The Caledonian Sleeper rolled into Euston Station at a very civilised 8 am, which was perfect.  From henceforth this is the only way to travel. The experience was very similar to the boat but without the waves – so a happy and rested me.

I am staying with my sister in south London so we decided to hit the shops.  First the local ones for provisions and then onwards.

Wwe hopped on a train and went to the new Battersea Power Station which was amazing.  When I lived in London before moving to Shetland, I used to see it regularly as I have always lived south of the river. In those days the power station was derelict and the area pretty grotty so it was incredible to see the massive change and surrounding building work too.

As we went out fairly early, the shops were all fairly empty, but filled up later during the day.

And I may have visited the Apple Store and  I just may have bought a little something for myself.

All shopped out, we went home via this place but we didn’t go in as we would’ve definitely come out with something or rather a someone.

It took rather a lot of willpower to walk past empty handed but we told ourselves we were being sensible. 

Today is the first day of my holiday. I am currently sitting in a train station lounge waiting to board the sleeper train from Aberdeen to Euston tonight.  I flew down this afternoon in a relatively uneventful flight. Though the landing was a tad feisty.

I may have eaten my weight in free shortbread but no one is counting. The hot choccie is made of water which is disgusting but I am still drinking it.

Exciting times ahead and tomorrow morning I will be in London.

I’ve left Pepper on her best behaviour with a promise not to run away in my absence and Floss is holding the fort at home so all is well.  Poor lass has filthy weather ahead this weekend.  I am feeling rather guilty.

Possibly more tomorrow, though please bear with me as I am writing this on my iPad, which does not bring out the best in anyone.

I am a great believer in putting folk to work if they offer.  I  mean it would be rude not to. They’ve come all this way, which as we all know is not easy.

So when Michele said she was “happy to help”, I gave her a brush and said “choose your pony”.

Once all the ponies had been brushed to their’s and our satifaction, we all found a dry spot to sit down on.  We waited and it didn’t take long.

And we chatted, while hugging or being hugged by small hairy ponies and put the world to rights, looking at the beautiful view.

There are worst ways to spend a holiday.

It’s pretty bad out there – lots of wind (gusting F11) accompanied by sudden bursts of rain or hail and it will be going on and on for a few days.

However, we went out there and managed to feed everyone their morning bucket.

It was a struggle, but we did it and could go back inside happy in the knowledge that everyone had everything they needed.

So far, there’s been one casualty.  The hurdle fence, which is not a huge calamity in the grand scheme of things. If this all we get, then we get off lightly is the way I see it.

Everything done, everyone checked and it was straight back into the house to weather the storm.  Thank you to our escorts, Maggie and Barrel with Edna in the background.

Heating turned on, and we all got on with indoor things.

Flossie learned to knit (again) and the best bit was I didn’t have to teach her.  My visitor, Michele, was taking that class. Phew!

While Monster took up embroidery!

This morning, in persisting rain (60mm in one hour) and a fresh breeze (Force 5 gusting 7), we brought all the little ones into the shed for their breakfast, put out haynets and waited for the farrier to arrive.

We were very wet and some of us were very sandy too, having immediately rolled in the school. Gross. I hate wet sand on anything.

Pepper was thrilled, as ever, to see Stephen, who promptly put her on Iacs’ back for a little ride.  Of course, she is a natural.

Everyone behaved themselves and, surprisingly although 11 were booked in to see Stephen, only two needed trimming – Haakon and Iacs – so a cheap visit for us.

A huge thank you to Stephen for not being one of those people who can find something wrong for the sake of the money.

Haakon pulled faces at the Minions who were desperate to be his friend.

And then once finished we all took the Minions over to their new field where there is shelter and old grass, which will hopefully get them through the impending storm(s).  It is going to be disgusting for the next few days.

So the hatches are battened down and the chocolate is ready.  Bring it on.