Taktur has done his “time” with Hetja and Brá, our Icelandic mares, so today he went back with his friends.

He was one happy stallion.

Since he left, there has been one new addition to his herd – his son, Dreki.

Taktur had never met him.

Everyone (young) wanted to be involved in the introductions.

The oldies steered well clear and concentrated on the more important things – eating.

They were in a new field so no territory.

Taktur went around everyone looking magnficent.

As usual, the little ones stuck together.

It was interesting to watch Taktur with Dreki.

It looked like they were getting on fairly well.

Just the normal stallion behaviour.  In Taktur’s absence, we had gelded both Dreki and Efstur so the herd dynamic has changed.

Thinking everything was going to be ok, we left the boys to it.

We were indoors, when we heard a rumble of hooves.  So we went outside to see what was going on.

*** sigh *** Taktur was chasing Dreki.  Just him. Not good.

He chased Dreki away from the herd and I bellowed at them both to “STOP THIS NOW!”

Interestingly, Hjalti was furious that Taktur is back and waded in giving his Dad both barrels.  He wanted to keep Dreki away from the stallion. He behaved like a mare.

I am not sure what was going on.  We have kept a close eye on everyone listening out for any arguments.  Similar behaviour happened to Lilja with Waffle, so I wonder whether the yearlings don’t know their roles or how to behave in a herd because we kept them longer with their Mums.

Anyway, this is a few hours later and things have settled down.

We were having supper a few nights’ back and look who I saw cozying up to each other?

‘Nuff said.  I think we have an Official Peace Treaty now.

Outside, on the hill Lambie was being “one of the boys”.

This is Lambie’s ultimate dream – to fit in. But, to me, Lambie just looks different.  A bit speshul.  Sort of only-a-mother-could-love-him type of sheep.

Daisy and I were working this afternoon over in Sandness, packing vegetables, so on our way we popped by the Shetland pony field.

We were spotted and everyone came rushing over to say hello.

Every time I look at Lilja she has changed.  Now she is huge.  Daisy says it is because she was standing on a hill, but I truly believe Lilja is a very tall lady.

Albie is a bit smitten with this glamorous girl.

I have missed my little boys (and girls).  Boy, have I missed them.  I need my regular Shetland pony nose-kiss.

So tomorrow, if I can find someone to drive me over, I am going to sit in their field for a while.

It is the best therapy – possibly on both sides.

(the two scruffs)

I have a feeling there are some in Sandness who are feeding the Minions their lunchtime sandwiches.  It is just a thought.  I could be wrong but somehow I doubt it!

We were having one of those family chats that involve a discussion about our showing memories.

This led us to when my daughters, Daisy and Flossie took part in classes at our local agricultural show, the Walls Show.  In 2005, to be precise.

Daisy did various riding and in-hand classes with Iacs, her trusty Icelandic steed.

The judge was Bjørn Roar Larsen who was visiting from Norway.

Of course, he loved Iacs (and Daisy).

The pair of them walked off with a variety of red rosettes from each class.

But when it came to the Overall Championship, however, Daisy and Iacs were Reserve.  She turned the wrong way with Iacs in hand.  A silly mistake but it happens to us all.

Anyway, this was the first proper time we met Bjørn Roar Larsen and after the classes were over, we let him ride Iacs in the carpark for fun.

The rest, as we say, is history.

Meanwhile, in the Shetland pony ring, Flossie was having her own success as Junior Handler (under 13) leading Fivla.  I would love to say she wiped the floor with the opposition but actually she was the only one in the class.  But, as we told her, they didn’t have to place her or give her the trophy, which is almost bigger than she is.

Note:  the pigtails.  They were a fashion statement but apparently “not by choice”, according to Flossie.

We still have both showing tweed jackets and they fit both Flossie and Daisy now. I bought large and sewed the cuffs up to make them shorter!  Thirteen years later, they are worn at shows!

Iacs is

going strong and Daisy rides him almost every day.  He is 23 yo.

I haven’t left the house for a while and since it was raining, no one wanted to ride, Daisy very kindly said she would drive me into town for a change of scene.

We checked up on the Minions and Lilja en route first.  They seemed happy and fat enough.

And then onwards to Lerwick.

Poor Daisy had to drive through a torrential downpour of rain – it was a triple-speed wiper job.

It immediately brightened up when we arrived in town and so we rewarded our (Daisy’s) efforts with haggis and chips in the car park.  I only tell you this interesting fact because we were instantly stalked by a large herring gull with only one thing on its mind – our chips!

The bird sat on the bonnet of our car ever hopeful.

I was fascinated.

When I mentioned to my mother, who lives in deepest darkest Englandshire, that I was thinking of going to town today she tasked me to find her a puffin fridge magnet.

So we searched the shops for this one item.  In my mind’s eye I wanted to buy a puffin-shaped fridge magnet, but no, this appeared to be impossible.  There are no puffin-shaped fridge magnets in the whole of Shetland.

Puffin everything else.  Just not magnets.

I ended up buying a small picture of a puffin that also served as a fridge magnet.  Not ideal but it would have to do.  At least it was from a local shop photographed by a local photographer.

Anywho, onwards and upwards.  We finished doing “the Street”.

A quick amble around the supermarket for essentials and then home to be welcomed by Her Maj who had sat outside all day waiting for us to come home.

She was very pleased to see us – she really was!

The walking continues.  Endlessly I trudge up and down the road with or without a companion.

The other day, Flossie kindly brough me Haakon and so off we went together.

I have been riding Haakon for over 20 years but now we just walk together with occasional snack stops, which for some reason really irritate me.  Sometimes I make a huge fuss and Haakon looks suitably contrite (or sulks) and then I think what does it matter and let him drag me off to the side of the road and eat.  Haakon is old. We know each other very well and I know it is wrong to let him eat in-hand but Haakon knows it is wrong.  I think that if this small thing makes him happy, then who cares.  If this is the worst thing Haakon does, well, I still love him even with his bad manners.

After my walk, I popped Haakon back in the slimming field where Kappi and Klaengur live during the day.  They are prone to being fat so live here during the daylight hours.

When Kappi arrived from Norway a few years back, Haakon immediately hated him.  They would vie for the position of head of the herd, picking fights and shooting each other filthy looks.  It has taken a while but the boys have settled down now and are good friends.

Haakon still thinks he is the boss, though.

So back to the walking.  More walking.  It’s all I do these days.