The weather is giving us a slight break (we have been watching every forecast all week) and the snow melted overnight.  Today I drove Daisy, with Taktur and Kappi in the van, down the road to have riding lessons outside with Hamish Cameron, who has come up from South for a few days to teach.

First up was Taktur.

The theory being that if Taktur was tired, he would be less of a pain-in-the-arse waiting afterwards.

So Kappi did the waiting.  He was a good boy, though he got bored, and ended up standing with me while I took photos.

Meanwhile, Daisy and Taktur were getting on very well with Hamish.

And this was Hamish’s first time of meeting Taktur too. He had heard about him but never seen our stallion in action.

My only comment was “he has a nice trot” and then left Taktur to show Hamish what he could do.

An added bonus of some good “hair” shots too.

(just so incredibly handsome)

Then it was Kappi’s turn.

We tied Taktur behind the van with a haynet because the next lesson’s participants were also arriving.

And, yes, of course, it was a mare.  17hh of a lady. And I will say Taktur behaved beautifully. He thought about being an arse, but I reminded him about his track record with ladies, and he decided to pretend she wasn’t there. Wise move, my boy.  Wise move.

I couldn’t stand ringside with my camera for very long as I was tasked with keeping Taktur out of trouble.

But what I did see looked very good and I know Daisy enjoyed herself, learned loads and now has aching legs!

So that was all good.  I am exhausted. I have forgotten what it is like to actually go somewhere!

Floss and I drove over to Leradale.  Everyone was very pleased to see us.

It might’ve been the three large haynets stuffed full of hay that we distributed in piles all along the side of the derelict house.

Or the bucket of conditioning cubes I took, placing a large handful in every pile of hay.

Or the bucket of carrots I also had about my person which was then dished out onto the hay.

Whatever it was, the little ones got on with the job of eating rather than arguing.

I am not sure why Sóley was so determined to talk to me. I had long since fairly distributed every calorie I owned.

All we could hear was munch, crunch, munch.

We also brought fresh water in case everyone had forgotten where the large expanse of water actually is located.

On another topic, ‘Bert was miserable being shut away from his friends and had gone on hunger strike.  So, after a massive breakfast (you can see a theme here), I opened the gate, read the Riot Act to Edna and Madge, muttering things like “Your Last Chance” and let them get on with it.

And I am slightly, if very tentatively, hopeful that they are doing just that.

Today I watched the sheep all sort of sit together chewing their cud, which is a good sign.

I do so want them to all get on.  My life would be perfect then (that, and finding my glasses – I have ordered a replacement pair so they will probably turn up!)

Maggie and ‘Bert are together because Edna and Madge cannot be nice.

Yesterday Madge gave Maggie such a belter that she fell over.  Not pretty and definitely not good.  I told Madge in no uncertain terms just what I thought of her.  Once the snow has thawed, I will give them all one more chance and if Edna and Madge still fail to be civil, they will have to go to Leradale for a bit while Maggie has her lamb(s). I hate doing this but it is for Maggie’s safety and she has to be my priority.

At the moment Maggie and ‘Bert live in the little paddock behind the house.  There is a shed attached.  As I type, I am watching them go back to bed everytime it snows!

Over the past 48 hours, the snow and Arctic winds have been unceasing and no one is moving.

It is horrible.  Seriously vile.  I am at my wits’ end.  We run around all day trying keep the animals alive and ourselves warm.  The house hates a north wind and the temperature everywhere drops dramatically.

To add to our misery, we had a power cut for a few hours this evening so I lit all the gas lamps.

I keep three on stand-by for emergencies.  I suffer from this eternal urge to try and switch on the lights!

Anywho, now the wind has dropped slightly, the electricty has returned.  The horses and sheep have gone out and about, and we are all still here, so that’s all good. Please can I have Spring back.

I think that is the end of the daffodils.  Poor things.  They have been totally flattened by last night’s Force 11 Arctic winds.

Meanwhile, I spent last night lying awake imagining the corpses I would find in the morning while the wind howled outside and we were hurled unceremoniously back into Winter.

At 6 am, seeing a slight lull in the forecast, I got everyone up to help get the horses in, fed (hardfeed) and dish out hay.  We kept them inside until after lunch.  As for the Minions, Floss and I took them hay and carrots.  It was not a day for buckets.

In the stable, Klængur was being a total git to Haakon and Iacs in their stable. They usually get along fine but I don’t know, maybe it was the excessive wind – he was bullying them both.  We booted him out and he had to spend his morning with Taktur, Efstur, Dreki and Kappi.  Serve him right. He was very cross with us – I don’t care. I won’t have Haakon and Iacs tormented.  Nope.  Efstur, who is very up himself, can eat Klængur for breakfast for all I care.

After lunch, we decided everyone had been inside long enough.  We gave Haakon and Iacs the little shed. Klængur would’ve taken over the shed and made the old men stand outside so he remained with the other herd.  We put hay inside and they were very happy in their new wee home.

They have a huge field too so they can choose where they want to be.

Meanwhile, Klængur had to go out with Taktur and his friends.  There’s lots of space to be annoyed by Efstur.  He can just get on with it. My heart is hardened.

Bloody horse politics and don’t talk to me about the sheep. I have had enough, I’m exhausted and now I’ve lost my glasses somewhere in all that fracas.  Meh!

My poor daffs!

Anywho, Happy Easter!