Question:  What makes me smile?

Answer:  When I call my Boyzenberries off the scattald (common grazing), they leave all their sheepie friends and come running home.

I love that they do this for me.

(or possibly the biscuit tin!)

Lambie could be described as, what is known in horsey circles, a “scopey” jumper.

I thought he was more of a woolly one, myself!

See what I did there?  Geddit?

Anywho, Lambie has enthusiasm and, as you can see, he didn’t actually get over the ditch but landed in the middle of it instead.  But ten out of ten for effort.

‘Bert was more casual about his home-coming.  He is like that.  A cool dude.

As was ‘Ster.  They don’t make the hysterical fuss Lambie does about being out in the hill when they were the ones who made a bolt for it when someone opened the gate to get their car out.

They always do this – run out thinking they are wild and free and then, especially if the weather turns, rather regret their actions and want home as soon as they find someone to open the gate again to let them in!

They should believe their Muzzah. I always tell them home is best.

Floss made it home last night in some of the vilest weather that has hit Shetland for a while.

She said the landing in the tiny little plane was “a bit hairy” so today we are concentrating on better things, like seeing the Minions again.

Of course they were all thrilled to see their Flossie.

And, of course, Floss brought carrots which did up her popularity stakes!

The Minions adore her…..

….. as well as her coat, which is treated like a toddler’s activity centre!

Floss crouched in the wet field in the middle of nowhere and was duly adored.

Poor Floss is used to the high balmy temperatures of Chengdu so Shetland is rather a shock to her system.

We will give Floss a few days off before we get her back to cooking us her fabulous Chinese meals.

Floss was busy taking photos of the Minions to show her friends just how different her life is at home.

Meanwhile, Lilja is much more settled with her mother and step-mother.  She is one of the girls and they are all happy again.

The Minions have given up shouting for their Lilja and realise that she was not really a Shetland pony who grew and grew and grew.

Lilja needs to be with her own kind.

It is good to have Flossie home.

Flossie is at Aberdeen Airport waiting to take off to land at Sumburgh in a gale (Force 9, gusting 11). It is a bit much and I am worried.  I can’t help it.   In weather like this, I want everyone home, tucked up and safe where I can see them.

Anywho, this morning, I kept myself occupied by going to see the Minions.  It was feisty outside but not too bad.

They are looking very well and their winter yak coats are appearing now.

Little darlings.

I am pleased with how the old ladies are looking.  Nice and wide and ready for what winter throws us.

I love this photo – little Newt coming for his statutory carrot entitlement.

(Or twenty!)

I know I am waffling on but looking at these photos of my Minions keeps me occupied and diverted while I go on worrying until Floss is home safely.

BeAnne is not happy either.  Like me, she hates this weather. Oh, the worry.

UPDATE:  Floss home – all is good xx

In my silly little studio, aka a bit of kitchen top in the stable, I made this Sunday afternoon’s film.

I had previously spent some time building legs and reconstructing better beaks and I like the result.  There is probably more movement in the feathers than I would’ve wished for too because the wind was blowing a hoolie outside resulting in a huge draft everywhere in my shed.

Meanwhile, outside when I was checking all the horses and ponies, I noticed that the golden plovers were in full force in the fields.

I have a real soft spot for these birds.

It is the way they turn, to a wing, and instantly change colour.  Very clever.  Apparently a group of plovers is called a stand, wing, or congregation.

For the time being, I think I will just stick to my norty football playing crows.  I hope you enjoy my little film.

Daisy says it’s my best yet.

It was a dreich day in Lerwick.

Having first checked everyone was ok – Lilja was fine and almost part of her new herd; thank you all for thinking about her – Daisy and I went into town get some supplies.

We trudged up and down the high street almost on our own.  The place was deserted probably due to the miserable weather.

I bought a few crafting things for my models – wire, pipecleaners, sticky dots, etc.

Feeling very uninspired with the whole day, Daisy and I bought ourselves lunch and ate haggis and chips in the car.  The view was good looking over to Bressay, an island across the Bressay Sound.

There was one highlight, however……..

The local feline celebrity was in residence upstairs in Boots.

He is called Tommy and he has his own Facebook page about his adventures around Lerwick.  It was nice to meet him. We left him sleeping happy in the knowledge that he wouldn’t be disturbed and no one minded.