Everyone is always a bit weird after shearing and this year was no exception.

Although the bickering had stopped and Little Missy had found her mother again and had shut up, they were all fairly unsettled. I could see that.

So I spent the afternoon in the Boyzen and Girlzen’s field scratching, hugging and telling everyone they were still beautiful.

This is the only day in the whole year that Lambie is affectionate and loves his Muzzah.  I spent a good hour telling him what a handsome prince he was. He has some major self-esteem issues (pink under the wool)  and worries that he is ugly and everyone will point and laugh.  Absolutely not!

‘Bert sidled up and was very sweet, which was adoreable.  He has really suffered with his fleece this early Summer and is now feeling a whole lot better.

‘Ster and I had words – mostly about barging past everyone and being rude.  He sulked and stayed away

Missy was her usual silly self.  She nibbled everything she could (me, my Painpod wire, me, my coat, me, my camera, me) and then sat down.  She is mahoosive now.  Not a little lamb, now a sheeplet.

Edna sat close by enjoying a moment to herself to chew her cud.  She looked very content while I was nibbled by her daughter.

Madge was also nearby and looking very good. I am so proud of how those two have bounced back into health.  It was touch and go to start with and I worried.

Anyway, I made the most of Lambie’s Nice Day because it is as rare as hen’s teeth and he was back to being my little Lamb again. Awwwww….. ❤️❤️❤️ (I have very low standards and maybe desperate).

It’s that time of year – shearing.

I brought the sheep all inside this morning for their breakfast and shut the door!  They knew something was up.

First up was ‘Ster, who behaved, I am ashamed to say, abominably.  Unhelpful wriggling every minute.  Terrible.

Next up was ‘Bert who was better. I trimmed his errant horn and there was blood.

Then it was Lambie who had his “carpet quality” fleece expertly sheared off.

Lambie’s theory was to smile in a winning fashion in the hope it would all be over quickly. Rather like the dentist.

After that, Edna was sheared and she was such a good girl. What a lady.  An example to us all.

And last up was Madge, who wasn’t sheared but was roo’ed instead – just the last bit around her neck.

Everyone was drenched and had their teeth and feet looked at too.  Is it me, or has Lambie got more spots this year?

Finished, they all went outside and the Boyzens had their usual post-shearing arguments. This year it was Lambie being a prat to ‘Bert.

They all look *** cough *** very well *** cough *** (fat, some might say!)

Anyway, I’m glad it’s been done.  Not sure what I shall do with their fleeces. If anyone is interested, please get in touch.  All pure Shetland – moorit, katmoget, flekkit and white.

They seem much happier and cooller too.  Little Missy ran around for a short time shouting for her mother, Edna, who was standing next to her.  She has shut-up now and I saw her having her milk so she’s obviously got the plot again.

So that’s that for another year – the blood is from ‘Bert’s trimmed horn.

Now who’s going to mention the diet to Lambie?  I don’t dare.

Son

Dad

Son

Dad

Son

Bruvvers (Dreki and Efstur) by the same muvver (Brá) – there is a bit of a swallowed-a-button face similarity.  Different dads, though – Taktur and Álfur frá Selfossi.

Half bruv Efstur.

And Dreki’s handsome dad goes off to work.

Dreki is desperate to do something.  His older bruvver, Efstur, tells him all about his training and yesterday even went on a proper grown-up hack (with me riding Iacs).  Dreki wants a job.

The Boyzenberries are all hot and cross. They don’t want to talk much, but just want me to scratch them.

They flop about and sit down a lot.

I don’t blame them.

Which end is which?  It’s hard to tell.

Each Boyzen is carrying around the equivalent of 3kg’s worth of wool.

And ‘Ster maybe 3.5kg.  Poor love.  He is suffering now.

Of course, Lambie’s is “carpet quality” but it still counts as weight and he is still very grumpy.

Grumpy, at the moment, is what he does best.

I am now known as “The Muzzah who scratches itchy sheep”.  It’s my job.

I think the Boyzenberries are all very jealous of the Girlzenberries who are “rooing” their wool and will probably not need shearing.  You can literally just pick the fleece off them or let it drop on its own.

Meanwhile, Little Herself – aka Missy is all happy, happy, happy.  She is definitely happy.

A glass half full kinda sheep.

She also looks very like her mother.  The same piercing eyes and expression of complete relaxation around people.

And then there are her Nuncle Boyzens.

(and yes, I prayed Lambie didn’t bunt her into the stream below – he definitely thought about it!)

And so I have a flock, my own little flock of sheep.  It makes my heart smile.

Well, almost.  There’s always one and that would be Madge.  She has to be different.

Yay, though.

When we led the girls back to the field yesterday, I had a quick chat with the other inhabitants.

Floss had been kind and kept some carrots back for them – Lilja and Sóley had not been allowed to scoff the lot – and she went around distributing fairly.

Everyone has just about lost their winter coat now.

All except Newt and Sóley.  They are revolting, still.

Storm had his summer race-horse body.  He looked very smug.

Poor little Newt.  He hates the clags that are under his leg-pits so I spent a few minutes removing the ones that would easily pull off and promising to come back with sharp scissors to get the others.  He was very grateful and stood patiently for me.  Sóley is less patient and will only stand me taking them off for so long.  I usually brush her.

The orchids are out now.  They grow everywhere.  All over the fields.