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.

It has been lovely today.  Daisy and I shared all the chores in brilliant sunshine and then I had to go to pack vegetables at my volunteer job leaving her and Monster outside.

A nice happy bonding time for the two of them, I thought.

Meanwhile, the dogs were inside because when I go out, Pepper can forget herself and will leave home, which is not ideal.  Daisy noticed then Ted on the windowsill looking out very jealously.

And then I saw his side-kick, Pepper, who came into better view too.  But no is no and Pepper has form for this running off lark.  It is disgraceful and embarrassing.

When I reached Turriefield, I got a phone call from Daisy saying the minute she had opened the door Pepper had gone flying out and left home!  *** sigh ***.  Luckily she found her at our neighbours and brought her home. I am not talking to Pepper now and she doesn’t honestly care.

It’s that time of year – Eurovision week and Daisy has come home for this.

Everyone is very pleased to see her, especially Monster.

He is absolutely thrilled.

In the afternoon we went on a dog/cat walk as they had spent their morning in the house, while I went to the airport to collect Daisy.

Of course Lambie came running over to Daisy.

And there was lots of this.

I looked on feeling more than a bit ignored.

I am used to it, though. These days, Lambie always ignores me unless there is something scary going and then he stands behind me.

But I had Pepper on my knee and Edna close by.

And then Lambie left Daisy and came running over to me and I nearly fell off my rock in surprise. I can’t remember the last time he gave me more than a cursory glance in my direction.

And then Daisy and I went to see the Icelandic horses and Daisy instantly started to pull out their old winter fur.

I told her there was lots to do.  I am so pleased Daisy’s home.  The first semi-finals are tonight and she has ten horses/ponies to brush!