When someone asks you to go and help them look at Shetland pony foals with them, well, you don’t say no, do you?

And if you get to see some beautiful mares as well, you don’t avert your gaze.  That would be just plain rude.

So I spent a lovely morning wandering around Bergli Stud looking at all their Shetland ponies – both standard and miniature.

Obviously I took my camera.

I would’ve been a fool not to.

There were just so many beautiful ponies to photograph.

Lots of foals and their Mums everywhere.

The struggle is real!

It was Shetland pony heaven.

And I am very happy to be part of it.

I dished out nose-kisseys to anyone who wanted.

And adorable little “peoples” came up for a chat.

Some were braver than others.

And some just couldn’t be bothered.

I could’ve sat down with the foals and spent all day with them.  Über cuteness overload.

As I said, Shetland pony heaven.

Daisy and I were working at Transition Turriefield packing vegetables when we were alerted to a small baby hedgehog who was around.

Oh. My. Word.

We were all enchanted (any excuse from weighing and packing carrots).

And so was Custard the Cat.  He was around too.

I boofed Custard away so I could take photos of Mr (or is it Miss/Mrs) Hedgepig and Custard was not amused.

While someone picked up Mr H-Pig, Custard proceeded to try and make himself look more interesting. So we all coo-ed and made a fuss of the little one.

(What is not to love? – I was totally smitten at this stage and wondering whether I can take HP home.)

Sorry but we ignored Custard.  He was never going to be as cute as a baby hedgehog.

I quickly took a few photos as I was mesmerised by the colour and pattern of his prickles.

They are perfect.

I also had a quick cuddle and then we put Mr HP down to continue on his journey.  He is this year’s baby…… ooooof!

There is something very special about a baby hedgehog.   It is also that time of year.

Every so often, and on a nice day, ie when it is not actually raining, I will stop what I am doing and sit down on the concrete slab outside the indoor riding manège to be hugged by whoever wants a hug.

It is usually ‘Ster.  He loves hugging.  He leans right in and smells gorgeous.

This time Daisy joined me with the sitting too, as well as Her Maj.

So while Daisy was being hugged, I took a few snaps of my surroundings.

As you can see, Lambie and ‘Bert were not in a hugging mood.  This was an aloof day.

Meanwhile up above a huge raven was rowing with a seagull.

I am sure I could train Her Maj and even Monster to welcome a raven to our family.  Just sayin’.

It was nice to have a little break chatting to those that wanted to chat while watching the world go by, mostly above us rather noisily.  I was just hoping we would not be splatted on.  An occupational hazard.

After a while Lambie and ‘Bert got up.  Another row started.  Not a very serious one.  Just bickering between Lambie and ‘Ster.  It’s a sheep thing. They do this.

Still the peace was nice while it lasted and sitting on concrete makes for a cold bottom so we didn’t stay long.

It is very therapeutic, though, feeling so wanted and needed.  Sheep therapy.

Like all of our animals, Sóley the Foaly is a character!

I don’t see as much of her as I probably should as she, her Mum and her sister are in a huge field and they vanish the minute I think I must go and say hello.

So the upshot is that Sóley is pretending she doesn’t know what hoomans are and hides behind her sister, Lilja.

Luckily, with the help of Lilja, who knows jolly well what a hooman is good for, Sóley decided she could remember again.

There is a very fine line between spending far too much time with a foal (it does more harm than good peoplefying foals) and then not spending enough time, which I fear is what we have done.

Anyway, I have put Floss on the job and she now goes out everyday to renew her acquaintance.  She particularly enjoys this work-in-progress.

(sisters, two sisters…..)

So the most strange thing Sóley does is…..

…. when she rolls….

(which she loves)….

She does this!  Legs straight up and out and we all laughed out loud!  She looked very funny.

She did it each time she rolled.

Offended at our laughter, Sóley cantered off back to her Mum.

And then had a little “mad half hour” cantering in small circles around Hetja.

Lilja just stood deciding whether to be a people person or a horse.

And then they all decided to leave, vanishing over the horizon again.  It is a bit like going on safari, when you go and find the girls.

(most odd that rolling thing. I have never seen another horse do that with their legs!)

For the past few months,  the youngsters have been split up from the oldsters.  Today, they were reunited.

I must admit that it wasn’t the original plan – they were going into the adjacent field – but it became very obvious very quickly that we would lose a perfectly good fence if they remained apart.

So I opened the gate…. and off they all went.  All except Haakon and Iacs who were more interested in the long grass!

The very-oldies did eventually move grudgingly on down the hill….

… while everyone else continued to gallumph about.

The very-oldsters would not be deterred.  Eating is always the priority.

After a while, Kappi came back with his following.

Taktur jumped – which is rare – our Icelandic horses are not known for their jumping skills.

You can see why. It was not elegant.

Taktur went over to hassle Iacs and Haakon who didn’t want any interruptions.

They made their feelings very clear.

Iacs was secretly glad to see the youngsters.

He does love a good game.

He had some fun with his friend, Efstur.

Hours of fun to be had there.

(I particularly love this photo).

Anyway, there was much rushing about and annoying each other.

They were all re-establishing the pecking order in the herd.

I have told Haakon that if it all gets too much for him, he can come out.

These days he just wants a quiet life.

And I also told Taktur that no good of this will come.  He will find out for himself.