Author Archives: Frances

How They Danced

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I received an alert from a friend last night that the Merrie Dancers (aka Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis, Mirrie Dancers) were dancing.

So, I quickly finished up cooking supper and stood outside the back door to see if I could see anything and whether it was worth staying out there.

And yes, they were beginning to rev up.

There was definitely potential so I kept popping outside every few minutes but it didn’t really get going until much, much later.

After supper, I checked outside, saw nothing much (I may be a bit blasé about Northern Lights these days – they’ve got to be pretty spectactular to make me leave my supper or a warm room) and went to my desk in the sitting-room to transcribe my Great Great Aunt Kate’s diaries.  I’ve reached February 1947.  I like to get two weeks done every night and it is not easy – the writing has not got any bigger.

But I had the genius idea to put the Burradale webcam up in the corner of my screen so that if anything kicked-off, I could see it in the comfort of my warm sitting room.

And then the sky really kicked-off.  I ran outside with my phone and took as many photos as I could manage (it was cold and windy) standing from my best vantage point – the compost heap (or Northern Lights Observational Point, as my OH likes to optimistically call it).  A spade is a spade in my language.

I  can honestly say this was the best display of the Merrie Dancers I have ever seen.

This morning wasn’t too shabby either.

While the sun rose, I put Haakon in the garden (shh, don’t tell OH) and took off his sugardine poultice that the farrier had put on yesterday (just to get out any final bit of infection).

Red sky in the morning…. and yes, tonight is F11 with heavy rain.  Meh.

Asking for a Friend

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This morning’s entertainment.

And this evening’s (Isn’t Lambie the most handsome sheep in the sunset?)

Apple Peelings

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I made apple crumble today.  The apple peelings and cores were sitting in the “for animals” box and I thought to myself “who would like this most?”

So I clambered over the fence into the hill field where the Shetland ponies live and decided that, as they had done so well in the storm, they deserved a small treat.

That went down very well with the troops.

However, Albie was not too sure – they were cookers, after all and quite tart.

I know that the ponies like playing with anything, so I put the empty box down for them to investigate or play with.

I knew Newt wanted to see if there was anything inside…..

But the others were not going to let him near it without a small discussion first.

 

Newt made his argument.

Albie lost interest and Waffle almost said no but he had already played with the box so he quickly gave in.

And then box was Newt’s.  Sadly it was empty now but it didn’t stop him having a full investigation because there might be some secrety apple peel/core compartment no one knew about.

 

The ponies are enjoing life at the moment in their hill field, mostly because we are between storms and it is also quite warm – 10℃ which makes a huge difference too for everyone.

Everyone Fed

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I woke up this morning after cat-napping throughout the night, feeling very over-tired and not looking forward to going outside one bit.

But there was a slight lull in the foul weather and, armed with the relevant bucket for the right animal, I went forth.

The Shetland ponies were all waiting for their breakfast, which helped hugely. I hate having to shout for them knowing they would never hear in this storm and then probably starve to death.  Anyway, they ate, argued and wandered off.  So Shetland ponies fed ✅

Then back to the house to get more buckets.

Again, the others all seemed fine and actually beginning to dry off too.

I gave everyone a bit extra, mainly because I wanted them to feel full today in this filthy weather. No buckets went flying, so that was a plus.  Icelandic horses and Shetland ponies now fed ✅

Once eaten, teeth cleaned (Vitamin), eyes de-goobed (Fivla), they all wandered off oblivious to the weather that was going on around them.  I was pleased to see them completely unbothered.

Meanwhile, Gussie and Dahlia had come inside when I went to feed the Shetland ponies.  They made a quick bee-line for the shed where breakfast was being served.

And the haynets (apologies for Lambie looking gormless – he’s been like that all day). Every time I’ve checked up on them, Lambie has been standing there looking, well, still gormless.

Gussie got to grips with the washing up.  So sheep all fed too ✅

It is not fun outside at all and has revved up again for the night.

Preparations For Storm Bram

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I finished my sheep-making work early so I could get all I will need in place for Storm Bram which is revving up as I type.  It’s going to be a doozy according to the weather apps.

I tried to think ahead of what will I need tomorrow, as I probably won’t be able to get into the feed shed – the wind will hit it straight on and the door can be lethal, as in arm-breakingly lethal.

So I got everything out for feeding horses, ponies and sheep and put it in the house porch.  OH does the ducks/hens in the morning.  That’s his job.  There is food and water ready in their sheds.

And shut up the feed shed best I could praying everything would still be standing in 48 hours’ time.

Then Pepper and I told Family Duck to go to bed.

Pepper is very keen on herding ducks.  I have to curb her enthusiasm a little as she can get in front and then panic ensues.

But I got my ducks in a row and off we went, fairly smoothly.

This is where they want to live.  Not with the riff-raff.

This is the riff-raff who muddle along with the chickens too.

As daylight was now definitely going, all the sheep came home, except for Dahlia and Gussie who were nowhere to be seen.  They probably feel safer in a storm out in the field.  I shall do my best not to worry about them.

I showed the sheep their haynets and told them to stay safe.  They know what to do.

So that’s us, ready for whatever is blown at us.  I hope we get off fairly unscathed and also keep our electricity.  See you on the other side.