I knew today wasn’t going to go well. I had that feeling.

The weather remained grot and I wanted to practice the piano. Not a thing I do very often, I admit, but my skills need to be honed for a friend who wants to learn and I can’t remember what the bottom notes are.  Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, right?  (or is that the treble clef? I forget).  All Cows Eat Grass?

So, as I had the house to myself, or so I though,  I sat down at my beautiful piano and did a spot of practicing.

I tried, I honestly did. But when Monster (known as Poo-Poo for short) tried to climb into the piano, I gave up.  He was so annoying and very painful.

And yes, sometimes at night I can hear the piano play and now I know why.  Note-to-self, I must remember to put the lid down!

This was going to be yesterday’s blog but the powercut put paid to that.

Yesterday was slighly calmer, weather-wise, so I decided to incorporate the daily dogwalk with a search for my missing-in-action yellow bucket.

Of course, I had helpers.

It was all Storm really.

And his friend Albie.  They insisted on coming too.

We had a lot of field to search.

But off we walked, always looking, ever hopeful.  I hate losing things.

Ted was not that thrilled with the accompanying ponies on his walk but, to be fair, they didn’t try anything horrid and everyone kept to themselves so he relaxed a bit.

Onwards, ever onwards we climbed.

Then the silliness started.

I knew what was going to happen next.

It was wonderful to watch.  Note how the old ladies stay in the same place while the Minions ran up and down the hill, giggling.  And there is also a small wee brown dog in amongst the herd, galloping alongside too.

Meanwhile, I kept looking for my bucket with absolutely no luck and eventually gave up.

That was until I found it today!  In the Ancients’ field by the burn.  Phew!  I told you I hate losing things.

We are in a power cut now so just to report I haven’t found my yellow bucket despite an extensive search.

OH bought me five blue ones when he went to town so happy days.

It’s been quite the day and we have spent it mostly indoors because, honestly, this has not been a day to be outside.  Too dangerous.

This morning, OH and I managed to feed everyone, though at one stage walking around the corner of the big shed with buckets nearly had me in the ditch with the sheer force of the wind.  It was a near one and I was scared.

Casualties, so far, are one yellow bucket which is probably in Norway now.  It had Haakon’s breakfast in it and I think he finished, lifted up his head and, whoomph, it was gone!

The sheep have hay and are happy enough. They come out to say hello but mostly are having a day off. I don’t blame them.

I have spent my day doing mundane stuff like watch an iPhone online photography video, which was actually very helpful.

I even tried a few portraits of myself.

And Ted, who was around, getting rather anxious about the house rattling in its foundations.

Then Monster had a go at comforting Ted by giving him something else to worry about.  Note the tail position.

In a minute, once it is dark, armed with my headtorch and small wee dug, I shall go out and put the hens and ducks to bed, check on the sheep and then call it a day.

(The horses and ponies are fine – I watch them from the upstairs windows eating while ignoring the storm-force winds. They know best how to deal with days like these.)

These photos are from yesterday at the end of the dogwalk.  The sun was out and Haakon was having a little bit of a sit because it was the last of the lovely days for a while.

Kolka was guarding against any potential marauding tigers – good girl, Kolka.

While Bibble was being Bibble.  It’s a full time job, you know.

Let’s not think twit.

Though, I will admit, it is very hard not to.

For anyone missing Bibble’s silly-frilly – here it is in all its glory.   Magnificent.

My little shadow was around keeping watch too.  She would love a marauding tiger.  Such fun!

But all we had was one fat white cat.  In the next photo, he is having a pee.  Funnily enough, I’ve left that one out.

And so the weather is deteriorating into a six day storm which we could all do without.

It feels like this is a very windy winter and  I am dreading trying to feed everyone first thing tomorrow morning.  Buckets everywhere and lots of trying to stay upright.