Daisy ran into the kitchen this morning yelling “The dog’s gone!” and then raced out again.  I dropped what I was doing – having a well-earned rest with a cup of coffee while texting a friend many miles away – and dashed out after her.

Into the big field.

And there she was. Her Maj “roomba-ing” (a little robot vacuum) the field.

Thank the Gods for the wee hi-viz tankini is all we thought as we went after her.

Someone had been busy, though she was quite pleased to see us!

And she was duly escorted home.

Halfway, we stopped off to say hi to ‘Bert and BeAnne was off again, “listening to her own voices”, as my old neighbour used to say.

At that stage, knowing full well just how nippy BeAnne can be when she wants, she was picked up and carried home.

As BeAnne is a bit of a heft (10kg+ – it’s the steroids), Daisy lifted her over the fence, and gave her the benefit of the doubt that she would now go back.

Monster was very disapproving of everything.

And BeAnne snuck off once more.  This time there was no benefit of the doubt.  That ship had sailed.

Someone is now exhausted.

But I’m glad she’s still got it!

Tis the time of year.  Them baby bunny rabbitses talk to her.

I received an email from an old friend late yesterday….

“Fiv and Vitamin were on ‘telly in their sweaters this evening (BBC Scot channel 9 21.00 hrs “Greetings from Scotland” about 20 mins into programme),  I felt very proud to know such mild-mannered international film stars.

Hope all’s well and grass is growing at Thordale,

love to all”

This friend has known Fivla since I bought her from her breeder 25 years ago!  Fivla was a little black filly in those days.  Hard to believe, I know.

I call this photo “Floss is going to kill me!” but you must agree dearest Fivla was the sweetest little pony in the world.

So I hunted down the programme – it was interesting to watch – and found “our” bit.

BBC Scotland – Greetings from Scotland (the whole episode)

Here they are today.  Fivla is in the middle of the field, between Newt and Tiddles.

While Vitamin was striking a pose (nice beard).

It’s always nice to know they are still remembered and yes, the grass is just beginning to grow now.

Dreki:  Whoa, what’s this?
Daisy: A bit!

Dreki: What is it for?
Daisy: It’s for you!

Dreki: Eh?
Daisy: Don’t think. Have a carrot instead!
Dreki:  Ok!

Daisy: Have a sniff and a good look.
Dreki: Ok, boss.

(Daisy popped the bit in Dreki’s mouth and quickly did up the headstall so the bit was nicely fitted).

Dreki:  OMG!  OMG!

Daisy:  Have a carrot!
Dreki:  Ok (though I doubt if I could ever eat with this thing in my mouth).

Dreki:  Ah, a new skill – I can eat with this thing!

Dreki: Do I look cool in this, or do I look cool in this?
Daisy:  You look cool, have a carrot!

Dreki:  Ok!
Daisy:  Well done!

And then Daisy undid Dreki’s headstall (in the Icelandic horse world, there are no throat lashes) and took the bit out.  All is good, all is calm.

And that was that.  Dreki has worn a bit.  Another step forward.

I love black and white photos.  I have been practising with my newly resurrected (time is of the essence here, because it is dying) camera.

Daisy and I “did feet” this morning and came home to see this wonderful sight…..

(zoomed in from the original – sorry it’s blurry) – Maggie sitting next to Edna – this is “A Major Breakthrough” in all things Maggie.  My heart sang.

Meanwhile, in other worlds, I found Iacs and Klængur had shacked up together.  Previously it had been Haakon who had taken up residence.  I took him his breakfast this morning.  I am glad these two are sharing. It is lovely to see.

(why am I thinking Simon and Garfunkel album cover?)

Sadly, it’s only a small shed (designed and built originally for my three goats many years ago) and not big enough for three Icelandic horses.  This was the original home of the Minions (Waffle, Storm and Silver) when they came to live with us.

Although Haakon was outside, he didn’t care.

And we had a lovely chat.

Maggie was around and wanting my attention – and/or biscuits, third breakfast, anything.

Actually, she’s always around.

It is lovely.

And bingo!  There it is. The Winning Smile.  Maggie is definitely one of us and I had a quick furtle and the lamb(s) won’t be long now.

I don’t think Lambie is going to be impressed.

There is only one not-so-little Lambie in my life.  He told me!

Today, when we woke up, it looked like Narnia outside – surprisingly deep snow everywhere.  So we fed everyone at home, had breakfast, chopped carrots, filled haynets and buckets and drove over to Leradale.

And the snow had all gone.

The buckets were distributed. I was on Lilja and Sóley duty.

Floss was with Vitamin and Fivla.  Minions lurked hopefully.

And the field looked like this.

So we shared out the carrots (only fair) and took the hay home again (very unfair but no one actually needs it and at nearly £7 a bale, I am not wasting it – this is gold-dust hay complete with encrusted diamonds).

Meanwhile, back at home, Maggie has been getting to know the rest of the family.  She feels threatened by BeAnne (seriously?), so we have to be very careful with her.  They are supervised and today Maggie was told which side her bread was buttered.

She adores Taktur – what’s not to love?

And then she met Monster – I had resurrected my ancient, but beloved, little camera to see if it had benefited from its holiday and decided to work again.

Monster took to his bed in disgust.

So lots of snow, and then no snow.  I was going to take photos of the snow, but it had gone by the time I was ready to take pics!