My car is at the garage having life-saving surgery so I am running about in the horse-van, which is fine, if a bit big for the job.

I have been putting off my decision to take the Old Ones home since they were loving life at Leradale so much.

And, while I don’t want the Minions to even sniff a blade of grass, the Icelandics need more, especially the old ones (Haakon, Iacs and Kolka).

Today I made the decision to bring them home because when Kolka turned slightly, I swear I saw a line of ribs which made me suck my teeth.  No, not on Iacs – he just looks strange. That’s his normal.

So I put headcollars on Kolka and Klængur and attempted to load them. Klængur was having none of it.  He wouldn’t even go near the ramp.  So I tied him up and quickly loaded Kolka, who was very obliging.  Then I turned my attention back on Klængur who was upset his “wife” was now in the van.  As Klængur’s main aim in life is to stand next to his beloved, I used this knowledge to my advantage and pretty soon he loaded and I drove them home.  I also told Klængur that he would end up staying at Leradale with only the Minions for company forever!

And now, in these photos Kolka doesn’t look too bad for a 27 years old.

(if Klængur gets fat, he has a place reserved at my friend’s Fat Camp for the summer, like last year.)

And then I went back and got Haakon and Iacs who loaded like the dream horses they are.

Iacs would’ve probably driven home if he knew how to work the pedals.

Secretly I am thrilled my horses are home. I hated not being able to see them when I look out of the window.  It feels “right” now.

As you know we’ve been living a rather higgledy-piggledy existence because we took up our sitting room old Persian rug to replace it with another and have been waiting for underlay (and, yes, of course I say ¡Ándale, ándale! every time!)

Firstly, we tried to get rid of all the animals so we could work in peace.

I used bribery with Pepper.

And Monster was ceremoniously carried on his bed to a better place.

Monster’s Better Place. He was not very impressed.

Underlay down plus lots of faffing about trying to make it straight before we put the Persian rug on top.  I came to the conclusion that our house is not actually symmetrical anywhere – not a straight line to be had.

Bloody cat!

Fer cryin’ out loud, Monster!  Why, just why?

We lugged the huge Persian rug into the house (it has been living in the big shed all rolled up and protected).

Unrolled it and already I know it will be beautiful here.

More faffing with measuring now.  We tried straightening by eye but ended up going with the science – a tape measure.

Some little dog didn’t help.

I put the room back while OH walked the dogs and so here it is in all its glory.

Utterly beautiful. I am very pleased. It makes a huge difference to the room.

Meanwhile Monster found his bed again. Phew!

First, a few photos off my phone, just because…..

(I am determined to get the front end of a bumble bee, but it does have a wonderful floofy back end!).

Last night – the love that dare not purr its name.

This made me instantly think of a pub.  Can you guess?

Anywho, today, it was raining.

Not enough for me to remember to wear a hat on the animal walk, but enough to make me wish I had brought one!

Despite the weather, everyone came along, which was…..err, noisy.

I managed to catch on video Pepper and Monster having a “play” (in the loosest sense of the word).   My money, as always, was on Monster.

Monster sang (read, whinged) the entire way round.

Ignoring him, I admired the wild primroses that are in their full glory now.

They really are incredible and a glorious sight.

This is Monster, après walk. I was told endlessly about how wet he was (“here, feel my fur, Mum. I have seen life and I shouldn’t have to.”)  I told you whinge, bloody whinge the whole way round.

Looking at Lambie and ‘Bert’s baby photos reminded me of how sweet ‘Ster was too.

So here he is today.  Of course he came straight up for a hug because that’s what he does.

‘Ster has a beautiful face.

And a noble profile too.

And, if I had to grade the fleeces, then ‘Ster wins hooves down.  He has the most beautiful katmoget Shetland wool.  I often use it to make my sheeple out of as it is a joy to work with.

Dear ‘Ster – or Lambster as he was originally called to match Lambie, Lambert…. you get the picture.

‘Ster arrived on November 8th 2015.  He had a bad start to life – another bottle fed lamb who lived in a very small space all his lamb life.  I couldn’t bear seeing him like this, so asked the crofter if I could have him.

When I brought him home, it was evident ‘Ster couldn’t walk very well. He could stand up and that was about it.

To this day one of ‘Ster’s back legs is always constantly at an angle.

He also has reduced lung function and puffs and pants a lot. He can’t run much either.  I guess it didn’t develope when it should have.

But ‘Ster quickly won our hearts and we tamed him down quickly

To this day, he has appalling separation anxiety which the others totally exploit, often leaving him behind without mentioning their going.  Rotten lot.

He always wants a hug too and I am very happy to oblige.

He is the cuddliest of all the sheep and Lambie could learn a lot from him.

Lambie and Lambert (aka ‘Bert) go way back.  To June 13th, 2015 to be precise.  That was ‘Bert’s “Gotcha Day”.

I got ‘Bert from another local crofter to be a friend for Lambie who had rather outgrown his welcome living in our house (he had started to eat computer cables).

I was reminded that ‘Bert was No 2 of our flock when he wanted his breakfast with Lambie rather than with the rabble.

Lambie had eaten his first and so was sucking up to me while we waited for ‘Bert.

I could only think this must be my birthday (which it isn’t) for Lambie to be so nice to me.  ‘Bert is always nice to me.

‘Bert enjoyed his brekkie.  Today he wanted slushy mush so that’s what he had.

Anyway, I dug out some early photos of Lambie and ‘Bert from when they first met.

First night together in the stable and not in the house.

We used to call ‘Bert “Monkey” because he did look more like one than a wee lamb.

Lambie gazing at Bert. He had absolutely no idea what he was. Lambie still is doubtful he is actually a sheep.

And this was a few months’ on when they were now the best of friends.   So sweet.

And two little films, which always makes me smile.  Lambie was such a, well, Lambie! Of course he was.

And now I must dig out ‘Ster’s baby photos. He was gorgeous and looked like a baby badger!

So, yes, Bert and Lambie go way back.