Category Archives: MyShetland

Always Fair

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I left my pit to pop down to see how the little boys were fairing in this cold weather (wind chill today of at least -5℃).  It was the sort of freezing cold wind that makes your eyebrows hurt.

Anyway, everyone was surprisingly perky – I think it’s because they’re in their new-to-them field and they love it there.  They can also see the others too, which they like (not that the others care or want to be near them).

I had in my pocketses five Pasture Cookies, which I had brought thinking they could have one each as a very special treat.

I fed one to each of them and of course they loved them.

One for you, I said and a kiss on the nosey…

And you….. and you and kept going….

… until I reached Silver. I put my hand in my pocket expecting to find the last carefully counted out treat but nothing! I felt awful.  What to do?  I could leave Silver feeling a bit out of sorts with me and go back to the warmth of the house (my poor hurty eyebrows by now).  But no, I am not that person. Life should never be unfair and I would’ve laid awake all night knowing I had created an injustice. So of course I climbed back up the hill, telling myself all exercise is good exercise, found the errant Pasture Cookie and took it back to feed Silver.  Fairness for all!

Sheep, “Fit the Second”

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Last night after supper, I went back to the sheep shed in the pitch dark (I am scared of the dark) and quickly checked there was no more fighting.  Everyone was peaceful.

This morning the weather remained truly revolting.  Not to be trifled with.  Floss and I threw food at everyone and ran back indoors as fast we could.  We did the whole lot in under 3/4 of an hour, which is quite an achievement.

Later, I went out again.

Even though I had left the field gate propped open, the sheep hadn’t gone out, preferring their shed along with three full haynets, and two lick buckets.

They were happy and calm, so I found myself a spot and sat down on the straw.

(Even Barrel was behaving himself).

First up were the new double-act – Maggie and Gussie.  They are the best of friends.

Lambie is in love with Dahlia, who is not in love with Lambie…..

… even though he is an obvious catch.

And this was as near Madge got to me.  The words “Hell freezes over” sound familiar.

But Gussie was surprisingly chatty.

And this is as near as Lambie got to me today.

Maggie was also demanding attention.  She smiled so sweetly, it was hard not to be her friend.

Bert snuggled up on my left side.  I gave him many hugs, pleased to see he was feeling happier.

….. while these two were on my right.


And then Gussie plonked himself down and settled into the task of chewing his cud.

And then Bert plonked himself down on my left and was very settled too.

Lots of cuddles and stroking.

I stayed for an hour, playing classical music on my phone so we could relax.  I always enjoy being with the sheep like this.  So peaceful, even though it was raging outside.  The gap between Gussie and Bert was where I was sitting, propped up against the wall.

Rugs and Moving Fields

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These days, it’s a toss-up as to what and how much I can do.

But, as ever with my back, every day is a new oneand the pain is never the same (when it stays the same, I begin to panic). When I wake up in the morning, I can usually gauge my potential achievement level. Last night, I had definitely overdone things but today my back had forgiven me.

This is the last day before the gale, rain and possible snow arrive so Floss and I changed the rugs to thick ones on the old horses and ponies. Then Floss went to work and I went off to throw celery stalks at the Shetland ponies. I could see their field was not looking its best anymore and they were all a bit depressed. I hate that for them.

So I made a decision. I put a nice rug on Tiddles (ok, he’s wet but I can’t dry him and it is better than nothing), and then led him through the inter-connecting gate to the last field the old horses/ponies had been living in. They all dutifully followed. In this field, there is more shelter as it is in a valley with lots of very high dry-stone walls. There is also a bit more grazing. Nothing special, but it will do. The ponies were thrilled and I was left feeling that I had made a good decision. They will be alright in the next gale and I don’t have to worry about anyone now.

Then I went inside to work on the Diaries and I had some help. The head torch is to help me see the teensy tiny writing of August 1947. The help was very licky. Yuk!

A Morning Away

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Today I left my bed.

It was bliss. My friend, Monika, kindly offered to drive me to Lerwick. I desperately wanted to stock up on animal feed before the next snow arrives – it is threatening for next week.

So, Monika collected me at 10 o’clock, when we had all finished our crofting chores, and drove me to town.

First stop, the feed merchants. It felt very odd being amongst real people as opposed to my family who are used to my current prone form on the bed for most of my day.

    

Then on to another feed merchant – to get all the stuff that the other one hadn’t got.

And lastly, to the chemist who supplies the drugs for Bibble and his cancererous bits. They are lovely in there and I always show them a photo of a very happy Bibble so they know all their efforts of finding the cheapest version of the drug and ordering it for him are totally worth it.

Just before we turned for home, I said that I had more energy than I thought I would’ve and could we possibly go to Tesco for a quick nip round with a trolley. Such luxuries before me and I stocked up on the essentials – yes, my Tunnock teacakes were replenished.

It was lovely to be away from home, animals and around other people and things. For me, it was ridiculously wonderful.

And then home, unpacked and I spent the afternoon resting on my bed remembering that I can be normal, I can have a normal life and I will get better one day to reclaim it.

Huge thanks to Monika who was the best chauffeur.

Edited to say I am paying for my galivanting now – currently on acupressure mat wondering when I can take analgesia.

 

 

Fresh Grazing

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Everyone is fed up.  I could tell.  The fields that had grass are now almost bare.  While that’s fine for younger and fatter Shetland ponies, it is not ok (apparently) for the others.

So, I rallied the troops and we went down to the field that is inside the Shetland pony summer track.  The grass here hasn’t been grazed for two years and it could do with being eaten down.

We pulled up all the plastic electric fence posts that I had previously carefully planted in two straight lines to join the track up at both ends.  And then we wound up all the electric fence wire as well because if anyone can trip over, walk through or ignore an electric fence, it is Kolka and Iacs.  They are my two worst (read stupid) culprits who instantly get tangled up and then just stand there saying nothing for hours.  It is all cleared now and put away carefully for possible use another time of year.

Then I called the horses, who had all been watching me from a distance. I could hear them hoping and I quickly caught Kolka, as she was the first to arrive at the gate.  I led her down and the two old men, Haakon and Iacs, in a meandering way, followed.  Once through, though, Iacs did a happy buck and Haakon trotted off.  Heads down and eat.

The two old ladies were brought down by Flossie as they couldn’t work out where everyone had gone.

Vitamin trotted happily off to find the grass.

And I’ve not seen hide nor hair of anyone again.  Lovely.  Oh yes, and the younger Shetland ponies are all now sulking hugely as they only have their grotty 25 acre field to find something to eat in.  One word – “Track”, guys.