A quick dash to Lerwick for a family member’s dentist appointment and then, as we had a little time to spare, we “did the street” afterwards.

I was rather hoping we would see Tommy the Cat but sadly he was not around.

The street was very empty but we popped into various shops trying to buy and support local.  I hate seeing it like this. Very sad.  There used to be such bustle and activity and it was always nice to stop and chat with folk.  I don’t know how it has become like this.

Anyway, I stopped to admire the window displays.  Such effort, hard work and thought goes into them.  This was Jamiesons of Shetland’s side window.

These beautiful gloves called to me…..

…. while the handmade bespoke chocolates from Mirrie Dancers shouted  – C H O C O L A T E!  They always get a Christmas visit from various members of my family.

Finished, we dashed back home, a quick lunch of OH’s homemade bread fresh out of the oven.  It fights back when you try to cut a reasonable slice and tastes delicious.

Onwards to Transition Turriefield for vegetable weighing (me on carrots and beetroot), Veg box packing and a good natter.

So that was my day.  How was your’s?

It is slow progress these days with Haakon.

(my view this morning from the front door – he is lying down often, still)

I am pretty sure Haakon’s hooves are not as sore as they were.  The two abscesses are dry now and he manages to walk about around the outside of the house fairly happily.  He is very stiff and creaky, a bit like me really.

I found a huge carrot for him to eat secretly.

I didn’t mention the carrot to his friend, Iacs, who keeps him company during the daytime.  He had his earlier along with the others but has the hearing of a bat when it comes to carrots being eaten anywhere in a 10 mile vicinity.

Haakon, knowing this, was keeping an eye out.  Sharing is not his thing.

I like having Haakon around, close by.  He is putting back on the weight he lost and is eating well.  The appetite never diminished, even during the height of all his misery and pain.

This whole feet thing has aged my boy hugely and taken a lot out of him.  Before this, Haakon was much younger in every way but I just didn’t see it at the time.

Still, he is looking so much better.  A huge improvement on the miserable boy a month ago.

It began so quietly.  Everyone standing peacefully on the top of the hill, and behind but then it quickly deteriorated.

This was the Minions in the afternoon, just before the rain set in.

They were on flying form, giggling, farting and generally having a great time.  Please do not worry for Albie – he gave as good as he got and some.  He has become a proper little tough-guy.  No more the Mummy’s Boy unless he feels like it.  It makes my heart smile to see him like this.  One of the boys.  For a time, when he was a foal, I did wonder if he would really ever be like the others.  All I heard were endless stories about the dangers of orphan foals not growing up to be accepted or to learn to be like other ponies.  I just wanted to do right by him.  Anyway, I will stop worrying now.

Waffle started it.  Of that, I am sure.

Newt was quite reserved first and then he got into the spirit quickly joining the shenanigans.

I left them to their games and went back up the hill as the rain set in.

Sometimes there is no point trying to have a meaningful discussion with anyone if they are too busy sniggering.

Today, though it should’ve been yesterday really, we are remembering Jack or Little Jack(et Potato) as he was known.

Jack’s most favourite day of the whole year was when the clocks go back an hour for British Summer Time.

He loved that day.  Jack had a tummy clock that was accurate to the last nano-second.  At precisely 17:00 to the minute, he would start barking to tell you to feed him immediately!  So on the one day of the year when his supper arrived an hour early, his little face would light up and all his birthdays arrived at once.

When the clocks went back for the hour in winter, was also “Worst Day Ever” and torture not just for Jack but for us all.

Little Jack came to us in his senior years – this is his actual please-adopt-me face – from a Dog Rescue Forum (I should not look at those pages).  Upon arrival, we quickly discovered that he was a wordly runaway who had the mouth of a navvy with a bad case of Tourettes.    He was very vocal and determined and BeAnne certainly learned a lot from him.

In his very last years, Jack remained his usual determined self but he went blind.  Every day we would take him on the slowest dog walk in the world.  A friend knitted him a beautiful coat which he modelled on her Ravelry webpage – Jack’s Jacket

Dearest Jack.  We do miss him.  He was a huge character and loved by us all.  His enthusiasm for life and food, mostly food really, was immense and yesterday was for him.  Jack’s Day.

(watch the video with the sound up – you can hear him talk!)

Today is a lovely day.  My two daughters, Daisy and Flossie, looked after me beautifully.

I had a lovely lie-in (these days, I dream of them). They all did the horsey chores first thing while I snored on.  I did eventually get up at lunch-time.  My excuse is that these days my back is hurting more and more and I am finding things tough.  But seeing Haakon all well again makes everything better. I would do anything for him.

After lunch, I went for my usual walk, taking my “fur and wool children” with me.

And yes, I did get odd looks from the passers-by in their cars and on bicycle.

There were definitely some double-takes but who cares.

So that’s me, enjoying Mothering Sunday with those I love around me.  Just how it should be.