We brought them all in bright and early with the promise of food in their winter bowls.  I hate to use the phrase “like lambs to the slaughter” but they were very trusting.

Our shearer arrived and set up – I had already cleared the little stable for him.

First up, only because he ran in, was Lambie.

He was a good boy.

He was drenched, mouth and feet checked, and then told he could go.  Lambie’s fleece was a Grade IV.

Next up was Puzzah.

The same drill.

I think he was very pleased to get rid of his fleece.

It was was ungraded but our shearer said it had some nice bits.

‘Ster was third in the queue.

His fleece was huge.

and

‘Ster is a Grade I – Shetland Katmoget.

I have plans for this fleece so it was sheared with even greater care and attention.

Meanwhile, a fight had broken out in the stable between the shorn and unshorn sheep – they didn’t recognise each other.  Lambie fled as he hates a stramash and stood by Daisy for security, who was filming for the Blog.

He watched with huge interest, though.

And last up was ‘Bert.

‘Bert has a Grade II Shetland moorit fleece. Daisy commented there was more grey this year.

As well as being drenched, etc, ‘Bert also had his horns cut off as they will grow straight into his head – a terrible design fault.

Afterwards, I put them all back into their field.

Lambie went into a decline.

‘Ster seemed happy enough and probably glad to be cooler.

Everyone was very tired but looking a bit gorgeous.

I let Lambie out of the field and Daisy gave him a long scratch which cheered him up hugely.  They are all now around the house (outside) where there is a shed and lots of dockens (docks) that need eating.

So that’s that done then.

I am feeling a bit bad – the sheeple didn’t have their spa day.  The shearers had a prior, and possibly more important, engagement so we have postponed until tomorrow.

So Daisy and I went to Lerwick to get supplies for the trip south next week.  Flossie stayed at home and went riding as well as checking/feeding the horses.

Flossie also had to keep Monster amused and accompanied too.  He hates being on his own.

BeAnne just sat and waited for us to come home because that’s what she always does.  She waits longingly.

To make up for the lack of sheeple pampering, I bought them a packet of ginger biccies which I duly distributed.

Yes, BeAnne got one too!  So tomorrow is The Day.  Sorry to disappoint.

I spent the morning rounding up the Boyzenberries.  They are going to be sheared tomorrow.

The boyzens are all desperate to lose their fleeces and some days I feel sorry for them while they struggle in the heat, and it’s not even very hot here.

Even Lambie wants his fleece gone.

I have finally got them all in one field (one they can’t escape from) where they will stay until tomorrow when I will attempt to herd them into a stable for the shearers.

They sit around like the seals on rocks just getting through the day.

It will be very interesting to see what Puzzah looks like without his fleece.

I will also get any mis-directed horns trimmed, feet looked at and give them all a drench.

Really a fully sheeple MOT and service.

Tomorrow’s going to be fun, then!

The Minions are living in their summer camp now. They are about 7 miles away but it is a nice drive through the Shetland hill and we visit them daily.

When we go, we always have a chat.

Newt and Albie are very happy with their new friends and Vitamin is much better about their existence, which is good.  I was so worried last winter when she made it her business to hate them and make their lives so miserable they couldn’t be with the other Shetland ponies (Minions).

Anyway, now Newt has made himself Vitamin’s second in command.  Obviously she defers to him about everything and sees him as a huge help in her attempt to keep the herd under control.

Newt is one of those ponies – he may be small (in fact the smallest) but he works hard on his relationships.  Sadly, it was Albie that Vitamin hated.

Newt finds it easy to be one of the boys.

Albie has always struggled as he was orphaned as a foal so had to rely on a different upbringing, despite our best efforts to make things right.  Now he is settled and happy and that’s all I want for him.  At last, he is accepted by the Minions.

We have given Taktur another orange field companion.  We hope he doesn’t notice the difference.  Today Kappi went on his travels.

We went to see the vet.  Kappi (Taktur’s original field companion) plus Waffle (now Kappi’s official travel companion) had the last of their injections before we trek off next week to Scotland for the British Championships.

The mountains came to Mohammed, so to speak. It works out cheaper.

Waffle took it all in.  He loves travelling – seeing new places, meeting new people.

After the injection, carrots were forthcoming.

We try to come equipped.

Home again, home again.  Waffle went happily back to his field.

The others were obviously concerned and missed their friend.

He definitely missed them and had lots to tell them.

So that’s the jags taken care of.