It’s been very windy here all day. OH and I struggled round with buckets of food and poo-picking buckets thinking when it is like this, everything takes twice as long and nothing is easy. I said “at least it’s not raining”…….yet.

But the animals don’t seem to notice, mostly because it is also unseasonably warm – 16℃ – and everyone has spent their day outside, even the sheep.

I think we will probably not get to see the Blood Moon total lunar eclipse tonight as it is going to be cloudy, as well as windy, but I took this photo last night and told myself this was the best I could do with my phone using a fence post to balance it on.

And I have spent most of my afternoon making sheep.  TV watching of choice at the moment is Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (again, but I love this – the fashion, the style) after giving up on Wednesday because that was far too terrifying, especially when I’m working in the dark after supper.  I am not brave.

This is the sight that greeted me first thing this morning.  Everyone was having a wee snooze in the early morning sunshine (8 a.m.) and Newt was apparently the chosen armoured guard, which was probably a wise choice upon reflection as he can be quite the little shit at times.

Then there was the traditional after-breakfast grooming session between Haakon and Iacs.  Every day, almost without fail – it is an unspoken understanding between them and I don’t think I’ve ever seen either refuse.

I went on my dog-walk at 11.30 a.m. and I found all the sheep in a group in the same field.  Dahlia is off screen to the far right and Bert is behind Madge so all nine are there, which is good to see.

I found a bottom-shaped rock and had a little sit down while I watched ‘Bert approach Ted who a couple of years ago would’ve left and run home in shock and horror at talking to a sheep. Now he is almost a sheep-dog of the non-chasing variety, defined by the fact that he can sit close to sheep and no one minds.

This autumn sunshine has been good for everyone and I think winter will be a very nasty shock for us all.  I know I am dreading it.

Pepper is mostly grounded for various reasons.  This is not going well and every so often she escapes to do awful things, like chase polecats at night.

As you may remember that as I had visitors (daughter – Floss and her boyfriend), I made a long list of things-to-be-done-before-winter-arrives.

This included cleaning and sorting out the stable – look at that floor. Not one speck of anything.

There was a massive amount of sorting done here.

Clean new bedding was laid down ready for 7-9 sheep to live in during the winter months.  No more smelling like a Gents lav, thank you.

All the old wood lying around in the field was cleared up and taken away.

Then we set out and built a winter track system for the Shetland ponies.

The big shed was reorganised and laid out in a slightly new formation.  The hurdles were unhelpful.

And all things useful in winter were put in an easily reachable place.

This five acre field – Clothie – had all the rogue hill-sheep removed (by Pepper) and the gaps in the fence, where they get in, have been blocked.  The hill sheep are now wandering around outwith the field looking for their old places to get back in. No more (fingers crossed), I hope. Winter grazing is precious.

The filthy pond was cleaned out and fresh water put in.  It was green sludge before. We now have happy ducks.

So that’s what my helpers and I achieved for the past week.  We slogged every morning ticking something off my list and now I feel we can go into winter a bit easier.  A huge thank you to Floss and Nay.  Your hard work was hugely appreciated.  They have gone  back home now for a rest!

Do you know it’s been just over one year since Dahlia and Gussie came into my life?

And I’m very pleased they are here.

Both have taken easily to their new life here.  Gussie is a big boy now, bigger than Dahlia and has come out of his shell, but only if there is food around.  Food is his main aim in life. He loves food, Gussie does.

One of the nicest things about having these two here, is their relationship with the horses and ponies they share their field with.  The other sheep have never gotten on with anything equine – possibly due to the Shetland ponies chasing Lambie around the field with intent to stamp on him when he was tiny.  He has never forgiven or forgotten that. I don’t blame him.  It was horrible and very scary. Ever the victim. I had to run over to scoop him up before they got him.

But you can see the actual conversation between Kolka and Dahlia that took place this morning.

Kolka:  Bloody kids, eh?

Dahlia:  Yeah!  Bloody kids…… *** sigh ***

They have a point.  Bloody kid (but a sweet one with a lovely smile). ❤️

Last night I looked out of the bathroom window (after my nightly shower) and saw the faint glow of the Northern Lights or the Merrie Dancers, as they are called here.

But as they didn’t look very promising, I went to bed to lie on my acupressure mat for a while.

Then I saw on Facebook a friend posting photos of the aurora from his house and I also received a message from another friend saying they were out, so I hum’ed and haw’ed and decided to get up to see if it had improved around us.

Outside a good show was going on.  So, I stood there in my dressing gown and slippers possibly in the compost heap (a good vantage point) taking endless photos.  It was definitely worth it.

The aurora was changing all the time – in colour and in shape and I think I was beginning to see faces….. which was worrying.

Definitely faces. I see them.

It was looking strong from the left but the big shed was blocking me so I took myself to other side of the house which has a lower horizon to see if I could find better. Success!  It was in ribbons.

I nearly tripped up over ‘Ster who was sitting on the track peacefully chewing his cud.  I apologised to him and turned my torch on a bit higher while I walked trying to avoid any other sheep.  I definitely saw Lambie. He ignored me as usual.

And when anyone asks me why I live in Shetland, I shall show them this photo.  This is why, I will tell them.  This is my perfect place.

(I got to bed just after midnight)