We haven’t been to the beach in ages and I’ve started to think that the dogs and I are not very good at going out and also the dogs don’t know how to wait nicely in the car.

So, today, I took them to the beach for their dog-walk, en route to taking OH his forgotten packed lunch.

We had the place to ourselves, which is always nice.

Not a soul to be seen.

I tried a new-to-me technique on my camera phone, which was a bit hit and miss, but interesting.

The dogs had a good, if short, runaround because both streams on either side of the beach that are usually wadeable through, were running very fast and full.  We didn’t dare go across though I did wonder whether the intrepid Pepper would have a shot.

Crossing is not for the foolhardy.

I called her off and said if she went, she would be on her own.

They had a good run home and we all enjoyed the change of scenery.

On we drove to deliver the gratefully received lunch-box and I turned the car around at the bottom of the road.

And I saw a pair of Shalders (oyster-catchers) looking very fat and well.  My heart soared.  Spring is on its way.  This is the sign.

When the birds flew off, because they spotted me, their high-pitched shout gave me some hope of being warmer and drier.  We would all love that.

And then just like that overnight the snow vanished and we were straight back to mud again.

I won’t lie, I did groan a little as I clambered over the fence with the breakfast buckets but I honestly think mud is better than snow.  Less work for us hoomans, ie when we have no snow, no haynets because they all have plenty of grass in their fields to eat. They just have to go and find it.

I also took off Fivla’s rug as it at least 3 degrees warmer and, even though it has rained all day, I tell myself that she is well-covered and has her winter coat which has worked fine up until it didn’t.

Anyway, I checked her frequently throughout the day and she was fine – no shaky jitters or being miserable.  When I first left Fivla bare-nekkid, I told her to come and stand by the gate if she wanted inside or anything.  She knows the drill and how to tell me.  In fact, the whole herd slept the entire morning – probably very tired from the last few days of having their every meal served to them.  I know I am bloody exhausted!

So for me, mud is better than snow because the mud is only in a few places and there is grass everywhere else.  Self-service from now on, chaps!  This waitress is having a rest.

No, this isn’t a recipe for duck and pepper.  We are not that kind of page (!!shocked!!).  We don’t eat family ever, not anyone, though sometimes some of us need a bit of reminding.

I guess the ducks are used to Pepper because she was around when they hatched, albeit the other side of a fence looking on completely hypnotised, agonising about how she could best introduce herself while fierce Mother Duckies let her know what would happen if she did.  In this way, Pepper learned respect which is no bad thing.

I trust Pepper pretty much with the ducks and hens.  She likes being with them, and always has.  She spends time sitting amongst them while they either look on bemused or let her steal their food (this is not encouraged).

And I wonder if Pepper think she is just a slightly different version of the ducks.

To totally misquote Joyce Grenfell “You shall be a Muscovy Duck – only do it gently.”

Dear Little Pepperpot.  And to be fair to Ted, he stays well away.

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.