Our morning was spent clearing out the sheep shed getting it ready for winter.  Like I said yesterday, hard work in the morning and then fun in the afternoon.

And the results are glorious.  Just the clean new bedding to go down and we are ready to go.

Everything in its place and a place for everything, or something like that.

And our reward was a trip up north with an excellent fish and chip lunch first at Frankie’s in Brae.  Half way to our destination.

The first photo tourist stop was Mavis Grind – a narrow isthmus where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean almost meet.

Then on northwards past Dore Holm – an amazing rock formation with a large natural arch standing in the sea.

And then Eshaness – “one of the highest energy coastlines in the world“.  I can believe that.  Look at this video……

Video by Nick McCaffrey

But this is today’s calm sea.

Eshaness is an incredible place and never fails to impress.

Lots of walking for us all.  I took my walking poles and going along very well.

And then onwards to the Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary to meet Smudge…..

And Leo.

More tomorrow about them. I am tired now. I always under-estimate just how long it takes to drive up north and back but I am very glad we did it.  A great reward for all our hard work this morning.  Well done us.

I took this photo last night when I was putting the hens/ducks to bed and making sure everyone had everything they needed.  Tis Maggie.  Pretty lady.

Anyway, this morning doing my daily chores, I heard whinging behind me.

Monster was in good voice.

He wanted to get involved, obviously.  Haakon was fascinated at this noise-making animal.

The others wisely ignored him.

And for the rest of the morning, I was followed and sung/whined at.  There was no escape.

Floss is home and so we started my list of things-to-be-done-before-winter-arrives.

It’s a very long list but I shall have lots of help, so hopefully we will get everything done.  Poor Floss and she thought this was her holiday.  I think not.

On the dog-walk, I could see the horses and ponies in the distance so I went over to talk to them hoping I could get some nice photos.

Vitamin strolled towards me. I have no idea why. I wasn’t carrying food but she is nosey at the best of times.

She was looking gorgeous. I always think Vitamin is very photogenic.  Possibly one of the most beautiful mares I have ever owned.

Not bad for 31 years old.  Such presence and she always stands very upright.  Her trot is jaw-droppingly incredible too.

Vitamin has always been beautiful.

I think this is the best photograph of any horse or pony I have ever taken – it was Vitamin in her youth.  I think it’s her eyes.  Definitely her eyes.  They have such emotion and clarity.  I remember so clearly taking that photo knowing at the time it would be a good one.

It’s nice to look back sometimes.

Today was Stephen, our farrier’s day to visit to check and trim the horses and ponies’ hooves.

Earlier, I got everyone into a paddock so they were easy to get to and work with.  I don’t enjoy trying to find ponies last minute.

Pepper waited for Stephen’s arrival with huge excitement and anticipation.  She always knows when he is going to arrive and even left her recently killed latest rabbit to “help”.

Stephen is possibly Pepper’s most favourite person ever.  When he is here, I am relegated to “nothing” status.

In the end, only 4 1/2 equines needed a trim (Newt, Tiddles, Silver plus Iacs and Haakon (only fronts)) and so we finished early, which gave me time to drive to Turriefield and pack veg too.

The horses and ponies were easy and behaved which is always good.  There was also no sign of laminitis and all feet were declared healthy.

When I took this photo, I did ask Stephen if he wanted me to move Waffle, but he said it was fine.

I spent my afternoon making the two white sheep – I have been told white is the most popular colour and sells well, but I like the coloured ones best.

Coloured sheep are best – I am a huge fan.

Everyone was fed and possibly in their correct(ish) fields and off I went to Lerwick.

There was a big boat in – AIDAsol, bringing 2,500 passengers to Lerwick.

The majority of whom were wandering up and down Commercial Street with a slightly bemused look on their faces.

My main mission was to fill up my field in Jamieson’s Knitwear on the Street.  I had been told it was looking a bit bleak.

And now it is less empty and I will be back to work tonight in my shed making more sheep for my little field.

Outside and I braved more people wandering around taking photos of anything that moved.

Or didnt.

I did a quick nip round with my supermarket trolley for provisions and I went home to my family.

Oh, and Pepper started eating last night and ran away again this morning while we all searched frantically, only to come home on her own refusing to say where she had been.  Wee turd!  OH thinks it is the lure of the bunny rabbitses.  Everyone else is keeping very quiet.