I’m not going to lie, my anxiety is at out-of-this-world levels.  Iacs is on the boat, as I type, and sailing home tonight, arriving tomorrow at 8 am.

His operation was successful, in as much as they got him to let down, did laser surgery and removed 13 tumours (yes, 13).  Then Iacs had localised chemotherapy as well so the best has been done for him.

Iacs came out of all of this operation very well until he had an episode of colic yesterday.  Anxiety ↑↑↑ 💣.  I was pacing around the house, feeling sick with worry but knowing he was in the best hands and place.  Daisy drove over 300 miles to give him a hug yesterday, which was lovely – sniff.  I am sure he was thrilled to see her.

Today has been better and the vets have prepared Iacs for his long journey home (naso-gastric fluids and electrolytes just before his trip).  I have the freight boat crew giving him sloppy feeds through the night while I climb the walls with worry.  Every time the phone rings, I want to throw up or cry.  Daisy and I have spent the day in our separate locations trying to keep busy. I believe Daisy even did housework!

I will collect Iacs from the docks tomorrow morning and I know everyone will be thrilled to see him home.

Meanwhile, Haakon has no forelock.

While Kolka has her’s.

And Mr Ducky has managed to get back in with Mrs Ducky #1 and her ducklings. I don’t know how he manages this but he has but all appears calm and far less fraught.

I am quietly hopeful things will remain like this but they are all under constant surveillance.

I will be happy once Iacs is home. Daisy and I can breathe out then but not before.

Today I decided, wisely or not, to let Mrs Ducky #1 out with her ducklings.

This is our first batch of ducklings and they are over 5 weeks old and pretty large now.

Pepper and I had a small discussion about friends not food.  I trust her now.

And Mrs Ducky was thrilled to be out and about with her bebbies.

Mr Ducky was around, outwith the fence, and I felt sorry for him as he has been spending most of his days outside their duckling pen talking to them.

So I made the decision, stupidly now I think, hindsight being a very accurate science, to let him join them.

To start with I thought this would work and all would be fine.

But suddenly the whole happy family vibe changed.

Mrs Ducky tried her best to protect her babies but she was very submissive and unhappy.

Mr Ducky was a belligerant sod who was not quite attacking but I suddenly didn’t trust him.  He was nipping his bebbies, not trying to kill them but it made me worry.  Would he kill them?  Is he just establishing the hierarchy?

So I chased Mr Ducky out of the paddock and luckily his flying skills are crap and he can’t get in, so that gave Mum and her ducklings some safe freedom.

I am not sure what to think or do now.  In the real world, Mr Ducky is going to have to live peacefully with his sons and daughters for a while at least.  We can’t go on having individual duck runs. Please no.

So I’ve left Mr Ducky to think about his behaviour. He is back outside the paddock with Mrs Ducky #2 and “Luke”.  He likes to sit by their run.

What to do?  Thoughts, please.

Most days I drive to Leradale to give the dogs a good run.

The grass is not too high and they love it there.

Suddenly it feels like autumn is on its way, which is a bit early in my book.

It’s the colour – there has been a subtle change.  It’s definitely there.

Still, there are lots of flowers around (immediately grabs book for identification).

So here goes….. and, remember, tell me when I’m wrong, please.

Ragged-robin

Hawkweed

Someone asked if the heather smells lovely and the answer is a unanimous YES!

It is incredible.  In the field there is a huge aroma of the best honey in the world especially when walking through it all.  It is intoxicatingly wonderful and I am always amazed.

Heather

Cotton-grass

Marsh willowherb

Grass of Parnassus

Marsh Lousewort

Red clover

Marsh thistle

Devil’s-bit Scabious

Devil’s-bit Scabious

Round-leaved Sundew

Eyebright

And, lastly, Pepper prefers to paddle in every stream….

…. while Ted prefers to keep his feet dry and likes to cross the ditch via the bridge!  I’m with Ted on this.

Today I had a day off from being me.

After doing the animals, changing/washing all water and food buckets (because it’s Wednesday) and walking the dogs, I had a long rest to try and make up for the fact that I hadn’t managed the statutory post-procedure 24 hours bedrest. My back was also twingey.

Later I drove into town to see the Barbie movie, which was great.  I’ve just done the animals again (bedtime), and now I am going back to bed.

More properly tomorrow.  Sorry xx 💖

Bibble was going on the boat south tonight for his chemotherapy and lazer surgery treatment so he had a good breakfast.

And I left him to enjoy the grass in the field for as long as possible.

Meanwhile, my post-procedure instructions were to rest for 24 hours but that was impossible for many reasons.

I did my very best, though.

After lunch, I went to fetch Bibble down.

I even gave him a brush – mane and tail – because everyone knows that you have to look smart when you go out.

He even put on his Brave Pants (just because).

A friend kindly came with me to help with the heavy horse-ramp and moral support and we drove Bibble into town.  The stevedores were waiting for their very important cargo.

I spoke to someone who responsible for animal freight during the sailing and had a panicky conversation about everything trying to impress just how important it all is. I hope they understood.

And so we left Bibble who was looking rather bemused about his new scenery.

He has loads of hay, a huge livestock pen and I can only pray he gets south happy and relaxed.  The sailing will be calm, at least I know that.  An animal transporter is collecting him once he arrives in Aberdeen tomorrow morning and will drive him straight to the veterinary surgery (20 minutes away) ready to start treatment on Thursday.

When we came home, Kolka and Haakon were still waiting for their friend and whinnying while I am worrying and trying not to cry.  This is the first time Bibble has ever been by himself