Weather-permitting, I spend some of my afternoon with Little Missy short for Miss-Chievous today.  She loves trying to eat anything she can.

Today it was my boot loop.

and then she moved onto my coat, plus the labels.

Everything was tested for edibility.

Having exhausted my wardrobe, she plopped herself down, just like her Mum always does.

(Edna on the day we rescued her off the hill – January 31st 2020.)

I felt like a modern day Medieval Knight on his tomb!

Missy is such a happy little lamb.

She has the loveliest eyelashes too.

And she smiles.  I luffs the smiling.

Of course, I am smitten.  Dammit.  I am.

These two make a lovely couple – Efstur and Dreki – half brothers.  They share the same mother – Brá frá Reykjavík.

Efstur’s father is Álfur frá Selfossi.  We remain ever optimistic.

As does Efstur!  He is such a sweetie and enjoying his training very much. Always up first, always volunteering.

Meanwhile Dreki Dragon has to wait another year before we look at him with a view to training. Like cheese, he needs to mature.

Dreki’s father is Taktur. I can only hope.

Anway, the little black dragon is busy learning from Efstur that if you hang around looking hopeful…

…. someone is bound to turn up with a carrot.

Dear boys.  It is always good to see them.  They brighten a dull day.

These days everyone is a scruffy little Herbert. It is the time of year when the body clock thinks it is summer and real life says it isn’t.

I briefly toyed with the idea of brushing everyone but thought better of it because a) it is snowing and b) there is no point.

The Icelandic super-models – aka Lilja and Sóley – are not looking like their little field-mates.  They are more elegant and less, well, guttersnipe-esque.  I think it is the lovely long legs.

It is not very fair to compare them with Shetland ponies, even the majestic old ladies.

Flossie dished out the daily carrot as well as Fivla’s daily TurmerAid.  It makes such a difference to her.  The vultures (Waffle and Albie) were kept at bay so that Fivvie could eat in peace.  She gets very grumpy if hassled.

So that was yesterday (note the fine weather and Albie appearing for Part II of carrots.  He said he got none the first time around. No one ever believes him).

And this is first thing this morning.  Depressing innit?

Well, I went outside last night to put Edna and Missy back into their little field first before I let the Boyzens in, only to find everyone together.  A gate had blown open and there they all were – and still alive – and it was unexpected peace and harmony.  Missy was bouncing around her newly found Uncles.  She was very happy. They look bemused.

So I left them to it, worrying all night that Missy would have broken legs or worse, be battered to death by an enraged ‘Bert or ‘Ster or Lambie and then how would I ever love lamb-killers.  My nerves were shreds.

This morning, again, they are all absolutely fine.  Edna has forgiven her Mum and they are a happy little family, which is lovely to see and just what I wanted.

Even Lambie is almost nice.

Ok, he is a little grumpy but that is because of the weather – flies and heat and he hates that.

Lambie’s Mr Grumpy face.  He came and had a hug and everything was ok again.

Meanwhile, Missy is living up to her name and, when she discovered Monster had followed me down the field, her delight knew no bounds.

I really wish for her sake it did know some bounds.  One Mississippi….. two Mississippi….

And wallop. He got her.  She has to learn. She thought it was “best day ever” and chased Monster around the field, much to his horror.

And so we left them all to it because Missy is probably safer if we aren’t there.

And to think I was worried about the Boysens being mean.

Snow is falling out of the sky, as I type.

Fer cryin’ out loud, it is nearly the middle of May.

And cold?  Yup it is bitterly cold.

This is not ideal weather for lambing and foaling.  I am worried for animals I don’t even own.

Anywho, a few of you have mentioned that you might like to purchase a sheeple so here they are, ready to go.

I think the best way is for you to email me – frances@fstaylor.co.uk – with your first choice of sheep and, if no one else has asked for him, then I will set him aside for you.  Please use the number for the photo and also where he is in the line so I can easily identify him.  Postage is about £3.10 (UK) to £5.00 (US) – it is not too bad if I remember rightly.

What else? oh, yes – they all have nice faces and kind personalities.  That’s important to know.  Each sheep is handmade by me.

(1) Black curlies  – (pure Shetland wool bodies with black Wensleydale curls) – £25.00 each

(2) Black curlies – (pure Shetland wool bodies with black Wensleydale curls) – £25.00 each

(3) White curlies – (pure Shetland wool bodies with white Wensleydale curls) – £25.00 each

(4) Tight White curlies – (pure Shetland wool bodies with white Leicester curls) – £25.00 each

A close-up of the tight cream curls – they are lovely.

(5) “Lambies” – (pure Shetland wool bodies with Lambie wool) – £25.00 each (very limited supply as I don’t see myself carding Lambie’s wool ever again.  It was very hard work.

Side view of Lambie’s – so you can see his lovely natural colour in his coat.

(6) Pale brownies – (pure Shetland wool) – £20.00 each

(7) Ginger and dark brownies – (pure Shetland wool bodies) – £20.00 each

(8) White sheep – (pure Shetland wool) – £20.00 each

(9) Grey ones – (pure Shetland wool) – £20.00 each

(10) And the last “Lambie” – (pure Shetland wool bodies with Lambie wool) – £25.00. I made him today.

This was my view from my shed. North is the dark bit and the weather changes from sunshine to snow in a second.