Efstur and Daisy’s training is going well.  We have gone down the bitless bridle route, for the time being, as Efstur fussed and was distracted with a bit in his mouth and it wasn’t working well for him.

Although apprehensive about starting Efstur bitless (new territory for us) we realise that if that is what he likes and goes well with, then let’s see.  Daisy did her research and bought one that “hugs the head” – a cross-under one.

So, we started on the lead-rein, with me walking alongside and have migrated now onto a lunge line.

Up until recently, Daisy has just kept Efstur in walk so he can get used to the aids as well as  weight distribution with a rider onboard.  He is actually very balanced and apart from always (absolutely always) looking back at Daisy’s feet – each one – when she mounts, he hasn’t really said anything.  He has a huge amount of wanting to do the right thing, which is always helpful.

Efstur’s trot is sometime tölt but he is going forwards and listening, so who cares.

And today was the first day Efstur and Daisy went solo around the edge of the school – so many firsts – the track in both directions (some days he is forgets how, no lead-rein, no lunge, bitless…)

Training is coming along well. We go slowly because that is what works best for Efstur.  His sunny sensitive nature doesn’t like rushing and in return he takes it all in, listens and learns.

These two are very good together.  I would watch this space.

Look who was waiting to meet us this morning?

Despite our kind neighbour’s generous offer of two pick-up tyres that fit perfectly around the buckets, a certain small chap has not been deterred from his swimming practice.

Yes Waffle!

He was wet which means there had been muchos splashing.  Perhaps the tyres just add to the fun. Like a good springboard.

We had words.  Well, I had words and Waffle refused to look guilty or like he remotely cared.

The buckets were refilled and I made sure everyone had a good drink.

Well, that’s all I can do.  Like I say, boringly, they have easy access, if they walk, to streams and a loch.

Afterwards, I shooed them all away and Waffle did his usual smirking while he cantered off to join his friends.

And then I came home to sit in the sunshine with these two who were having a lovely little chat!

Oh, and I made this for The Golden Paste Company

I went down to the burn to take photos of our wild primroses.  Obviously I took my little friend, Her Maj who insisted on going paddling.

My back was turned and I suddenly noticed she was off, swimming upstream and then she vanished!

(sorry for shaky video)

Anywho, she came back and stayed with me while I continued to take photos. It involved us both standing in the stream to get to them.

This part of the stream has a wall on either side of primroses interspersed with celandine.

Down stream they give up.  The primroses always grow in this spot.

After our little adventure, we went into the other field where the sheep were, all five.  I sat on a rock while BeAnne pootled about, coming back occasionally to check I hadn’t moved.  The sheep came up for a chat and Lambie sat down with me.

We are all making the most of this fabulous weather.

And it is lovely to enjoy the sunshine with BeAnne.

You know my obsession with the weather. Well, today was beautiful. Not particularly warm (ten degrees Celsius) but very beautiful. Blue skies and not a cloud to be seen. Shetland spring sunshine.

I asked BeAnne where she wanted to walk this afternoon so she took me up to Clothie – my 5 acre croft where the old men (Haakon and Iacs) and Klængur live happily away in peace and quiet from Taktur.  Her Maj likes it there.

BeAnne went off hunting while I enjoyed creating Vitamin D sitting on a rock in the sun.

I had the best view.

Klængur has always liked to stand close by (read on top of) if he can.  It is actually very calming and I trust him totally.

And he went to sleep too with a lovely “smile” on his face.

BeAnne soon got bored of her hunting. I think she has emptied the field of rabbits now. She too likes these horses and came to sit next to me.

Haakon and Iacs were close by quietly nodding off too.

We all let out a collective sigh and relaxed.

The occasional boot nibble from Haakon who, although never demonstrative, didn’t want to be left out.  This is very typical Haakon.  It’s his way of letting me know he’s around.

Trust is everything.

A nice afternoon in the Shetland sun.

No lamb yet and Edna is doing well.

I am not sure whether she is about to give birth.

Or if we have a few more days’/weeks’ to go. I am new to this game.

Edna remains very affectionate (comes up for kisses) but likes to take herself off to be by herself too.  Either that or Madge is less clingy.

She is also rolling which I have never noticed before.  Both are slightly less food-orientated now which might be because the Spring grass is coming in and everyone is actually going into a field for the day.  Who knew sheep lived in fields!?

Madge is also doing splendidly.

We have decided she is probably half or part something else. A Cheviot cross?

She has the loveliest eyes and they have softened too. She still likes to cling to her Bat-Shit-Crazy persona but she is trying her best to be tamer.  She will take a biccie from me and I can catch her, rugby-tackle-stylee.

Madge has put on weight nicely too and she assures me she isn’t pregnant.

I hope she is right.

Meanwhile Lambie et al (aka the Boyzenberries) tell me that they will be kind and helpful uncles.

Dear boys.

You can see I have finally got my head around Edna being pregnant and now I’m quite excited.