I finally did it. I sewed and if you know me, you will know I do not sew. I could not delegate (read fob off) the job of sewing a metre of 3″ curtain heading tape onto the back of my beautiful new unicorn rug and so was resigned to do it myself.

After a duff start and some frantic unpicking, I sewed diligently away vocalising various swear words as I went.  I also had a brief moment when I thought I had put the tape on the wrong end and my unicorn would be upside down. I checked it more than once.

Next I sent an elder daughter Daisy up the chimney (ok, she stood on the swivel chair while I promised to hold it still) and, having previously attached the curtain hooks to the tape, we hung/hanged my gorgeous unicorn rug.

A huge thank you again to Shetland Handweavers for this very special piece of weaving.

After the rug hanging, I went into my shed to recover.  Due to inclement weather, Lambie headbutted the door, came in, dithered about a bit, got shouted at so sat down and made himself comfortable. I didn’t shut the door, though I was cold.  I didn’t want to disturb the large woolly lump.

Lambie had a small snooze and then realised the others (ie ‘Bert and ‘Ster) were wanting to come in too.  I saw a side of Lambie not often seen.

He got all cross and started defending “his territory”, ie my shed.  So ‘Ster headbutted the door frame for a while and ‘Bert didn’t bother asking again.  Lambie was not going to move or let anyone in.  A leg in each corner and he wasn’t budging.

You can tell he’s cross – he is all tense and stern.

I have a big bag of turmeric so I made some “Golden Paste” this morning for Haakon and Iacs, who are living together having been beaten up by Taktur who thought he smelled a girl, once (I am still cross with him).  The weather is harsh (wind and fierce rain) at the moment and I think they could do with some help.

Here is the recipe I used – Golden Paste recipe by Doug English, vet

It was still pouring with rain but I geared up into my waterproofs, mixed the gloop into a handful of hard feed and healthy hoof supplement and went down the hill to give it to the old men.

Haakon decided he didn’t want his food. There is a certain random element as to doseage so I wondered if his tasted stronger.  Anyway, Iacs’ food was fine and they both shared happily.

One lovely turmeric moustache from Haakon.

And one from Iacs, who tried to spread it all over me as well.

Then they both decided to eat from Haakon’s bowl too.

I love that these two old men, who have known each other all their lives (they are cousins.  Can you tell?), can share so nicely without a cross word.  It gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.  A bit like the Golden Paste really.

One of my missions over the next few weeks, is to teach Sóley the Foalie how to load into the van with her mother, Hetja, so that we can eventually move them into their winter field at Leradale.

We caught Lilja and Hetja and led them over to the indoor school, with Sóley happily following along too.

We put Lilja out of the way and concentrated on Hetja and Sóley.

This is completely new territory but Sóley let me easily catch and put a headcollar on her.  Daisy attached a lunge line.  Good idea!

We did a spot of leading and then I walked Hetja into the van, leaving Sóley at the bottom of the ramp wondering what to do next.

Sóley:  Where’s Mum gone?

Sóley: Ah, here you are.

Sóley:  You want me to do what?

Sóley:  Seriously.  Just give me a nose kissey and I will think about it.

Sóley: No, I’ve decided I don’t want to think about it.

So we hung a haynet in the van to keep Hetja occupied and Sóley could see that her mother was happy, relaxed and eating.

That was the decider for Sóley.  She held her own investigation.

It was thorough.

And next thing, before you know it, she had her feet on the ramp.

Sniff, sniff, sniff…..

I walked behind and slipped out a bucket of food for Hetja and one for Sóley too (in a strategic position).

I moved the food in tiny steps until Sóley had walked into the van all by herself.

Mission achieved with minimal fuss.

And absolutely no lying down on the ramp having a tantrum, like others we know – that was Lilja’s party trick when she was a foal.

And we will be repeating this in regular training sessions until one day we put up the ramp and drive off to Leradale.

Yesterday was lovely. I even went for a walk with the Boyzens and BeAnne.  Pfft. Today is very different.

It is vile – wet, cold and very windy (gusting Force 9 according to one of my favourite websites, Windy.com).  I am very fond of the vintage Beaufort Scale even though it is considered outdated in the advanced world of weather.

Anywho, I kitted myself up and went outside to do battle with the elements.  I needed to check everyone was ok.

Having looked around the croft to find all horses happy, eating and cleverly positioned out of the worst of it, I drove off to check on the Minion field and Brá.  They live about 15 minutes away.

During my drive on the road through the scattald (open hill/common grazing), I saw the hill Shetland ponies were now out.

I decided to leave the Minions as they were at the furthest point of their furthest field, contentedly eating.  A head count of eight confirmed that all were present, correct and absolutely fine.

I wasn’t completely a lazy mare and did get out of the car at Brá’s field, which she shares with two other horses.  They were sheltering in front of an excellent high wall and were not leaving it so I shouted, they looked up and I retreated.

It was, however, “nice weather for ducks”!

Driving on my way home, the hill ponies were now on the other side of the road.

When the weather has calmed down, I might go and search them out for some better photos.  It is certainly not “nice weather” for expensive cameras.

A friend asked me to find her two miniature Shetland ponies.

So I did – meet Festus and Ulysses on Day 1 at their fabulous new home.

They are gorgeous wonderful little fluff-balls who met for the first time the day before.

Obviously two peas in a pod to look at and  I am struggling trying to identify who is who (sorry if I get their photos wrong – it was difficult).

Festus has the white paint/sale mark on his bottom. He came through the Marts (sales).  I had to bid for him on my friend’s behalf, which I will admit I was nervous about but I did it, and we had the winning bid.  Phew!

I am reliably informed by his new mum that the colt with a white mark on his forehead is Ulysses.  He is the out-going, inquisitive one.

Festus is the more quiet of the two little squirts.  He is a very sweet natured little chap who I think will soon be Ruling the World, like they do.  One word – Newt! It doesn’t take long.

Both chaps love peoples.

Which is, of course, perfect.

My friend already has two Icelandic horses (a mare and a gelding) in her family.  The mare is not a huge fan of the new arrivals and they are in separate but adjoining fields.

Today’s update – “they both come running when they are called”.  Darling little bebbies.

So mission accomplished.   This could not be a more perfect home for two little Shetland ponies. Thank you for the task.  Ask me any time. I love a happy ending.