Well, if I had nothing much to write about the other day, I have even less today. I really need to go out more (ugh * shudders *) or stop writing this blog before I bore everyone to death.
But my same old, same old routine suits me perfectly. I want everyone to stay exactly how they are – well and looking good. It is all I need but I do realise that this may not be for everyone.
The excitement of poo-picking the track every afternoon listening to an audiobook, while I am being stalked by five creepy neighbours is all that ever happens.
I like to spend my time watching Newt annoy Silver, and anyone else who gets in the way of Newt’s World Domination. The smallest v. the biggest of the Shetland ponies and we all know who wins.
You guessed correctly.
But I have changed my daily routine slightly – I now make my sheep in the afternoon and have gone back to transcribing my Great Great Aunt’s diaries as I really want to finish this project in my lifetime. I have reached 1944 and, although the writing is teensy-tiny and almost illegible, I only have 17 more years to do if my eyesight doesn’t give out first.
I found this tucked into the 1944 diary and spent some time trying to work out each “interpretation”. I thought it was amusing, and if you have trouble just try saying the words out loud. I will admit that I had to have help on a few.
The answers:
Charing Cross
Marble Arch
Strand
St Paul’s
Hyde Park Corner
Baker Street for Madame Tussaud’s
Mansion House
Tottenham Court Road
Hampstead
Elephant & Castle
Oval
St John’s Wood
Hammersmith Broadway
Very clever.
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We love your blog because we don’t live on Shetland with the Minions, sheep, ducks, dogs, horses or Monster. So even just photos will entrance us. And my money is always on Newt or Monster.
They will rule
Please do not stop the blog. There are a million topics right there where you are: what is the soil like? the depth of the soil? temperatures where you are, rainfall, snow, gales? age of the structures around you? are the original Shetland ponies indigenous or from the Highlands? is Pepper a Border Terrier? were trees ever a part of the Shetland islands? how did the ducks join the meagerie? growing season of flowers/vegetables not in polytunnels? Is Terriefield the only community polytunnel? organized craft groups? artisan culture in the Shetlands? climate change in your area? where you are located, sun up & sun down times at this time of the year? history of settlement? Pictures of the coast from different points; inland farms? Topography of the area? Main industries & their importance on the island. Just pictures along the tidal areas. Creatures in tidal pools. Water temp in the various seasons. Location of schools. I could probably go on forever, but life is fascinating, especially where you live. Your pictures are gorgeous. The ‘crew’ are a delight. I love Gussie.
what is the soil like? peaty/acidic
the depth of the soil? here, not very deep (6″-12″). Near the stream (burn), you could grow a wooden leg, ie very deep.
temperatures where you are – minus with windchill (freezing) in winter and max 20 in summer.
rainfall – lots
snow – sporadically in winter
gales – the wind never stops blowing and yes we have some humdingers of gales/hurricanes
age of the structures around you? – bronze age in places
are the original Shetland ponies indigenous or from the Highlands? – indigenous, I think,
is Pepper a Border Terrier? – no a Patterdale terrier.
were trees ever a part of the Shetland islands? apparently, yes. Sheep ate them all.
how did the ducks join the meagerie? – a friend wanted rid. My one and only Muscovy had died so I said please could I have 8. and they bred.
growing season of flowers/vegetables not in polytunnels? – May – September
Is Terriefield the only community polytunnel? – yes, local to me.
organized craft groups? – they have guilds for spinners and weavers, but and the SHETLAND ARTS & CRAFTS Association.
artisan culture in the Shetlands? not much and dying out.
climate change in your area? – not much sign.
where you are located – west side – Mid Walls. 60.2410° N, 1.6470° W
sun up & sun down times at this time of the year? Sunrise 03:39 Sunset 22:37
history of settlement? Bronze age. No Romans.
Pictures of the coast from different points; see blog
inland farms? see blog
Topography of the area? Hills and valleys – glaciation
Main industries & their importance on the island. fishing and oil. Very important.
Just pictures along the tidal areas. see blog
Creatures in tidal pools. see blog
Water temp in the various seasons. bloody freezing. You have four minutes.
Location of schools. everywhere.
(i did my best)
Oof! I’m from (outer) London and I struggled! It shows how much the accent has changed since the 1940s – that and not starting from a Yorkshire version.
Just call Newt Napoleon. God I would have never figured out those words!! Wild!
I commend you still working on this project. It is a daunting task. But entertaining to me at least, along with all the animals. How is Mr. Ducky?
Mr Ducky is happy in his shed at night but still fighting.
The grass is not greener anywhere else, Francis. We all have our routines, they help make life happen. And those that lead chaotic lives, wish for more calm. Following your blog over breakfast is the perfect start to my day and sets everything in order. Please keep sending.
I love the ordinary, everyday entries on your blog! A lovely little view into what life might be like on a Shetland farm with lots of different creatures and activities.
(And I still miss Storm.) Thank you for sharing!
I miss Storm every day
Your blog is wonderful and you are following in Kate’s footsteps. She would have been astonished to find that her diaries now have an international following of their own!
I love your blog. I love your photographs too. You show the personalities of your animals, especially Monster and Pepper. I love the other photos too, of course. Fivla really does look like a fairy tale pony and Kolka is so beautiful. Gussie wearing his food always makes me smile. So please don’t think you are boring us! You have a much more interesting poo-picking routine than I do! I generally don’t take the dogs with me and only encounter various birds.
Please don’t stop unless you are genuinely dreading it. Seeing pictures of Shetland every day and enjoying the antics of your menagerie is how I start the day. It’s great, and never boring. And feel free to whinge.
I really enjoy your blog, all the different days, quiet or eventful. It is so unlike where I live, and I’m not likely to get an opportunity to visit Shetland for myself. There’s a couple of Shetland ponies up the road from us, and I watch them with additional knowledge and understand that you have shared. Your photos are all different, and lovely. One of my all time favourites was Filva in the shed doorway a few days ago, and that one above of the five ponies stalking you is superb.