Category Archives: Something different

Non Christmassy

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It has been a lovely day.  The light, peace, no wind….all glorious.

I fed the Shetland ponies who insisted on coming down afterwards into the little paddock, which was a bore because I wanted to get the sheep out while convincing them that they could all live together in perfect harmony.

Waffle was not helpful and insisted on stalking with a hint of chasing but I am hoping Gussie will stand his ground and make friends with them all and Waffle will give up.

The rest of the sheep are pretty scared of the ponies and rushed off into the bigger part of the field for the rest of the day.

I know Tiddles wouldn’t be horrid. It’s just Waffle. He can be difficult.  We’ll see how it goes. If the sheep refuse to go into the field tomorrow, then there are plenty of others to eat in.

And so to town for a spot of Christmas shopping.

I didn’t feel particularly Christmassy but I like to be organised and to know I have options.

Failing dismally, I went to see my sheep field.

I added more sheep and rearranged it a bit for good measure.

On my way home, the views were spectacular.  So good, in fact, that I stopped the car twice to take photos.

My spirit was soothed.  Now to find my Christmas one.

2018 Photo Memories

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I promise I will try to get out with a camera tomorrow and take some photos of my more recent life.  But I came across these in the Sort Out and smiled at each and every one of them….

Again, from 2018.

Floss and Lambie.

Her Maj with her two favourite toys – buzzy bee on the left (you can just see it) and lion.  I think Loki and Wu had just died so we were attempting to cheer BeAnne up and failing.  Hence our trip south to find Monster.

Day 1 when Daisy and I first met Monster at the SSPCA, Banchory.  We were considered acceptable by himself and he came home that evening on the boat with us.

Lambie looking rather gorgeous.

Storm at the rocks at the Dale of Walls beach.  Always good value during a storm.

Dear Klaengur.  Taken too soon.

Kappi, now south with Daisy.

The two old men – Haakon and Iacs. Always together like Statler and Waldorf.

They still argue.  Nothing has changed.

A snowy ‘Ster.

Floss with the best kisser on the Shetland Westside – Tiddles.

Newt when he first arrived – oof.

I promise I did not cut his hair!  He came like that.

And a summer one to remember things are green and the flowers are beautiful.  BeAnne was a great swimmer whenever she got the chance.  Like an otter.

Little Ted

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These photos are from September 2017, so just a little over 8 years ago (I’ve done more sorting today).

Little Ted had his paws well and truly under Mum’s table.

But I won’t lie, Mum had a few problems with Ted.  She got him as an adult dog and she gave him his third home.

Ted didn’t like men – and bit the postman. This resulted in him being given an ASBO (anti-social behavioural order) by two armed policemen.  Mum was horrified.

He would also run away frequently if off the lead and so henceforth all dog-walks were on a lead.  His recall was very selective, if at all.

Ted would also wreck things in the house if he didn’t get his own way and was a terrible conniving food thief.

As you may know, Mum’s final words to me were to look after Teddy so he came home with me to Shetland with the proviso that we would see how we got on.

(I think he was telling Mum he didn’t want to go……)

Moving swiftly forwards and Ted really is a different dog.

2017

2025

He’s stopped being a southern softie.  He is off a lead for all walks, in fact all the time really, apart from when he goes to the groomers.

But best of all, he has a BFF and that is wonderful for him.  Pepper has changed him.

And they never stop playing.

The thieving and wrecking has stopped too.  Ted hasn’t bitten anyone since the first day (courier man who was very nice about it) and loves all men most in the world.

So, that’s Ted.  He’s come a long way in his world.

 

Frozen Fingers

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Not great photos today. It was too bloomin’ cold and my fingers felt like they had frozen off.  I am currently sitting at my desk playing soothing music while I thaw out – my feet are on a hot water bottle and I have one on my lap.

Anyway, this morning produced a lovely surprise – everyone was together.  Even Madge is coming out of her shell, which is something I never thought I would see.

Gussie is rather taken with Maggie – he is ginormous now, possibly the biggest of all the sheep.  Quite the heffasheep.

Maggie spends a lot of her time in the hill field with Gussie and Dahlia which is fine – as long as they turn up for breakfast so I know they are alright and not lying somewhere upside down in the 30 acre field.

And Lambie remains, well just Lambie really.

We had a sprinkling of snow this morning with a few snow/hail showers all day.

In the afternoon I went into my shed to finish a sheep while watching a Hallmark Christmas film (my determination to find some Christmas spirit and inspiration).  Pepper was having a non-eating day and quickly learned that, if she made sick noises by the door, I would let her outside and then, free at last, she could run off hunting, probably looking for more carrion to eat.  Wee turd.  I am not pleased with her one bit.

Doing the afternoon chores afterwards (I now start at 3pm as it is dark by 4), I fed the ducks/hens, put them to bed and then poo-picked the Shetland ponies’ track.  Newt nearly had the wheelbarrow over (I would’ve happily throttled him if he’d succeeded) and I honestly think my fingers have never been so cold.  I am going to find my freezer-food gloves for tomorrow. I never want to feel like that again. I felt sick with the pain.  Once finished, I went to bed to huddle and warm up.  Monster came to annoy while Ted whined on about “what time is tea?”  Pepper sensibly stayed away.

Oh yes, Pepper said she could only eat cat food for tea. Give me strength.

Stanevatstoe Loch

Still Fighting with the Blog

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I am feeling a bit down today.  It is a mixture of things – the cold is in my bones, going through old photos has made me sad and I am still fighting with my blog settings (tag clouds etc). All just little stuff really in the grand scheme but still, they get to me.

But today I mastered the art of those social media follow me link things – I have no idea of the correct lingo, sorry but please see top right of page and there they are.  So, please follow me.

I also need more links on this blog so if you have a link, give me a shout (thordale144@gmail.com) and I will do my best, after a lot of effort, to add it.  Don’t feel bad about the strenuous effort it will take.  This is entirely due to my lack of ability to remember how to do any of this.  I have the brain of a hen.

Anyway, here are some photos that I can just about bear to put up from around 2020 and I will  go back to the nuts and bolts of this blog.

My darling BeAnne

Ominous weather looking over to Foula

View of Mum’s house in the Autumn

Lambie

Daisy hugging ‘Ster with a disgruntled/jealous BeAnne at her feet

“Corbie” (raven)

Icelandic horse foal – Hjalti

From left to right – Hjalti, Efstur, Taktur, Kappi, Klaengur and Dreki (I think but I could be wrong)

Her Maj looking perky