Author Archives: Frances

Asleep and Sheep

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The old men took the weight off their hooves this morning.

And Iacs had a little snooze as well.

Meanwhile, I title this “The only thing holding you back is your mind”.  Lambie stood there for ages until I ushered him out.

While the horses were sleeping (and I didn’t want to disturb them having read how important it is for them to lie down and sleep properly), I went to spend some time with the sheep.

Gussie

‘Bert

Maggie

And lots more Lambie, as he was in a very good mood and wanted to be beside me all the time, which is very not like him.  I checked to see if it was my birthday but it isn’t. So I wonder what he wanted.  Hard cash, probably.

      

And back to Gussie again who looks huuuuuuuge!  Rotund, some might say.

It might be because Gus-Gus eats a lot.  It will be interesting to see what shape he is after he is sheared – note-to-self, I must find out when that’s going to be.

The Importance of Apple Cake and Deep Sleep

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Under strict surveillance this morning, I made my usual apple cake – I’m trying to use up eggs.

The strict surveillance that I was under.

So now what to do with my apple peel and cores?  Who do I know who would like them?  Let me see.

Spotting Fivla and Vitamin, I gave them the apple bits.

They said nothing to the others and quietly munched them all up (I found nothing left when I was poo-picking later).  I doubt the others even knew there were free apple bits going.

I was in my shed after lunch and everyone was around and about.

I like to look out of the windows every so often to see who is close by.  Haakon came over and plonked himself down.  He wanted to sleep so I ended up leaving my shed much later – in fact I almost made a whole other sheep to go with the one I had just made – so I didn’t disturb him.

I didn’t want to wake up Haakon because I read somewhere that old horses really need to sleep and the fact that he feels he can lie down is good because he will get proper deep REM sleep which is essential to his well-being.

Once Haakon woke up and was standing up and grazing with the others, I packed them all off to their field.

I’ve given up walking them one-at-a-time with a headcollar as that takes forever and they can be stupid to catch so instead I herded them into a group and told them all to “go to bed”.

Mass movement is much simpler.

Luckily, they all know what I mean and they know I will let them out tomorrow to continue on the good grass.

Glorious Day

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Today turned into a glorious day despite Lambie’s best efforts.  He started his day with a mini melt-down about breakfast.  Because he hates sharing or hassle, he ate in one of his many private dining areas.  The others all ate together as usual in their shed.

Once Lambie had finished his two breakfasts, I opened the gate for him and he stood there debating the complexities of life, the universe and everything.

And then Lambie asked for a third breakfast and of course I gave him more as he needs to put on weight since he came out of winter looking rather bleak and thin (and I also have the word MUG tattooed on my forehead and would give him the world).

It was my turn to walk the dogs so I took them over to Clothie (my separeate 5 acre croft) to run around in.  The flowers are glorious now.  Carpets of marsh marigolds.

My first forget-me-not sighting this year.   Impossible to photograph (I don’t know why) but so perfect and that blue….

The orchids are starting up now.

Such breath-taking colour.

 

So, I sat down and, like Lambie, considered the complexities of life, the universe and everything.  My conclusion?  Life was not too shoddy here in Shetland.

Pepper agreed.

Not too shabby at all really and I hope Lambie had a good day too.  Last seen, he was running with his eyes tight shut past the horses who were eating around the house trying to find the fence to bolt under.  He’s not a fan of the horses and ponies as he was chased when he was a lamb by the Shetland ponies.  He’s never gotten over that one and holds a good grudge.

Dull Start but Brightened

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Some of us didn’t even want to get up this morning, let alone go outside…..

…. as it was a dull and rainy start. But I put on my wet-weather gear and went out with the breakfast buckets.

Afterwards I let the wet and soggy horses and ponies out of their field to eat the grass around the house. Bibble just followed me round looking hopeful.

I decided to make my statutory hand-felted sheep this morning and was met by Fivla who I could tell had designs on my little shed where I work.

She reckoned it was just the right size for a small Shetland pony trying to shelter from the rain (and I probably wouldn’t have minded if she had come in as she is very well-behaved and has been in the house before – tell no one!)

Bibble lurked by, of course.

Once finished making sheep, I returned to the house only to find that Monster might have moved downstairs but he certainly hadn’t woken up.

And, being Shetland, the weather changes very quickly and the afternoon turned much brighter. I drove to West Burrafirth with a friend and her dog (on lead) and we went for a walk.

The views were stupendous.  I hadn’t been here before.  Definitely somewhere to remember.

So that was my day, and how was yours?

Flute Practice

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On very rare days, I practice my flute. I will admit that I don’t practice very often, and obviously I know I should, but, you know, stuff gets in the way and then I forget.

But today, I thought I would have a shot, having played my part of the duet (2nd Flute) barely adequately yesterday.  Sunday morning is always a good time to play the flute.

The old folk were already out and eating around the place.

I think the green grass is making a difference. I can see that Haakon and Iacs look less bleak now.

So I went over to my wee shed, got my flute out and played a few pieces accompanied by Youtube.  I don’t ever practice with scales etc (because it is very boring), but usually just play pieces I like through and then start on another.  The musical accompaniments on Youtube along with the music are a great way to practice.

And I was interested to see the horses appear, one at a time to either listen or fall asleep.

And so I played for well over an hour.  This was my last piece and forgive me for sounding flat and with a few (many) duff notes.  I was tired by now.

Amazingly, Iacs had stood and listened to me for the whole time, which I found lovely.

When Iacs woke up, I was already putting my flute away.  He seemed appreciative of my playing.

Haakon just made polite noises.

And with that the auditorium was empty, apart from a few ducks.

Everyone went back to eating somewhere else.  It was rather odd playing for sleeping horses, but in a nice way.