

Floss and Fivla

We sat down on the bank by the stream and Newt came over to make Flossie laugh.

And then he went through her pocketses just in case.

A small little hobbit, that’s Newt.

I love this photo very much.

And then Albie arrived, as he was with Newt keeping him company.

It’s always good to see Flossie whenever she wants to come home.  I wish it was more but she is new to her job so has very few holidays and she is saving them in case there is an emergency here, which is very sweet of her.

I’ve been meaning for ages to brush out the winter coats from all the horses and ponies but then I realised we were going to have visitors and they might like doing this.

So I suggested brushing might be a fun activity for all.

And, yes, everyone grabbed a brush, a pony and brushed out all the old winter coats.  We only had to tie up the unco-operative ones, like Vitamin and Tiddles.

I think the ponies were much happier to lose their heavy itchy winter coats.  Recently, I have been watching them rub their bottoms on all my fences.  I also put on their yearly insecticide treatment afterwards to kill any unwanted beasties.

The dogs were very good, sitting close by and enjoyed watching us working hard.

And all the ponies behaved beautifully, standing patiently while they were brushed, except for Tiddles who kept walking away, hence the headcollar.

And, yes, Waffle tried to get the bottle of mane/tail conditioner. I watched him trying very hard to unhook it off the fence.   He does like toys.

So, job done and thank you very much to everyone who participated and helped.  I can tick that job off my to-do list.

The thing with visitors, which is always nice, is that I have the excuse to take them to places that I’m always meaning to go to.

So Steph and I went in search of cake and, where better, but our Cake Fridge which is full of delicious home-bakes and it really is a fridge on the side of the road.

Alongside is a delightful tea-room with Lovely Things available to buy in the accompanying craft shop.  I was in heaven, I won’t lie.

And the cake is fabulous – we bought a large variety (and I returned for more for Eurovision tonight).

Down the road was a field of Shetland ponies – mares and foals.

So, of course, we had to go and take a look.

Divine.  Darling little peoples.

Another short drive and we reached another of our destinations – the Burn of Lunklet.  Now, I have never been here and have always been meaning to. I’ve driven past it enough times.

This involves a walk – not a long one, but still a walk.

And off we set along a rather spongey path but it was mostly dry.

Steph and I both thought, at one point, “is this it?” as we walked along the side of the burn (stream) feeling rather under-whelmed.

And then we turned a corner and saw this beautiful waterfall.

So yes, most definitely worth it.

I am feeling slightly smug now that we went and also came home with large amounts of great cake.

My verdict; The Cake Fridge is well worth a visit in so many ways (cake and crafts), and the Burn of Lunklet is beautiful (but keep going until you see it – accept no imitations).