Well, that’s Daisy gone after her Christmas holiday.

And I think we can all safely say that we will miss her hugely.

She was, of course, a delight (which is actually Daisy’s description of herself).

And I’m sad as we won’t have anyone to play flute trios with now so it’s back to duets again plus Pepper as our audience who has to be paid in chews.

So safe flight home, Daisy. Thank you for all your help this Christmas (Bibble was beyond happy to see her) and phone me when you land or get home because that plane sat on the runway for at least 3 extra hours with a mechanic trying to put it back together after two aborted flight take-offs.  The wind here is an ambient F8, gusting 9, with horizontal rain and there are no flights tomorrow. So it’s now or never and I am not worried, I am not worried, I am not worried……

(here we are waiting at Sumburgh airport which was almost deserted). 

Daisy knows the Minions and the Old Ladies very well so I asked her to come and inspect them in their field today.  I wanted her valued professional opinion.

And, of course, the Minions all know Daisy too.

Daisy said Vitamin looked good which made me happy.

Newt was a fat little Newt.

But incredibly cute so we forgive him.  If he could just be a tad nicer, that would be good too.

Silver was diagnosed as fat.  Daisy said it as she saw it. FAT.

Fivla, for her age, was ok.  We tell ourselves that she needs her excess weight for the bad weather ahead.

Storm and Waffle were hiding in their “bedroom” – the old walled garden.

I fear they have made it their own, like little boys do.

And the others were all said to be looking good.  The weather is disintegrating again for what seems like the rest of our lives so anyone’s extra weight will be needed for keeping warm and storing heat.  No one has rugs.

Anyway, I am glad Daisy saw the Minions.  She is going back to Glasgow tomorrow and we will all miss her hugely.

A dear friend sent everyone a Christmas Box and when I type “everyone”, I mean everyone.  Sheep, cat, dogs, ponies, horses, chickens, ducks, people – in possibly that order.

Monster got his treats first, because he was very insistent, made a huge fuss and then he wanted the box too.

Others wanted that box.

They coveted it, actually.

And then they coveted the cat toy too.

But what is Monster’s stays with Monster.

He had a lovely time playing with the toys and enjoying the catnip.

It was definitely Monster’s box and toys.  No argument.

With the lovely presents distributed, or put away for later because no one should eat all their treats in one day, Pepper took to her bed.

Flossie took these photos from her prime spot on the sofa.

I adore this one.

And Daisy took this one earlier!  I am not sure I adore this as much.

Last night we had a mighty storm.  The winds howled – 80mph at its worst – and we had some frequent snow blizzards too.

I went to bed early while my little house shook.  Pepper came with me. She wasn’t scared but she wanted to be close by.  I don’t think Ted even noticed.

Tomorrow morning was a new day and much calmer.  The snow was mostly melting now which made driving to the Minions easier.

It was a soggy kind of snow and extra slippy, while being not very easy to walk in.

But the ponies were fine. They enjoyed their breakfast and then had their usual finishing-each-other’s-bowls argument.

The old ladies were on good form too.

Floss came with me and kept guard for Fivla (behind her) so she could finish her breakfast in peace.

Later on, after the dog walk to check the furthest field gate was still shut and hadn’t been destroyed in the storm, I checked on the Old Folk – Haakon, Iacs and Kolka.  I gave them some carrots. They had already had a breakfast bucket from Daisy (her job while she’s home).

So I am glad I didn’t get anyone inside last night.  They all have their shelter and grass in their fields. To come inside would’ve terrified them.  Ditto rugs blowing about and even off.  The horses and ponies’ winter fat and fur coats were all they needed last night.

Hey, Daisy, you got any photos because I have nothing for the blog……

‘Nuff said.

Like I said, this is my day off!