It has been a peaceful uneventful day – the best kind, in my opinion. I hate drama of any kind.

And it all started with a duck…. Penthesilea to be precise.  She was sitting happily on the side of our pond when I walked past taking the dogs out for their post-supper afternoon stroll.

We had gone across the hill to Clothie, my 5 acre croft.

Monster followed us, just slowly.  Very slowly. Whingeing with every step. We all knew about his arrival. We could hear it.

A cat on a mission.

And, look, real life action!

I particularly love this photo.

You didn’t think Monster could do that, did you?

In heraldry, this is known as felis rampant.

(Or, ew, ew, ew…… a ditch!)

And then on our way home, Monster met Penthesilea. I told you it started with a duck.  She had been waiting for us to come home again.

While I was feeding Vitamin (doesn’t she look well?) her daily bucket, I went around to talk to everyone to tell them one thing….

Don’t you get laminitis, Storm…..

Or you, Silver…. (note-to-self, I must brush your forelock again)

And absolutely not you, Tiddles….

Fivla?  Please no…..

Definitely not you, Waffle!

Or you, Newt!

Step on it, don’t eat it, Albie!

Anyway, I don’t think they believed me for one minute.

The grass is looking beautiful with lots of wild flowers everywhere.

I shall be keeping a keen eye on the ponies for any signs or symptoms of the dreaded laminitis (founder).

Today I took Pepper with me. She was a good girl and happily jumped into her car-crate, travelled silently as my companion.

She likes the ponies and they seem to tolerate her too.  She adores Leradale and runs madly about exploring.

You’re on one very sticky wicket, Newt! Just sayin’.

Today, the Minions moved fields.

I said I would do it and, to be fair, they were only at Thordale for a short holiday.

They knew that.

I told them often enough.

So, with a friend who helped hugely, I shifted them over 3+3+2 at a time this afternoon.

They all were caught, loaded and led like clockwork (/insert smug and proud Muzzah smile here).

And we could see they were very happy to go to Leradale, where they will stay (if possible) until the beginning of January.

I will see how the grass lasts.

Vitamin is looking good and will continue to have her daily bucket when I drive over to check them.

I am glad they are in their favourite field.  Leradale is the perfect home for Shetland ponies.

So back to driving but, as it is only 2 miles, I don’t mind.  The ponies are happy so I am happy.  They can come home when they need to, ie when the Shetland winter seriously kicks in.

A little known fact – the shed can hold four Shetland ponies. Who knew?

I have to say that it was also very “close” in there – the smell was eye-watering (think sweaty jockstrap after a Rugby Union match that went to extra time!)  You get the picture.  Since then, I have mucked out and refreshed the whole area.  It is much nicer now.

I could tell Waffle wanted inside too.  Fool.

Anywho, Vitamin happily ate her breakfast bucket oblivious to all of this.

I think the rules are one out and then one in.  A rota system is run by Vitamin, obviously.

Meanwhile theOld Men wouldn’t walk across the burn and so have missed their breakfast all day.  And don’t I know it.  Baleful glares every time I go outside but since they won’t come up, there’s nothing I can do. I told them that.  They hate me.

I found my-Newt having a little bit of a sit by himself this morning, just like The Story of Ferdinand – possibly my most favourite of books.

I crept slowly nearer as I love seeing my ponies asleep and Newt was looking particularly sweet today.

But sadly he noticed me…..

…. And then he got up.

But he ambled towards me….

…. for his statutory nose kissey and a hug.

And then he went off on his little way.  I do love my quiet, if short, moments with Newt.