“Things to see, people to do” was the motto of the day.

First the dog-walk to appease my guilt that Ted and Pepper would have to be left for a couple of hours in the house.  One day I will take Pepper (never Ted, he has issues) with me.

I took them to Clothie – my five acre croft that is full of grass and flowers now.  It hasn’t been grazed for months, since Iacs, Haakon and Kolka were moved into the big hill-park behind the house.  It is the perfect field for them in the winter months as there is lots of shelter from the old derelict houses and sheds.

It is the cotton-grass’ time to shine now.

This year, the orchids have suffered in the cold weather.  They are almost over now.  It was brief but pretty.

And I am trying to find out if this is marsh bedstraw or heath bedstraw.  I will return tomorrow to have a good look at its’ leaves.  I’ve never seen this plant grow here before so it is a new one to me.

And then, after putting Pepper back into the house after she followed me out, I drove to town to deliver some more sheep.

Again, I was wishing I could’ve taken her with me but then that’s not fair on Ted who would be alone with Monster which is not something I would wish on anyone.

There were two cruise ships/boats in but I managed to miss the swarm of visitors to the shops.

And someone wasn’t talking to me when I got home.

When it rains, Tiddles shivers and is miserable so I brought him in from the field to fit him with a rug, for emergencies.

He was not the size I thought he should be – 3’9″ was possibly too short.

Though the front was a nice snug fit.

I tried the 4′ 3″ and it was miles too big.  Not even a case of “Don’t worry if the sleeves are too long, you’ll find they’ll ride up with wear” (if you know, you know).

So I opted for the 4′ rug. It has 50g of fill, which I didn’t want, but we do have two and so one and spare is always useful.

It fitted very nicely around the neck.

Feeling pleased with this rug (and its twin), I fitted one to Tiddles, making sure all the straps were the right length so I can go shooting out just before the rain starts up and get it on him fast.

And please don’t tell Daisy, because she thinks I already have far too many rugs, but I bought Tiddles a 4′ rainsheet (the same type as Fivla and Vitamoo’s) which will be very useful as Summer has no intention of appearing any time soon.  There is currently a cruel north wind and it is very cold.  No wonder Tiddles shakes when it rains.  Poor lad.

Nothing is sacred. I have nowhere. I am followed most places.

And then things I need are taken or sat on.

And sometimes it can be quite the argument to get them back too.

Often, there is no negotation available and I have to give up and go and do something else instead.  Note the claws.  I think I left in disgust and was forced to go and do housework. Ugh!

But I forgive Monster, because he is very photogenic.

Meanwhile, I have spent every other waking hour in my shed stabbing away making my felted sheep.  The cruise ship visitors are buying them up faster than I can create them.

These two keep me company while I binge-watch Grey’s Anatomy, crying my eyes out trying not to draw my own blood with blurry vision.  It’s not easy and I am addicted.

After tea, weather-permitting, I try to go for a walk to check on the Ancients. I don’t see them much as OH gives them their morning bucket and reports back.  But I do like to know for myself that everything is ok.

I am pleased with Bibble. He lost weight in winter but has put it back on.  Phew.  Good effort, Bibble.

And Kolka is the same as ever, shovelling as much in her face as possible.

Now where is that darn cat?

This morning started off with a large downpour of rain.  It has been pretty much solidly raining since Friday and everyone was heartily bored of it, though I do have to say that the rugs on Fivla and Vitamin held up very well.  I didn’t have to put dry ones on as theirs’ were never wet through, which is impressive.

This lot didn’t have rugs and Storm was dithering and following me around looking pathetic, so I took him into the shed to warm up.  He thought this was great and thank you very much as he dragged me along.

After Storm had finished everyone’s bowls and haynets, he quickly realised that inside was not a fun place to be and wanted out.

A few hours later, the rain had stopped and the sun came out so I let everyone outside and crossed all my fingers that we have beaten the laminitis (this time, though I shall watch them like a hawk).

My back is also agony so I am hoping the total change in dietary regime for the ponies – ie, I have stopped all extra hay and fibre blocks – will mean they only have what they can find on the track plus their breakfast scoop with mins/vits.

There was lots of rolling – they do this to re-establish their herd smell.

And they were so pleased to see each other.

It was lovely.  The change in them all is huge.  Happy little ponies together again.

I told them to go down to the track and find whatever they could find to eat because that’s it.  No one needed telling twice and they rushed off quickly in case I changed my mind again.

This little lot seem much better.

While, I sorted out their filthy bedroom, I let them out to play.  The wheelbarrow was not upright for long – thank you, Waffle, and they were into everything.

All three were racing around the school and I would say Waffle is certainly 100% again.

Albie and Tiddles may need a bit longer inside.

It was nice to see them playing too.

The minute a sense of humour appears, I know everything will probably be alright.  Today, they were very wicked.

I didn’t ask them to run – they just wanted to.  A lot.

Like every parent, I mucked out their bedroom (quite literally!) and they ran back in as I had also added two new haynets of soaked hay.

I am glad Waffle, Albie and Tiddles are brighter.  Everything feels almost back to normal.

Tomorrow, I might let Waffle go back outside.  On the track, all food has been cut right back to nothing and they only have what they can find to eat now.  There is much complaining.  I don’t want to go back to Square 1, but I do need to know if he could live outside.