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!

Today in Britain, it used to be the tradition to go hunting – known as the Boxing Day Hunt.

So this morning, the girls and I went on our own hunt…..

…. for Maggie, who hadn’t come home last night (and, yes, I worried).

We all walked the big field looking for her.

After breakfast, I had sent the other sheep on ahead to look for Maggie.

And then Richard told us he had seen her on his dog-walk.

I knew exactly where Maggie would be – at the back of the field.

We took Maggie her breakfast, as she had missed it earlier.

The hill rams were put out a few weeks’ back so I know why Maggie stayed out last night – the hussy.

The hill rams linger around my fences looking for the girls.  My three (Edna, Madge and Maggie) are considered fair game but, to date, there have been no pregnancies through the wire fence, even though I am told it could be a definite possibility.  And, to be honest, this spring I wouldn’t be upset to see little lambs.

But I expect these guys put everyone off!

So Maggie was pleased to see us, ate her breakfast and they all stayed there while we turned to walk for home.

When it was nearly dark, I went back and opened the gate to call everyone home for the night.

I was very pleased to see that Maggie had properly rejoined her flock again and she wanted to come home.

I will sleep tonight.