I try and get out most days with my avant-lunch cup of coffee to sit in the garden, listen to Classic FM, soak up my Vitamin D, while enjoying the peace and quiet that is my life and catch up on my emails.

And then Monster decided to sit next to Ted.  Possibly not his best move.

I told him this so he snuggled in and Ted was appalled.  I don’t blame him.

Briefly, it was lovely.

But Ted swiftly left and Monster gave that smug sigh that said he had achieved.

There were looks of total disgust and I felt Ted’s pain but nothing I can do. I am Switzerland in all this – ie, neutral.

Then Monster moved off to seek a more comfortable bed.

So Pepper and Ted took over the garden seat (with me).

It was a hot day, for Shetland. None of us are used to this.  Pepper over-heated on her garden seat and joined Monster, blocking out his sun.

Meanwhile, I drank my coffee and listened to Classic Fm in a Switzerland sort-of style!

I went to feed Vitamin this morning and immediately sucked my teeth looking at Albie. He refused to come over to talk and was struggling.  That was it. I came back with the van and loaded him in.

Surprisingly, Albie was quite spritely once he got home. I think he was anxious as he thought he was on his own.  No one answered him when he shouted but he soon brightened up when he saw the other inmates.

So this lot will all stay inside for the time-being.

I check on them regularly and muck them out about three/four times a day. They get regular little-hole haynets of soaked hay.

And in return I get free nose kisses!

The boys are pretty unimpressed with this set-up but it is for their own good. I keep telling them this.

The fibre block is popular and keeps them entertained.

They share very well.

And so far this water bucket has thwarted Waffle’s cunning plan.

My jury is now out about Storm. I will be watching him with eagle-eyes.

I brought these two home today.

I have been sucking my teeth for a while now and decided that Tiddles and Waffle (and possibly Albie, though there wasn’t room in the van) should come to stay here before the autumn flush of grass comes through (the last growth of high-in-sugar green stuff) and they get laminitis.

They will stay inside for a few days.  The hay is soaking and rationed.

I notice that both were slow walking up the hill and puffing.  Tiddles is not fat but on the cusp of struggling.

And war has been declared with Waffle, who was equally bad, if not worse, in his gait.

So far there have been four upturned buckets of water so I have resorted to this.   Up turn that Waffle!

The alfalfa blocks are scattered too!

I feel sorry for the boys but it would be much worse if they stayed there.  I think they were days away from full-blown laminitis.

Meanwhile, outside, I have my mowing crew doing their bit in the paddock.  This is where the little ones will live at night.

Some are more committed to the cause than others.

My jury is still out on Albie but one hint of leaving the herd and not looking happy and he is joining the other two.  I have my van.  I will use it.

The daily dog-walk, Vitamin bucket while checking the Minions is an all-in-one job.

Me: “Storm NO! Do not touch the bucket!”

When I looked downwards by the bucket whilst picking up all the bits Storm had thrown out, I saw this!

You have no idea just how ridiculously excited I was to see this little plant.

A round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia).

What joy and, best of all, here in Leradale.

I told the Minions to leave the sundew alone. I hope they don’t taste like the most delicious thing ever and they spend their days searching them out.

And once I had got my eye in, I could see the sundew plant everywhere.  I guess for me it is the little things that make me smile and I can go to my bed happy in the knowledge that I have sundew growing in my field.

(I think it is the fact that the plant eats insects. I mean that’s pretty cool, if slightly gross!)

I am very pleased with Edna. She is looking fabularse, darlink – all rotund and happy.

And this is not surprising since she has three breakfasts and yes, she can count.  The first is in the shed with everyone – a mere handful as no one else actually needs hard feed but they all refuse to give up this daily routine.

The second is when Edna, dog-like, devotedly follows OH back to the feed shed, clambers in and demands another handful in her own private bowl.  The others have to stand politely outside not bothering her.

And the third is when I go outside.  I bring a big bowl of fattening weight-putting-on mash which she adores and is easy to eat with one tooth.

Edna has to eat her mash by herself as there are vultures always circling…..

Mostly a black vulture called Harrel-the-Barrel and sometimes his mother, Maggie.  They don’t actually like the mash much but think they are entitled to it, or to at least get Edna away from her bowl.  Despite words, they continue to circle.

Hence the private dining area.

Today started well. It wasn’t raining so that was a plus. I looked at my waterproofs and thought nah, I’ll be fine. It’s a weather window.

But, no it wasn’t. We (me, Pepper and Ted) were drenched.

It was so wet the windscreen wipers were on double time and I had to change all my clothes when I got home.

But here’s another plant to add to my collection.

Grass-of-Parnassus or Bogstar – (Parnassia palustris)

It doesn’t grow at Thordale but is everywhere at Leradale.  I had never seen it before.  I love the name. Apparently it smells of honey.

And from this afternoon. You can tell it is raining outside – the “kids” are trying to kill each other!