Ponies, sheep, horses, dogs, ducks were all fed quickly this morning.  I threw their buckets at them and then in a made rush I drove to Lerwick for the 2023 Shetland Wool Week Makers’ Market, where I was meeting an old friend from New Mexico, USA.  We were going to shop!

There were two large rooms full of lovely things and today I am not ashamed to say I started my Christmas shopping.

The Market was in two rooms and we wandered around looking at all the amazing wool-related items.  I saw some friends too and stopped for a chat.

And this was my absolute most favourite stall, for obvious reasons – possibly all things sheep related.

The ease of which I spent money was positively scary but I tell myself this is for Christmas and I am just getting in early and being efficient. Yer, go me!

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We had a nice lunch and then onwards home where I put my friend to work!  So, all good and Christmas is on its way to being sorted.  There’s a lot of talent in Shetland I didn’t know about.

Every Friday in our local village Walls, about 4 miles away, the Methodist Church plays host to a lunch time café.

It is a great place to see folk, meet up and have a natter accompanied with delicious soup, the best bacon roll I have ever had, along with a selection of excellent homemade cake.  Apparently they serve other things, but that’s always my go to, along with a pot of tea.  Today I dragged OH with me.  I try to go most Fridays just because I always see friends and enjoy myself.  It makes a change.

After a very nice lunch, we drove home and I was back in my shed making sheeple.  I am going into town tomorrow so want to take in as many as I can.

All day the rain has been on and off – the rule is if I leave the big shed door open, then the rain is torrential and soaks everything, and if I shut it, the sun shines and I then regret my decisions for the whole day.

I can’t win.

I know that.

It’s been a quiet day for me today, which is just how I like it.

This morning, though, the Oldies demanded waitress service – they couldn’t be bothered to walk – so I had to take their buckets out into their field to them.

When I took the dogs out later, I retrieved the now-empty buckets and cursed everyone’s laziness.

Was anyone grateful?

Well, a bit. Most days the horses pretty much do their own thing, coming down to the gate for breakfast (except for today) and then they wander off again.  I only saw them again because I was walking the dogs in their field.

The Minions, on the other hoof, are very needy, constantly trying to get my attention in the hope I will bring hay or food.

And sometimes I do.

The sheep are pretty self-sufficient at the moment, too which is good. They get their breakfast and then wander off somewhere for the rest of the day. Perfect.

I just go about delivering food to everyone.  It’s that time of year.

This morning, I opened up a small part of the field for the Minions.  Their track is inevitably turning to mud and they are becoming fed up.

The boys were all very happy at the thought of a bit of grass.

All except Waffle, who stayed behind to eat the Old Ladies’ last night leftovers.

Old soaked hay is apparently better than a new piece of grazing.

Enjoy Waffle!

The track set-up is mostly working. My one strand of electric fence is doing its job, though I am not optimistic it won’t be breached soon by a certain small someone, who I think is looking a little bit thinner.

Newt was in a wicked giggly trotty mood this morning.  He was very pleased with himself about something. I ignored him.

And there’s less of Silver too, which is encouraging.  I have upped everyone’s hay ration as the weather is deteriorating again over the next few days.

This is Wee One, aka Pepper, last night while I made another sheeple after supper.

I try to make at least three sheeple a day as it is Wool Week and this is my last gasp at making any money this year.  The cruise ship season has just about dried up too.

This morning I came downstairs to find Monster blocking my egress.

Luckily, I managed a clear round as I jumped over him.  I don’t trust that cat not to roll over and try and get me.  He has form.

And then later on. Ok, Monster had moved, but not very far.  This is the same rug.  The underfloor heating is obviously very effective in this spot says the person who then went and turned it off!

Pepper heard me talking to Monster about his always being in the way.

And, like me, this is the face of someone who hates needless affection. I am not a hugger and neither is Monster.  I love his expression.  Ugh, get off!

This afternoon, and I was back in my shed making more sheeple.

These are from the past two days.  One more to make tonight.

The boys are fed in the afternoon and then again after my supper.

Obviously they have to share one haynet box while another lies deserted not very far away.

The girls get another (one of many) soaked feed block.  Vitamin is very keen on this.  She likes to wear her food.

So that’s my day. Add some ducks to feed endlessly and dogs to walk and that’s what I do.