Author Archives: Frances

Wall of Primroses 2026

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It was rugs off again this morning and I heaved them into the shed to hang up and dry.

I have realised that I must wean myself off the rugs as the horses and ponies don’t need to be wearing them in the sunshine and the temperature has gone up a little.  I am the one with the problem. I admit it and I need to tell myself that no one will actually melt if it rains.

So, after giving myself a stiff talking to about my rug problem, I took the dogs down to the stream, which is very peaceful.

Whenever a therapist tells me to think of quiet place, this is where I always go.  There is absolutely nowhere better.

  

And I know I was whingeing on about how the wild primroses weren’t really very good this year, well now I take it all back.  They have suddenly gone mad and are everywhere.

They grow like scrambled eggs on both sides of the burn’s banks, in huge voluptuous clumps.

They seem to compete happily with the celandine too.

So, a very good effort this year from both celandine and wild primroses. I am very impressed and love the fact that this abundance of colour is in my field totally unaided by anyone.  Nature at its best.

Meanwhile, in sheep-land, ‘Ster’s medicine has finally arrived, though he has been living off my homemade version while we waited.

I am encouraged that he is a bit brighter now – he has had two doses of antibiotics and the homemade drench daily.

Tomorrow ‘Ster will get his measured dose of the packet stuff syringed down and let’s hope it breaks up the renal calculi.  I did also note that he is now peeing ok (ish) and seems much less miserable so, please God, that he is on the mend.

To Town (hay) and Ponies

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I’m not sure what really happened today.  Nothing huge – so really my type of day. I started by going into town in the van (mostly to see if it still ran) and brought home a huge round bale of hay because the Shetland ponies will be eating that all spring and summer now.

The ponies need something because absolutely no grass is growing on their track and they mustn’t starve (apparently).

It’s the unforgiving north wind. Temperatures are right down.

Anyway, the van did start and went fine which was a big phew for me.

I have a headache now which possibly means I was stressing about the van as it is 2012 so 14 years old and can be a bit grumbly at times.

So I drove in, bought the hay, and came straight home, stopping for no one. I took Pepper with me as company and she was very good, saying hello to anyone who wanted to talk to her.

And then I’ve been practising “hairdo’s” on Newt.  None of them work very well, though.  He is difficult to find the right style.  I haven’t nailed it.

Little “bovver” boy…..

There are no words.

And then Jedward?  Oh dear.

I think my headache just got worse.

My Westside Tour

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We had a visitor and I asked her if she would like to go for a drive to see a little of the Westside of Shetland, ie all the places I think are pretty spectacular.  The weather was vile.  Most of our photography was from the warmth and shelter of the car.

So we started with the Dale of Walls beach, which is set in a perfect little cove with Foula in the distance dead centre.

Then to Norby beach in Sandness.

Lots of lovely colours and we had a quick walk and then the weather descended into sleet.

If you think it looks cold, I can confirm that it jolly well was.  We had the beach to ourselves most of the time too.

Sandness hill in the background from Norby beach.

Loch of Norby

Bousta, Sandness

A bird of some description. It was huge – I thought was an otter at first.

Peats stacked, ready to dry out.

Looking over Brindister Voe to the east. Every single wind turbine was switched off.

My favourite kirk – West Burrafirth Chapel

It was sadly closed and slowly falling to bits.

More scenery.

These are Horizontal Mills – there are three of them.

From Canmore – “The Norse, or horizontal, mills ….. are typical examples of a once-common type of water mill found in Shetland, Orkney and Lewis. The mill used one wheel (tirl) with blades mounted on a horizontal plane, driving a single pair of grindstones. This simple design meant that multiple mills could be built on a length of stream, with a family or small partnership each owning their own mill.”

So, if you come and visit and you want to see some of my favourite local places, this is where I will take you.

Bloody Winter Again!

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A cold but dry morning and I gave everyone their breakfast wishing it would be warmer.

I managed to hide away Vitamin and her bucket so she could eat in peace….

…. but failed with Fivla. She stuck out like a sore thumb because she wouldn’t go into the little sheep-pen with Vitamin (she felt crowded and mildly hysterical).

I also tucked Kolka around another corner to try and keep her from marauding everyone else.  She always eats very quickly and then goes on the rampage.

Over the day, it got increasingly colder and I collared Mandy, who came over to play flute duets, to help me put on rugs again.  We are all very fed up with winter.  These days, it is the gift that just keeps on giving.

So we started with Tiddles who offered to put on his own rug and I put out the haynets too.

I gave the Shetland ponies an extra haynet as the grass isn’t growing in these low temperatures.  No one minded or said no thank you.

Then we went out to the other field and I caught, Mandy held, and I put on everyone’s rugs.  This lot are going to need it – although there is no snow forecast (I pray), but it is going to be very cold over the next few days.

Oh yes, and I did a few more hairstyles to cheer myself up.

I think you will agree that Waffle suits his lucious locks.

But, hold the phone, Ted looks positively regal.  It could not be better (Mum would’ve loved this).

Anyway, back to moaning about the weather. It’s my new hobby or as those influencers are always saying “it is my new obssession!”  (shudder).

Rugs Off!

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It was a lovely sunny day so I took off everyone’s rugs and was surprised that they almost looked like they are putting on weight.

They look less bleak anyway.

And then, after worming everyone (and, yes, I am wearing it myself as well in a rather fetching smear across my shirt), I opened the gate into the big field. This is where they will spend the next few months, leaving the other fields to grow back for when we need them again.

So that’s everyone wormed now and I’ve written it in my Farm Book to remind myself when it was done as I always forget.

I also managed to grab ‘Ster this morning to givce him his homemade ammonium chloride drench and painkillers much to his disgust.  I also had in my pocket two ginger biscuits as a reward for my heinous ministrations.  The ammonium chloride stinks so it probably tastes disgusting too.  I am praying it is working, though as that is all we have to treat him.

;Ster took it like the top chap that he is.  And the biccies.  Such a dear boy.

Tiddles’ rug came off too.  He has his container to run to if he gets cold.

And one day, who knows, I might brush everyone but it’s a bit early for that yet and far too much like hard work.