It is Eurovision – a tradition in our family – so someone is home for the weekend!  Iacs knows.  He has been planning his welcome.

Daisy arrived last night and so today we had a wonderful horsey morning.

First up was Dreki.

I have been regularly working with my dragon (Dreki means dragon in Icelandic) and so it was good to see what Daisy thought.

Lines of communication were quickly established.

And then onboard.  First, with me leading, then unclipping and walking beside, and then flying solo.

The same on the other rein.

All the work I have put in, on the ground, has paid dividends.  Daisy could tell.

Then we trimmed the old men’s feet.

And after that, I asked Daisy just to put Klængur through his paces in the school.

Tonight, we will enjoy Eurovision Song Contest. and this is our family tradition – gin and sushi (made by Floss).  Happy, happy days.

And tomorrow, with hang-over, we have plans…….!

Haakon needs the Spring grass.

He told me this and I agreed.

He has still not put on the weight since his battle with Taktur and I still feel awful.  My guilt can last a long time.

Iacs agrees too.  Note the spectacular Silly Frilly.

We have the farrier next week and Klængur will have a full set of shoes put on. I am hopeful we can then get back into work.  Klængur’s had a nice long rest. His back is sorted and his hoof is mended.  Onwards, please with no spooking or other silly shenanigans.

Meanwhile, in the next door field, father and son are living happily together.

The wild primroses are wonderful – at their very best this time of year.

And the marsh marigolds (or “blugga” as it’s known in Shetland dialect) are just coming out. A Shetland spring in full swing now.

I left everyone to their job – eating.  They take it very seriously.  We have come through a hard winter and it has taken its toll.

But we have bluebells in the garden too!

Scunnered is a very good word. It describes exactly how I feel today.

These three, also known as The Old Men (not that Klængur is all that old), wanted to come and eat the grass around the house.  They asked very politely.

So we let them out of their field for the daytime.  They go to their field at night so the sheep can go to their bedroom.  Yes, my sheep have a bedroom – so shoot me!

In the afternoon, I felt I was being followed.

Now, I don’t mind the odd visitor (and believe me, this lot are odd!), but I honestly draw the line at an invasion.

And stalking…

And not being allowed to come out again.

And hairy. Most definitely hairy.

But visitors are nice, especially if they just stand there wanting to be hugged.  We had a lovely “moment”, Klængur and I.

The Old Men are enjoying the grass. It does involve some poo-picking afterwards but I think their happy little faces are worth it.

Just shout and the old ladies will come running, even cantering enthusiastically in Vitamin’s case.  Fivla just trots.  She was never one for unnecessary exertion.

And they’re straight in!

Food waits for no man, or Shetland pony.

Sh

Meanwhile, Floss walks down the hill to feed The Starving (who have grass if they cared to just go and look for it – believe me I tried to show them but no, they can’t so I have given up.  Anyway, the whole point is that they lose weight and if by mooning next to the fence makes them thinner, then so be it. They made their choice).

I will not feel guilty, I will not feel guilty, I will not feel guilty, I will not feel guilty, I will not feel guilty, I will not feel guilty, I will not feel guilty, I will not feel guilty…. (repeat until I feel guilty!)