Our garden used to be part of the field where the horses live and, despite my OH’s huge efforts, the garden is putting up quite a fight to remain a field.

When I first lived here with my two small daughters, the horses were allowed everywhere and used to wander about close to the house, knocking on the back door or rattling the snib (thank you Haakon) for a quick perusal of the biscuit tin.  We had no garden.  Just horses and ponies everywhere.  At night, Iacs would loom in the kitchen window and block any tv signal.  It was wonderful and no one minded.

Once my OH moved in, from Englandshire, he had some romantic notion of a garden and the bit of field around the house was duly fenced off.  Since then it has been a constant battle – between my OH and the gradual encroachment of the field trying to return.

Anyway, this time of year the wild flowers in the garden are amazing.  For me, they outshine any cultivated plants.  I am not a gardener.

And the smell.

Oh my goodness, the air is honey-like sweet from the clover that has gone mad and the rosa rugosa.

We also have “seggies”, the beautiful yellow-flag irises (Iris pseudacorus), growing wild by the water, in the fields and therefore the garden. They attract the insects but they are pretty and “very Shetland”.

Wherever I wander I am never alone.

There is always my small retinue of followers.

However, when Lambie and friends were banned from the garden a few years back (Lambie was caught eating the sacred willow trees and there was something about out of control sheep muttered), I gave up sitting there and prefer our outside table and chairs so everyone can be together.

So no one really sits in the garden these days.  Shouldn’t have banned Lambie;   just sayin’.

It is the time that the water-lilies appear in some of the lochs around here..  They are one of my favourite flowers and I look forward to seeing them every year.

Today I have one helluva of a headache. I woke up with it and it won’t shift.  It is very close outside.  I would not be at all surprised if there was a thunderstorm.   It has been like this all day.  Gah!

To try and get rid of my pounding head, I took Haakon on my usual “physio” walk.

As no little dog and/or sheep wanted to come, I looked around and took my other best friend.  Haakon was happy and no trouble (unlike some who tend to play Grandmother’s footsteps – *** Lambie ***).

The other horses are all fine.

I can see the youngsters from the house.

They are always mooching around….

… looking gorgeous.

Sometimes they like to speak to their neighbours.

There is always much communication…..

…. with varying levels of annoyance!

Update:  Just now there was a smattering of rain and my headache has lifted a bit.  Early to bed, I think.  Sorry to be so dull.

Daisy thought she would try something different with Kappi today.

Using the whole school, Daisy first let Kappi walk around on each rein to warm up.

Next a gentle trot.

Time for the poles go down.  First just one, which Daisy lead Kappi over to show him what was required.

Again, Daisy removed his headcollar and Kappi was left to consider the pole and how to get over it.

It was very big so he jumped it!

On the other rein, Kappi managed a good working trot.

The pole was then made into a small jump.

Then a slightly bigger one.  Kappi was flying.

But on the other rein, Kappi learned to avoid the jump.  He swerved out at the very last minute (I hate that).

So the jump was turned into two trotting poles.

And everything went back to normal.

Kappi trotted over them perfectly.

I think he enjoys this kind of work.

Back around the other way and everything always looks different on the other rein.

And off Kappi went.  Again, beautifully.

So that was a good training session and something different for both Kappi and Daisy.  I just sat on a bucket in the middle with my camera and BeAnne at my feet.

Kappi and Daisy did all the hard work.

My back if very painful now.  I struggle with the littlest of tasks but I have to keep walking. These days I rarely ride as I hurt too much afterwards – which I find very sad.  However, walking is good for me and can make a difference to how I feel many hours later.

I ask the Boyzens if they want to come too.

I walk my usual route, along the road, but it is always nice to have company.

Today, we were doing quite well, nicely walking along together until Flossie came driving down the track and with that everyone “took to the hills”.

I kept going with BeAnne and Lambie decided to come along too.  He ran as fast as he could to catch up.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon walk.

And so we walked to Watness cattle-grid gate and back.  My usual boring route that is what I can manage and enough of a distance to do some actual good to my back and how I feel afterwards.

BeAnne was on a lead when we were on the public road because there are sheep with lambs everywhere.  Lambie does not need to be on a lead.

Once on our track BeAnne took herself home with her devoted follower (mother and son).

Lambie will always remember who was there for him when he was very little.  He knows.

Anywho, on with admiring the scenery.  It really was very spectacular.

I noticed that a kind someone had put ‘Bert and ‘Ster back into their field, which they are sharing with the Icelandic horse fatties.

One day I will go for a walk with all my Boyzens but it is always nice to have speshul Lambie, Muzzah and BeAnne time.

Somehow it is always less complicated.

It is hot, it is nearly summer (not quite yet) and so I wear a hat because I am very pale skinned and burn in any sunshine.  I always have and have been sunburnt enough in my youth to realise this.  Hence the hat, the very important hat, nay (neigh), my essential hat.

So Lilja stole the hat off the top of my head.

Lilja had it and Tiddles wanted it.

Newt decided he wanted to have a go.

Storm’s found a whole new potential.

Albie had a shot.

Then Tiddles got the hat and now Lilja wanted it.

Tiddles was teasing Lilja.

So Lilja took back the hat.

Tiddles returned to have more fun with my poor hat.

My hat was doomed. It was never going to be the same.

Albie returned for another quick murder.

Lilja was obssessed.

Waffle joined in.

Everyone except for one Minion – Silver – wanted to play.  He was busy behaving and being beautiful.

Did I mind?  Nah.  I luffs my silly little boys (and Lilja who started it all).

(Fivla and Vitamin weren’t at all interested – they are too grown up for that and possibly snoozing).

My hat may not be the same again!