Author Archives: Frances

Bloomin’ Cold!

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It was my turn to walk the dogs today.  OH had gone to town, shopping, as we were down to our last carrot – apparently it was pandemonium in our two supermarkets.  As fast as the shelves were being filled, they were being emptied again.

Anyway, I was on dog duty so off we went into the hill field, recently vacated by the Shetland ponies and where the sheep like to spend their day, good weather permitting.

I found everyone at the far end of the field sitting in the heather.

A few came running up to see if I had brought chocolate cake with me. I hadn’t.

Dear little Maggie. Always a lovely surprise.

‘Ster, because if anyone is having chocolate cake, he is not going to miss out.

And not-so-small Gussie who is probably now my biggest sheep.  He maintains his figure by travelling with food in case of emergencies.  Somewhat like a woolly St Bernard dog.

Even Dahlia came up to be stroked.  These days, it is more of a case of where Gussie goes, she follows.  I wonder if she is glad he is still with her.  Probably not.   He can be very annoying.

I saw another potential album cover.

And the others were far away refusing to be hospitable so I left them to it.

It was far too cold to be hanging around being nice. I was freezing and my hands were cold despite new gloves (the kind with a second lining that is determined to turn itself inside out the minute you take them off and you can never get them back on properly again – the fingers will always be just that bit too short with a muddle of lining at the tips!)

Not Talking To….

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We are not talking to Pepper today.  This morning she went a-murdering – two poor pigeons who were doing nothing awful apart from being in the chicken/duck shed probably stealing food.

We told Pepper that she has to think about her crime.

And she did try to.

And now I feel awful that I am cross with her.

Apparently I can apologise for being angry to Pepper whenever I want.  *** sigh *** (oh, that face, that little murdering face).

Escape for the Day

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As Flossie hasn’t left the house since last year – just after Christmas to be precise – I thought we should have a day out.  It would do us both good. And I am also panicking about any potential snow dump that might happen.  After all, if there is a life-threatening snow storm about to hit the USA (please, all stay safe everyone) and mega-snow in Russia (Kamchatka peninsula), then I have to worry.

So I got the horsevan out (first offering up a prayer to the Gods of starting vans) and off we drove to Lerwick, sadly leaving Pepperpot behind.

It was cold, windy with occasional biting rain.  There’ve been no boats for many days so I couldn’t get some of the animal feed I wanted.   Never mind, we have enough for a while, no one is going to starve.  I did, however, get a big bale of hay so now we are well stocked with hay.

Everyone in town is gearing up for Up Helly Aa – held on the last Tuesday of the month.

 

I checked the sheep field in Jamieson’s and kicked myself for forgetting to bring any one. Never mind. OH will go in on Monday and I can send them in with him ready for the cruise ship full of tourists arriving specifically for Up Helly Aa.

We had a nice lunch – our reward for all our recent hard work – and then a quick nip around Tesco’s.  It was very obvious there had been no boats.

Apparently no one likes watermelon.

Or beetroot.

I think (but I could be wrong) the only local produce Tesco will sell here is milk from Shetland Farm Dairies.  There was absolutely no bread in the aisles – which is disappointing because there are at least 8 – 10 local bakeries scattered all over Shetland.  At least the local shops are well stocked with bread.

We went home feeling full (delicious lunch) and with a good supply of hay too.

Always Fair

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I left my pit to pop down to see how the little boys were fairing in this cold weather (wind chill today of at least -5℃).  It was the sort of freezing cold wind that makes your eyebrows hurt.

Anyway, everyone was surprisingly perky – I think it’s because they’re in their new-to-them field and they love it there.  They can also see the others too, which they like (not that the others care or want to be near them).

I had in my pocketses five Pasture Cookies, which I had brought thinking they could have one each as a very special treat.

I fed one to each of them and of course they loved them.

One for you, I said and a kiss on the nosey…

And you….. and you and kept going….

… until I reached Silver. I put my hand in my pocket expecting to find the last carefully counted out treat but nothing! I felt awful.  What to do?  I could leave Silver feeling a bit out of sorts with me and go back to the warmth of the house (my poor hurty eyebrows by now).  But no, I am not that person. Life should never be unfair and I would’ve laid awake all night knowing I had created an injustice. So of course I climbed back up the hill, telling myself all exercise is good exercise, found the errant Pasture Cookie and took it back to feed Silver.  Fairness for all!

Sheep, “Fit the Second”

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Last night after supper, I went back to the sheep shed in the pitch dark (I am scared of the dark) and quickly checked there was no more fighting.  Everyone was peaceful.

This morning the weather remained truly revolting.  Not to be trifled with.  Floss and I threw food at everyone and ran back indoors as fast we could.  We did the whole lot in under 3/4 of an hour, which is quite an achievement.

Later, I went out again.

Even though I had left the field gate propped open, the sheep hadn’t gone out, preferring their shed along with three full haynets, and two lick buckets.

They were happy and calm, so I found myself a spot and sat down on the straw.

(Even Barrel was behaving himself).

First up were the new double-act – Maggie and Gussie.  They are the best of friends.

Lambie is in love with Dahlia, who is not in love with Lambie…..

… even though he is an obvious catch.

And this was as near Madge got to me.  The words “Hell freezes over” sound familiar.

But Gussie was surprisingly chatty.

And this is as near as Lambie got to me today.

Maggie was also demanding attention.  She smiled so sweetly, it was hard not to be her friend.

Bert snuggled up on my left side.  I gave him many hugs, pleased to see he was feeling happier.

….. while these two were on my right.


And then Gussie plonked himself down and settled into the task of chewing his cud.

And then Bert plonked himself down on my left and was very settled too.

Lots of cuddles and stroking.

I stayed for an hour, playing classical music on my phone so we could relax.  I always enjoy being with the sheep like this.  So peaceful, even though it was raging outside.  The gap between Gussie and Bert was where I was sitting, propped up against the wall.