I mentioned yesterday that rather than eat my beautiful weathered planks (which OH has now removed from temptation), I would put out a salt lick.

So I lugged one down and tied it onto a fence strainer that serves both the Icelandic horses and the Shetland pony fields.

Tiddles managed a quick sniff (he wanted to eat the rope really) while Vitamin dived straight in – crunching off bits with her teeth.  Large pieces.

She wasn’t letting anyone have a turn and the little ones looked on rather mystified.

Lilja had also followed me down the field and politely popped her head over the fence to see what the new lick was all about.

Vitamin rudely gave her what for!

So Lilja’s Mum turned up!  That look says it all.

And then, because Hetja is a lovely lady with beautiful manners, she let her daughter have first go.

And she had a shot herself.

With Vitamin now out of the way, Hetja even shared with The Minions and she hates them. I was very surprised.

Vitamin did not care.  I think she had eaten enough. I wonder if her mouth was fizzing!

The others will probably have a go, once the excitement of a new lick has died down. I like to think they regulate their intake, ie eat what they need.

(Silver looking particularly handsome – just because).

Between filthy showers of rain and kitted out in my last dry coat – I got through 4 today – I went out in search of the Minions.  They were not in their usual spot so I drove up round the back of the hill to find the herd behind a sheep wind-break/possible crö (sheep-fold).

Anywho, they were pleased to see their dear old Mum and possibly the bag of carrots I had.

Everyone was rather soggy.

As ever, Tiddles was on very snoggable form.  Best kisser ever.  No, seriously, he is.  If there was an order, it would go Tiddles, Newt, and then Albie.

Funnily enough, not Storm.

Anywho, I was looking at the wooden windbreak/crö because OH and I have plans for it – the wood is beautifully weathered.  We are thinking dado rail or skirting board in my studio but need to see how much useable wood we have and also how it looks in my studio before the final decision is made.

Certain ponies have been snacking.

So we will go up tomorrow and take it down.  The minute I thought this, Waffle read my mind.  Honestly, Waffle!  Why?  Just why?

Tiddles was not much better.

And Storm, well he was Storm.

I will replace it with a mineral/salt lick. That should keep them entertained.

These pictures are from yesterday around midday when the snow properly got going.

Deep and crisp and even.

We broke into a hay bale (the first of the year) and distributed it into old fish boxes tied to the fence so everyone could have a good eat.

There was even sharing, which is always heartwarming.  This herd is a happy bunch and there is little arguing or stress.  All good friends with no rattiness.

Rugs were on those that needed them.

For a short while the snow lay.  Everywhere was white and looking clean.

As I left the field to return to the house for lunch, I found this little urchin helping herself to the muck heap.  We had words while she was cross I had spotted her.  I chivvied Her Maj back into the house with a flea in her ear.  And then there was the sulking and I had to apologise to her for her bad behaviour.

The snow didn’t stay long.  It had all but gone by the late afternoon.

Apparently bad weather is forecast to return and now everyone is, after one day, in a routine of being fed hay.  Amazing!

It has been snowing on and off all day but, as I write this, the snow is now melting fast.

The scenery was pretty for a while, all clean and white, and we were amused to see how Monster would react, based on the theory that would be his first time (with us) when he could be potentially invisible.  At last his Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak (patent pending) was working!

Before the snow really got going, I popped over to Leradale.

I had broccoli stalks in a bag ergo Storm was my best friend.  He decided to just follow me everywhere in the hope there were more.  Everyone had their fair share but Storm was ever the optimist.

The others followed too so I took the opportunity of leading them to better grass.

Lilja is keeping the Minions in her thrall which means they don’t go and eat.

And then, released from her clutches, they remembered and all rushed off up the hill giggling and playing.

Last seen at the top.

Waffle and Newt (a new sidekick) had been holding out but soon gave up and cantered to quickly catch up with the others.

Waffle went past but Newt stopped for a quick nose kissey before he galloped off as well.

He looked like a baked bean being shot out of a canon.

Lilja’s power is mighty.

She watched the Minions far away and I could see her planning her next spell.

Not my best day, to be perfectly honest.  Nothing health-wise, but two (separate) dear friends in total misery which makes me feel very helpless.

🐾 ☘️ 💐 🐾 ☘️ 💐 🐾 ☘️ 💐 🐾 ☘️ 💐 🐾 ☘️ 💐 🐾 ☘️ 💐 🐾 ☘️

Bjørn wanted to go out for a ride so I tacked up Haakon, and we went out.  Our role was as the steady accompanying horse – who also wants to be at the front and haul the reins out of my hands.  So much for an old boy.  He was on splendid form and it made my heart sing.

Riding was very good for my soul.  I needed to be out in minus temperatures, with a hint of icy sleet, trying to feel responsible.  I came home with a smile on my face. The mark of a good ride in my book.

Yesterday, the washing machine decided to die, never to go again.  OH tried his best to mend it but to no avail so I put feelers out and luckily we were offered a washing machine.  I would rather lose the tv than than washing machine.  This afternoon we went to collect it, via the Nesting Scrap Store.  Only open on a Sunday afternoon, this Aladdin’s cave was truly wondrous.

We wandered around and OH bought some wellies (his have just cracked and were letting in water) while I bough a huge picture (2′ 4″ x 3′) for £2.00!  I love it.  I shall rename it “Gormless Boyzenberries” as opposed to “A Spring Morning”.  The frame needs some work but it will be perfect for my studio.

My “new-to-me” washing machine is now humming happily – first wash on from the mountain – and I am enjoying a glass of something winery to get over the stress of my day.  So life is vaguely getting back on track but it has made me realise just how fragile everything actually is and I don’t mean the washing machine breaking.