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!

A grot day outside (rain showers, fog and windy) so, after horse and pony feeding and checking, I spent most of it indoors.

After lunch, I vacated to my shed to make another, to go with all the rest, sheeple plus have a nice cup of tea.  I like to think I have some peace and quiet too.

As ever, I took the dogs with me, so the peace and quiet quickly left.

And Pepper hopped up and down saying “I’m bored. Are we there yet? I’m still bored!”

So once one sheeple was made (and then in again after supper to make another as I can’t keep up with demand), I took the dogs out after their tea for a good run.

We were watched by the Old Men who happened to be loitering with most definite intent.

Ted almost caught a rabbit. He just didn’t know what to do when he had it and Pepper ran about doing her bouncy part-meerkat, part dog thing.

The Old Men frisked me for food. I had none.  They told me I was nothing to them.

So now I am thinking as my life has calmed down, there really is no point in this blog and maybe I should give it up as hopefully nothing ever happens.  Ever again.

Lambie was having one of his “moments”. He said the midges were bad.  They weren’t but he was having none of it and had taken himself off to sulk at me.

So I took the dogs for a walk in the field and decided to look for my favourite plant – sundew.  Many years ago it grew in my field and I wanted to see if I could find it again.

While I was looking, I took photos of the plants I could find with the help of my trusted companion, Pepper. Ted had long since gone home by now.

So here goes…. (and apologies as I am bound to get some wrong in my identification)

Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum)

Devil’s-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis)

It’s been a very good year for this flower.

Marsh Willowherb (Epilobium palustre)

Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix)

Heather (Calluna vulgaris)

Tormentil (Potentilla erecta)

Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)

Autumn Hawkbit (Leontodon autumnalis)

Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)

Possibly Common Chickweed (Stellaria media) ?

Some kind of lichen?

A nice green plant that had droplets of water! You can see I am now giving up on the educating front.

And, yes, I found Lambie’s midges but they weren’t biting.  The wind was beginning to blow.

Upon my return, I went and told Lambie it was safe to be in a field. He said he didn’t believe me.

I never saw the sundew but Pepper and I had a nice time looking for it.

It’s like they know.

Noseys need kissing.

Even Lambie’s.

And he has an added Winning Smile.

Edna was very chatty today.

And then there are the followers…..

The Old Men had come up 14 hours early for their breakfast.

Seriously, guys, why can’t you be here for 8.30 a.m?  Is it too much to ask? Apparently yes!

Harrel followed me home.

And yes I dished out Animal Crackers to those that needed them (aka ‘Bert – he needs them like I need to breathe!)  It would be mean to say no.

Some days Monster is around and yesterday was such a day.  Having finished my chores (horse/pony feeding and checking), I made myself a cup of coffee and took it outside with me to enjoy the Shetland “summer”.

It was a lovely day but a brisk wind. I couldn’t decide if I was hot or cold.

But we all settled back and enjoyed the sunshine.  A rare occurrence these days, it seems.

After lunch, the dogs had an excellent game together with Monster watching on.

He was interested but happy not to join in.  Ted has made a huge difference in Pepper’s life and Monster is mostly off the hook now in the entertaining Pepper department.

I made my usual sheep in the afternoon – I try to make two a day (one in the afternoon, and one in the evening – I just can’t keep up with demand which is wonderful, if exhausting).

For sitting quietly all afternoon, while I work, I rewarded everyone with a walk in Clothie, the five acre croft.

And obviously Monster came too.

I call this “The Great White Hunter”.

He mostly hunts in his head (shouting as he goes) and rarely bothers to drag anything home.

And I call this “Totally Knackered after the Hunting”!

Great cat, great dogs.  I am very lucky.