The weather forecast is not nice for the next couple of days – wind, rain, more wind – so I opened the gates and stable to let the old men have grass and shelter if they choose.

The downside is that I have to poo-pick (usually about a wheelbarrow’s worth a day) as I hate the mess having horses around always leaves.  I am also followed everywhere!

The sheep are not happy – these two came to tell me this. Although I have made it so Iacs can’t go and stand in their shed (he does try), they are resentful until they get used to it.

Once the horses were sorted, I dashed over to see what to do about Vitamin. I decided to move her over the road to a small field which will offer more shelter and better grass. I gave her a huge bucket and put on her new rug.  Then I added Newt, who was very good and helpful.

I can trust Newt not to attack Vitamin for wearing a rug, let alone rip it to shribbons and leave teeth marks in her butt.  He is not that kind of chap.

Meanwhile, Fivla was incandescent with rage at this decision because:-

1. Her “best” friend had moved
2. Her “best” friend had more grass
3. Her “best” friend was wearing that heinous rug (it has to go in Fivla’s mind)
4. Her “best” friend now had a new better friend!

I told Fivla to suck it up, buttercup. This was of her own doing and no one else’s.  If she could just be nicer, it could’ve been her in that field and not Newt.

I quickly drove home!

My view this afternoon.  I do secretly like having the horses up around the house and I hope the sheep get over themselves.

Maggie is very much her own sheep. She likes what she likes and much is tolerated by her but the existence of Pepper is one thing too many.

I tell both Pepper and Maggie that they will just have to rub along together.

Maggie does not think this is a solution she can agree to.

To be fair Pepper does go looking for Maggie to torment her in a just-being-there sort of way.

So Pepper finds shelter amongst the other sheep.  Pepper knows Maggie won’t do anything really bad (possibly butt or roll her) and she does taunt her horribly so I just watch wondering if this a harmless game or something I should stop.

I don’t know what the vibe is with Maggie.  Sometimes she and Pepper are sort of playing. Maggie could pummel Pepper into the ground. Pepper could bite Maggie. Neither go that far and both enjoy the game.  Maggie has done this since Pepper was a wee puppy.  She rolled her a few times but Pepper never squeaked or lost her temper.

Pepper gets on well with the others.

Though, Madge is not much of a fan of Pepper’s either.  Now I am beginning to see a common thread here!

Animals fed, animals watered, poultry fed, poultry watered, dogs walked and then I walk past this little gem!

Bibble – or Bible, Binbag, Biblet, Bubble and even Bubblegum! (according to my autocorrect) was hanging over the gate trying his hardest to catch my attention.

Me:  So, Bibble, what do you want?

Me:  Aww, Binbag, is that your I-am-a-good-boy face?

Me:  No, no, I am sorry, Bible, I just have no idea what you want.

Bubble: Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, not around the eyes, don’t look around my eyes, look into my eyes, (click), you’re under.

Bubbles:  You want to give me Mrs Pasture’s Cookies!

Bubblegum:  You really do?

Biblet: And I don’t have to share them! (just sayin’)

Cousin Haakon was busy elsewhere and disinterested.  He wasn’t listening.

I went to fetch the yummy Mrs Pasture’s Cookies (sent by a lovely friend), and obviously Haakon (no auto-correct for that regal name) came over, and these chaps had two cookies each and that is all because two is the actual number of cookies any small horse who looks like something off a prehistoric cave-painting actually needs!

Just sayin’.

I am not back to normal (what is normal?), but I am feeling much better today.  Sadly, OH took to his bed for the morning.  He looked and felt like death warmed up.  I sympathised.

So, after feeding the horses, the ponies, etc, I took the dogs out for a walk. We went to Leradale because I love it there, especially in autumn.  It is very special.

We walked to the loch, which is shallow and perfect for learning to swim in.

Pepper was intrigued.

On my way, I grabbed an old rotten fence post and was throwing bits in to encourage her to go in.

Obviously I had to go in too to prove this was the best fun.

Ted was a very determined – No Way! Not Never, Not Ever!

Then Pepper became braver and more independent.

She was watching something the other side of the loch.

She did some experimenting with this new watery stuff.

And her confidence grew.

I have no idea what was on the other side but off the dogs raced and Pepper leapt into the loch off a rock and suddenly found herself swimming!  She executed a perfect circle, got to the bank and clambered back onto dry ground and shook herself. I think she was a bit surprised about this impromptu swim but was not put off.  I, of course, do not have this moment of posterity on camera as I was busy running after her in case she couldn’t get back onto the shore.

So much encouragement and praise for Pepper to say this was all perfectly normal, and off she raced up the hill where it was drier.

I think Pepper will be another little otter, like BeAnne.  This is the perfect loch to swim in. Shallow and warm in summer and very safe.

Space is limited on my sick-bed/sofa/coffin.

Note Pepper’s paws.

Well, those two seem very comfortable.  Me? Less so (thank you for asking).  Pepper has also now got half shares in my hot-water bottle.

I feel no one cares much about me in this house.

OH now has Covid. It was inevitable but luckily he has a full nursing staff on hand.

(Edit: OH says Monster was hedging his bets in case anyone got up to feed him. Sadly, he is probably right.)

After tea and now I am the bed of choice.

I can’t actually feel my legs.

Is this another symptom of Covid?