Category Archives: Sheep

Kolka Update

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Kolka seems a lot more like her strong 32 year old self today.

She is alert, interested and eating better, although still stiff when she walks but there is more range of movement in her hind legs.

She remains on twice daily painkillers, an injection of antibiotics (which she is very good about – it’s a big one with a large needle), probiotics and is mostly living outside with her waterproof rug on.

Her eating is more enthusiastic too, which is encouraging.

Fivla and Vitamin are close by shouting for their herd but they have to stay where they are as the grass around the house is too rich for them, especially this time of year.

However, the sheep are very unimpressed with this new set-up.

I have barred the entrance to their shed so they can still come and go if they want with no horses inside.

And opposite, the horses can do the same if they want shelter.   There is food and water there too.

So, turn left if you’re a horse and right if you’re a sheep.

As I write, absolutely no one has worked out my marvellous piece of shed management.

But I think the long rich grass, the pottering about with her friends is what Kolka needs to keep her mind and her guts active.

So, keep thinking and praying for Kolka as I keep forgetting she is 32 years old. Yesterday’s drama was not something an old lady should have to go through.  I thank the Gods we got to her when we did.

Gussie and ‘Ster

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I would be lying if I said it’s been a busy day.

The same old, same old – just as I like it.

That was until the sheep came home.

It started with Maggie wanting in the house for a biscuit.  She asked so nicely. How could I refuse.

Note, Gussie and ‘Ster were behind and about to have a row.  Lambie wanted no part of this (just his biccie, pelase) and everyone else is hoping they will stop. I was rather worried for my Eggbox parked close by.

There was a clash of horns but nothing much.  At this stage, Lambie has disowned them and Barrel was hoping they would stop now.

So I shouted at Gussie and ‘Ster telling them to “pack it in”.   I love the look of them both almost denying all knowledge – “who, us?”

But then Gussie was spoiling for another go – he had that look in his eye – one of steely determination.

Gussie started squaring up to ‘Ster who did not need this grief but would give as good as he gets.

I decided on a diversionary tactic and called ‘Ster over. I told him to let it go, Gussie was not worth it and then shovelled biscuits in as a reward for being the bigger sheep about it all.  Lambie’s raging face was a picture.  He hates hassle, rows and roughhousing.

The sheep all settled down again.

A Day of Two Halves

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It was chucking it down this morning and so the sheep, after their breakfast in the shed, went on strike refusing to go into their field for the day. In return I refused to give them haynets because it was raining.  There’s plenty of grass outside if they want food.  There will be haynets when it snows (and they are all very fat).

My morning was spent researching for the Diaries – going through old family photos, correspondence, making discoveries and looking for anything relevant to include.

Meanwhile, the weather slowly cleared up ….

….. and soon the sun was shining

The Shetland ponies got their haynets for tea.

And I found all the sheep had in fact gone outside, crawled under a fence and were happily eating the long grass in an ungrazed field.

This is a winter field which will be for the old horses and ponies – it offers plenty of natural shelter, and has a forever-running stream.  The sheep also love it here and can let themselves in and out when they want (by crawling under the fence).

That is everyone except for Ster who has to walk through the garden to get out, though he can get back on his own (phew!)

Apparently it is a rather heavenly field, according to Madge.   Funny to think that all the grass will be eaten down in just a few months’ time.  Winter is looming now. I’m dreading it.

Poor Gussie

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Poor Gussie.

Sands of Sound

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Floss and I were an hour early for my hospital appointment yesterday (yes, on a Sunday) so, to fill in time, we went on an expedition.

I have always known there was a small beach in Lerwick but have never been able to find it.

Yesterday, armed with Google maps and Floss to read me the instructions, between us we found the Sands of Sound – a lovely sandy beach quietly tucked away on the south side of Lerwick.  I felt we almost drove through folks’ gardens and backyards to get to it.  But we managed.

There is a small burn that runs onto the beach – the Burn of Sound.

Houses to the north east.

The beach wasn’t very busy – just three people at a table drinking tea and playing the board game, “Carcassonne”, like you do (there was definitely an Alice-in-Wonderland vibe).

There is also “island” in the middle (which worried me greatly) called the Holm of Sound.

On there, I could see a flock of sheep grazing and all I could think about was whether they were marooned or not, should I call the Coastguard, should I go and swim them back across, what were they doing for water?  What would Lambie do?

But I calmed down when the Carcassonne-playing folk told me that the island is actually attached to the mainland at low tide and the sheep can walk across easily. Phew.  Panic over.

I went back to enjoying the utter calm and serenity of the beach.  It was a lovely find.