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?

I have been feeling a bit grotty since the day before yesterday.  I thought I had a cold but no, I have tested positive for Covid.  It never occurred to me it could be Covid.

But life goes on and so does feeding the horses….

And then the ponies…..

… plus some nose kisseys – that did me the world of good.

“There be curative powers in them their noseys.”

Having walked the dogs at Leradale – which involves me standing there while the dogs all run around madly….

…. I took the sofa with a duvet and a cat to watch Malory Towers (thoroughly recommend) and then a few episodes of a new Chinese fantasy drama (my secret indulgence).

Lambie was apparently very concerned.  This is his Get Well Soon, Muzzah smile.

I am drinking lots of Hibiscus tea with honey.  I think it is helping.

While I went to feed Vitamin and, yes, now Fivla (just a small something with her TurmerAid as winter is coming), I dropped OH with Pepper and Ted at the beach first.

Once the ponies were fed and checked, I joined the dogwalk afterwards.  Ted was on a lead as he tends to have “who-am-I-and-what-am-I-doing-here” meltdowns in strange places causing him to run off in search of the nearest motorway or lorry to run under.

Pepper was wild and free but with her doorbell collar.  An invaluable piece of kit for a small terrier with the listening-skills of someone who has no intention of hearing, let alone bothering.

I was interested watching Pepper’s thoughts about the sea.

Ted was having none of the nasty wet stuff near him.  Gosh, no!

On the beach, I saw a small/young gooseneck barnacle which is quite rare for me – only the second time I have seen them.  I think they are gross and look like aliens. Apparently in Spain they eat them. Good luck with that.  No thanks.

We pretty much had the beach to ourselves and Pepper ran up and down, though I think she found the pebbles hard on her paws.  There were some sandy bits.  Pepper is more used to grass or stone walls on her dogwalks.

And then there was the paddling.  I had never seen Pepper do this.

OH tried wading in, as he had wellies and I didn’t, and Pepper thought this was a great game.

And, still, Ted was having none of it.  That nasty water stuff was not getting anywhere near him.  No way.

I saw a jellyfish too.  A good day for weird things on the beach, including us then.

Today in the morning sunshine I noticed that my two resident Icelandic horses had changed…..

….. into Przewalski’s horses!

“Stockily built, smaller, and shorter than its domesticated relatives.”

“They have a dun coat with pangaré features and often have dark primitive markings.” – Wikipedia

Ok, neither Haakon or Iacs don’t particularly have the pangaré markings (“a coat trait found in some horses that features pale hair around the eyes and muzzle and underside of the body”), but in every other aspect they look very prehistoric!

Maybe it’s because Haakon has lost his forelock to something or someone – I have no idea.  I think he rubs it off when it is a calm but midgy day.

He used to have a pretty forelock too.  Oh well, the black fur surrounded ears are still stunning.

Iacs has the stripes – on his legs like a zebra – which are very apparent when he is in his summer dresses.

Anywho, these two were mooching around when I was in their field with my camera.  Dear old men. Still gorgeous.