It was April 11th of this year when Little Cattie ran away, having been with us just over a week.

We were distraught at her absence.  All our neighbours knew to look out for her but we only had one sighting in some shed down the road and that was all.  We went to search but found no trace.  Whenever we were outside, everyone always kept an eye out for her.

So it has been five months et voilà, Little Cattie has turned up at her old home two miles away.  You have no idea just how relieved we are.  Every day, I have thought about this beautiful little cattie and wondered where she was and if she was alright.

Meanwhile, Himself, aka Monster (who arrived in the middle of April) is very settled and has no intention of moving, ever, let alone outside for five months.  To him, that would be abhorrent.

Twice daily he worships his Tin God who lives in his temple, the fridge.

Monster uses telepathy for communication – “you want to feed me…. you want to feed me…. you want to feed me.”

He also has a throne – well and truly settled here.

We are considering calling Monster “Harry Potter” for his amazing invisibility cloak (not)!

But, I am very grateful, if briefly, that we were part of Little Cattie’s life but more grateful that she has found her way back to her original home all safe and well. I hope her little holiday with us has not changed her in any way.

We live and learn.

If you shout, (in a certain way), they will come!

This is Lambie yesterday, in a fit of pique over the flies and midges – he wanted inside and away from his vile flying demons.  Of course, I acquiesced.  

Yesterday, before the rain, we moved the Icelandic boys into their new field.  The time had come. Their field, as you can see, had been eaten down.  I am secretly hoping that now they have moved, the grass will do a bit of growing in our Shetland “Indian Summer”.

No one need asking twice.

Shout and they look up, assess and then canter over.

The little boys were the other side of the burn, while the oldies, who know the score, had been hovering around the gate all morning.

But enthusiasm is our middle name.

Dreki – or Tail-End Charlie, as he is known.

And you guessed it – today, it is raining so I had a little play.

So much for my Indian Summer.

It was my turn to check the Minions.  So I sat in their field on a pile of rocks and was instantly surrounded.

Not a bad view, really.

Everyone was very chatty.

I am sure these two are thinking up a Cunning Plan.

They lead each other on.  Always have.

Two by two the herd came over to see me.

All except one.

He grudgingly came over….. eventually.

Sort of.

Newt is a funny solitary little chap.  He likes people when he decides he likes people.  He may be the smallest of everyone in the whole world but he is the most stubborn and no one tells him what to do.

Having chatted with my friends, I walked back to the gate and was, of course, followed.

On the way home, Foula was looking very mysterious in the sea mist.

Half of it was missing.

Anywho, at home these two are getting on fine now.

A family photograph!

Apparently (I had forgotten), Daisy and I had a dentist appointment this morning.  I could’ve done without that, to be honest, as I am still exhausted from yesterday. I feel utterly drained.

But, I went, I lay on the couch, was scraped at and it was all very unpleasant.

Afterwards, we went to the street to get some messages.  There was a huge cruise ship berthed in the Bressay Sound – Norwegian Jade – 294 metres long, carrying a maximum of 3,590 passengers.

This is her next to the Bressay ferry – a somewhat smaller vessel of 32 metres, carrying 80 passengers; 20 cars or approximately 100 tonnes!  She looks like a rowing boat by comparison.

Anywho, the Street was thick with visitors swarming by taking photos while looking interested in the shops.

Afterwards, feeling even more exhausted, Daisy drove us home and en route we went over to check everyone.  Madame has learned how to lean over the fence to get more grass despite having another field next door full of the stuff.  I shouted at her – this is her “what-me?” face!

Note how Waffle is also by the fence possibly blagging sandwiches from passers-by.

I give up!

Well, here I am at 06:40 sitting in the departure lounge of Sumburgh Airport.

I am traveling light, taking a couple of good books along with a lifetime supply of chicken and tomato rolls, kindly made by OH before we left home.  Like going on a school trip in the coach, I have already eaten one!

The flight south was fine. It was only an hour long. At one stage I dipped and suddenly felt exhausted so tried unsuccessfully to go to sleep.  This was a new plane and the seats were basic – hard plastic – so that was impossible. The stewardess came round with the trolley so I gave up on my idea of sleep and had a cup of coffee and another chicken and tomato roll instead!

Coming in to Aberdeen.

The plane landed and I was taken by minibus to the hospital.  This is an invaluable service for the northern island patients.

And now I am waiting in the MRI suite for my scan.  I have just noticed the blurb says please do not eat a large meal beforehand.  Now I am wondering if the chicken and tomato rolls count!

Well, that’s my image now magnetically resonated and I have followed the red line to the Outpatient Dept where I am waiting for my next appointment.  I had another 🍗&🍅 roll to give me a boost.

The MRI was fine. I had my usual thoughts of being so fat I would get stuck, not opening my eyes, and trying to sing Barbara Ann by the Beachboys to the machine’s juddering noise.

One physical examination appointment later and now I am off to X-ray. This is not Village of the Damned – there are folk about!

The X-rays were taken and back I go for another consultation.  I was told that I will be discussed along with my X-rays and MRI scan next week at a meeting with the surgical team to see if they can help me.  I am exhausted and now waiting in Out-Patients for the minibus back to the airport.

i am so tired, so very very tired. I can’t go to sleep in case I miss the minibus so I am watching Brideshead Revisited on YouTube.

The minibus came and there was a bit of a panic at the airport – long queues and only one check-in lady but we finally got on the plane.

Home James (or Daisy), and don’t spare the horses.  My bed calls me.  It was a very long day.