This year’s wall of wild primroses is in full bloom now, though it is possibly not as good as previous years, but it’s not too shoddy.  I can’t complain.

I love seeing these flowers making such an enormous effort. I think it is because they grow on either side of the stream on a very steep bank, that they do so well.  And, also it means no animal can graze them.  This is the only way to survive here.

The celandines are now out in force too.

As well as the “blugga flooers” (Shetland dialect for marsh marigolds). They are also just starting. I saw one or two on my walk.

Soon, they will be everywhere.  They are very invasive once they get going and no one eats them.

I had a little play with my camera at the two waterfalls.

Then I found a duck sitting on the table, like you do.

And so back into the shed to make more of these guys.  Spring is officially here!

It was a bright morning so I went out with the big camera to see who I could see.

These three were enjoying the Spring sunshine.

Dear old Haakon – he’s 30 this year.  His birthday is 10th May 1994. I have the notes from my original phone call with his breeder all those years ago (27) – it says “Haakon Stallion 1 year”.

And then there’s his cousin, Iacs who is two year’s younger. A 1996 baby.

(so that means, if Iacs is younger, Haakon can boss him around!)

Anyway, Haakon was looking relaxed and peaceful as he sat enjoying the sun on his back.

My little prehistoric horse. We’ve been together a long time – he arrived here when he was 3 years old, I backed him and we’ve been through everything together.  My rock and best friend.

Now Haakon is retired because his back legs are not great, though recently he as become much, much better due to having very expensive supplement.  I have noticed a spring in his step and the farrier said his back hooves were clearing the ground when he walked.

There’s a little part of me that wonders if I could ever ride Haakon again, and then I remember he has been retired for a few years now, and is 30 years old and I am no light spring chicken either.

Still, it is lovely to see Haakon happy in the field with his friend and relative.

I tell myself that I would give anything to see his happy smiley face every day rather than anything else so the cost of the supplement is worth every penny (think over £100 a month).  I just need him to live forever.

I am learning so much at Turriefield, where I volunteer when they need me to help.

These are “my” tomato plants that we transplanted from their little starter pots to bigger pots yesterday.

Once we had repotted nearly 100 plants, we took them down to the polytunnel and put them under a light on top of a heated blanket, which they need because it is very cold here at the moment – minus 9 degrees tonight (windchill temperature).

The aubergine seeds are growing too.

I am enjoying the learning curve too. I find out why stuff is done not just doing it because. I don’t learn like that. I always need a reason and then hopefully I take in more information.

I remember planting the peas and nearly all of them have sprouted.

Seeing the results of my work, makes me feel that in time I would like a polytunnel at home so that I can grow vegetables.  I don’t think it will be immediately and I need to save up too but I do think it could be a possibility.  Gardening outside in Shetland weather can be a thankless task sometimes.  You can plant a whole vegetable garden and not one thing comes up – I speak from experience – and then you can’t be bothered to try again because all that initial effort has gone completely unrewarded.

So I am feeling inspired. I really am.

So now we have a new breakfast area because of the endless mud that is everywhere.

Bowls ready for the Vandals and the Visigoths.

Yesterday, while waiting for the farrier, I built a damned gorgeous electric fence from the track up to the breakfast area.  Straight lines everywhere.  I feel very proud of my achievement.

My track is full electrified too.  Zappity zap!  Oh yes, they know I mean business.

It worked a treat.  The Minions wandered up there to find their breakfast.

And the two old ladies stayed behind, because they couldn’t be arsed with the arguments and ate their breakfast (which is different in a calorie plus sort of way) happily without interference.

And everyone was happy with this new dining arrangement.

So, after breakfast, I flipped all the bowls over to keep the birds off, and yes, you and I know what happens next…..

Newt, no!

Leave it!

Really?

Sigh!

So I flipped them all back once I had evicted the ponies back down to their track for the rest of the day.

Continuing on with the theme of visiting equine professionals, today our farrier came to trim those that needed a trim.

This is Pepper’s favourite day – she loves it when the farrier visits.  Obviously, he adores here and then there is the supply of endless hooves to eat as well as getting in the way.  The perfect combination.

Haakon was dismissed as being fine, but Iacs and Kolka were trimemd.

Then it was time for the little ones.  I had herded them all into a small paddock so I could easily catch and bring them out one at a time.

Albie was done.

One scruffy Newt next.

Tiddles had his nose licked constantly. I had stop Pepper in the end. Tiddles was starting to mind and I could see this was not going to end well.

Waffle, Vitamin, Silver and Storm were put back in the field with nothing done (cheap dates!)

And lastly Fivla.

I think this photo sums up today beautifully.  Everyone’s hooves were declared fine with no signs of laminitis or anything more desperate.  So I am pleased.  We are quickly arriving at the  the spring grass season so I am trying to be strict and keep all the ponies on the track now.  It is for their own good.

And everyone behaved, which was remarkable too!