Floss and I are off south on Monday evening’s boat and so I am busy washing (car, clothes, anything that moves, etc) and making massive lists, which I then instantly lose.

The garden is just beginning to come into flower – of course it jolly well is, just as I won’t see it!

Meanwhile, I am trying to get to grips with my new camera – it still remains a bit of an enigma to be honest. Maybe while I’m on the boat, I can spend 14 hours learning.

Monster is “helping”.  Always beautiful, mostly around especially at mealtimes.

And random sheeple.

Still the weather today is perfect for drying and I have realised that my summer clothes haven’t seen the light of day for 2 years!  I don’t bother being clean and tidy here. There’s no point.  Not with Minions around.  I don’t stand a chance.

So, practicing with this camera will hopefully make perfect.

Poor Daisy is kindly going to look after everyone.  I will have to bring her back something nice from down south to say thank you.

And next…. the ironing!  Now where did I put the iron (must dust it off first)?

Dear old Haakon.  I saw him having a little sit by himself a few day’s back.  He has his daily TurmerAid and then at around 10.30 he sits down to enjoy the peace and quiet of his life.

Of course I happened to have a carrot about my person and his ears twitched forwards – he always knows.  While he was sitting down, I noticed his hooves needed trimming.

So, this afternoon, I went up to find him.  The little herd were all waiting for me…. at the top of the hill obviously!

I love the way they all stood in an equally spaced row.  From L-R – Lilja, Sóley, Klængur, Iacs and Haakon.  I took Haakon out of the field and we walked companionably together across to where the feet trimming stuff was.  He was very stiff in his backs (holding them up was difficult) but really he is just the same horse as he has ever been in his head.  We had a good chat.

I hope Haajon’s enjoying his well-deserved retirement.  He looks good on it for 27.

A little while back, a friend took ‘Bert and ‘Ster’s fleeces. She said she would make me a rug – et voilà!

A Visitor

A Trip to Yell

From two large bin bags of raw fleece, this incredibly beautiful rug was made.

I love it, utterly love it (in fact I will admit I had a little sniff and a tear – it just is so beautiful and perfect).  Every last bit of ‘Bert and ‘Ster’s perfect fleeces is here, even ‘Ster’s darker underneath bit.

As well as ‘Ster’s little curls too. Heaven.

My rug was created by Helen, from Hart of Shetland – it is a “woven raw fleece rug”.  She also makes lovely felted sheep fleece ones too. Using only palm oil free olive oil soap and water, my rug was lovingly made by hand.

Here is the Hart of Shetland website link and Instagram name (hart_of_shetland)

At present, the rug is living in the sitting-room – Lambie came in this morning for an inspection.

He was very taken with it, I could tell.

And Monster adores it too.  He has decided to leave Her Maj’s blankie for this much more comfortable place to sleep.

Off to Yell soon to give Helen all of this year’s fleeces, bar one (Lambie’s) which is now spoken for. I need more of these rugs. They are gorgeous.

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!