We had a bit of a scare on Sunday evening with the vet on stand-by on Monday. But Her Maj rallied and I hope we are back on the rails again (I am praying hard).

Feeling slightly happier, and weather permitting, I now take BeAnne for a daily little potter up into the hill.

If she is enthusiastic, we go up to the top. It’s not far.

And if not, we swiftly turn around and go home…..

…. never mentioning a dog-walk again.

When BeAnne enjoys her walk, she really enjoys it.

(ignore the banshee yell!) This is all I want for BeAnne – for her to be happy and smiley.

And this is typical Patterdale terrier behaviour – to be ignored totally and then walk off in the other direction!

The last bit of colour in the hill.

We are always watched.

And this fat lump ain’t movin’!

My intrepid wee bear.

This morning, first thing, my troops gathered.  Armed with headcollars, ropes and a bag of carrots, we left our cars and marched up to the hill park where the Minions (plus Lilja and Sóley, or token Minions as they have now become) have been living this past month.  It is not the nicest of fields, with little shelter but it did the job fine and the herd look better for it (though I did feel bad leaving them there in the last storm).

Anywho, no grudges held, and at least they all came cantering enthusiastically to me when I called.

Everyone knew who was leading who – we had paired them all carefully – and this time it worked much better.

I was at the front with Storm and Waffle, who insisted on jogging racehorse like (and irritatingly) all the way.

And after a pretty uneventful walk to their new field, we released the Minions back “into their habitat”.

Some had lead nicer than others *** cough Lilja has forgotten everything and now needs a refresher course on manners ***.

But there were smiley faces all round.

Happy little ponies.

Ok, it’s not the biggest of fields but it will do for a few weeks and then they will be on the move again!

Anyway, the troops were brilliant and without them I would still be walking up and down the road leading ponies!  A huge thank you from me.

We have been living in a storm for what seems like forever.  All our chores, are exactly that – chores or as we call it “bloody hard work”.  Yesterday, in full survival gear, I struggled over to the Minions’ field, quickly counted and checked horses and ponies, threw a bag of carrots at them and was blown home. I felt very sorry for them. I thought they would have more shelter but the wind and rain were brutal.

Today, after lunch, there was a lull for a couple of hours, though it is revving up again tonight (up to Force 11 – I only work with the Beaufort Scale).

Knowing this, Daisy and I had postponed as much of our morning work as possible.  While she built an electric fence in a new-to-be-grazed field, I went and had a chat and check of the Minions.  They will be moving tomorrow.

I have lined up the troops and we will put them in a field full of green grass that has barely been touched all year.

I hope they are all co-operative (and grateful).

I am counting on my little guys.

Once the electric fence had been beautifully constructed by Daisy, we went home and finished up by feeding the Old Men their “morning” TurmerAid, just as the sun was going down!

So that’s tomorrow’s plan.

We drove past this terrifying sight on Thursday night on our way home from vegetabling.

This is the Watsness Witch, a genious creation by our neighbours as their entry for the Community Scarecrow Competition – for more entries see the Facebook page – it is truly inspirational.

I saw this carefully laid at the base.

They light her up at night and with that I go and hide under my bed!

Photo by Kaila Tarrant

Still, its an ingenious idea but terrifying so I made a sheep to calm myself down.  The brown one on the left.

A few more photos (ok, lots) from the other day when I was busy taking 245 photos (yup, I counted) of Lambie and friends.

And, it’s not all about Lambie.  Not really.  There are others.

Bert being mysterious

He suits Autumnal colours.

‘Ster’s Greta (Garbo)

Dearest darlingest Edna

An Abba moment with Missy and ‘Bert

And another – I call this “Knowing me, Knowing you”.

Abba, you say?!

Oooh, ‘Ster!

One Content Sheep – Madge

One Fast Asleep Sheep – ‘Ster

I hope you liked the photos.