After my appallingly lazy behaviour yesterday, it was my turn to feed the horses.  Luckily, they know the drill.

I put the buckets out in their right place and then each horse leaves the field, through the gate and walks up to his own, and correct, bucket.

There is also a certain little helper lurking.  She gets told “no” and “to leave Taktur alone”.

So she ignores this and ends up being dribbled on by Taktur with sugar beet water which makes the top of her head all crunchy and sugary.

(Note – for those that come in without a headcollar, I lay one on their back while they are eating so I can put it on when to lead them back to their field – it saves looking and also wandering)

Then there are the clearing-up chickens too.  They are excellent at their job.  At times a little too enthusiastic, though.  Taktur is easily put off and wanders away from his food.

Mostly it is the same chicken too – we only have two white ones (as well as two black and three brown – numbers have dwindled due to the Polecat Massacre of 2018).

But the hens are useful as the horses are messy eaters.

Taktur slurps and Efstur just plays with his bucket.  This is Bucket Mark II as the last one was trashed.

Once finished, the chicken departs for better muck-heaps and the horses go back to their field hopefully feeling full.

As I write it down, our routine seems strange, but it works and that is all that matters.

On rare days, I am totally unmotivated to do anything.

Today, I could have cheerfully crawled back to bed and stayed there under the covers.

It was cold and raining outside and my bones ached. I could not get warm either.

I felt so meh, that I even asked Flossie to check the horses and ponies for me while I sat in the car.

Flossie is a nice person who walked miles to count them in the rain and made sure everyone was alright.

I hope I feel more motivated tomorrow.  I couldn’t have been less so today.  Just one of those days.

(sorry)

We did everything first thing this morning.  Bad weather was imminent so Floss and I fed and rugged those that needed, and dished out silage to those that didn’t.  A quick cup of tea and onwards to the Minion field to distribute the daily carrot.

Lots of rain was forecast.

More carrot  ….

Please …

Pretty please, so very hungry and small and cute. Don’t forget cute …….

This is my serious face and I know where you live.  Remember Newt’s Book of Revenge. Well, you’re in it if no carrot appears in 10 seconds.  10, 9, 8, 7 ……. I can wait all day if necessary.

The others were in a wonderful silly-billy mood.  They sniggered, farted and galloped about.

Bad weather means nothing to them.

I had a few nose kisseys as the Minions whizzed off.

There a lot of whizzing today.

Excuse me, still waiting – no pressure, just saying. I am going nowhere until the carrot appears.  You definitely have a spare in your pocket.  It is mine.

Haakon is 25 now.  I can see him ageing as I watch.  He is my friend and The One – my horse for lifetime.  We understand each other.

I try to ride Haakon at least once every other day to keep everything active.  He stiffens up if I don’t.

He also has a daily feed with old-age turmeric-based mineral additives for senior horses in his diet, plus a rug if it is raining and cold.   I am doing all I can to keep him going along.  Riding is also good for me too.

Haakon enjoys going out.  Some days are more active than others but exercise is important for his mental health, just as much as his physical health.

Mostly Daisy comes along too and, if she goes fast, vanishing over the horizon, then I pop some music on from my iphone and we listen as we plod home.  Haakon likes Al Stewart, whcih is lucky as I do too!

Meanwhile, back in the world of Monster.  I found these photos on my phone.

I think that sums him up really.

And so, life goes on.

My shed so far…… ta da, it is almost finished!

It has a great view, though I need to clean the windows.

And the wallpaper is up and fabulous.

My Admiralty charts are perfect. It is just how I imagined it would be, if not better.  And look at all the plugs.  You can’t have too many.

I have old and new charts.  Some with land and some without.

Although they are predominantly of Shetland and the surrounding waters, I have a chart of Reykjavik (which seems apt) and one of part of north-east Europe.  I shall enjoy exploring.

Where I live is an “Area to be Avoided” which made us all snigger when we saw it.

The neighbours are nice.

Though I am slightly worried they will see me move in and be round for “a cup of sugar” at every opportunity.

Or the biscuit tin.  For their Winning Smiles, I will part with many.

Next we need to get some flooring and then I can move my stuff in.  I am very excited.