I’ve been diligently working away at transcribing my Great-Great Aunt’s Diaries.   I try to do a month every evening as well as put it up on t’web – Aunt Kate’s Diaries

I have just started the Diary for 1918 and only (hang on, let me work it out….) another 43 to go!  I should have this project finished in approximately 3 years with maybe some time off for good behaviour.

The history is fascinating – both the family and the world. Pathé news is a great source of film for world events and I try to include them where applicable.

I also add any family photos that are relevant and I think they just make Aunt Kate’s life more real, for me.

This is Alys (my great grand-mother and Kate’s sister) with her two children, Eva (my grand-mother) and Philip (my great-uncle).  I love the progression of the situation.  Eva starts most definitely in a bad mood. Then the photographer obviously said to Eva “please smile” (so a grimace) and then when she’s got what she wanted, a natural beautiful smile, all relaxed and happy.

I am busy scanning and sorting boxes of photos and this is not as easy as it seems.  My scanner is ancient and cranky.  I am not sure what are the perfect “settings” (ie dpi) for the photos, which I then process in Lightroom afterwards.  If anyone can enlighten me, please help. I would be very grateful.

Eva aged 2

Philip and Eva

1917 – Dennis (father) home on leave with Philip and Eva.  Dennis was in the Royal Army Medical Corps stationed at The Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Southampton.

I find this all fascinating. Is anyone reading the diaries? Sometimes I think it is just me but I don’t mind. I will keep going until they are finished.  I said I would.

Firstly, apologies for the quality (or rather lack thereof) of the photos.  The light was hopeless today.  Very dark and gloomy.

Anywho, Floss and I went to Leradale for our daily Minion check.  As usual, the ponies were lurking hopefully by the fence.  They want to go into the better field but that’s not going to happen unless there is the mother of all storms.  I am planning to open the gates on January 1st.

This morning Floss was Carrot Monitor so I asked her to walk along the fence, waving her visible orange bag and the herd would follow her away from the fence and into the hill, where there is good grazing to be found.  So off they all went.

All accept poor little Newt who was doing his hopeful face and hoping I would pop him into the car, take him home and feed him chocolate cake.  So I told him to “vamoose” after his friends.

He vamoosed, if a little reluctantly.

Floss crossed the stream and kept going onwards and upwards.

When a good way away from the fence, she dished out the carrots.

It was all very fair and equitable.

With some more encouragement, having now seen where they were, the Minions cantered off, led by Fivla.

We left them to go and explore their 50 acre field where I know for a fact there is lovely untouched grass, especially by the loch.

I expect they will find it, one day.

We felt sorry for the horses today so we let them inside for a rest from the weather. It has been raining on and off plus a vicious wind that brings the temperature right down.

First in were the Old Men. They got their TurmerAid/fibre feed and then we put up their hay nets.

They get one haynet each (plus a little bit on the floor for Haakon that I didn’t tell Daisy about). The three have to share, and yes it is pretty cramped but they don’t fight, are very used to it, not in there for long and would much rather be away from the youngsters and Taktur.

For this, they are prepared to put up with the lack of space. However, if everyone was in for the whole night, I would give them the whole indoor school to wander about in.

Anywho, back to today. Next up were Taktur, Kappi and the children. They rushed indside, and we left everyone munching happily.

A few hours later, we returned to find haynets almost finished and the usual mess. The Old Men were led out to their field. They know the routine very well. Now it was the others’ turn to have  their buckets.

We split them up first. Taktur gets a “proper” feed and eats on his own. He is easily distracted and bullied off his food (a chicken has been known to do this!). It is important for him to have his Handsome Prince supplements.

We attempted to distribute the buckets but as there was a certain three-headed Cerberus element, we dumped them on the floor, distributed and stood well back.

These guys, again, are used to sharing.

There is no bickering and it is nice to see their peaceful friendship, though Kappi is a bloody saint!  Maybe it’s an orange thing.

Today I stared death in the face.

I was attempting to take photos of our Christmas tree.

And it was a very dangerous activity. I am wearing the scars.

Dodging death, I managed to take a few photos of some of the special decorations.

Of course there is a bit of a sheep theme going on.

(‘Bert)

‘Lambie

‘Ster.

I have named this winged white sheep “Missy”.  Now I need to find a Madge and Edna to live on the tree.

Taking photos was not easy. Monster was in a dangerous mood.  At one stage we thought he was going to climb up the tree.

He did, however, pounce on a tomte and take her down with a quick one paw swipe! I rescued her.

Every year we add one more tree ornament. It must be special and this year is no exception. Meet “Meowie Bowie” complete with Ziggy Stardust makeup! Given to OH who is a keen Bowie fan.

Someone, and I am not sure who, has made our angel, Suzanne, cover her eyes!

We have a lovely Christmas tree. No tinsel this year, but full of all our special family decorations including ones the children have made.

Her Maj – so special.

And Monster – herumph!

It’s been “one of those days”.  You know the type.  When things go wrong because they can.

With the equine dentist, Stuart Huggan, arriving first thing this afternoon, we wanted to have all the horses who were seeing him, ready.  Also on his list were Fivla and Vitamin – they live a few miles down the road.  So I lept into the horsevan, started the ignition and nothing happened.  Absolutely zero, zilch, nada.  This was one dead van.

Dammit.

We called in the experts, resorted to rtfm’ed (read the f—-ing manual) and still ….. nothing.

Knowing our valuable window for fetching Vitamin and Fivla was closing in, we asked our neighbours for help and used their horsevan to fetch the old ladies.  Phew.  They made it home.

First up to see Stuart was Haakon. As usual, it was a family affair!

Over the past few months, Haakon’s teeth have been giving him gyp.  He won’t wear a bit, flings his head about and grabs the reins so I have been riding him bitless in the school.  After Stuart’s efforts, I quickly saddled up (Haakon not Stuart!) and rode a few times around the school. The difference was huge so hopefully Stuart has helped Haakon. He was much, much happier about everything.

Next up were Iacs and Klængur.

Then Fivla and Vitamin.

While our van’s battery was now charging, our neighbours kindly drove Vitamin and FIvla back to their field.  We wanted to get them back before it was dark.

And we returned home to find Stuart working on his last patient, Taktur. He had already done Kappi and Efstur.

So that’s our horses all with happy teeth now.  No horrible surprises – just routine rasping the sharp bits down and everyone behaved beautifully.  Phew!  I am very relieved about Haakon.