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.

We have a problem.  A duck problem.

Two of my Muscovy ladies are broody.  One is sitting happily in the henhouse on an old fish box having made a nest over a false egg (that I put in to promote laying).

This is Black Duckie and we only have one that colour so I can easily identify her.  I put six hopefully-fertilised real eggs next to her, she happily pushed them gently all under herself and settled in for the duration.  It was very sweet. I did wonder what she would do at the time and she did exactly the right thing so I am hopeful she might manage to produce some ducklings.

Meanwhile the other ladies look very similar and I am taking photos to try and identify who else is broody.

Today, I finally found out when this duck poked her head out from under the container where she is laying and starting to make her nest.

Such a ridiculous place to do this but there is no telling her.

Pepper has been known to nip in a steal and break an egg to eat.  Not good.

Today, I tried to catch broody duck No 2 but no luck. She was having none of it and went off to join her friends, furious at my pathetic attempt.

So, instead I took photos of her for future reference. I want to get her inside a quiet shed before she makes a proper feather-pulling-out nest.

Now, I know this duck. This is Penthesilea.

She has a totally white head so easy to know.

Meanwhile, I am trying to work out if it is Penthesilea’s Mum who is broody duck No 2. I’m pretty sure it is.  I shall stop worrying as much. She is a great Mum if we can just stop Pepper stealing the eggs.

(2021 duckies)

My Cunning Plan is working very well, she types smugly.  Klængur is nicely contained in his own personal little dining room….

… while everyone else is happily eating without argument, hassle or fuss. They all seemed remarkably relaxed about this arrangement, which is good.

While I was doing stuff with Haakon (spraying a hoof with ACV), Iacs came meandering down the hill towards me at a swift something, possibly a bibbly trot.

The buckets, that I had just lugged up halfway up the hill from the Minions’ field, were duly searched.

And washed up.  Thank you, Iacs.

We were also joined by Kolka who had given up on whispering sweet nothings through the bars at Klængur.

She briefly gave a thought to her incarcerated loved one …..

…. and swiftly moved on to see what lovely yummy things I might have.

Obviously Klængur was released and he does wait patiently, for which I thank him.

I am sure he doesn’t mind. I don’t even need a headcollar to lead him in – just chin hairs, so he has definitely got the plot.

Peace reigneth.  Hurrah.