I could not feel more of a failure to my Shetland ponies.

Yesterday, I took Tiddles and Albie into the small paddock where they will now live as they were walking with a very stiff gait. I was sucking my teeth while my waters were churning.

Today, Waffle joined them.

It seems that whatever I try to do for my ponies is the wrong thing.

I had put all my hopes into track-life being the way forward for them.  The winter weight was coming off beautifully and everyone was running around happily and then suddenly three of them weren’t.

It is a constant juggling act – trying to keep the weight on Vitamoo, while making the others lose weight and stay sound.

Tiddles isn’t even very fat.  Waffle was but has lost weight but Albie is rotund. To suddenly find them getting all the signs of laminitis is incredibly depressing.

How did Albie get fat on the track, while the others are losing weight eating the exact same thing?

I do think, however, that their hooves are all in a desperate need of a trim and the only thing we can do is wait for our farrier’s next visit. I don’t scrimp on trimming, I don’t ever miss a visit – the spring grass makes hooves grow and they could just all be very uncomfortable.  Maybe after a good trim, they will walk better and everything will be alright. We just have to wait until the end of the month for our appointment.

So it is back to soaking hay, monitoring everything they eat and worrying constantly that they are managing with no colic and not in pain.  I am so upset with myself.  I thought I was doing the right thing but obviously I wasn’t.

You know me, I like a craft fair, I do, so my friend, Mandy who I play flute duets with, and I drove into town to attend the Summer Craft Fair at Mareel.

There were two areas – the main auditorium and foyer.  As we were pretty early, there were only few customers around (which was lovely) but the stall-holders were all set up and ready.

We wandered around, chatting to the craft-makers and admired their stalls, buying Lovely Things as we went.

I cannot tell you just how much I was taken with this amazing picture by Hentilagets.  It spoke to me and then I had to convince myself that I needed it.

I also love these.

We did more looking at the Lovely Things.  This pendant is by Shetland Jewellery  – The Mirrie Dancers (northern lights) on Mousa Broch – my photos do not do it justice (the light in the auditorium was not helpful).

Shetland chocolate…… hmmmm.

Incredible woodwork by Paparwark.  That is a “jumper board” – a necessity for Shetland knitters.

I might’ve bought myself a vase too – because I have been looking for something small to put flowers in –  Gill Owen Ceramics

And I was totally in love with these crocheted cats. So clever.

Folk had worked very hard at their beautiful crafts.  I was very impressed at the high standard.  While we were perusing everything, the Fair did start to fill up with shoppers.  I was glad we had gone early.  It was a wise choice.

And yes, I brought the wave picture home.  I just had to. I love it. I needed it and it looks just right in my shed. It is the kind of thing that I would’ve gone back for the next day, only to find someone else had bought it.  But this time, it was me!

Here are a few photos from the dog-walk this morning.  I lugged my big camera (and it is heavy) along with me as it is the best one for action shots.

This is the type of photo which results in the comment “she is a good stamp of a dog” in the Patterdale terrier world (possibly the underground one and yes, there is one and you absolutely do not want to go there).

I think this photo sums up Ted up very well.  He is always in the wrong place.  Always.  It is his speshul skill.  He has spent many years cultivating it.

And this sums up Pepper perfectly too.  A typical terrier.

Anyway, we had a good walk around the fields.

And all I hear is my mother’s voice saying she wanted Ted to be a “Proper Dog”.

I think he is (even if he was a total twat at the vet’s last week).

Still, Pepper was not much better – this is when I was calling her to come back.  She took her time. ’nuff said.

An early dog walk in my 5 acre field that has been left to grow grass for the winter months.  It is a lovely walk and all the wild flowers are growing like Topsy.

This time of year I keep my Shetland plant book on my desk. For reference purposes, it’s easier.

Bogbean – which has never grown in this field before.  Strange, it has decided to appear now.

Tormentil

Common Butterwort

Common Spotted Orchid – appearing everywhere now.

The dogs were suitably exhausted after their walk, as well as Monster who didn’t attend because he preferred to lounge around on the garden table and wait for us to come home.

So I packed up all my felted sheep, ready to go town and then had a huge pang of guilt.  I really wanted to take Pepper, for lead-practice, seeing new things and it’s always nice to have company, but then I remembered just how ghastly she was at the vet’s so I left her behind to keep Ted company instead.

Anyway, on to town to get my messages (Scottish for shopping). I popped into Jamieson’s Knitwear to refill the field and the shop was busy.

Two boats were in and, as usual, the street was full of folk, milling and generally looking lost.

I contented myself taking photos of the Lerwick Lanes, the side streets of Lerwick that lead to the residential areas.

Messages done and, when I finally arrived home, two small dogs and a large white cat were very pleased to see me possibly because I had bought lovely toys and food to assuage my guilt at not taking Pepper with me. Another time. She and I will do this, I told her.

This might be my next album cover.  I came across the Ancients having a mid-morning siesta in the lovely sunshine while I was walking the dogs (Monster didn’t come).

They seemed very settled, so I didn’t bother them.  This is their space. I am just a visitor.

Everywhere there were little patches of spring squill in the field…..

and possibly some Lousewort, but I am not sure.  The ones in my Shetland plant book look different.

Another orchid.  There are orchids beginning to appear everywhere.

It was a beautiful morning.  Really special and the dogs and I walked around the 30 acre field.

And here is another contender for the latest album cover (not that I am recording any music ever again – that ship has well and truly sailed).

When Shetland is beautiful, it’s very beautiful.