I haven’t seen the two ducklings since they first made an appearance on Monday.  Every time I walk past, it is all a bit like Schrödinger’s Ducklings – are they alive or dead?  Who knows.  I can’t see them.  Mama Duck is fiercely protective of them and keeps her bebbies close to her, which is how it should be.  Many a duckling has died due to a bad mother just wandering off and leaving one behind.  They are notoriously bad at this game.

Today the little family made a quick appearance, which I missed – I was busy making a sheep – but I hoped Mama D would take them outside again.

And just on my way out to work at Turriefield, I briefly saw them all together.

It’s not easy trying to take photos through the fine mesh of the run and Mum is not helpful either.  She hates me with a lot of determination.

But I managed at last to get some nice photos of the bebbies.

And I was being watched the whole time.

I think she could hear my thoughts of wanting to pick up each duck to cuddle.  That’s not happening.  No way!  Her beady eyes were on me the whole time.  I know my place – behind the mesh.

Anyway, I am glad they are all alive still.  It is always touch and go at this stage.

Here are a few black and white photos from my trip to see Efstur and Kappi.  Apologies if you’ve seen them in colour yesterday but I think they look so much nicer like this.

Anyway, this is a short blog as I will let the photos speak for themselves.  It was such a nice afternoon.

It’s been quite the adventure, in a good way.

Travel was pretty tortuous, though – the plane was very late leaving (by about 3 hours) on Friday which ate into our plans for that day.

Still, we landed lunchtime-ish and I was met by everyone so I cried (mostly with happiness and partly relief).

There was much shopping for Daisy and Flossie (new flat) while the sun beat down – phew, what a scorcher.  It was bonkers hot.

However, one of the best bits was going to see the boys.

Not those ones (though I’ve never seen the Kelpies before), but these two.

Efstur and Kappi were on great form and it was wonderful to see them both, looking so good, relaxed and happy.  I’m not gonna lie, but the horses were a nice change from all our shopping.

And then back into choosing colours, which is not my strong point.  After a while, they all began to look a bit the same.

Anyway, I got home last night after another potentially tortuous journey.  The plane was listed as delayed for 2 hours but at the last minute, they found one somewhere (the back of the sofa?) and suddenly we were going home on time!

And this morning, my life went straight back to normal.

And it was all going smoothly, like I had never been away, when OH told me we had ducklings so we had to hurriedly construct a house/run for them to safely grow up in

Honestly, I said no ducklings, please.  Obviously no one was listening.   Still, they are very sweet.

I think I’ve been missed.

I hope so (and Pepper didn’t run away this time and visit the neighbours looking for me).

I spent my morning finishing up my latest order of sheep to go to Jamieson’s Knitwear’s shop in Lerwick.  OH promised to take them into town tomorrow.  That lot took me five days with no stops – I am feeling a bit frazzled now but happy knowing there are sheep in my little field while I am away.

I have done my last poo-pick too, which is a lovely feeling.  I have written out and printed The List which is every animal’s minimal requirements, cutting everything right back.

This lot will get the very definition of nothing but a haynet once a day.  Two if it rains.

I shall look at this photo of Waffle to remind myself that he is still a chubster.

As long as the ponies don’t escape into the long grass, they should be alright.

The sheep will do their own thing.  My only sadness is ‘Ster who will spend most of his days on his own unless he can remember how to get into the field by himself.  He used to know, but now he’s forgotten or can’t do it.

Ster can see everyone but has resigned himself to his fate of a lonely daytime and they do all come back for bed so he’s not totally on his own all the time.

Packing next and it’s going to be bonkers hot and I don’t think I have any summer clothes!  As long as there isn’t fog tonight, then I will hopefully be set to go at the crack of sparrows tomorrow morning.  I might leave the blog for the next few days.  I’ll see how I go but obviously I will take lots of photos and we can catch up upon my return.

So excited.

So how are the old folk getting along, I hear you ask?

Thank you for asking.  They are all fine and mostly on time for their breakfast every morning.  Sometimes I have to shout for them when they are far away and have forgotten, which is fair enough as they have the combined age of over 150!

And this summer is treating them well.

While I am south (going Friday to Edinburgh for four days), they will be fed by OH and on bare  minimum rations – one scoop of unmolassed soak beet and Bibble will get his pills. That is the priority and all that must be done.

All other supplements will be omitted as it only gets complicated.  Everyone can last for four days without extras.

So all I have to do now is write out the list of who has what and when, who should be where and why, and who can do their own thing and suck it up, buttercup! (Lambie)