This has predominantly been my view today – my cubicle in the Day Surgery while I wait to go into theatre for my spinal steroid epidural procedure.

It could not come a day too soon – I woke up this morning and could barely walk.  My left leg had given up and I was in agony, the kind of agony where there is no good position to be in.  I only just managed to hobble outside to feed the sheep and hens.  I had no words.

And this is my cup of tea and digestive biccies post-procedure.  All went very well and my left leg came home with me feeling much better so fingers crossed the steroids do their stuff and I can get back to what I consider is a normal life.

While under the needle, I kept myself going by thinking of yesterday – when we took our visitor to meet The Minions.  She did request this. It wasn’t by force.

Our visitor brought her lovely black lab, Willow, into the field with the promise from me that my lot were used to dogs.

Albie was very curious, perhaps too curious, but Willow’s behaviour was exemplary.

So, for Willow’s safety, she was taken out and tied up next to the field.

It was probably for the best.

God alone knows what the Minions would’ve taught a nice young lady.

They might’ve corrupted her innocent soul with their evil ways.

As ever, the Minions were very sweet.

The old ladies watched on.

And we escaped unscathed ready to do battle for another day.

(This afternoon, while I stayed in bed resting, they’ve all had their feet trimmed.  Apparently Newt was the utter worst – 26 whole inches of awful!)

At home, nursing staff are on duty 24/7.

A friend came over for the afternoon so we walked around the fields and we introduced her to our herd.

Kappi and Klængur live in the Fatty Field during the daytime.  They both don’t need anymore grass.

Kæengur wanted to see if Flossie was carrying anything potentially edible.

Then down to the youngsters’ field where the grass is.

There was some hopeful mugging from Dreki.  He has grown huge.

Meanwhile, the old men looked on very unimpressed.

Then over the hill to see the ladies.

They are currently co-habiting with Taktur, our stallion.

At the moment the girls are keeping Taktur very much at hoof’s length.

The ladies don’t care but the poor boy is very unimpressed and misses his fun-loving guys.

As usual BeAnne pootled along with us.

Tomorrow first thing I go to hospital for my epidural steroid injections.  Last time I said never again, but I am in so much agony now (I could barely walk this morning) that I have agreed to it.

The rain has done a little good. We still need much more, though.  The ground is very dry and the grass is not growing nearly well enough.

Having eaten down their field, we moved the ponies to the next door field that has more grass but when we visited we could see they were not happy there. I decided it was because they couldn’t reach the stream.  The banks are too high and the ponies wouldn’t climb down to get to the water.  Every other pony has managed before.  So we opened the gate back to their old field and they all galloped up to their watering place on the same stream and had a long drink.  I felt awful. I should’ve realised.

So now the ponies have two fields.  One to eat and relax in.

And their next door field to get water from.  We have left the gate open.

Yesterday they were in the second field – the one with the grass.

Today, when Floss did the visit, they were all in their old field.

So it is good to know the ponies know what they want and can get it.

So all is well.  Everyone has what they want.

I am entering two fleeces to our local show’s Shetland Wool classes but to do this they have to be presented properly.

A friend came visiting last week and I mentioned my ambitions to her.  She instantly suggested an expert, Harold Moffatt in Aith, who could do this for me.

So, bearing my two fleeces, I drove round to meet Mr Moffatt.

And expert he was too. It was fascinating and I learned a lot.

He showed me his own sheep’s beautiful white fleeces and what the judges look for in the competition.

I then showed him ‘Ster’s katmoget pile of wool.

Although not in the same league as Mr Moffatt’s fleeces, I am hoping we might have some crimp in there.  Though, to be perfectly honest, I am not sure about ‘Bert’s fleece and there was absolutely no point in mentioning Lambie’s “carpet-quality” wool.

Then on my way home, I went via Sandness to look at the ponies.  They were fine.  It had been raining and the ground desperately needs it.

The swimming sheep was around but in a different place this time.

I had never seen her there before.

When she walked out of the loch, I wanted to see just how wet her fleece was.

It was extraordinary – she didn’t seem to mind one bit and wasn’t particularly wet either.

She was a nice sheep and not afraid of me – more of a girl on a mission!

My back, as I continually whinge on, is deteriorating fast now.  Hospital on Wednesday for my steroid epidural injections cannot come soon enough.

In my head I had vowed to stop riding but in my heart I just wanted one more plod out.  I told Daisy of my plan and she said she would accompany me on Kappi, kindly caught Haakon for me and we tacked up to go out for a walk.  Nothing faster.

Usually when I tell Haakon we are going on a slow ride, he ignores me and takes me for a belter no matter what.

Daisy was happy for Kappi to plod. He has worked hard recently and enjoys a no-pressure ride.

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Long, low and relaxed is encouraged.

So Haakon walked.  Ok, it was his fast strong power-walk but he never broke into any other gait, even when Daisy/Kappi went for a canter up the hill.

What did Haakon do?  He took me to the other side of the road and stopped and waited for Kappi/Daisy to return.  What did I do?  I cried.  Haakon knows I am not feeling well – my legs are weak and my back is clicking and odd.  He cares about me and I could really see that.

If you have met Haakon or have ever been on a ride with us, you would know Haakon never just stops.

So we looked at the nice view.

And then we went on a bit further.

I don’t think I picked up the reins once.

You can keep all the Icelandic horses in the world.  When I ride Haakon, I have everything.