The weather forecast for the next few hours is pretty grotty. Lots of rain. I deliberated all day whether to open the gates and let Haakon and Iacs up, so they could use the stable for shelter.  Once I had decided it was a kind thing to do, I looked up to see Haakon standing by the gate asking whether he could come up.  It was like he knew.  So obviously I did.

The old men followed me into their stable, where I put out clean water buckets and made up two small haynets.

They quickly made themselves at home.

The door is open so they can come and go as they please. There is long grass around and they can choose what to do, where to go and when.  I also left an outside light on at the back of the stable so if they venture out at night, once the rain has stopped, then they can see the obstacles they have to negotiate.

On a roll, I also refurbished the sheep shed with hay/straw and made it Iacs’ proof!

I feel bad for Vitamin, though, but she had an extra big bucket of grub this morning and I think would hate to leave her friends just because it was raining.  I shall now worry about her all night.

I brushed the Minions today.  It was hard work mostly because once I started, I decided I should brush them all.  All eight of them.  I had not planned this.

Silver – who was actually a very good boy and went to sleep while I sorted out his mane and tail.

Dearest Vitamin who just stood there while I brushed all the tats out.

A bouffant Tiddles.

Waffle put on his own headcollar and kept turning up again and again to be brushed.

Storm – ’nuff said!

And dear little Newt.  So handsome and such a long way down to reach!

Albie was another who queued up endlessly. He loves being brushed.

And, lastly Fivla.  She was in a bit of a mood but I persevered and she is now gorgeous.

So that’s the lot done.  They do look better for it. I should’ve really taken “before” pictures.

Daisy went back south yesterday evening – that’s her plane arriving, which then quickly turned around to take her away.  And, yes, when we go to the airport, we have to drive over the runway!

It was a beautiful evening on my way home.

Today has been glorious too and the daily drives to Sandness to see the Minions have obviously begun again.

Everyone was far away.  There are Minions at the bottom of that field!  Well, two fields away.

Vitamin came up for her bucket of grub.

I know I keep saying this, but she is looking so much better and I am hoping I can keep the weight on her this winter.

The girls are around the internet again – I think they are on Reddit or something so I thought I would post some  “where are they now” photos 9 years later.

I asked the ladies to stand together but Fivla would have none of it and left.  I think you will all agree, though, that Vitamin still has it.  She is one gorgeous lady (even with the food drip!)

The three big fields that I usually use for the Minions were not used this year because the grass was too lush and green. Last year, both Tiddles and Waffle had laminitis.  So I left the grass to grow all summer with the plan that it would be cut for silage.  Sadly, it was declared “too ditchy” and no one would cut it.  I was very disappointed.  No winter feed for this year and lots of grass I couldn’t use.

In the end a flock of 300 sheep came to stay for 2 weeks and ate it right down.  Perfect.

Yesterday I showed Daisy the end result and we decided that the Minions could now go in.

This morning we moved them all. Happy days and happy ponies.

Once they were all back together (it took three trips), everyone cantered around.

The Minions love these fields.

Waffle and Vitamin set off.

…. joined by a speedy Albie.

I love watching them run.  I have given them all three fields.

There is a lovely stream that runs through so no lugging water for me.

Yay!

They will stay there for as long as the grass lasts.

If there is a fierce storm on the horizon, I will take Vitamin home along with one other.

And Vitamin will continue to get her daily bucket.

Hopefully, the grass is not green enough now to give anyone any problems.  Lots of space for running around too.

I hate keeping the ponies in small fields and they hate it too.

So this is the plan for the next few months.

Phew! Sorted.

This morning saw me in my shed trying to make a sheep.  We have a full social diary at the moment so I am grabbing felting moments when I can. Everyone was with me.

Felting a sheep was not an easy task and no, I didn’t stab Monster –  I just worked around him…. carefully.

Sheeple all finished and time for a dog walk.

It was a case of me, two dogs, one daughter with one whingeing white cat.  We all went.

Monster had his Instagram moments.

And, obviously, terms were negotiated.

While Daisy happily did the camera-work.

There were action shots…..

And some superior posing.

And then there was the totally inert shot!

It was nice to have one girl and her cat.