Yesterday I went to Lerwick to be made “naturally blonde”.  I was early for my appointment at the hair salon so I wandered about the town for a while taking photos.

There were some sea birds who were mooching around the boats in the harbour.

I have no idea what or who they were so if anyone can tell me, from my pretty poor photos, then please do.  I would be genuinely interested to know.

If I had to describe the birds then they were grey and white and of an average size.

It was not a very nice day, weather-wise.  Intermittent vicious autumnal showers interpersed with a watery sun trying its hardest.

And once “naturally blonde”, I went home to be scrounged at.

I am getting ready to go south on Tuesday and stay with my mother for a week.

One of my visitors from yesterday sent me their photos.

I think they say it all, really.

First there was home….

And then there was away.

Back at home again.

And out came the Cheese Puffs, that had been very kindly brought due to a previous Wool Weeker letting on about Lambie’s love for the above-mentioned snack.

It is a passion.

Nay, an addiction!

So if you visit, please bring Cheese Puffs or Lambie will hate you.

Photos kindly supplied by Dona Snow

It is Wool Week.

I know this because there are folk I don’t recognise driving and wandering around Shetland wearing a very similar hat, which apparently is the 2018 hat for Wool Week.  Different colours but same pattern.

My visitors were from America and also keen followers of this blog.  I duly showed them my Shetland and all that I hold special.

After the equine meets and greets, I took them to Jamieson’s of Shetland, our local Wool Mill. It is opposite the Minion field and a treasure trove of beautiful knitwear.

The place was packed with fellow Wool Weekers who had the same idea.

But we managed to look around appreciating (and purchasing, some of us) the lovely Fair Isle sweaters.

I love the “wall of wool”.

Then I offered my visitors lunch or a “wow view”.  They went for the view and we were  fortunate to see seals basking in the Autumn sunshine on the beach.

Next up was lunch and this is our view from the Walls Regatta Club who were putting on soup and sarnies for Wool Week visitors.

There were even local knitters around.

After a good and well-deserved lunch, I drove my visitors around the sunny westside showing them our beautiful Shetland scenery.

As ever, Shetland was spectacular.

I really enjoy showing folk about showing them my everyday life.  Lambie was on spiffingly good form.

On our way to packing vegetables at Turriefield, we payed our daily visit to the pregnant Icelandic mares to top-up their water and to check they are doing ok.

Today, they were waiting expectantly by their water buckets.

I think it was more about sheltering from a rather bitter wind than actually wanting to see us.  They don’t usually care.

The girls are doing very well.

Possibly a bit too well or they are pregnant.  Anyway fingers crossed for pregnancy. They did spend all summer with Taktur.

As usual, Brá was her usual wary self.  No carrots equals no chat.

Hetja, on the other hoof, was very happy to chat even when she found I had nothing calorific on me.

Anyway, there is always some over-the-fence grass to be stolen.

I tried to be cross but it really was hopeless as I knew Hetja would continue after I had left.

She will not be told.

**** sigh ****.  But a least she doesn’t wreck the fence or get stuck.

I haven’t been over to Leradale for ages so this afternoon I popped over with some friends, who happen to be interested archaeologists, and BeAnne for a lovely walk.

I also wanted to show off my Bronze Age settlement, like you do!

I tend to leave the land alone when it is not in use so the grass gets to grow undisturbed.  The Minions and the pregnant Icelandic mares will probably arrive in January or earlier if necessary.

It was nice to wander around, though, and remember how it was last winter with all my ponies and horses living here.

After the winter decimation, there is now plenty for everyone to eat.  Amazingly, the grass always grows back easily.

The archaeological sites of interest are still there.  Phew. This is our Bronze Age round/oval house.

And it was a good dog walk too, which is important to me and BeAnne.

I have missed Leradale.

It is such a special place and showing it off to my archaelogical (and very knowledgeable) friends was fascinating.  I want to learn about this place and understand how the Bronze Age folk lived here.

My quern-stone is still where it always is.