Well, I think I can safely say all the ducklings for this year are here now.  All are Mr Duckie’s bebbies.  Well done that drake.

Of course, the duck families all want to live separate lives so I am encouraging integration like mad.

This is Mrs Black Ducky and her son (possibly a Cuthbert – he is a bit of a drip), who is also being stalked by Penthesilea’s Mum (PM) – I had to throw out her eggs as they turned green and stank.  PM is now rejoining the social duck whirl and is in love with her nephew (ew, but it is what it is).

Cuthbert and PM. ❤️  Complicated.

Group #2 is this lot.   Mum…..

…. and her three sons (depressed, muchly) so I named them Huey, Dewey, and Louie.

But they are very sweet …

…. and ridiculously stupid and tame.

And, lastly but not leastly, I have the original duckling family who are huge now.  Two girls and one boy – and I can’t think of any “famous” names for them.  Thoughts, please.

They are a happy little family.  And in good news, they all sleep under one roof (except for HD&L) which makes my life much easier.  I am hoping.

And as for Penthisilea, she continues to sit and I know there are no ducklings there.  The eggs will turn green and I will take them away soon.

So we have in total:-

Mr Ducky
His five original girls
Plus……. 3 boys + 1 boy +1 boy = 5 more boys
and 2 girls.

Which is in reality 6 boys and 7 girls.  Hey ho.  Writing it all down helps.

I am just hoping everyone will get on with each other though I have a sneaking suspicion the boys together could all be a problem.  We will see.

Monster doesn’t care.  Not even slightly.

I took the dogs to Leradale for their walk and made a decision – they (the Minions) are not going there for the winter like they usually do.

There’s just too much green grass and it will not be good for them.

This way lies failure.

At home, the track is doing its job and everyone is resentful but sans laminitis which is my main aim.

This time last year, and the year before I think, we were struggling with this dreaded symptom/disease.

A small fact (very small, about 26″ of small) – Newt can turn over every feed bowl every time I turn them back to drain and keep out of the rain. It’s his talent!  I am not proud of this.

So my plan, for what it is worth, is to get the Minions through October living here and then to send them to our croft across the road. There is a nice hill park that will offer lots of grotty grass and shelter (the nearest hill).

I am trying so hard not to listen to the protests about no grass, no food, and no life.

But this times last year and the year before it was hell.  I must stay strong. I must stay strong.

It’s been a vile, if warm, dreich day today.  The dogs got soaked on their walk. Pepper insisted on pressing up against the electric heater in my shed while I made sheeple.

And Ted huddled pitifully on the chaise longue. Is there no sadder sight than a wet dog?

Meanwhile, the sheep had taken shelter with the ducks.

They all seemed to be muddling along so I left them to it.

Later on, the weather cleared and the sheep all clambered under the fence to go out into the field to eat.  All except ‘Ster. He just can’t do it and goes around bleating miserably to himself or to anyone who will listen (me).

I am used to this. I know what to do. I called him up.

But first I grabbed a piece of crackly paper and I lured him through the open garden gate.

And then ‘Ster followed me through the garden.

He knows the drill too. ‘Ster is not allowed to tell OH that he is doing this …

…and he is not allowed to eat any of OH’s precious plants.

No, he is not! Them’s are The Rules.

Seriously, ‘Ster what are you thinking? OH will do his nut if he sees this!

Once through the garden, I let ‘Ster out through the little garden gate and he waits for a treat. I kissed him on the top of his head and told him that was all he would get. He trotted off to find his friends.

I told you, we both know the drill.

I had to return a book to a friend, so I took the opportunity to take the dogs for a walk on our local beach first.  They haven’t been to the beach in a while, if ever (Ted). I think I remember shouting and failure on the recall front and vowing never to go again.

In my coat pocket I packed some yummy American bacon dog treats (Pepper and Ted will do anything for these) and a dog lead (just in case Ted went AWOL). We set off.

It wasn’t the usual run-around-madly kind of walk but they enjoyed the sniffs and smells of every local dog that is walked on this beach.

When we started off, the beach was our own but it gradually filled up with another couple (on holiday), dog-walker and walker.

I let the dogs run off but kept their attention, calling them back for the bacon treats.

And it worked!

Yes, other people and dog were very exciting and we stopped to chat, as I knew most of them, but it was good the dogs were listening to me.

There is definitely improvement and I feel inspired to take them to different places now.

One thing, though, I am going to put their reflective coats on.  Could I see them?

No, I could not!

Playing spot the dog is not a good game.

Pepper was intrigued by the sea.

I wonder if I can get her swimming next?

For some of us it was a morning of snoozing in the autumn sunshine.

I am always surprised to see the horses all laid out together with no one guarding against the little known stealthy Shetland tigers.

I did a double take at this photo. Iacs looks identical to Haakon, which is not really surprising since they are cousins.

And Haakon is really a Przewalski’s horse. I always knew this.

While Iacs is a sleepy hippo.

And Kolka is smiling sleepily.

On with the dog walk with me lugging my big camera with me.

It is not an easy lug (that camera ain’t light), but I think the pictures are worth it.