After a good Christmas lunch, we, as a family, always try to go for a walk to get some fresh air and exercise.

So, once we had rendered the kitchen Monster-proof, we all duly set off but there were hill sheep around and ‘Bert was quickly diverted and left us.

‘Ster and Lambie determinedly averted their gaze and said they were coming with us.

It’s ok, I thought, ‘Bert will come home when he wants to but he changed his mind and decided that a Christmas walk with his family was better than chatting up the hill sheep.

We all, man and sheep, strode off on our virtuous Christmas walk.

This walk is a family tradition, though there have been some years when horrific weather has been too bad and we have had to give up before we got past the end of the house – we were blown back in!

BeAnne was a token sheep or were the Boyzens token dogs?  Anyway, something smelled nice. Her Maj is wearing her Christmas kerchief.

I think this was one of our memorable Christmas walks.

I loved it.

(and thank you to everyone for all your help, support and advice xx)

First thing, I go out to the field that the three oldies, (Haakon, Iacs and Klængur) and shout!

Did you see Haakon bucking, right at the beginning?  I love this. It makes me smile and realise that Haakon, although perhaps never going to be ridden again, is happy and pain-free in his retirement and that is all I want for him.

(the morning sun just beginning to make an appearance on the horizon – it is about 08.45)

Iacs of course is not helpful.  That’s not his way. It’s like the scene with the elephants in the Jungle Book.

My buckets were duly distributed and yes, Iacs and Klængur swapped, argued and then tried to get Haakon’s.  They pretty much get the same food but Haakon has TurmerAid and Devil’s Claw which, as you can see, is doing much good.  Boing, boing!

Daisy (home for Christmas) was on guard and the double-prong attack stood no chance.  There were words!

And then we put out their piles of hay which they stood in a polite row and ate until Iacs walked through, threatening to pee in it. He likes to do that *** sigh ***.  More words, now shouted from over the fence.  He is such a gallumph.

This is the sunset a few nights ago.

Shetland is very beautiful this time of year.

I went for a ride later on in the morning. It was fabulous.  All is good.