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.

Monster loves the snow.  It’s his thing and it’s finally here (but just about gone now, as I type this).

He has spent many hours outside and the Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak (patent pending) almost works.  Cat?  What cat?

Here he is channelling his “inner Gemma” and if you don’t know who I mean, I suggest you do a quick internet search of “Gemma, Dancing on Ice” and you will get the joke.  In this house we are strangely addicted to DOI at the moment.  It has a wierd car crash appeal.

Anyway, our star is not available for comment.

The rustle of a crisp packet usually does the trick, though never prawn cocktail flavour (so you know).  These days they hunt in pairs.  Both of these beggars can hear one being opened from another room and have tummy-clocks you could set your watch to.

The happy hormones have kicked in.  At the moment, Brá is exceedingly easy and tame.  Her eyes are soft and she is happy to see us.

But yesterday Brá let me catch her, have her feet trimmed and then, once released again, stayed next to me to be stroked and made a fuss of.  This is something Brá simply does not do.  People are not her thing so I can only think the Happy Hormones of her 2nd trimester have kicked in.

Hetja is always easy to work with. She only turns into a Professional Mother when her foal arrives.

By my calculations, the ladies may be due between May 9, 2019 – May 24, 2019 and so they are both 32 weeks pregnant.

I found this on t’net –
At 8 months, the foetus is:-
9-33 lbs
20-32 inches
Hair on mane, back, ears (squeeeeeee!)

And yes, Brá is fat but what can I do?  She gets nothing but the winter grass in her field.  I do not believe in dieting a pregnant mare.  Hopefully winter will sort it out after all this is how nature works.

Meanwhile, stopping the dreaming of foals with manes growing, ‘Bert has made a miraculous recovery, which is a huge relief all round.

Even yesterday I was contemplating his future as an animal in pain is never good. But today, ‘Bert is almost back to normal.

Sheep – who would have ’em.  From dead (nearly) to alive in two days – there is no middle ground.

Need help with anything and Lilja is there for you.  Always there.

Although we take drinking water and fill up buckets for the pregnant Icelandic ladies, there are two perfectly good streams/drainage ditches that run through their field for drinking out of.  Floss was making one more accessible for the girls.

Lilja was fascinated watching Floss trying to break the ice without falling over.

So, being Lilja, she offered to help.  She stood nice and close by while Floss used her as support, and kicked away at the ice.

Dear Lilja.  I was very impressed.  All our horses (and sheep) are used to me hanging on to them, due to my inability to stay upright.  They will even let me hang on to be pulled upright, which is very useful.  Lilja is no exception.

Many years ago, when Taktur, Lilja’s father, was an unridden colt, I remember falling over in the mud by the gate in the pitch dark while I was trying to put him out.  Taktur just stood there while I floundered about and ended up pulling myself up hanging onto his hairy legs and then his mane.  So Lilja has it in her genes to be a perfect lady.

And she is.

So, after Floss’ ice-breaking, we walked up the hill back to the car and of course we were followed.  It’s not food Lilja wants.  She is a very people person.

I seriously love this little horse.  Lilja is very special.  She is a horse you can rely on.