My life is truly bad. I don’t want to talk about it really and I don’t know what to do.  Whatever my best is, it just isn’t enough.  I am letting Haakon down.  Watching him in pain is destroying me (and him).

This afternoon, Floss and I went to chat with the Minions.  I need distracting and luckily Albie, Storm and Newt were happy to oblige.

The others ate their carrots and got on with what they wanted to do – eat.  I sat on a rock and waited to see who wanted to talk.

The boys stood around me and I dished out the kisses.

Honestly, there is nothing better.

Their support and love is wonderful.

Newt was extra snuggly.

He made me smile when very little does.

And he posed for a selfie.

Meanwhile Storm was treating Floss and her coat like an Activity Centre.

There is something about Floss’ coat – it attracts small ponies.  We decided Storm was chanting “why are you hitting yourself, why are you hitting yourself” like an annoying little brother.

I need my MInions.  They help.

Haakon is far from pain-free and I will confess that I am very worried about him.  I spoke to the vet today and we are doubling his analgesia over the weekend to reassess the situation on Monday.

Also this week Monster has been a regular visitor to the vet.  He is sneezing, lethargic and very off colour (yes, even a white cat).  It could be an upper respiratory tract infection.  So he is busy feeling very sorry for himself, though perks up at the sight of food still so he can’t be that bad.  Daily, I battle the prescribed pills/liquids down him which I disguise in his food.  So far he is not refusing and just thinks he is fed a lot, which is nice.  But poor boy is far from well.

So, back with the worry that is Haakon.  He is being kept quiet and a friend suggested wrapping hot towels around his hocks to help with the stiffness.  After the hot towels, I also rubbed in Deep Heat cream to warm the joint.

As always, Haakon was a good boy and munched his hay peacefully while Floss and I worked out the best method to do all this.

It was a family affair.

Haakon played his game of wuffle-the-hand to see if there were hidden carrots.  He has always done this.  It’s his thing.

Her Maj took to her throne and offered her support from a distance.

At the moment it feels like everyone is ill and I need them to be better.  I wish they could just be how they always were – fine, going along happily and healthy.

(* sorry for the whinge *)

I haven’t got much to write …… suffice it to say that I spent my day arguing with Vodafone and British Telecommunications plc on behalf of a friend (neighbour).  My learning curve was vertical but I was not going to give in. My conclusions were that Vodafone will happily pass the buck to anyone while BT lie through their teeth.  Customer Service be damned. I hate them all.

Many hours later – broadband and internet were restored but the bl**dy Vodafone Sure Signal was not.  As I type I am hoping they will see the error of their ways, plus stop telling fibs, and make the ruddy thing work.

Meh!

(a calming photo of Foula and breathe……)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the “creepy neighbours” are now back with their herd.  It was obvious that the old boys needed to be with amongst friends and we could see that.  Ad lib food is all well and good but it is boring and who wants to live with sheep?  Haakon is now stable (with painkillers) and I know that he is happier in his herd.  Mental health is just as important as physical health in my book.

Double meanwhile, I am drinking gin to get over my encounter with Vodafone and BT.  I need it.

Don’t judge me! I’ve worked hard.

With Haakon and Iacs living around the house for the time being, we find we now have creepy neighbours who are always popping round for something.

Whenever you open the front door, there is almost always someone waiting/lurking.

But they are available for selfies.  That’s a plus.

We work around them (and we also clean up around them too).

But they are always here.  They never give in.  They know where we live!

Sometimes one, sometimes two.

(Phew, at last they went somewhere else.  This is the view while I sit at my desk).

Being creepy is not just the perogative of Haakon and Iacs.  Oh no, Monster is well up there too!

I think my animals may be creepy.  Just sayin’.

While I have been away doing stuff, Daisy and Hjalti have been busy with their training.  They work for a short time most days and Hjalti loves it.  He soaks it all in, happy and interested,  always first up volunteering to do something each day.

Daisy only moves onto the next step when she thinks everything is going smoothly.  Having worked for a year in Norway at an Icelandic horse farm training youngsters, she knows what she is doing.  Hjalti trusts her too. They have a good relationship.

(lots of flapping – look how concerned Hjalti isn’t!)

(Daddy’s Big-Boy Handsome Prince saddle)

Hjalti doesn’t panic.  If he can see what is going and understands vaguely why, then everything is fine.  He has a huge amount of calm curiousity.

A carroty reward, given often.

After I had watched all their hard work and training, Daisy dropped the bombshell that she thought Hjalti was ready for her to sit on.  I was not sure about this move, I will admit, but Daisy said it would be fine.

So she lay across him first.

From both sides and we took a few steps forward.  Hjalti was a rock.

So Daisy got her bucket, stood on it, swung her leg over his back and sat up.  Hjalti looked round, sniffed her toes and then I asked him to take a few steps forward.  He said fine and they went for a walk.

And then Daisy dismounted and gave Hjalti a carrot.

(I am so proud of my little homegrown boy.  I told his Mum and she’s proud too) ❤️

Well done Daisy too – ❤️ sniff ❤️ – she did brilliantly.

A definite milestone.