Ted’s last appointment with the dog groomers was six months ago.

He is now revolting.

So today was the day – I have had this appointment booked for six months.

Ted travelled well – a few whinges but he soon settled – and I let him out for a pee before he went in.

Ted was away for just over 2 hours and I went into town and trawled around Tesco’s, Commercial Street for messages and chips and then back to collect a now-gorgeous and better-smelling Ted.

Short back and sides, please and are you going anywhere nice for your holidays?!

And now we all love Ted again because he doesn’t look like a health hazard.

He has been transformed to be all sleek and shiny.

So handsome (I think he can wear his red coat outside, though) and I’ve booked him back in for 3 months’ time as 6 months is just too long an interval.

Apparently Pepper really missed her friend today. She almost didn’t want to go on a dog walk. Almost.

A new bed arrived yesterday.  OH and I needed to move it as well as rearrange the entire room (Flossie’s).

We had help.

Whether we wanted it or not.

Always there.

Always helping.

Because that is what a small inquisitive Patterdale terrier does, as well as get in the way….. a lot.

Lambie is a mysogynist.

There, I’ve said it.

He’s not being very nice to Maggie, deliberately targetting her – head butting and running at her – not letting her into the flock.  I’ve had words about this.

Everyone else is fine and not displaying this bullying behaviour.

Yes, bullying, Lambie. Never a nice trait in anyone.

Edna is being her usual sweet self.

Harrel is oblivious to anything except where his next meal could possibly come from.

When I put the sheep out in their two fields this morning, everyone went down to the second field except for Madge and Maggie, who was also unsure and hanging around.

I went and got Maggie a large bowl of food with a good dose of TurmerAid, in case anything is going on.  She ate it up happily and I kept Madge diverted with some cereal, hoping it wasn’t too fattening.

And then I remembered……. Maggie is in estrus (seeking a ram – which Lambie is most definitely not!)

He had been “interested” in Maggie a few days back.

‘Bert confirmed that Maggie is wonderful.

That is one creepy smile.  Hopefully, though, ‘Bert will look after Maggie.

I wonder why Lambie is being nasty.  So unlike him but he has always been a bit strange.

It was cold last night but outside it was very still and very clear.

After supper, whilst lying on the sofa putting a month (September, 1931) of Aunt Kate’s diaries onto the website, I received a message from a friend saying “Aurora good here now!” I struggled to my feet – it is so comfortable on lying on the sofa – and peered outside my back door.

Oh yes, there was definitely something going on.

The “Merrie Dancers” came and went a bit, nothing much and then they started revving up.

I was not wearing any shoes and so I was standing on cold concrete taking photos (and I think I learned my lesson!)

It was truly beautiful.  I called OH out to come and have a look too.  All these photos were taken with my iPhone. There are no filters used and I had to stand very still for the 3 second exposure.

When it started to cloud over, I left and went to have a warm bath to thaw my feet.

This morning’s sunrise.

And tonight’s sunset. Now I have set up my big camera ready for action if the aurora makes an appearance tonight and OH has also put two nails on the back of the house which I can use as a fixed stand for my iPhone.

I am pleased with the results even if I have chilblains for the rest of winter.

My typical afternoon consists of me going into my shed with the dogs and sometimes the cat.  It is not the warmest place so I usually have the fire going and my oil lamp gives out heat too.  I love the oil lamp and warm my hands on the shade.

I stab away at the latest sheep while watching something too – I’ve just finished the entire Benidorm series and now have started Motherland, which is hysterical and reminds me of the London life I left behind over 20 years ago to live in Shetland.

The dogs are quickly bored in my shed so we reached a deal and I let them out.

The deal is as long as I can see them every so often, then that’s fine.

I could see Pepper – she was trying to get under the shed.

Someone lives under there and she wants to meet them.

Obviously having the door open in late November means I get cold but I recently invested in a stoneware bed “pig” which I fill with boiling water, Problem solved. Happy feet.

I love this little pig.

After I have created a sheepie creation, I go out with Pepper to check everyone. I was given a huge pile of odd carrots so I take a good pile with me and distribute.

And then, as the sun has set (15.11), I go into the house to write this blog!