Around the Croft

Still black and white piccies – sorry and there is no excuse really but today it snowed, if briefly, and so me and my camera (or is that my camera and I?) were ready.

Les Girlzenberries who are, at times, I admit, totally annoying because all they want is food.  Gah!  I am followed, possibly forever.

‘Ster looking majestic.

Still gorgeous, even with Madge trying to get my attention to feed her for the umpteen billionth time.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, gets in the way of ‘Ster looking handsome.

Or noble. Today he did a very good noble.

Muscovy ducks and black and white photos – well, they are made for each other.

And then there is an enigmatic, if slightly hysterical (still),  Lambie.

He is still suffering from his horn dilemma (see what I did there, geddit?) and it probably hurts but it was his own fault so sympathy is at the bare minimum for him.

And ‘Bert has been practising his Winning Smile for the camera.

And this bad photo shows that I really have not mastered this camera at all!  Still Her Maj is perfect in my eyes, though.

The Beautiful People

The other day I was reacquainted with an old camera that I haven’t used for ages as it clunks, whirrs and the lens gets stuck.  It is now coming up error messages which is a new problem. I even sent it away to be looked at but was told it was unrepairable so had put it aside.  Anyway, I like this camera’s black and white capabilities very much, so here we are.  I few snaps taken two days ago.

Dreki and Efstur doing their best Abba impression.

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They are very good friends.

Can you tell they are half brothers? – same Mum, Brá.

I don’t really see it, personally.  Very different personalities.

Kappi was with them too.  He looks like the responsible adult of the family!

Taktur had gone to the other field to be alone – he has his Greta Garbo moments.

Efstur was very kissy (and so was Dreki) so perhaps that is their similarity which is odd because that is the one thing Brá is not.  She is not a fan of hoomans much.

Little grabby opportunists.  Guess who had carrots in her pocketses?

Even Kappi (and he never does, never ever) decided to be chatty.  He is always the aloof one in this boy band.

I think I should use this camera more before it dies forever and then, having ignored it for months because of its fatal diagnosis from the repair shop, I will miss it more than anything.

To Get Hay and Supplies

I don’t know what to write really.

Floss and I made the careful considered decision to go into town (Lerwick) to get some essential supplies for both the animals and people. I had phoned first to see what the protocol was and we followed it to the letter.

This is an ingenious way to enforce “social distancing” – bales of wood shavings used for bedding in front of the tills.

After the feed merchant, we went to get hay from our regular supplier.  He was awaiting my arrival and all I did was open the back doors of the van and stand well back while the hay was  loaded for me.  It was all very odd.  Usually we stand and chat but no, we avoided eye contact and drove off.

And lastly to Tesco’s with the shopping list.  We had to queue the required distance and it was all very easy.  One shopper came out and the next shopper went into the store.

A few items had been cleared out – there is no white or brown strong flour for bread-making to be had on these islands but we got the essentials and then went home.  Everyone avoided eye contact.

I found the whole day unsettling in a weird way and I don’t want to go anywhere again unless I have to. Like I said, I don’t know what to write.  Home is the most “normal” place to be and that is our “normal” (so pretty odd in real life!)

My Favourite Place

The “weather” (of which I am obsessed – a girl has to have a hobby) had died down, so I spent some time in my favourite place – Leradale.

(Note: only Storm would walk towards me with his tongue stuck out!)

Floss and I climbed the hill to check on everyone and give out the medicinal TurmerAid to Fivla.

For an old lady, she (and Vitamin) are looking fabularse dahlings!

It was lovely to be up in the hills with my silly little ponies.

Ever the comedian!

Tiddles had an “I am Magnificent” minute.  It was brief.

And I told him he was.  Very.

Dearest Waffle.  As wide as he is tall – the photo just doesn’t do his wideness justice.

Floss and I sat on some rocks and watched our world.

Floss got the Magnificent One to talk to.

Lilja and Sóley came up to me.  Lilja was apologising for being arsey to Albie while I stood next to her.  She had had a telling off  by me that her behaviour was completely unacceptable.  “Pas Devant Muzzah” I had shouted so she is sucking up to me while pretending all is cool with her little sister (like you do – we’ve all been there!)

You can see just how small Newt really is stood up next to Silver who is about 38″.  Very My-Newt.

We had forgotten Fivla’s usual (dog) bowl for her TurmerAid and had used instead this plastic container which of course they all had to play (read destroy) with.

Storm was particularly taken with the container and, clever boy, even managed to hand it to Flossie as we were leaving.  Now that takes skill.

That could be his one talent!  *** sniff ***  I am so proud.

The others are talented too (more sniffing).

While the world is currently orbiting Planet Swivel-Eyes, it is always good to have some perspective, right?

Walking the Her Maj

BeAnne is doing ok.  It is still little steps – every day we see a difference but her appetite is increasing and slowly she is returning to her old self.  I am still syringing her medication down her along with the hepatic diet but she now turns up and asks (I love this little dog more than words, greasy whiskers and all). She is also playing with us more which is lovely to see.

BeAnne sleeps a lot but I am a great believer in sleep.  Sleep is when your body heals.

Weather permitting, we go out for a daily walk in the afternoon.  And we have friends. They insist on coming too.  Madge and Edna are good about staying at home.  We all walk happily along in a procession, just a rather odd one.

When BeAnne stops for a sniff, they all stop for her and wait patiently.  The Boyzens are kind like that.

And then off they all go again.

These days, we rarely meet anyone and, if we do, we all move to the side of the road and wait for them to pass.

Once I met a Council road worker in his van and he just nodded sagely and said one word – “caddies?”.  And that was it. That was us summed up.

So, we are doing our best and hopefully my little dearest darling doglet is on the mend.