It was a lovely clear and calm Shetland winter’s day – just perfect for going for a ride, or two.

With me on Iacs, and Daisy on Efstur, we went out.

Our usual route. Efstur went very nicely and Daisy wants him to feel confident and have all the basics down before we change the route.

One of Efstur’s speshul skills is to halt when asked. Brakes are so important, possibly vital.

When they stopped, Efstur would get a small piece of carrot as a reward, which Iacs quickly homed in on and put in his request too!

I think we look like the horses in the Bayeux Tapestry!

With our ride completely, and everyone told they were good boys, we were about to walk home…..

… when Iacs spied something in the distance coming towards us.

Iacs: “I wonder if there are biscuits on board!”

This was a good opportunity for Efstur to meet the unusual.

Daisy told him it was all fine and he took it all in his stride even sniffing a small wellie boot!

This was my view on the way home from checking the Minions.  Not bad, eh?!

I am fed up of going over to Leradale to check the Minions, only to find them lurking at the gate, waiting, always waiting.  I think it’s all they ever do. Just stand there.  Their field is 50 acres.  They have forgotten.

Flossie gave Fivla her TurmerAid (reason: stiff old lady in winter and aids digestion – remember your LAMBIE10 discount code (10%) if you’re ordering).

Storm and Newt had a bit of a falling out.

Once the TurmerAid was finished, Flossie along with her magical bag of carrots, walked off down the hill…..

This is the power of a bag of carrots!

I was at the back pushing along any stragglers, if needed.

Maybe it’s a black Shetland pony thing – Vitamin and Waffle stopped to consider their options.

Floss had now reached the bottom of the valley and was over the deep stream that runs through the field.

A good jump from Vitamin.

While Waffle preferred to stroll over.

This is a girl on a mission.

I had allocated two pieces of carrot per pony.

And Floss carefully distributed.

Then, having finished her 2 pieces of carrot, Fivla suddenly turned away and started trotting up the steep hill behind her.

Where Fivla goes Albie follows.

And soon they were all on the move.

And that was the last we saw of the herd. Good old Fivla. The TurmerAid had worked its magic and she had taken everyone far away up the hill.

As Floss and I walked back over the stream, and up the hill on the other side to our car, a lovely rainbow appeared as it also started to rain.

Luckily we were just in time and didn’t get soaked.

This is who greets me most mornings (‘Bert was behind the house – don’t worry, he gets his fair share of everything. He is just too cool to look as desperate as this lot).

Edna has certainly perfected The Look.

While Lambie uses his Winning Smile.

This afternoon, when I went into my She-shed, I was followed.

I said he could come in, if he wanted, if he could behave himself and if he would be nice.  Some days this is rather a big deal for Lambie.

So he mooched about a bit.

Had a small altercation with the tablecloth.

He said he thought he could agree to my Terms and we had a few precious Muzzah/Lambie speshul moments, which was lovely.

And then he nodded off while enjoying Classic FM’s animal playlist.

Lambie’s a funny boy. He has issues, which he thoroughly enjoys. Me less so when he is a mood and this time of year there is a funny smell of pee standing beside me!

While Iacs and Klængur were busily not playing with the squeaky rubber chicken yesterday, Monster came running over to investigate.

He liked being outside with us (an Abba moment with Lambie).

As usual, he was slightly visible.

Ever the keen hunter.

He said hello to second Best Friend.

Though walked off when ‘Ster came up for a chat.

Monster – “mud, mud, mud – ew, ew, ew. I shouldn’t have to walk on this”

That is not a happy Monster.  Ears back and muttering to himself.

He did that waving his front paws thing that cats do when they have dirty feet.

Now please avert your gaze if you have a weak stomach.

This is what I found last night when we were trying to go to sleep.  Monster had been outside and came in wet from the rain. He wanted his First Best Friend (OH) to know this so there was immense purring – the sort when you wish cats came with a volume knob.

Just so you know, OH is under his duvet while Monster was on his pillow. OH signalled he was still alive!

And this is where Monster decided to spend the night.  Fer crying out loud – get a room, you two!

It was very funny and I was laughing. However, OH was not.  Monster was very persistent and loud.

So I thought to myself, I did, what would happen if I gave the squeaky rubber chickens to Iacs and Klængur?  Wouldn’t they be thrilled and play with them, thinking that squeaky rubber chucks were probably the most exciting toy ever….?  After all, Klængur likes to play with his bucket and the cones in the arena.  He is always picking them up. Hours of endless fun.

So I put the squeaky toys in their trough (an old fish box) nicely out of the mud. They were given a perfunctory sniff.

I placed one on the rim for easier access to the excitement.

And it was politely ignored.

So that was that. Why bother?

Monster went a bit weird over them previously.  No suprise there then.

So I returned the squeaky rubber chickens to their rightful place – hung up in our porch inside Shetland pony collars with a promise to Daisy that I wouldn’t give them to Efstur and Dreki as she didn’t want Efstur to possibly spontaneously combust with the excitement!

(and yes, that’s Iacs’ crown for his more “Regal” moments.)

This is what happens when you have time on your hands and a very handsome horse!