It’s been a funny old day.  Everyone knows the snow storm is coming.  I can tell that.

This morning’s sunrise was definitely an omen.

I was off to a meeting this morning, and on my way out of the door (twice – I forgot the sossage rolls I had promised), I scrambled over the fence and gave the old Icelandics a big carrot each just to check they were ok.

There was some feisty weather during the meeting but it was brief.  Things to come, I bet.

Afterwards I went into my shed to make a sheep.

Obviously the family came too and everyone had a dog treat.   Even Monster.

So we’ve battened down the hatches and will see what the next 72 hours brings.  It is not looking nice and you know about my obssession with the weather forecast (I have every app on my phone to see if someone is forecasting sun – ever the optimist).

This is the world’s worst film (I had my head torch on) when I asked the old Icelandic horses if they wanted to hunker down in the other field……   There was enthusiastic trotting which was nice to see.  I hope they stay safe and well through all of this.

I was just out of the front door with the dogs who were ready for their walk, when the phone rang.  It was my neighbour to say that the Minions were in her garden! Damn, I said. I will be right over.

So I shovelled the dogs back through the door, muttering apologies, and drove down the road to corral the ponies back into their field.

Only they were having none of it.  They cantered around the garden being very unhelpful. I could hear them giggling.  Eventually, the ponies went through an open gate back into the field and I quickly shut it, concentrating my efforts on catching Fivla and Vitamin who did not act their age one bit.  Bucking and farting.  Meh.

Once caught, I shoved them through the gate.  Meanwhile, Tiddles, who had not managed to escape, was hysterical trying to get to his friends.  Eventually he got the plot and jumped the burn (stream) to rejoin his friends.  Yes, the whole lot had jumped the burn that runs through their field.  Something, no other Shetland pony has done but today they all felt they had to.

So I left the ponies in the field they are not supposed to have or be in until March and told them this was it. This was all they would get.  It is supposed to snow for the next week or so, and I am not going to take hay. They can dig for the long grass they are living in and if they starve, well so be it.  I don’t care.  I tried my best.

I went back home and let the dogs out for their delayed walk.  We walked the already-started track system and I thought to myself I can’t wait for the Minions to move here.  Let them try that stunt again.  It will get them nowhere.

And, yes, of course if the snow is really bad, I will lug hay over.  Maybe…..

Move along, please.  Nothing to see here.

Just a woman walking her dogs and cat but first waiting for the cat while he tinkers with the brakes of her car.

Hmmmm. I am a tad nervous now.

When Monster finished his car mechanic course, he came along to join us.

Even walking over the mud which is worthy of a good whinge.

There was some running to keep up.

And a bit of stalking Ted just because it is great fun, and usually Ted has no idea.

We walked up to the derelict schoolhouse (mentioned as a school in 1878 records) in the field.

Pepper and Monster did a spot of hunting. Well, Pepper hunted and Monster looked on.

The croft of Clothie is exactly 5 acres with Stourborough Hill in the background and my croft (Thordale) with its big green shed to the right.

Pepper was very keen on looking at something. I have no idea what it was.

Monster adopted a more restful approach to being alert.

Again, Ted has no idea what was going on. He’s not that kind of dog.

One fat statue.

And then Monster clambered in an elegant Size 8 sort of way that did not involve falling off rocks or getting his feet wet or dirty.  I have no idea how he achieves this.

These two, honestly!

When we got home, we all noticed, to a horse, cat, and dog that the fencer had arrived to build a track for the Minions.

It will be around the edge of this field and I am very excited this is going to happen.

Because the old Icelandics insisted on standing by the fence making comments like “you’re doing that wrong”, I opened the gate to their hill field.  They disappeared over the horizon possibly never to be seen again.

Little bar-stewards.  Look what I found in the Minions’ field this morning – a 25 litre water container eaten!

I guess they just couldn’t help themselves but, honestly, I wish they wouldn’t.  My bad, I suppose, for leaving the containers in their field. I should never have trusted the Shetland ponies.

I moved the containers outwith.  I have learned my lesson.

Feeling a bit disgruntled about this (I hate needless vandalism), I went back armed with a bucket of brushes and conditioner to try and brush out the rain “clags” from the ponies’ coats.  Of course, the bucket and its contents were dismantled many times.  I never seem to learn.

Before.

After.

I am hoping this will help the ponies’ coats to fluff up in the low temperatures and offer better protection in the snow – eta Sunday now.

I gave everyone a good brush which they all enjoyed, even Tiddles who usually walks away. I even removed a wind knot from his mane, which means “a witch will borrow the horse (or pony) at night and ride it, leaving a “braid” in its mane by morning“ – good luck with that – Tiddles won’t load, tends to run away when you want to catch him and God alone know what he would do if you got on his back!  Anyway, please return him when you find out all of this.

Anyway, it was lovely to spend time with my little boys and girls and I managed to take a few snappity-snaps too.

Aww, you would almost think Newt was a nice pony rather than a wee  💩.  Proof that photos do lie.

It was another lovely calm morning today and OH and I got on with our chores.

As snow is forecast at the weekend and well into next week, I asked OH to come with me to move the Shetland ponies’ water bucket.  The water containers are too heavy for me to lug over the fence.

OH placed the big red bucket near where I feed the ponies and I like to think that although there is a stream that flows through both fields, they always have easy access to water.  The stream has steep sides in places and I know the old ladies would struggle with that and give up the idea of drinking rather than make the effort.

I can’t sleep at night if I think anyone hasn’t had a good drink of water and if the ground freezes, everyone will be reluctant to walk much.  But if the water bucket is where their breakfast is served, then it is a bit easier for all.  They all immediately helped themselves so they know where to find it.

Everyone is making the most of the calm days.  I stood in the field and there was total silence except for the sea rumbling in the background.

A magical morning.  I won’t lie, I could do without the snow, though.