First thing this morning, I stood outside in the old men’s field – all was calm (between weathers, as it is known) and thought this is nice. I can do this.

There was a beautiful blue sky.  It was starting to warm up a little too.  You can certainly feel every degree difference both ways.

The boys munched their buckets around me.  It was a good happy sound.

Some don’t even lift their heads to breathe (** cough, Iacs **).  Every calorie matters to him and his silly-frilly.

Haakon does come up for air, though, because he knows I will stand guard and stop anyone else getting his bucket.

When the sun came out, I could feel everyone breathe out and relax. This afternoon, there was a huge pile of horses all asleep in the sun. They were enjoying themselves.

I am glad we all had a breather because Storm Ellen (which apparently is a polar vortex (eh?)) is crashing down on us next.

Extra rations tonight and please think of us all these next few days.  February feels like the longest month this year.  As I type, I can already hear the wind outside starting to rev up.

I keep looking at as many different weather forecasting websites in the hopes that one of them says the rest are wrong.  Ever the optimist!  Failing that, I am going into hibernation.

Well, I am busy thinking about Dreki, my little black dragon.

Here he is standing, as ever, with his father, Taktur and he is developing into rather a nice horse. I like him. I like him a lot.

Every morning the field gate is opened and every morning the four boys (Taktur, Kappi, Efstur and Dreki) come up to be led, if it is blowy, into the stable, to have their hay and hard feed. Every morning Dreki won’t go past the gate person until he’s had a little chat and possibly a nose-kissey.  It can be a Force 11, I can barely stand up but he wants that acknowledgement of his existence and our relationship.  Other horses just gallop past barely saying thank you but not Dreki.

And I genuinely like the type of Icelandic horse he is growing up to be.  He is solid with a good strong back.  He is also very conscientious (he minds desperately) and is not difficult if you explain what you want.  An uncomplicated chap – never mean, vindictive or wicked (some I have known – ugh!)

And he has a lovely little sense of humour – he likes to wind up his Dad sometimes.

Dreki Dragon may not be as beautiful as his sister – Lilja is a truly gorgeous lady.

I think it might be the raggedy mane but I also think that might be the fault of living with youngsters and a bouncy stallion.  It will grow.

So that’s my little dragon.  He is turning into a very nice Icelandic horse.

The wind died down a little and the sun came out, if briefly, so I went for a nice drive.

This is the Foula that I see every day – the view from our track where it meets the road.  The weather was closing in again.

A planticrub in the hill.

Burga Water (I had to look the name up)

Shetland ponies with the sheep on the scattald (open hill).

I even drove down to our local beach to watch the waves. It was fierce.

Foula again from Dale beach.

The fields are fairly waterlogged now.  It is all a bit depressing and everyone is very fed up – animals and people.

I got home just as the weather was returning again. This was definitely “a survival suit” day.  February is my worst month.

Today Floss and I felt like the security guards you get at large concerts.   The ones with their backs to the stage who are there to stop the crowds climbing onto the stage.

We were feeding Kappi, Dreki, Taktur and Efstur their feed before going out into the wild outdoors.

Everyone has different dietary needs so each has to stick to their own bucket.

It is a spectator sport.  Klængur and his friends, Iacs and Haakon, had eaten earlier.

But, still, food is food, whoever has it and memories are very short these days.

Anyway, the calories were dished out and then everyone went back out into the filthy weather with their internal furnaces restoked.  This is what keeps them warm.

Meanwhile, in Lambie-Land…..

I walked past this little cloud of misery.

Like many when feeling ill (think man-flu), Lambie has taken to his bed in a big way.  His only friend is a chicken.

And the struggle is real if you are Lambie.  Luckily, though, he has managed to live the day and to be fair, the weather is so vile, no one wants to be outside anyway.  I just love his little face poking out.  That’s Lambie’s spot, that is.

And yes, I posted a ginger biccie in the slot He cheered up after that!

As it was very windy this morning, we got the boys in for their hay, hard feed, rugs off and a rest.  We left the shed door open while we went to fetch them from the field –  we lead Efstur and the others all dutifully follow.  In the meantime Lambie went in to the shed to see what he could see…..

And a few minutes later four horses walk in and Lambie still doesn’t get the message. So Taktur bounced and kicked him out.

Lambie was appalled.  I went to find him and to check he was ok.  He had gone to bed.

Oh Lambie *** sigh ***.

I checked there was nothing broken and that he was ok all over. I also fed him some TurmerAid in case anything hurt. I brought a pocketful of barley rings which he managed to choke down.

And yes, I kissed him better (but not his bottom which is where he got kicked because that would’ve been wierd! I kissed him on the top of his head because that is a nice bit.)

And I have been checking Lambie all day to see he is a) still alive or b) alright.  He is a little subdued and enjoying the fuss – probably more shocked than actually hurt. Taktur pushed him out with his back legs rather than gave him both barrels.

The power of the ginger biscuit is also being put the to the test.  I feel very sorry for my little Lamb. He didn’t expect to be forcefully evicted from the stable. I do hope he has learned his lesson.  Never get in the way of four hungry Icelandic horses.