T’other day, whilst out on one of my walks with my three sheep, a friend drove by and stopped for a chat.  I explained that I walked as my physio and she offered to come along too.

Today we went for our walk.  My friend brought her two doglets – Pip and Jack and I took Her- (Now Sulking)-Maj who refused to have anything to do with her canine companions.

(Oh the shame)

By Shetland standards it was a hot day.  There was also a brisk breeze which made walking very easy.

We went much further than I usually do but the wind blew us along and we were chatting as we walked so I didn’t really notice until the way home when we had to walk straight into the wind.  Then it was much more difficult and we could barely hear ourselves.

We arrived home feeling very well exercised and virtuous.  A cup of coffee in the kitchen and Monster came into introduce himself to our guests.

If you asked Monster if he liked dogs, he would reply yes, but he couldn’t eat a whole one.

You can guess what happened next.  I apologised profusely shooting Monster a filthy look at the same time.

It was a lovely walk and all the better for having a friend to chat to.  I hope I will see them again.

Last night, exhausted, I went to bed with a stonking migraine.  I found out why the next morning – we had a thunderstorm.  My head appears to have turned me into a barometer.

Poor BeAnne was terrified and jumped onto my bed and was straight under my duvet.

BeAnne hates thunderstorms.  A few years ago, she ran away from a massive lightening strike outside the backdoor and ran into the hills for the whole night.  Despite searching and searching, we only found her a few miles away the next morning, totally drenched and terrified.  BeAnne (and I) have never forgotten the worst night of our lives.

My poor little girl spent the morning in my bed shaking and panting.

Out came all my aromatherapy things.  I sprayed the duvet with a calming lavender mist and put the diffuser on as well, using a calming oil mixture.

I also put some music on to drown the sound of the thunder.  Together we snuggled under the bedclothes listening to Al Stewart’s Year of the Cat.

Eventually BeAnne settled down and went to sleep.

The storm came and went a couple of times and I also used the time to sleep and rest too. My migraine had left me exhausted this morning.

I don’t think we have seen the end of these thunderstorms but we have a drill in the house – all doors and windows are shut, all plugs are pulled out including the telephone and BeAnne only goes outside on a lead.

As I write this, BeAnne is feeling a bit perkier now – she managed to steal Monster’s tea so life is back to normal.

I am still walking, every day, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult.  My left leg is made of solid stone now. It is very inconvenient and I can’t live my normal life.

Sometimes while I walk I take rests and use the time to take silly photos of the rain drops on the spiders’ webs or the sheep wool lying around.

Today these three followed along while BeAnne stayed at home. I was very pleased to see them.  They make great walking companions.

Daisy and Flossie ride their horses regularly but I don’t (for the time being).

I am trying to keep going and today Daisy drove me over to Transition Turriefield to do my weekly packing and labelling work.

I enjoy going.  It is fun work.

But today I found it exhausting.

It was not especially difficult or busy – but just took more out of me than usual.

But we got the work done so that is all that matters.

I think I need to go to bed now.  I can’t think straight.  I seem to have run out of steam.

Tomorrow is another day.  Maybe I will feel better.

We had some visitors today who particularly wanted to meet the Icelandic horses so we got everyone up to the top field  to meet them.  It is easier that way.

While we were waiting for their arrival, Efstur made it his mission to annoy everyone he could.

Even if they wanted to be annoyed or not.

Efstur:  Am I irritating?
Me:  Yes!
Dreki:  Am I irritating?
Me:  Not quite as bad….. today.

And off  Efstur went again, only this time it was after a new victim, Hjalti.

The herd, all except for Haakon and Iacs, galloped about enjoying the little ones silliness.

There was an occasional lull in the games.

And then Efstur piled in on Haakon, the old man of the herd.

So Haakon, aged 24, piled back in too and told Efstur what he thought of him in no uncertain terms.

There was more rushing about like idiots.

And then suddenly they just all stopped – heads down to eat and you would never know seconds later it was like a stampede.

Efstur:  Am I still irritating?
Me:  Yes, but you are very pretty, if sometimes annoying!

It was lovely to see them all play.  I don’t think Efstur has suffered any ill effects from his gelding last week.  None at all.

Daisy drove Flossie and I over to Sandness to see the Minions. I am not driving anymore.

While Floss went a-ragworting, Daisy, who had done her bit big-time yesterday, and I brushed the ponies to make them all beautiful.

We caught each pony, tied him/her up, removed our brushes and conditioner spray from a helpful friend’s mouth, sprayed the conditioner and brushed all the greasy tats out of their manes and tails.  It needed to be done.  They was greasy and revolting.

Then, as a reward for all our hard work, we all sat down and everyone came up to talk.

It was a perfect afternoon.

Little nibbly kissey ponies.

And one large nibbly kissey horse!

I did also did some hugging too.

There is possibly no better way to spend a beautiful Shetland summer’s afternoon.

Especially after working hard.

You’ve gotta love a Minion.

It is probably The Law.

If you are visiting Shetland, or even live here, and want to meet the Minions, please do get in touch.  I would love to introduce you to my little herd.  You would be most welcome.