It was a misty start to the day but I got everyone fed and sorted without much hassle.

And then quickly to town to refill my field, again.  I left feeling so much better knowing there were sheep in the shop, ready for the visitors.

And then onto Mareel (the UK’s Most Northerly Cinema and Arts Centre, apparently) for the Shetland Summer Craft Fair.

We arrived pretty much when it opened so the crowds had not got going.  A craft fair in Shetland is always a very popular event.

There were lots of Lovely Things to admire.

Including a 3 piece model broch that comes apart. I was fascinated.

And then home for some flute duets as that is always part of my Saturday routine.

Barrel was wondering around looking miserable so I gave him a special secret bowl of food and some TurmerAid which he ate very enthusiastically.

Then he followed me back to the house looking for more edibles.

Still feeling very sorry for him, I raided OH’s biscuit tin and gave him one of the last chocolate Digestives that I found.  Please don’t tell OH, he will possibly implode if he finds out.

I think the biscuit did the trick.  Barrel seemed much cheered afterwards.

As did his little Tidy-Up friend.  Anyway, it’s been a good day.  Stuff seen, field filled and Barrel is a bit perkier.

** Sigh **

A day full of ups and downs.

I had a hair appointment so I had to go into town (off south to Edinburgh for a long weekend soon so I must at least look like I tried).

My list was long of Things I Had to Do first which included dropping off sheep to my little field at Jamieson’s Knitwear on the Street.

I finally found a parking spot and looked around the car only to find I had forgotten my little flock of sheep to sell.  Dammit.  I had even spent the morning making another one as need is great at the moment (both for me (££) and for the visitors).

My little field in the shop was looking very empty too.  I went in and apologised profusely.  I hate letting anyone down after giving my word.  That’s just not me.

There were two huge cruise ships in the harbour and the Street was full of folk looking dismal with brollies – it was pouring with rain.

An upside to my day – I got my car mended (no charge too).
A downside to my day – Barrel and Edna got out of their field.
An upside to my day – Edna and Madge (!) returned to the field later.
An upside to my day – my hair is cut very well.
A downside to my day – they had run out of my favourite coffee at Tesco’s.  Meh!

Luckily, I am going into town tomorrow for a Craft Fair (gotta love a Shetland Craft Fair – the very best of the best) instead of playing flute duets and I can take my sheep in then. I have already put them in the car.  I will not fail this task.

So I bought myself a large bar of chocolate to get over today’s failure that’s in my life.

First thing this morning, I decided that I would call the vet surgery and make an appointment for someone to come to look at Edna and Barrel.  I just wanted to know that everything was actually alright and that Harrel had not done permanent damage to himself, like dislocated his hip.

I also wanted a second opinion on Edna’s chronic lameness.

A visit was booked for lunchtime(ish) and, while we were waiting, I gave my two patients a few branches of willow that I had lopped off in the garden.  They tucked in.

Meanwhile, the dogs needed walking so out we went, over to Clothie (my five acre croft).  Lambie came too and went off to talk to the hill sheep.  They left and Lambie was very put out.

While the dogs walked themselves in my field (bunny rabbits everywhere), I sat on a rock and Lambie came back to talk to me, giving up on being nice to the hill sheep.

He did try and I told him it was their loss.

After a while, I had to go home as the vet was coming soon.  I called the dogs and Lambie and we all went home again to wait.

Vet diagnosis:
Barrel has given himself a gluff (a fright) and stretched his back leg so it is sore but, as he is now weight-bearing a bit better every day, and there is no sign of dislocation, then a few days’ bedrest and he should be fine.
Edna has very soft hooves and the front one is sore from a papilloma that was cut out a few months back and has not healed properly.  So I must keep spraying with zinc/copper spray and see how we go.  She can stay on bedrest too with Harrel.

Oh the worry but good to know Harrel is ok.

The sheep have all taken their shearing very hard and so I am worrying.

Lambie has gone into a decline, even resorting to being nice to me so he must be upset.

I’ve told him umpteenth times that he is still handsome. What more does he want?

The others spent their day hanging around the house, refusing to go anywhere which is not like them.  Eventually, I persuaded them to go into a field and I will leave them there all night.

And I am very worried about Barrel. He just sits by himself.

Edna has taken herself off down to the burn.  Yes, this is a very sheltered field with lots of long grass, but it will be difficult for her to come home (she struggles with walking) and I am worried about her.  This is not unusual behaviour for Edna, though, after shearing.  She has done this before.  The others were horrible to her too, so she might just want some time out from the flock.

I spent my day checking her, popping down with her breakfast and then with some TurmerAid in the hope she will rest here, then feel better and come home.  Failing that, tomorrow, I will get her back by the best means possible.

Meanwhile, Gussie and Dahlia refuse to talk to anyone (obviously Pepper is not just anyone).

And Bert’s best friend is a duck.

Obviousy, I will spend my night worrying about them all.  The shearing needed to be done and I suspect a lot of this are sulking by any other name.

I haven’t stopped since breakfast, only sitting down just now for the first time all day.

We started with the farrier, Stephen.  Seven trims and everyone behaved very well.  There were no signs of laminitis anywhere and Stephen said the ponies looked the best he had seen them, ever.  So I smiled inside.

Then the sheep were all sheared.  It was hard work for all of us.

This was the first time Gussie had been sheared and his fleece is fabulous.

I am definitely keeping this one.

Gussie took it well, looking a bit surprised afterwards.

Hand shears is a new experience for my flock and although, it took a bit longer, everyone is much relieved to have their fleeces off.

You do not want to know just how fat Madge is without her fleece.  The word hippopotamus was mentioned.

Harrel escaped when I let Edna out of the stable first (because they were all picking on her and she was very unhappy) so I managed to lure him into the big shed where he tried to hang himself from the pen by his back leg.  This was not good but he has had painkillers and his leg sprayed.  I will keep an eye on him.

It’s been a very long day and I am exhausted.  Some of my evening chores will be left.  I just can’t do any more.  Still, the shearer remarked that these were the cleanest sheep he has ever seen.  I smiled again inside.