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.

It was a quiet day, which is the best kind for me.  I love quiet days.

In the afternoon, I went into my shed and was easily distracted taking pretty pictures of Little Herself.

I particularly love the little black whiskers on both sides of Pepper’s mouth – like dragon whiskers.

She is a dear wee dug with a very forceful personality.

Talking of forceful personalities, there I was stabbing happily away making a sheep when I saw out of the corner of my eye, a white flash wobbling his way along with the whining accompaniment.

So of course Monster then spent his afternoon getting in the way while I removed all the sharp needles that he was determined to sit on.

And then there was the prodding me sharply, endlessly to get my attention.

In the end I gave Monster a dog dental chew to entertain himself with.  It seemed to do the trick.

And he happily alternated between eating it and dropping it on the floor.

Obviously, I had to have some undying gratitude.

It was brief, though.

Then Monster wanted to go outside and off he went.

During all this, I managed to make these two.  As well as Shetland wool, there’s probably some cat hair in them too.

In my head I have a winter plan and I told the Shetland ponies that this new field would be their January field.

They didn’t need asking twice and I have left the adjoining gate open so I can feed them in their old field, which is easier to reach.

Every morning, I put out the buckets and the ponies canter up, eat it, have a quick row, clean up and then canter off back to their new field again without looking back or even saying thank you

You can guess who always starts the row.

I feed Vitamin and Fivla a little away from the rabble.

But this adjoining field has lots of shelter and old grass complete with some ditches of fresh flowing water.  Everything a small pony could need.

Fivla seems much happier this winter.  Ok, the weight is not dropping off but she is keeping up, walking, trotting and cantering along giving as good as she gets.  That’s all I want for her.

The ponies’ backs are all completely soaked to the skin and hopefully the next few dry days should help them.

And surprisingly, in a planticrub (a small square, circular or rectangular enclosure used for growing root crops, usually without an entrance.  – Canmore) in the field is a monkey puzzle tree.

We didn’t plant it – it was there when we bought the croft years ago and it goes along growing, something threatening to die, but mostly it is alive through nothing we have done.

It is not something you see often in Shetland and luckily the ponies can’t get to it.

We were quite excited to see a smidge of blue skies this morning.  The six day gale had finally blown itself out.

It’s been tough on everyone.  They all deserved a good rest.

And today was the day Floss went back home so I did the airport run down to Sumburgh.  Again, another “busy” day and her flight was only delayed by 3 3/4 hours.  Poor thing. I had to leave her there as a) her meal voucher was only usable at the cafe on the other side in departures, and b) I was dropping off a chair at the upholsterer and wanted to find her house in daylight as I had never been there before.

I drove off to Ireland, Bigton and when I got out of the Eggbox, my jaw dropped at the view.  Wow. Just wow.

I was looking south over the St Ninian’s tombolo – the largest active tombolo in the UK.  It was mesmerising.

After giving the chair to the upholsterer, I drove over to the look at St Ninian’s tombolo.

I remembered riding Haakon along this sandy stretch at a flat gallop in a race. It was magical and many years ago after working for NRK on their tv programme Himmelblå.

This is the episode and our kitchen is featured (yellow walls at 23.28) and the horses were at the end (36;09).  I was off-shot riding Haakon ready to grab anyone who went past too fast or out of control.

And now for something completely different…

(The gale has not let up so it has barely been light and we haven’t gone outside except to feed everyone and for me to chase Lambie round and round the shed until he went through the gate into a ruddy field with his friends!)

Anyway, I brought back with me in Mum’s things a picture which I hung on Floss’ bedroom wall.  It has always interested me so today I took it down to have a good look and photograph.

Things I discovered in my morning’s research:
Measurements – 24 x 30 cm inside mount
The subject is a Chinese Bearcat (Binturong) – Arctictis binturong or 熊狸

The painting is, I think, pen and ink on fine paper with slight colour on the tree.

There is an inscription on the back of the frame in, I think, my grandmother’s hand:-

“From Professor W. Yetts
Given to Dr D. Embleton 1934”

Dr D Embleton is my great grandfather – Dennis Embleton  (1881-1944) – a doctor at UCH with a clinic at 47 Wimpole St, London.

Professor W. Yetts is Walter Percival Yetts (1878-1957) who was a British surgeon and lecturer in Chinese art and archaeology. So possibly something an expert on Chinese art and I suppose the two were good friends.

I got my translator (Floss) out of her room and asked her to do her best….

The seal is upside down and she couldn’t read it, but she made great headway into the characters.

It is the last half of a poem by the Tang poet – Han Yu (768-824) and it says:-

新茎未遍半犹枯，高架支离倒复扶。
若欲满盘堆马乳，莫辞添竹引龙须。

Rough Translation by Flossie:-

“Before they are fully grown, new grape sprouts are like dead trees. The tall grape frames become loose and crooked, before being lifted again.

If you wish to have a full plate of delicious Maru grapes in Autumn, do not neglect them. You should reinforce the frame with bamboo poles to guide the dragon whiskers (vines).”

(the bit in bold is the part written on the picture)

So that is all fascinating and I have put out feelers as to any more information especially for the artist.

I’ll keep you posted.