It is lovely today.  Hot and sunny.  We are all enjoying it.

After lunch, I went out, armed with my black bin bag, to go a-ragworting in the fields.  I loathe ragwort.  It is a very dangerous plant to horses, sheeps, everyone.

Of course, I also took my camera.

And, of course, BeAnne, Her Maj, still sporting her beautiful neckerchief, came too.

First up was my little separate croft, Clothie.

A perfect five acres with its own spring and old crofthouse and outbuildings.

Apparently, it used to be a school many years ago and is mentioned in the Parish Records.

Clothie is now sadly derelict. I cannot get permission to renovate the house without having to build a tarmac road up to the property, which I do not want.  I want it to stay as a little crofthouse situate in the middle of the scattald.

So, I dragged my binbag and dog around looking for ragwort and I was happily suprised.  For the first time in over 15 years, there was barely a plant to pull up.

And that is totally due to my daughters, Daisy and Floss’ huge efforts.

They have been brilliant.  Working so hard, regularly going out pulling ragwort.

So, for my part, I blocked up the hole under the fence where the hill lambs get in.

My ragwort search and destroy patrol then moved to the other fields around the house.

Again, barely nothing.

Therefore, I had a much-deserved rest.

I was instantly spied sitting down.

And then it was a case of What’s in the bag? Can I have the bag?  I need to eat the bag. My only recourse was to sit on the bag to keep it away from prying teeth!

My reward – an extensive Minion hug sitting in the Shetland summer sun.

We had a visitor yesterday.  A fan.  Someone who loved The Minions (and the Boyzenberries).

So, of course, I took her out to the field to meet everyone.

They were all delighted.

And I think our visitor was fairly enchanted too, if smothered.

(almost all!)

But, to be fair, our visitor had never met an Icelandic horse so, on behalf of all Icelandic horses everywhere, Efstur and Hjalti made their presence known.

They love a new face in the field.

Our visitor knew exactly what to do.

She also came bearing gifts – the most delicious honey and a present for Her Maj – we adore it.  Even our postie this morning mentioned how beautiful she looked in her new bandana.  BeAnne now has a slight showey-offey spring in her step – a sort of “look at me, I have a neckerchief!”

After meeting The Minions, I tried to find The Boyzenberries, Lambie, ‘Bert and ‘Ster – who had gone out for the day.

So, I called and called and, upon their return, I texted our visitor to come back and she duly appeared, having been visiting another Shetland pony stud on her itinerary.

‘Bert was on top form.

‘Ster was very loving (this is today with Flossie).

And Lambie?  Lambie who is the most famous of all Shetland sheep?  Well, Lambie sulked and was in a vile not-talking mood.

Personally, I blame the midges.  It was horribly midgey yesterday and he hates them with a passion.

(this is his Greta Garbo “I vant to be alone” face).

Uncanny!

This is me today.

I have been demoted to riding Sancho Panza’s donkey – Dapple (or Haakon as he is affectionately known).

So, Daisy and I went for a hack – this is the first bit, when we ride on a long rein to help the horses stretch.

Daisy rode her competition horse, Kappi.

He goes fast and very enthusiastically.

Going past local sheeples.

We even had a lovely canter.

I rode my old faithful Icelandic horse, Haakon. I have had him since he was three years old and he has never let me down but he is getting old (now 23) and is, perhaps, the “old style” functional farm model.

Over the years, we have been everywhere together.

His tölt is flat, comfortable but good and very kind to my back.

Sometimes we go up into the hill.  “Game of Thrones” territory.

And then home walking down the road in the Shetland summer sunshine.  We met absolutely no traffic.

A perfect ride.

But Haakon and I are still Sancho Panza on his donkey!  It is now the way it is.  We don’t really keep up anymore.

Riding is also very good therapy for me.

LD (Bardy) died this morning. I let him down.  There is nothing more to be said. He was loved.

So, today I have tried to keep myself busy.  We relaid the washed rubber mats in the stable with me on broom duty.  Then Daisy, Floss and I went for a good ride.  Haakon was wonderful and looked after a rather fragile version of me.

This afternoon, I spent some time with my other rescues trying to get my perspective back.  It is always good to talk to a Minion.  They are always very perceptive.

I went for a walk with the sheeples into the horses’ field.  They were keen to follow BeAnne and me.

Anywho, Minions are good for the soul.

I sat with them and had many hugs and kisses.

Seeing my happy little boys makes me realise I have some rescue success stories.

It does not make up for LD but, I tried my very best.  It was not enough.  There is a huge hole in my heart now.

We are struggling here.

Poor Bardy is completely off his legs and I feel totally responsible (The Ghastly Fall).  I am running blind here.  I feel I am letting Bardy down due to my total ignorance and am 100% responsible.  Not really a fit parent.

So, I remembered a friend telling me about Manx Wild Bird Aid and I phoned them, desperate for some help for Bardy.  They have been nothing but brilliant – all day, giving me advice.

Firstly, to prop Bardy up.

Bardy’s diet is all wrong too.  Beef mince plus vitamin drops have little, if any, calcium.  Bardy needs calcium to grow properly.  How could I have missed this?  I have a brain and I feel rotten thinking Bardy has not had all he needs to develop.

(there were also maggots/larvae and more woodlice in this pot – he wolfed them down)

Based on film sent via t’net, a diagnosis was tentatively made that Bardy may have salmonella (white diarrhoea) and/or spinal damage due to The Fall.

Bardy is now on daily 0.2ml Baytril. His weight has also fallen hugely.  Again, something I didn’t notice until it was pointed out to me – I hang my head in shame.

After Baytril, Bardy perked.  His diet has been changed to contain calcium and he is in his little bag shouting at YouTube videos now.

Meanwhile, apparently I have some ponies!

I have neglected them.

This afternoon, I did manage to ride Haakon to find his tölt.  It was nice to go outside and to also find some perspective.

Yes, Bardy is only a starling, but he is my starling and I have done bad by him.  All wrong. Please send healing vibes. He needs use of his legs, even one leg, otherwise he has no future and it is all my fault.