No one is talking to Storm.  He was awful this morning.  I am very cross – no, disappointed, that’s worse – with him.

While Vitamin was eating her daily bucket, he nipped in and shovelled as much as he could.  I was putting barrier cream on Tiddles’ nose and Storm took advantage of my absence.  I quickly rushed back to Vitamin.

Newt was a gentleman (I’m not going to lie to you, but that makes a change. We’ve had quite the winter with him).

Tiddles was his usual angelic self.

“Yes, you were.”

Such a handsome chap!

And meanwhile….. Storm.  **** sigh ****.

He had been told once and he was not giving in…..

Storm has no boundaries.  The lowest of the low.  Annoying for the sake of annoying.  He went away with a flea in his ear.  Poor Vitamin. She doesn’t need the hassle. No one does.  He is a wee turd.

I have had this “new” camera now, I think, probably over a year and I struggle with it.  I have asked a user group for help and have decided that the problem is most definitely me.  I need to just get out more and use the ruddy thing so I can work out how best to get on with it.  Or sell it.

Last night, after transcribing my month (I am up to November 1929 now) of my Great-Great Aunt Kate’s diaries, I went outside with said camera to see who I could practice on.  ‘Ster was my willing volunteer.

He is such a dude.

I need more depth of field in this one.

Monster in his basket.

And this is from today on my travels to our village after feeding Vitamin – who is doing so much better now (picture with my phone camera, which I adore and get on very well with).

I had the road to myself so could stop and take photos as I went.

I am still not sure. My jury is out.  I will go back to the users forum and see what they suggest.  Looking at these photos, I may just cut my losses and sell.

Ok, well not quite on my own and this was a few days ago. Floss came too as my support, walking along, but Klængur and I felt confident to leave her behind, which is encouraging.

We had some good tölts together and it was fun. Klængur is desperately unfit so it will be a slow process for him.

Today, as I was on my own, I caught and tacked up Dreki.  This was our first “solo flight”. I had just mounted when Floss came in.  I asked her to stay but not to be in the school itself and Dreki and I went around by ourselves.  We have never done this before. Usually someone walks alongside.

I did not realise Floss was taking photos.

What can I say?  Dreki was hoof-perfect. He listened. He tried his hardest. He was calm. He walked, turned, stopped, started….. everything, all in walk.

We even did the cones!

(Cones were rather an issue when long-reining and we usually give up calling it bad job).

But no, cones are now our thing.

I loved riding Dreki. He is just like his Dad but more solid and bigger.  I dismounted with a huge grin on my face.  Dreki is teaching me just as much as I am teaching him.

About once a year, I take a really good photo.  So here it is.  Fivla at her most beautiful.  She is truly a fairy-tale pony.

Fivla of Finnister © Frances Taylor 2022