Daisy and I swapped the Icelandic horses around today.  We wanted to help poor Hetja who is still being unmercilessly plagued by flies and the midges.  Nothing we do helps her.

So we put Hetja, Sóley and Lilja in the stable and moved Iacs, Haakon, Klængur and Kappi (the fatties) into their field, Clothie.

Daisy kindly washed the water trough and added more water as the stream that runs through this field is now drying up.  Haakon was supportive and grateful.

Next up, Taktur, Efstur, Hjalti and Dreki moved up a field. They always need to eat and now we have lots of grass, we will fill them up!

With everyone now in their new respective fields, we put Hetja, Sóley and Lilja into the hill park (field) where the grass is shorter and there is also a huge range of terrain so they can escape the midges and flies. They galloped away and have not been seen since. It is a very big field. I expect they will turn up sooner or later.

So Daisy and I went to work at Turriefield (community veg place) and left the horses to their new grazing.  When we came home this evening, Lambie was sitting by himself at the gate (the Boyzenberries had asked to go into the hill first thing this morning).  He was miserable with the insects.

A discovery: Lambie likes Walker’s cheese and onion crisps!

Begging – oh, the shame.

He is not really making friends here.

So, yes, we are all rather suffering with the midges and flies.  It is the time of year and they are unceasing.  It is all very wearing for everyone.

The Boyzenberries spend their day in the fields and then in the evening I call them home so they can mooch around the house and have access to shelter with no midges and flies.  This time of year it is a necessity.

The Boyzens mostly stay where I put them but certainly know which fences to go under to come home if they want.  Lambie sometimes appears out of nowhere in a hysterical flurry.

But, without a doubt, I can see ‘Bert is 100% happier and that is a huge relief.

Look, he is smiling.  He really is.

He is relaxed, happy and back to being my cheerful little “monkey”, just like before the Saga of the Horrid Horn.  I am glad I made the decision to take it off.  It was driving him insane and probably hurt too.

When stuff happens, politics quickly move in and the sheeple hierarchy changes.  ‘Ster has perhaps not been as nice as he might about all of this.  He turned into Top Sheep aka Bully.  We had words.  I am Top Muzzah.

But I guess there was a bit of karma involved as you may remember ‘Bert was vile to Lambie when he was sheared.  The endless butting and being mean was not necessary.

But now they are back to being three happy sheep and I am very relieved. I hate the politics.  It is brutal and distressing to someone who is the under-sheep that day.

Fat and well.  Everyone is fat and well.  Here is the photographic evidence.

(Klængur and Haakon mutually grooming each other)

Cerberus, or Dreki, Hjalti and Efstur as they are individually known, are fine.  All developing, changing and growing up fast.

Taktur and Kappi are looking good.

Bibble, sometimes known as Iacs, is superb.  Perhaps a bit too superb but he is old enjoys his superbness.

So, for once, I am not worried about this lot.  They all look perfect and are a very happy little herd, which is the most important bit.

I, on the other hand, am still suffering with my summer cold – I admit I have downgraded it from near-death but even so, I sniff and cough as I go around my daily business.

I went to town today to get some messages (including fly spray, additional healing unguents, gels, ointments, creams, lotions and potions for poor suffering Hetja) and wore the wrong shoes so my feet are hurting and that has added to my self pity.

I am glad to be home, though. It is cooller here with a nice refreshing breeze.

The grass in our fields is growing and unusually very long.

I don’t know if I have seen it this good for many years.  It has been a very wet summer.  That’s all I can think.

The Icelandic boys are next door and the long grass will be all their’s in winter when they need it.  We rotate the fields all year.

For now, they have plenty and are somewhat rotund.

It was a warm morning so, having photographed the chaps (for tomorrow when it is raining), I asked BeAnne if she wanted to go swimming. She didn’t need asking twice and jumped in because she is secretly an otter.

She amused herself, jumping in and out rolling in hopefully nothing (too) noxious.

I found an old piece of wood and threw it in.

It was taken away and hidden so I could never do that again.

Then my little sweetheart and hopefully delight posed for some pretty photos.

All was going very well until I said I was going back up to the house.

And that was it.

A sit-down strike.  The Patterdale Terrier stubborness appeared.  BeAnne would not budge.  She just sat there while I walked up the hill to the house.  She’s probably sitting there still.

(No, she appeared later when she realised Muzzah was more stubborn!)

Some folk always look good in photographs.  No matter what.

Every angle is a good angle and there is no such thing as a bad picture.

And then there are others……

Well, all I can say is I was under attack …..

….. from all sides.

Oh look, there Floss is looking lovely again with the handsome Waffle.

And they both have a Winning Smile too.

Silver was nearby for moral support and looking his best.

Then he ditched me for a more favourable friend.

And my hat got it.  Well, it was inevitable.  I never thought for one minute that it would be safe.

As you can see, Floss and I sat in the field with the Minions.  Some of us looked wonderful.  Others, less so but it was nice to be loved.

Did I mention it is very very hot today?  Too hot for me and my summer cold.