I am beginning to feel sorry for anyone who has to look after Pepper whenever I leave the house.  She has not been behaving recently – running off at every opportunity looking for me.

So, as I was going to take Daisy to the airport, I decided wee dug could come too but she would have to sit in the backseat as all the fronts were occupied by us hoomans.

Pepper had her two cushion set-up and, although occasionally squeaky trying to get herself tangled up in her car harness, we managed.

Dog are allowed in the airport and my aim is to take Pepper to greet anyone who would appreciate it, like we used to with BeAnne (who met me after some god-awful spinal hospital appointment once and I sat on the floor and cried with happiness).

And Pepper’s little tail never stopped wagging while she watched everyone and everything.

Once Daisy’s flight had been called, we left via the grassy verges on the way back to the car.

Now Pepper had been promoted to travel in the front seat and was much happier.

We waited for a plane to take off and drove across the runway afterwards.

Pepper was fascinated.

And then onto Lerwick to drop off some sheep.  They’ve been selling fast, which is good.

And finally home.

Pepper was spark out after her exciting morning. I like having a little companion, if little companion is well behaved, and Pepper was very good.  Ted would’ve hated it – he was happy enough at home with OH.

Well, last night went very well, though we gave up early due to feeling very full after the traditional nachos/gin combo and falling asleep during the voting!  We are such light-weights, these days.

This morning was no different from any other. Animals to feed. As it was a Sunday, Daisy and I made the Shetland ponies’ track slightly bigger.  It’s been lovely having help on the poo-picking and feeding front.

The ponies were all waiting impatiently but they didn’t test the fence, which had been switched off while we moved it.

When I opened the fence up, they rushed in and haven’t moved since.  I doubt I will see them again until about Tuesday.  That’s what usually happens but I keep an eye on them from the upstairs windows and when I do the daily poo-pick.

Meanwhile, at home Flossie was busy packing up some of her stuff to go south.  Obviously she was helped.

And, for obvious reasons, she had to give up on the box idea. That was never going to work.

I will be brief because tonight is the night – the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.

I have been preparing for a few days now, which included putting the avocadoes (for the guacamole for the traditional nachos) in the sun to ripen.  My shed was the optimum spot for this.  Hot and very sunny.  I worked around them.

And yes, we are all very excited, with the possible exception of OH who will sit in the kitchen and grumble coming in only to mock at various stages of the evening.

The traditional cake is made and looks good.

I just need to make the guacamole and decide which gin to drink and we’re ready.

So bring on Eurovision then……

There will be the usual “honest” running commentary on my Facebook page too.  Feel free to join in.

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Today was the Minions’ turn to have their winter coats brushed out.  It was a job that needed doing and I had been putting it off until Daisy and Floss came home.  It’s so much easier and quicker with the three of us.

Under all those ponies was a Daisy apparently.

Poor, poor Tiddles – he always looks a bit bouffant after a good brush.  We tried not to laugh and told him he was beautiful.  “Why, Miss Tiddles, you are beautiful!”

And Silver looked like a fairy-tale pony.  To think he was red/brown when he first arrived.

After brushing, we gave the ponies the last of the celery as reward for standing still and being good boys.

Flossie was in charge of distribution.

Celery is always popular.

And then it was time for us to poo-pick the track.  We took our buckets and gloves and were followed round by the ponies with much giggling, bucking and farting while skidding to a stop when they reached the fence.

I woke early because I knew I had to go to the airport to collect daughter #2 – Flossie. She was coming home for our annual Eurovision family gathering.

Before I left, and as it was already light, and as everyone was already waiting, I popped round with the food buckets for them.

I also put the sheep where I wanted, but half of them doubled back and I put them into another field and now I was running late – ruddy sheep.  I had to drive to the airport (1 hr 15 minutes away).  I was early too and possibly the one there.

Floss and I came home via town, stopping for essential rations for Saturday night.  Meanwhile, Daisy had been doing good work, brushing everyone in the big field.

I think Daisy had brushed a whole pony’s worth of fur from Fivla who was so much happier and looked wonderful.

It was lovely to see all the winter fur go at last.  There are only 6 more ponies left to do – Vitamin refused to be caught.  Her loss.

Then Floss and I walked down to the track so I could put sun-screen on Tiddles’ little pink nosey.

Flossie fed the ponies celery – their treat as we are having lots of treats too.

It’s only fair.  T’is Eurovision week after all.   This is our family tradition.