Despite raining all day and being thoroughly dreich, I decided to go and check the Minions taking the horse-van for a run.  The chaps were standing in the far corner of the field over the burn (stream).

But I showed them my pocketful of carrots and they duly stirred.

Lilja was their leader.

And the others followed in dribs and drabs.

Well, everyone except for Waffle, so I threw his carrot over to him.

Once checked, noseys duly kissed, more carrots dished out, pocketses emptied, pocketses confirmed to be empty, I left them all to it and walked back down the hill.

Of course I was followed – Newt and Storm having a quick game en route.

Albie was very determined to come home with me.  He would sit in the van, if he could.

I said goodbye at the gate feeling, as usual, incredibly guilty that they had a fine field, full of hill grass, fresh water and friends.  How they suffer.

And my van?  Well, what I thought had been clever off-road parking turned out to be one wheel now wedged in the ditch and I was totally stuck.

Dammit!  Luckily the postie was passing and, as he was going next door to the mill, he told them of my plight and they brought a tractor and rope around to tow me out.  Huge thanks to Jamiesons Mill.  On a useful note, I was shown the van’s towing point and the location of the tool box.  I never knew I had one.

Next home and I spent my afternoon making a sheeple to feel better.

However, I am not sure that I do feel better. I feel rather embarrassed about the van.  Hey ho. Live and learn. I’m not having much luck with vehicles these days.