Everyone woolly is suffering in this heat – 17℃ which is hot by Shetland standards. When I returned from Turriefield, I opened their field gate and they all came galloping out looking for some shade to sit in and maybe even a breeze, out of the way of the flies and midges.

I don’t blame them. When I took these photos after lunch, I was wandering around with a midge-net on as well.  The midges, again in sheltered places, are evil.

Some of the sheep were basking in the sun and soaking up the rays.  I am sure it feels good on their old joints.

But I am not that sheep and, like Lambie, Bert and Barrel, I prefer the shade and a nice cool breeze.  This lot have been sitting there all afternoon refusing to move, all except for Barrel who raced round to eat the duck food, which he heard me putting out for the afternoon.

Pig and he has the hearing of a bat!

Meanwhile some were happily eating and socialising.

Pepper spent her afternoon under the container growling at someone/thing.  She then came inside after a good few hours of hunting to relax and cool down.

I don’t think Ted has moved from the sofa.

Meanwhile, I made sheep (the one on the far left was today’s sheep) and this lot are off to the shop tomorrow.

Onward, ever onward.  And, yes, 17℃ is considered bloomin’ hot for Shetland.

I can’t think of anything to write except I have been plagued by midges all day.  No one else seems to mind and they must be attracted to only me.

I hates them. My day has been spent just trying to stay out of their way.  I can’t think straight when they are biting and it feels like hot needles.

And the thing is, there is a lovely breeze outside but where it is sheltered, the little biting blighters are out in force.

Gah!  I’ve had enough.

(sorry).

I was waiting for Monika’s arrival with her equine weighing scales but soon realised I had misread her arrival time so I busied myself cleaning water buckets, brushing manes (again) and took these photos of Pepper with the ponies.  So sweet.  They genuinely like her and she goes out of her way to find and sit with them.

Monika arrived and set up her weigh scales.  I chose Waffle first and prepared myself for the worst.  He has chunked out and the evidence was +6kg since the end of May.

Silver was next.  And again he had put on 4kg, which is not great but not too bad in the grand scheme of things.

The main fattie was Albie who was +8kg.  Not good but I can’t honestly see what I can take away to slim him down.  I tell myself that as long as he hasn’t got laminitis, then he is doing ok.

Tiddles was looking good but again +4kg.  He is the one I worry about most but I am thrilled he is outside and running around with his friends.  That’s all I want.

And lastly Newt – +6kg (and a groovy hairdo) so he is less the svelte little race-horse and more a hint of hippo.

And my huge thanks to Monika from Sandness Equine Services.  We didn’t bother weighing the old horses and ponies as they are enjoying summer and what weight they have gained will soon vanish in winter.

There are days when I think I am just a mere servant to my sheep.  Today was such a day.

We started with them going into their field after breakfast but Lambie and ‘Bert wanted to come out so I let them out and put them into the hill.

Then Lambie stood by the gate looking forlorn so I let them in again.

Then they wanted out again, and I told them that I was not a doorman so make up your ruddy minds, chaps and walked off.

Later, I went out to see whether Lambie and ‘Bert wanted to rejoin their flock as I secretly hate them all being separated.   But first, I sat down with them for a little cuddle and a chat.

‘Bert’s idea of a good cuddle is to stick his head in my oxter (armpit).

Feeling kind, I opened the gate and Lambie walked into the field, and everyone else left (surely that must tell you something, Lambie).  As it was now mid-morning, I decided that instead of mooching around, everyone should go into another field.  At this stage, Lambie, Bert, Gussie, Dahlia and Barrel went enthusiastically in, leaving Madge, Edna, ‘Ster and Maggie behind.  I left them all to it.  I had had enough.

On my way back to the house, I popped by Family Duck to be traditionally sworn at.

The little ones are much bigger now but still very fluffy, though.  So sweet.  Their door remains closed.

I title this photo “when your mother brushes your hair!”

Poor Newt.  He is very bouffant now.

As was Tiddles, who tried so hard to stand still even though he absolutely hates being brushed.

However, Waffle loves being brushed.  He immediately turned up to stand in the queue making sure he would be next.

Silver didn’t.  He was departing while I brushed so he got a headcollar on him and tied to the gate.  He was the worst of them all – very greasy and knots which had to be picked out, each one.

Sadly, he lost a lot of his forelock to this process.

And lastly Albie who scrubbed up very well.  Again, he loves being brushed and so he wedged himself against Waffle in the hope that I would remember to brush him as well.

So that’s me for another year then!  They don’t look too bad.