These three get a daily bucket of TurmerAid.

Haakon = my old man with arthritis and bad digestion.
Klaengur = my middle aged man who spooks at grass that looks at him in the wrong way. TurmerAid calms the brain
Iacs = Daisy’s old man who needs help with his digestion.

Why they all had to stand in the only mud on the croft to eat their breakfast beats me but there you go, that’s what they wanted to do.

And they all look good too.

I am pleased.

And a bit more than relieved.

These days Haakon struggles to keep the weight on which makes me worry all the more.  It has taken ages to get him back to the right shape after his contratemps with Taktur.

But I think he looks fine now and he seems happy to see me – probably because of the carrots he knows I have. I am duly frisked.

He enjoys his retirement.

As does Iacs.

Yes, always more frisking!

I know that my current whinge is the fact that we are not having much of a Summer.  To be honest, we have had no Summer at all and here in Shetland, I am feeling very hard done by.  South, others are basking in heat and sunshine.  We are not.

Lambie goes to bed a lot and I understand this.  My bones hurt when it is this cold and wet.

Last night, while I was making sheeple, Lambie arrived at my door all cold and miserable. I put a blanket over him and he warmed up feeling much better.

(I think Lambie has more spots this year or is that just me?)

Anywho, today was not much better.  A total shitery of a day.  Everyone had an opinion about it.

I don’t blame them, to be perfectly honest.

Things are a bit fraught around here after shearing.  Madge spent the night in the big field. She has taken herself away from everyone and won’t talk.  She was always a bit potty, but this is a new level, even for her.

This morning, I took off Lambie’s and Edna’s rugs.  They were nice and warm and much brighter. Everyone had a big breakfast with a free-for-all of TurmerAid too and then they wandered off into various fields.

After I had done my chores, I went in search of Madge who hadn’t been sighted.  I was worried about her. I hate not knowing where everyone is and how they are.

I took a box of barley rings (nice and loud while very visible) with me.

Harrel came too.

He does like a barley ring or ten.

Off we set into our hill field – it goes back for what feels like miles.

And eventually we sighted Madge all by herself.

I tell myself that by spending the night outside she might lose a few pounds.

I won’t say she was particularly pleased or relieved to see me or Harrel (my now devoted disciple, though it may be the barley rings!)

I pushed Madge back to rejoin the herd.  Harrel helped, worried I would give away the barley rings to just any old passing sheep.

Edna arrived too and I reintroduced her to her ridiculous daughter.

And now this evening, everyone but Madge is home. Lambie went straight to bed and yes, I have more barley rings so I am still loved.

Just not by Madge who remains in the furthest part of the field refusing to talk to anyone ever again – well, that’s what she says.  Her choice. Shiver that fat off, girl!

Everyone was sheared today and please note Lambie’s Winning Smile. Such a suck up.

This was Harrel’s first shearing. His fleece was amazing – blacker than black.

Words were said like “I have actually never sheared a sheep as fat as this!” (for Madge – who now looks like a pink hippo – oh, the shame!)

We looked at teeth, did feet, gave a multi-vitamin, wormer drench, footrot jab…. what didn’t we do?

And then let them all outside.

The weather is not kind. It is far too cold for this time of year but mostly dry.  I thought they would all be fine.

After lunch, I went out to check everyone was ok and to take a few photos too.  Most were standing around or lying down.

But Edna was miles away.  She did not look happy.

I went over to see her and found her shivering.  That would not do.  Oh no.

I got a rope and collar, and then we argued our way back home.   For an old lady, she can pull/drag/be very unhelpful (my poor back).  I put her into the small paddock on her own and  gave her a huge feed of mash to warm her up.

Then I dug out my sheep rugs (I have 3) and fitted one to her. The neck is a bit big but it works ok.

So then, worrying, I went and looked again at everyone else. Lambie had taken himself to bed.

I decided food and TurmerAid would boost all their internal heating as well as make them feel better/happier.

(Harrel had taken to his bed as well and was audibly whinging about the state of everything)

Lambie was shaking with the cold so yes, I gave in and rugged him up as well.

And bunged him in with Edna who, I think, was glad to see that someone else was wearing a rug.

Meanwhile ‘Bert can’t believe his eyes.

Let’s hope it warms up sometime soon. It is not nice out there.  Some are tougher than others.