It is very hot here.  Yes, that is a phrase you don’t often see me write but it said 19º C in the car and I believe it.

The daily Minion visit (with added minibus tour) was hilarious.  Waffle had managed to get himself into a next door field (luckily, mine) and was looking a bit sheepish when Flossie kindly walked down to release him.  As we had visitors, we herded everyone up to the gate to meet n’ greet, whereupon they decided to congregate in the stream (the ponies, not the visitors) .  Yes, in.

And then Waffle got in to drink (fine), splosh around (he does that) and finally sit down (really?) in.  Sadly, I don’t have a photo of the sitting down as I was too busy trying to introduce us, get everyone safely into the field but it was very funny to watch.

Having finished up with the Minions, we went home to be met by BeAnne and Lambie, both desperate to go in my shed.  It is a popular venue.

The poor Boyzenberries are suffering hugely in this heat.  They are not fans and, as I type, Lambie is sitting puffing away listening to Handel’s Messiah.  I smiled to myself when it got to the bit about “All WE, like SHEEP“.  Oh, but we do, very much!

I am still chuckling about Waffle sitting down in the stream too. I just wished I had caught it on camera.  I expect he will do it again. He thought it was a very good idea.

Well, today we had our first minibus tour come to visit the Minions and the ladies-what-wore -the-sweaters.

Before they arrived, Daisy and I set out our little horse and donations box.

OH had found me a perfect shaped tin (he keeps everything because you just never know) and painted it beautifully.

The tin then promptly fell off the fence so we placed everything on the ground, which worked very well too.

The ponies were looking their best as Flossie and I had spent the best part of yesterday afternoon brushing and brushing, with maybe a bit of hugging too.

And then we sat down with the ponies and waited for our visitors – in there is a Daisy.  Honestly, there is.

As always, the Minions were thrilled to see their girl.  They adore her.

Soon the minibus arrived and the visitors poured out.  This was our first Minion minibus tour of the season.

I really enjoyed it.  I always love introducing my ponies to folk and telling them their story.  Always a joy, never a chore.

The boys have just about come to the end of their winter silage and the field they are in has little grass.  So, as we are nice, we letting them into the Maternity Suite to take “the top off”.

No one (sensible, that is) needed asking twice!

The majestic thundering of hooves was superb.

I positioned myself at the bottom of the field while Daisy and Flossie (my daughters) opened the adjoining gates, shouted and let the horses gallop through.

First up were Taktur and the three youngsters, Hjalti, Efstur and Dreki – or Cerberus as they are collectively known.

Haakon and Iacs are in the adjacent field while Haakon can’t tolerate the boisterous herd.  Which left Klængur and Kappi who managed to miss the gate (how, I mean how?), canter down the hill, stop, look wildly at everyone else now eating furiously, have a hissy fit and threaten to jump (our Icelandics are not natural jumpers – so I shouted at them), cross the stream and canter up the other side of the hill.

I don’t know why I bothered to shout.  As if they would take any notice of me.

Anyway, they realised their mistake and came back at full pelt gallop now.

(Personally, I hate galloping downhill)

And now I really hate it.  Ugh.

Kappi was giving it his all.  That grass had his name on it.

Perhaps it is a ginger thing.

The boys had a bit of investigating to do.

As well as some crucial annoying.  You can see why Haakon doesn’t want to live here.

And so we left them eating and very happy until Taktur sniffed girlies and then spent the evening pacing up and down the fence.  He is very tired today. I wonder why.

Here we are again.  Back with the bucket, hot water, Epsom Salts, painkillers, etc.  Plus a course of antibiotics which should hopefully knock anything lurking on the head.

A few day’s ago Haakon’s hoof was pared right back and which opened up the abcess’ route as well as showing another one in the frog.  But everything has drained/is draining and this is (please God) the last of it. It has been a very long haul and sadly Haakon is struggling again – tucked up and footy, but not lame.  I am not surprised.  It was a drastic but necessary trim.

I have discovered one thing, however, that if you stick Haakon’s head in a manger full of food, he won’t fidget and kick over his bucket.  He will stand there forever eating fibre and painkillers.

Afterwards I spray the sole of the hoof and it all comes out the top of the coronary band.  Yuk.

So that’s how the old man is doing.  In a way I feel we have gone back to square one but realistically I know this was inevitable.

In other worlds, today I rode Iacs to accompany Daisy on Hjalti.

It was a lovely afternoon.  Perfect weather for going out on a young horse exploring with the Silly-Frilly!

We met a lamb who had woken up as we trotted past and decided we could be his new mothers.  Hjalti stood like a rock while I made my mother-sheep-lamb noises and guided him back to his ignorant didn’t-give-a-damn parent.  Then there were cars and Hjalti again stood rock-like unphased.

He even took the lead up the hill into unknown territory (for him), totally confident and interested.

This is a panorama shot (the frilled has been slimmed in the shot!)

So, really the bad and the good today.

I had to go to Lerwick for a medical appointment.  Half way, while on our travels, I was phoned and it was cancelled (something about missing or cancelled flight up).  Anywho, Floss and I made the decision to continue with our trip to Lerwick.  We had a delivery to make.

Earlier in the week, I had an order from Jamiesons of Shetland’s shop on Commercial Street for four more sheep (they had sold them on Day 1, which was wonderful) but I took a few extra just in case…..

When I reached the shop, I saw that the little field was looking rather empty.  Six sheep had sold. That’s in one week.  Yay!

Polite introductions were made and the new boys swiftly moved in.  The curly-wurlies will be added later to the herd as they might prove popular.

While in Lerwick, we also checked on the state of the puffins too.  Sadly none had sold and I am bit down about that.  Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas if they don’t sell?

So that was that.  Chips for lunch and then home.

Now to make more sheep!