Thank you for your kind words yesterday. I think I am back on track now.

Today OH pointed out that there was a Red Admiral butterfly outside the kitchen window.  I can probably count on one hand just how often I have seen any butterfly in Shetland.

The butterfly flitted about from pansy to pansy while we quietly watched fascinated. Apparently, and I did not know this, pansies have coloured guidelines to help the pollinators land.

Luckily no one else was outside so the butterfly was left in peace to go about its day.

I haven’t seen the Shetland ponies. They didn’t turn up for their breakfast so I left them to it, thinking they might appear some time during the day.

Can you see them? Clue – far distance, miles away.

There you go.

Anyway, I am not talking to Waffle – though, obviously I am talking to Tiddles. We always luffs him. He can do no wrong.

Waffle, however, is equus non grata.  He has been destroying the fences again, by standing on the bottom wire to pull it down and then forcing his head through between the top wire and the mesh.  He wants the long grass on the other side.  This blatant vandalism results in the fence and fence posts becoming weaker and less effective.

So, OH and I ran a strand of electric fence wire along two parts where this heinous crime is committed on a daily basis.  I am optimistic that this will solve the problem and extend the already knackered fence’s life.

And I hope I am around to watch Waffle find out what we have done.  I am that cross with him.  I think he knows his name is Bloody Waffle!

This is war.

I’m leaving this here as I have run out of things to say today.

Everyone is going along ok except for Pepper who went off her front leg last night, the same day I had cancelled her x-ray appointment at the vets because she was bouncing around so well.  On Monday, I will make another one and not talk myself out of taking her.  Dammit.  My fault, I guess for thinking she was fine. She’s very obviously not.  It’s like she knew.

I let the duck family out today and three hoodies (hooded crows) came and sat beside the duck-run so I quickly shut the door again.  Again, dammit.  I really want them to start going out but it is not going to happen for a bit.  The unceasing wind with occasionaly vicious rain showers are not helping.  Tomorrow is meant to be calmer.  At least I can watch them from my shed where I am working every hour God sends – transcribing and stabbing in equal measures.

I am not feeling the love for much today.  Sorry.

It was persisting with rain this morning and I couldn’t find anyone to give them their breakfast.  I fed who was already around.

Later I went back out to find Dahlia and Gussie behind a wall, so I gave them their food bowls along with the accompaniment of a starling, who was not feared of me at all.

The sheep inhaled their food and went off to do their own thing for the day.

Then I picked up their bowls, turned round to go back home only to find the Fivla and Vitamin had taken up residence in the wee shed and were not coming out or letting anyone else in.  The rain, by now, was tipping down and did not look like giving up either.

I secretly admired the ponies’ determination to occupy their space.  Kolka could’ve happily strode inside causing total chaos and misery for the little ones who would be made to leave.  Vitamin might hold her ground, but Fivla would squeal like a pig and exit the shed, tail swishing, in unjust indignation and fury.

Deciding to do as much as possible while I had my waterproof kit on (a survival suit, no less), I threw a huge bag of unwanted bolted celery plants over the fence for the other Shetland ponies who were looking dejected huddled in their container.

This was considered a lovely gift and they chomped their way through the lot, and hopefully felt fuller and happier afterwards.

It really has been horrible outside. I am currently on my third coat, the rest are currently drip-drying in the kitchen onto the floor.  Ugh.  Tomorrow is no better either. Our local show has just been cancelled.

This was taken from last night. Lovely colours and the sunset was pretty too.

This morning, however, was a different matter. I had decided that mother duck and her babies could now go outside of their pen but it was raining and not very nice so I asked OH to make their run a bit more sturdy instead.  They are learning to escape.

As the day brightened into lovely sunshine, I finally opened their door.

So they sat there and ignored freedom for a while.

Later, I saw that the little family had moved around and were perfectly happy outside of their home.  Mum was keeping guard.

Her dearest darling precious little ducks.

Later, on my way out to pack veg at Turriefield, I fould that family duck had all gone back to bed.  As Monster was also around,  I shut the door.  I trust Monster but I don’t really trust him.  I would’ve hated to come home to carnage.

I told you I would follow them around!  I just worry too much.

This was Silver earlier this year in May.  The visiting vets from south diagnosed a sarcoid.

Luckily, a kind reader sent me half a tube of Sarclay and I decided to start by treating Silver’s sarcoid using this. We could go down the vet route later if it didn’t work.

I was diligent. Applying the cream (with gloves) daily and eventually a scab formed and fell off leaving little if any sign of anything.  I am very pleased with this result.

Silver has gone from being head-shy to letting me kiss the area better every morning after his breakfast.

He also has a daily scoop of TurmerAid to support his immune system, which I like to think helps too.

I don’t let the others eat the TurmerAid as it is alfalfa-based which is a known trigger of significant insulin spikes in insulin-resistent ponies, potentially contributing to laminitis.  We have been down that road before.  They are all pretty good about not trying to steal it off Silver and I am a vigilent guard.

So let’s hope this treatment has made the difference to Silver. He is much more amenable to work with, which is a huge plus.

And back in duck land. I am still hated but the little ones really are quite a size now.

They love their food and come running when I put out fresh new saucerful (twice a day) and water.

First thing this morning, OH found them all out of their compound, so he put them back wondering if I had let them out.  I said no – they had found a hole in the wire and popped through.  I am thinking tomorrow I will give them their freedom but keeping a eagle-eye on them at all times. I shall possibly even follow them around!