I have spent my afternoon at the Pain Clinic in town, at our local hospital, and so have nothing to say about life apart from that if I ever mention going again, please remind me not to.  I have no words for the misery it was.  I cried on the theatre table.

As I had an inkling that I would be incapable of much afterwards, I asked my friend, Mandy, if I could show you her film that she took on her way home from work.  I think it is brilliant.

And now I am going back to live under my rock. Normal service will be resumed shortly.  I need a pet crow.  Think how useful it could be.

This lot were found this afternoon loitering with intent.  Waffle had been dancing in the water bucket.

And I am surprised, because I have been incredibly generous and given them the other part of their race-track to eat down.

The Minions have to come back to bed in the evening.  12 hours on and 12 hours off – them’s the rules.

And sometimes they have treats. Celery is a firm favourite.

This afternoon has been hot, by Shetland standards.  So, after finding Waffle had desecrated the water bucket, I threw the remainder over him. Of course he loved it!

And then I told them to all go and get a job.  Preferably one that didn’t involve the water bucket.

Note Storm’s bouncy bottooom!

And they rushed off giggling, while I knew they would be back to undo all the good things I had done for them.

*** sigh ***.

This is their 12 hours off bedroom.  Every evening I fill up the boxes with soaked hay. Surprisingly, they are always very happy to come “home” in the evening.

“In a Field Far, Far Away” …… is what I thought.

The other day a huge box with a sack of TurmerAid in it was delivered so I put it inside our gate, to keep it safe, and OH kindly placed it later on our picnic table outside the house.

I unwrapped the packing tape, took out the sack and lugged it to the feed shed, leaving the empty box on the table with the thought that I would put it away later.

Or so I planned.

The box didn’t remain empty for very long.  Monster swiftly took up residence.  I saw the paw.

So I left him snoozing in the wonderful sunshine.

Later on, I noticed the box had turned round slightly into the sunshine.  Apparently OH had seen the “empty” box, and picked it up to carry it to his shed for disposal…… when he noticed it was heavier than it should be!

Apparently a disgruntled Monster jumped out and OH sensibly replaced the box, turning it slightly into the sun as way of an apology.

To think, Monster was nearly put in the rubbish.

Perish the thought!

Though, I think we would’ve all heard the yowling as the essie-kert (rubbish collection lorry) took him away on a Thursday morning.

Today found Monster in my shed “helping” with the flute duets – more distraction than help, really.

He gets around, does our Monster.

It was raining this afternoon so OH and I drove to Lerwick to see the Tall Ships that had arrived in Lerwick on Friday.

What I found out:

There are 37 sailing ships from all around the world.  Lerwick is the only Scottish leg of the 2023 Races.

So OH and I wandered about in the drizzle and saw there was lots going on.

Some superb local shops.  I saw friends and bought lovely things.

There is some incredible local artistic talent in Shetland.

This is Mandy Hunter and Ceri Biddle‘s shop.

One of Ceri’s wall-hangings takes two weeks to create.  Imagine!

And I am a huge fan of Mandy’s work.  I am sorely tempted to ask her to paint my sheep family.  It is a rare person who can paint sheep (see the card on the right).

Ok, the weather was miserable but the crowds were out and the atmosphere was superb.

A truly memorable event.

The dogs killed a polecat at Leradale yesterday and to be honest, I am not sure who was most surprised!

I had taken the dogs for a walk at Leradale and they had run off into the distance as usual. I was in another world listening to an audiobook so didn’t hear a commotion but saw the kerfuffle. I thought they were having a fight and hurried to sort it out, when I saw that they had a polecat and were killing it.  Wow!

So well done to Ted and Pepper.  They were efficient and quick. I never had Ted down as a killer but he was doing his bit just as much as Pepper in a thoroughly professional way. I think Mum would’ve been most proud.  Pepper did come home smelling a bit whiffy, though.  I checked everyone for bites and so far, I can see none.

And before anyone gets all fluffy bunny about polecats – they are an introduced species who do terrible damage to poultry so they have to go.

Today I returned to Leradale with the dogs for their daily walk as we all love it there.  The grass is short enough to run in and they can let off lots of energy too.

Both were very much in hunting mode still and I let them get on with it.  My theory on a walk is if I can see the dogs, then they are fine and I call them back to me regularly.

I was enjoying the walk.

And today everyone was on best behaviour.  They even came when they were called, which can be a rarity at times.

So were are all in a very good mood now.   I am still very surprised about Ted.