Well, I feel a bit calmer now.

Floss and I arrived safely at our new hotel in Bristol after a much nicer and less worrisome drive.  I think the lorries are better behaved as you get south.  We had a stop for lunch somewhere and then pushed onto our destination.  Yesterday I found driving difficult but today seemed much better.

I am currently lying on my hotel bed, listening to Classic FM on the telly, with two large cups of tea and the shortbread from yesterday so life is good.

News from home is that BeAnne is eating and smiling (all I want) and that everyone is fine.  Daisy sent me a photo from the Minion’s new field.  Nice to see home – it feels like a world away.

Well, we’ve reached half way and I am currently lying on my hotel bed somewhere in Cumbria having a well-earned cup of tea while munching the complementary shortbread.

En route, we stopped off at the mighty Temple of Tesco in Dundee.

It was so huge that I kept a good eye on Floss in case I never saw her again. We did not split up to shop. That would’ve been a very bad idea.
   

Things I notice south. No one is happy. Folk are surly.  Lorries drive way too fast. We had one argument. I feel I made my point, though. Also, Tesco’s may be huge but their aubergines are crap!  Not like the ones I have happily pack on a Thursday for Transition Turriefield.

Also, while I am ranting, Lake District “Farm Shops” should not sell Charbonnel and Walker chocolates (possibly the most poshest London chocolate ever) but local produce. It’s like a branch of John Lewis here.

Still, the view is nice and, apart from the headache (thank you Mr far-too-close Lorry Driver), I hope we will get a good night’s sleep and be ready for Round 2 of our car journey to Bristol.

A wee film of Her Maj (sent by Daisy)

They do have very fast broadband here in Englandshire.

Floss and I are now safely stowed in the ferry south to Aberdeen.  It is 13 1/2 hour crossing and apparently it will be calm.

It was a lovely morning – the view first thing from my bedroom window. The three Old Men were having a well-earned rest after yesterday’s bad weather.

BeAnne realised that I was leaving and showed her disappointment.

We’ve had a little discussion about being here when I return.
 

A big drive tomorrow. Wish us luck. Xx

It has been utterly revolting all day – non-stop rain of varying degrees of ferocity, the burn is high, the bottom field is flooded and everyone is very fed up. We are welcoming the Autumn Equinox in true Shetland style.

However, it is not cold. Still double digits outside so rugs are not going on.  I heard Daisy mutter something about “everyone being fat”.

The sheeple can go in or out.  I have not restricted them to their field as there is little shelter there.  ‘Ster took himself back to bed (I don’t blame him).

Floss and I have been packing – we leave on tomorrow night’s boat.  The house is festooned with drying coats, trousers and washing.  I have even ironed (*** faint ***). It seems very odd to suddenly have to be respectable, or at the very least clean!

Lambie popped by this afternoon.

He didn’t stay long which is probably as well as I would’ve probably washed, ironed and packed him too!

With the meticulous planning worth of Hannibal crossing the Alps, I rallied my troops and each taking one horse or two ponies (there was no choice – I allocated), we moved eight Minions and two Icelandic horses from their Summer field to their Autumn one.

I took the front with Storm and Silver.  Storm was pretending to be a racehorse in the Collecting Ring, trotting prettily instead of walking nicely.  Silver was a gentleman.  Storm and I had words.

Next up was Peter with Lilja, Daisy with Sóley, Mandy with Waffle and Tiddles (Waffle apparently a bit bouncy *** sigh ***)…..

Flossie with Albie and Newt (who was desperately trying to get his headcollar off, but Floss would have none of it and was on his case!), with Monika bring up the rear with Fivla and Vitamin.

We walked along the road, and then turned up a track and into the hill track to my field, which has been left ungrazed for over a year now.

The horses and ponies were all released, some being more helpful than others about it, and off they rushed to explore.  I don’t think anyone has been in this field before.

Lilja and Sóley galloped off into the distance.

I doubt we will see any of them again.

Hopefully!  A huge thank you to my troops.