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.

Fivla and Vitamin are struggling to eat the soaked hay. I think it is because it is a from a big round bale – the stalks are longer so not easy.

Well, this is my theory.

So first thing, I dashed off to Lerwick in my horsevan to buy some square bales, which is much more varied in type.

And, yes, I went around the Feed Merchant’s shed inspecting all his hay to find one that might suit Vitamin and Fivla.  I even sniffed it because I find that’s a useful method of analysis.  Feeling hopeful, I parted with a kidney and bought four bales of one type and two of another.

Then a quick nip to my sheeple field at Jamieson’s shop on the street to restock as it is Wool Week and the field was looking a bit bleak.

A few more messages to do and then home, sweet home and a perfect cup of tea.

The afternoon was spent making two more sheeple while the dogs, who were very pleased I was home, slept….

(with their eyes open, if you’re Pepper!)

So that was my day. It’s not over yet.

Supper, more hay distributed to the needy, plus two more buckets (F&V) and put to bed and then I make another sheeple.  I might add that the old ladies were absolutely fine about me driving the van in and out of their “bedroom”.  They didn’t bat an eye.

But they hate the new hay.  FFS! I give up.

It’s a sad day, here at Thordale.

Black Ducky has died under the container while sitting on her second clutch of eggs this year.  I told her to come into the hen-house or anywhere else apart from under the container but, no, she had to sit there and I expect something got her. It’s that time of year.  I even had traps close by – they’ve caught nothing.  I could not save her despite my best efforts.

At least Black Ducky had one duckling this year – Cuthbert – who she adored and was the best mother to.

Dear Cuthbert – he’s more than a little bit gormless  and now he is old enough, he hangs around with a different crowd.  He even has a girlfriend – an older lady – Penthesilea’s mother.

We will all miss Black Ducky.  She was her own duck and the only black one.  The other ducks were never very nice to her which is probably why she decided to nest this time under the container rather than in the duck-shed, where there is some new-duck politics going on.  I did try to lure her into another shed but she would have none of it.  The circle of life – it’s harsh.