There are lovely orchids in the fields now. They are all shades of purple but I do adore the darker ones.

Meanwhile, this morning, armed with food, carrots, sunscreen, brushes, conditioning spray, etc, I went over to check the Minions.

I managed to catch each one and give them a good mane-and-tail brush.  Everyone mostly, behaved.  My worst was Silver (dapple grey) who didn’t want to be caught, despite taking my enticing carrot.  I wouldn’t let him get away this bad behaviour and made a point of catching him, tying him up and grooming him. And then he wouldn’t leave me alone – typical!

Waffle, of course, volunteered to be brushed at every opportunity.  He would. He loves being brushed (as does Albie).

Fivla was looking her very best.

Everyone’s dream fairy-tale pony.

These days I a new job – to sloosh Fivla and Vitamin’s mouths with water after eating to get rid of any surplus gap-filling debris.  It will help with future dental nasties.  They have only the teeth they have. There is nothing more to work with.

After slooshing, brushing, hugging and kissing, I splurged those that needed with their sunscreen, just in case the sun made an appearance.

And another orchid, just in case!

I am trying to go out for a walk most evenings, weather and work (diary transcribing, still and possibly for the rest of my life – I’ve only reached 1924) permitting.

I usually ask the three older Boyzens if they want to come too and last night, they said that they did.

Plus one, who squozed under the gate to “come too”.

So there I was, around 19.30 in the evening being escorted by my four handsome gentlemen.

It was a nice peaceful evening.  We are past the longest day but the sky was fairly incredible.

Lambie and ‘Bert decided they couldn’t be arsed to actually walk the whole way but a small not-so-little Harrel and ‘Ster happily came with me keeping me company.

There was even some running (not by me, I hasten to add – that ship has long sailed!)

These two were lovely, making me smile all the way there (to the cattlegrid) and back.  A walk that takes a little over half and hour.

Yes, they did talk to other sheep but happily left them when I called them back.

What is it with sheep? Why do they want to walk with me? Who knows. I get some odd looks from passing motorists!

And so we arrived home.  Lambie and ‘Bert were waiting for us patiently onn the common grazing outside our gate.

Poor Maggie had been waiting too. I think she has finally realised that Harrel listens to the sound of his own voices.

Afterwards, I sat on the bench outside the house and we all had a chat and biccies!

If you call, he comes galloping over.

That would be Harrel the Barrel, now affectionately known as just Barrel.

For obvious reasons.

He’s a bit of a wee chubster (very squishy if you grab hold of him and he does love a cuddle). I spend many hours sitting on a rock with him on my knee, legs dangling either side, just being squished.  He jumps up and demands squishing.

Maggie is less cuddlesome but she follows her son devotedly.

They are both looking well.

And they eat a lot.  Food is the way to their hearts.

I am happy to see that they are both far more integrated with the flock now.

Even Lambie is fairly tolerant.

And then Barrel gets that look…… and so does Lambie!

I went over the hill (common grazing) to see the horses with carrots – as I haven’t talked to them in a while and miss their company.  Barrel squoze under the gate and came too.  Maggie has given up shouting for him these days.

All was fine in the horse world.

Barrel hung around outside the fence – probably wise.

Carrots, did you say carrots?

And then we walked back – well, I walked and Harrel the Barrel did that silly-billy little lamb pronc all the way home!  He is very enthusiastic about everything.

It has been pouring with rain all day and this morning, donning my full wet-weather gear, I went out with buckets for the old ladies and carrots for the others.

I think I would’ve been eaten alive if I had forgotten the carrots again!  This is my little Aide-mémoire – aka Newt!

While the ladies were happily eating, various Shetland ponies sidled up hopefully.

Fivla was not letting anyone have her bucket. Gosh, no!

Vitamin had her own little Fan Club too.

They started by keeping a respectful distance – a good idea, boys ….

And then Newt thought he might be in with a chance.

(At this stage I was about to run for cover.)

And Vitamin’s told Newt to back off but possibly with ruder words!

So he did and went on to try his luck with Fivla.

I couldn’t decide if Newt was either very brave or very stupid!

Once Fivla had told him in no uncertain terms along with some bad language what she thought of him, Newt went off to take his revenge out on poor Silver who had done absolutely nothing.

Darling Tiddles.

And not-so-darling Newt!

These two made me smile!  The both know better than to try to take Vitamin’s bucket.  Now, they are not stupid.