The trip south was uneventful. We arrived refreshed and had a quick mooch around Aberdeen. After a nice lunch, we then drove to some friends who live just outside the town.  They have a carriage driving centre and were in the middle of harnessing up an Orlov trotter to a carriage when we arrived so Daisy helped out as groom and they went for a drive.

Meanwhile, I waited for the transporter to arrive with the puppies. All went to plan. They reached us happy and excited.  We duly fell in love.

Little collars on and clipped to long leads and off we went shouting at each other  “don’t cross the streams!” like Ghostbusters! It was chaos.

The puppies quickly became accustomed and almost cooperative on their leads and we gave them a good walk, let them play and then fed and watered and put them to bed.

Many happy days ahead. Life feels good.

Daisy and I have finished our packing, and said goodbye.  I swear Monster knows something is up.  He’s been very odd. Almost nice!
  

A quick nip round Tesco’s for boat provisions and off to queue for the ferry.

In our cabin now with seasick pills, white wine, nachos and “Say Yes to the Dress” on tv. I shall be asleep soon.  We are all very excited.  “This time tomorrow” is all I keep saying to myself.

The two puppies also left their home this morning and are being driven carefully up north to meet us tomorrow by pet transporters, DL Pet Transport Services. They were recommended to me and understand travel to Shetland, ie timeframes and ferries to catch.

The bebbies this morning just before leaving…..

Today Monster went into a decline…..

…. while Daisy and I were very busy.

Obviously we had a helper (just look at that Winning Smile).

There was construction.

Some jiggery-pokery, which involved baler twine (but of course; doesn’t everything?)

Then the gaffer tape (where would we all be without baler twine and gaffer tape?)

Monster woke up and surveyed our work in a mixture of disgust, dread and unhelpfulness.

So the car is all packed now.

And we are ready to go south, for one day, to collect …..

… this little sossage (photo from when I first saw her)!

We are taking both sisters north, and giving the black one to a friend while keeping the black/tan one for ourselves.  A name – no idea.  Any thoughts?

We are all very excited (bar Monster).  Happy days ahead.  It is time.

It has rained for most of the day and some of us have run out of food (or gin).  So, leaving Daisy with Minion duty, I drove off to town.  Daisy opened the gate and gave eight very happy Minions (apparently there was cantering) the last of the big field.

The first task was to fit two bales of straw into my little car.  I had brought an old double duvet cover with me and told the man at the hay store “it was a challenge”. I can reliably say that two bales of straw fit perfectly into a double duvet cover and then into my little Honda Jazz boot.

Afterwards, a visit to the feed store which is situated next to the livestock auctions.

Lots of baa’ing around and I went over to investigate.

I would’ve taken them all home and had to force myself to go on with my messages telling myself they wouldn’t all fit in the car.  Not with all that straw.

The street was busy today – lots of folk around and I managed to ignore everyone I knew as I hadn’t got my glasses on.  My life was a myopic blur.

Note the Shetland flag in the street bunting.

Actually one of the reasons I was in town was to stock up my little field.  I had received a phone call yesterday saying it was looking a bit empty.

Not anymore!

It is getting hard to keep up to supply the demand. There just aren’t enough hours in the day.

At the moment, OH is working off-island for a few days.

This means that a certain someone has been suffering greatly.

However, it does free up some time for the important things.

Like relaxing

and recharging

and searching the property for OH.

(“Papa, can you hear me?”).

He’s even started to channel OH’s hobbies in the hope that it will bring him back sooner, such as embracing a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle…

and watching/being the TV.

Until OH’s eventual return, he waits. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Let’s hope it’s reciprocated…because who would love this?