It felt like a day of rushing.  I had a dentist appointment around lunchtime in Lerwick so everything had to be done before I left, including playing spot-the-dog on the walk (how I wished I had put on their hi-viz jackets).

Although we have not much snow, we have ice now and it is very cold so I gave myself lots of time to drive in, taking it slowly. I am not a brave driver at best.

Ted is not a fan of this weather so after the dog-walk, he went inside and Pepper stayed with me while I finished up.

The dentist was dentist-like, not doing much but it’s always the thought, isn’t it?  After, because I knew I had to get back home quickly, I did my messages as well as checking sheep numbers.

Then swiftly home while it was still light to feed everyone all over again.

I had to guard Fivla while she ate due to the circling vultures who were relentless.

At this stage we had words, but I have to be careful because Fivla gets easily upset and stops eating.

And everyone was pleased to see me home, as I have opposable thumbs and can open cat and dog food tins/sachets.  Lucky me.

A very snowy breakfast, this morning.  No wind, but lots of fat snowflakes.

So Fivla’s rug stayed on.

Then there was some potential in the sky, it duly brightened up a bit and the sun shone.  It was lovely and warm.

After my breakfast, I went out and felt underneath Fivla’s rug. She was bonkers hot so I took it off, tried on a few others (just so I knew what I had that would fit her), got in a muddle about sizes and then panicked about the size of the new rug I have ordered for her.  I also lugged buckets of water to everyone and watched them drink gratefully.  There is a massive bucket of water in the field but no one wanted to walk much in the mud as it gives way through the snow.

Storm had taken up sole residence of the little shed.

This evening, I deliberated about keeping Fivla’s rug off as she moves better without it but it was getting colder and colder.

So rug back on plus a bucket of fast fibre to keep the engine stoked.

Vitamin had her’s too.

The gales are back on Sunday and it should start thawing by Sunday. I think I just sound like a weather forecast these days.

Fivla is coping better now she has her rug on, which I thought at the time fitted her well but now I’m not so sure.

I think she could go a size up.

This one will do for the time being, but I’ve ordered a rain sheet in the next size up as this is very thick and will save my pennies for the next size up of this version too.  I will also buy a warming thermatex rug so that if anyone is wet, shivery and jittery, they can come in and warm up fast.  More pennies but necessary, I think.

On a good note, any rugs I do buy for Fivla will fit Albie, Storm, Tiddles, and Waffle too.

Others don’t get rugs and anyway I have a library of rugs, just not ones suitable for Fivla’s size and shape.

And Vitamin seems very fit and happy these days.

The wee shed is also proving a roaring success.  The tenants vary according to the time of day – a sort of time-share, if you will.

Storm is clever, he can eat hay while lording it over everyone!

I have been lugging buckets and haynets all day.  Water is important and I made sure Fivla and Vitamin had easy access to a bucket of water.

I went out later in the afternoon with a bucket of hay replacer each for Fivla and Vitamin as they hadn’t been eating the haynets – their teeth are not really up to it.

Tiddles fancied his chances.  Good luck with that, I told him.

I am trying hard not to worry about Fivla.  She is ok in herself but she is old and this winter has been difficult for her.  Hopefully the rugs will help.

Storm was in a cheeky mood, which made me smile. Everyone is, let’s just say, very helpful!

The sky was yellow and I knew the forecast was going to deteriorate to snow, so I took the dogs out early for their walk. We went down to the bottom of the valley where the wind doesn’t blow but the snow started.

Kolka was intrigued by a hunting party. Monster had appeared out of nowhere. I was surprised he joined us.

But come too, he did, and we all thought he was very intrepid, or stupid.  Let’s go with intrepid.

It describes Monster very well.

God, it was vile out there.  Absolutely miserable.

I don’t think anyone enjoyed themselves.

I quickly checked the ponies to find the sheep all wanting to come home and Fivla standing by herself at the gate, shaking.  So I put her into the stable, gave her a big bucket of hay replacer mush, towelled her down, and let her warm up a bit.

I came back after my lunch, put a rug on her and let her rejoin her friends. I also opened up the wee shed, and put out four haynets.  I checked everyone else and no one was shaking from the cold (-10 C real feel and it really was).

The shed is popular and Vitamin has firmly taken up residence with no intention of moving out!

She will let others in too if they ask nicely.

Later I saw Fivla, complete with rug, had gone out to eat grass in the field.  I was going to give her some more hay replacer but reckoned she was ok now and didn’t want it.

The Ancients are fine and when there was a lull in the wind, I called them up for a huge bucket  of soaked fibre block mixed with Rowen Barbary ReadyMash Extra, which they love.  I never saw them again!

Snow is forecast all week. Forecasts say it will go on Sunday but I am taking no chances.  So, leaving my little preciousness behind (she was so upset), I drove to Lerwick in my van for supplies.

The snow had already arrived first thing, when we fed everyone, but luckily the roads were clear and it was a smooth drive into town.  This is not going to go away soon.

I know I am panicking slightly but, with so many oldies to look after, I don’t want to run out of anything.

So I bought a round bale of hay and 4 square bales of straw – a second mortgage up here but worth it.  Fibre and more fibre is the way forward this time of year.  Nothing is better.  It fuels the internal furnaces.

Next to the feed merchant and I loaded up with hen, sheep and horse/pony food plus some dog treats for Pepper and Ted.

Once safely home, the afternoon was spent making warm beds for everyone who needs a warm bed.

These photos are from  tonight, when I was shutting in the poultry. They actually share very nicely and the warmth they all create, keeps the shed lovely and snug.  No arguments.

The sheep were very happy to see the straw and I know that Lambie will spend his entire night trying to eat all his bedding while Barrel eats the hardboard on the gate *** sigh ***.

The horses and ponies will get extra tomorrow morning, including haynets twice a day, once the anticipated snow has covered everything.