I have always wanted to learn animation.  So today I did.  Best afternoon ever!

I went into Lerwick to attend a workshop at Mareel, Shetland’s music, cinema and creative industries centre.  It was brilliant fun. I arrived at 14:00 feeling a bit apprehensive, nervous and lost but I sat at my table and waited for instruciton.

In there room there was some scenerios already set up.

Each place had of plasticine, wire and molding tools (Note:  plasticine does not have the same smell like I remember as a child a billion years ago).

We were asked to build the figure that we wanted to animate as well as being given some tips for the best result.  I created a wire base shape to work on.

And then I added some plasticine.  Can you tell what it is, yet?

Some ears, googly eyes and a tail.

My neighbour, Chris, (aka Wallace) was making a seal called Flappy.

Once we had created our creations,  our table made a bee-line for the separate studio environments.  Let the filming commence.

We all quickly decided which background/studio suited us best.

There were some wonderfully imaginative animals too.

It was great because we had a good supply of materials to work with and lots of help available.

Anywho, Lambie was taking shape.  His ears and tail were his point d’interest. They moved.

We were all working very hard with our individual projects.  They evolved and grew along with our boundless imaginations.

I have not had such a great afternoon for ages.  Lambie is home now but it was the best fun and an  adventure into the possibilities of animation, which I certainly want to pursue.

This if the film that Chris, Katie, Benji and I made.  It is called “Animal Circus” I think.  It will be featured in the Shetland Film Festival 2018, along with others.  I hope the general public enjoy Lambie’s debut into the animlation world.

Now for my Oscar acceptance speech….. something to work on in the long dark winter nights.  I think I need to work on his ears.

Off to see the Minions and Lilja in their field.  You can easily tell which one is Lilja.

Lilja is the most friendly of horses.  She always comes over.

A very pretty young lady.  I can see a huge amount of Taktur in her.  She has his head and laid-back temperament.

The others gave me a cursory glance – enough for a carrot to be chucked at them and gratefully received but not enough to be followed.

Meanwhile, Lilja told her “step-mother” Fivla that she was going to go along with me for a while.

And then she followed me as I walked back through a big field to the car.

We had a few grandmother’s footstep moments.  I would turn, she would stop walking.

I used the opportunity to take photos.

Lilja is such a pretty girl.

And then I would walk on.  Lilja didn’t mind leaving the rest of the herd to be with me.

I still find it odd seeing her all growed up.

She was such a little squirt and now she is a beautiful young lady.

Lilja diligently followed me to the fence.

I had nothing for her so I said my goodbyes while she tried the gate.

Lilja has a great future ahead of her.

Just keep walking and she will follow!

My neighbour who has horses, asked me if we wanted some hay she had recently bought.  Her horses hated it so would we be interested.  Daisy and I went over, saw the hay and we took a bit to test out on our lot before I said yes please or no thank you.

When I got home, everyone was fast a-bye-byes.  All except Iacs – he was keeping guard.

(I love that Efstur is flat out snoring).

Efstur immediately woke up and had to come and say hello, even with his bed hair.

Others were less keen on moving.

So I distributed the hay to see if anyone liked it.

They choked it down enthusiastically.

I made sure each horse had a little bit.

Efstur (to Kappi):  Do you like hay?
Kappi (with his mouth full):  yesh!

Efstur:  Can I have some?
Kappi:  No!

Efstur:  But we could share….
Kappi:  Seriously?  Young man, you must be joking.  I never joke about food like I never share.

Efstur (wheedling now):  But we could
Kappi:  But we could not!  End of discussion.

Efstur:  I shall keep trying
Kappi:  You do that!

So everyone was very happy with the hay.

The youngsters made it their mission to annoy Kappi.

He eventually gave in and let them help themselves.

I think he realised he was rather outnumbered.

So I bought the hay and we brought it home this evening.  It will be useful if we have to stable anyone before January, when we open the big bales.

Mons-Tur-Briska-Fil has been put on a diet.

Since arriving, he has become fatter and fatter because he nags until someone feeds him.  He now resembles a turkey stuffed with beef brisket stuffed with gefilte fish.

Hence his Sunday name – Mons-Tur-Briska-Fil.

The boy has chins, crevices and creases.  It is not right.

It is our fault – we reinforced his behaviour by feeding him to shut him up.

We have done Monsturbriskafil no favours and so he has just become obese.

Worst of all, he is not able to reach the important parts that need to be kept clean.

So the diet is on. We have to stay firm.

We are saying no to the carbs, on his behalf.  I read on t’net he can have two to four mouse sized protein lumps.  Today it is raw beef mince.

I am doing this because I can barely pick him up!

Preparations started with Lambie having his daily TurmerAid (turmeric pellets).

Then Haakon had some as well.  Old age and not being ridden has made him stiffen up quite noticeably (I worry).

Next I gathered the troups together.

And we were ready for the off.  The straggler, aka Lambie, quickly went off into the hill.  He came home later on in the afternoon when it started raining.

Meanwhile, Daisy was riding Kappi and Flossie was on Iacs. They brought up the rear, slowly catching us up.

It wasn’t long before us foot-soldiers were overtaken.

But we marched on.

Daisy and Flossie vanished into the distance.

Haakon could see them in the distance.

He kept shouting at them which is very rare.  I can probably count on one hand how many times in over 20 years Haakon has ever neighed.

Finally, the riders were on their way home.

And again, we met up and were swiftly overtaken.

This is Floss’ last ride for a while – she is off to distant shores for a few months.  We will all miss her hugely (mostly me – she has become the cook of the household, which was brilliant while it lasted).

Safe travels, Flossie.   Remember home – that is what this blog is for.