While Floss and I were stripping the winter coats of the Minions yesterday, I noticed that both Tiddles and Storm had sunburnt noses.

Not a good look and, as someone who also gets burnt just by looking at the sun, I can completely appreciate how utterly miserable it feels too – crunchy, itchy, hot and painful.

So today Floss and I came armed with Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream – my go-to over-the-counter healing unguent (that and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream).

Floss put a headcollar on Tiddles and I slathered the Sudocrem all over his poor sore nosey.

He took it like a man.  Tiddles is always a good boy.s

Then it was Storm’s turn.

His poor little pink nosey had also started to burn in the rare Shetland sunshine.

There were those of course who pointed and laughed!

Poor Storm was not impressed.

There were also the same “those” who insisted on wearing Sudocrem too even though they didn’t need it but wanted to feel involved.

Floss dished out some Carrots of Appeasement.

Carrots are always popular with everyone.

I have now ordered from the vet proper sun-block cream for horses (and cats) as I think we are going to need to use it this summer but, for now, the Sudocrem nosey treatment will have to do.

I don’t think anyone was particularly put out by having a white nose.  They went back to their life of eating and enjoying life.

Some of the Shetland ponies have not lost their woolly winter coats and so, armed with a box of various types of brushes and two headcollars, Flossie and I went over to the Minions’ field to do battle.

First up was Newt.  He has a thick coat of almost foal-like quality that has no intention of shedding whereas someone like Storm needs no brushing at all.

The box of brushes was entertainment in itself.

There was also mutual grooming.

And chatting.

We didn’t completely strip Newt – we just took off his outer coat so that he could be a bit cooler and hopefully nature will take the rest when it is ready to fall off.

Albie and Newt didn’t want to go away.  They loved the attention.

That box of brushes was very popular with everybody.

Albie was happily throwing them about.

We gave all the boys a swift coat strip using BeAnne’s Mars Coat King and a Furminator I had bought for Little Cattie, but never had the heart to send back after her disappearance.  It was actually quite effective. I might have to buy a proper pony-sized one now.

Last up was Tiddles who, like Newt, was very hairy and uncomfortable with it.  He has been avoiding me these past few days.

He stood for ages while we tidied him up and was much happier with life once we had finished.

Afterwards Floss fairly distributed carrots and we tidied the fur up from out of their field.  My back is complaining bitterly now but it was worth it.  Everyone is beautiful and ready for summer.

We got tacked up and got ready.  I heaved myself onboard in a dignified fashion.

We went out.  It was a lovely day.

We saw a little lambie (no, absolutely no – step away from the lambie and stop making Lambie-Muzzah noises is what both my daughters were saying under their breaths).

En route we collected Bjørn who has a mare staying training.

More little lambs.  This time of year, they are everywhere.

Floss and I bombed up the hill in a controlled way.

We waited for the others who taking it gently.

Haakon was allowed to introduce himself to the Pretty Lady.

Then we all enthusiastically tölted home, except for Mr Bimble (Daisy’s noble steed) who doesn’t do that sort of thing.  He trots.

We dropped Bjørn and his mare off at their croft and then continued on home at a fair pace.

I let the youngsters go on ahead.

I was now walking because I had opened/closed the cattle grid gate.

I loosened Haakon’s girth and let him make his own way home.

He left me behind as he took himself home.  I walk slower than him.

I found Haakon eating grass, waiting patiently for me to arrive.

It don’t get no better than riding on a sunny day in Shetland on Icelandic horses.

We have had two fabulous sunny days this weekend so after some serious cleaning chores, Daisy and I went down to the burn for peace and quiet.

Of course we were followed.

BeAnne took herself swimming.

A keen otter.  She always has been and needs no encouragement.

Monster was happy to explore.

Here is photographic evidence that these two are getting along fine now.

Monster is a very happy cat.  He loves his environment and is totally settled. I have no worries that he will leave.

After a few hours, we wended our way home back up the hill with our companions.

Today’s afternoon sit by the stream had a slight variation in faithful retainers.

It was much warmer in the sun so we dunked our feet in the stream to keep cool.  After a while, the stream felt like warm water but it did help.  I hate over-heating.

BeAnne had gone off on some private enterprise so we just had Monster and Lambie for company.

Monster played with the frogs which made us laugh.

Lambie, who was also getting very hot under his wool, was eating primroses at me.  I was not impressed.

I would much rather he ate the marsh-marigolds that are everywhere.

Can you spot the sheep?  Poor Monster, he sticks out like a sore thumb wherever he goes and he follows us everywhere all day, even offering to get in the car and come too.  I do not encourage this.

It has been a wonderful two days – such luxury for us to have warm weather.

Cunning Plan No 435696(j)(iv) – to integrate Vitamin with the entire Minion Tribe.

To achieve this, I firstly left Vitamin with Fivla babysitting Lilja while the Minions all met up and made friends with Newt and Albie.  Last winter Vitamin had bullied these two little boys unmercilessly so they had to be removed and live at Thordale instead of being Minions which was not what I had planned.

Newt and Albie are very much Minions now.

Now it was Vitamin entering their territory and, apart from immediately thumping Storm (who definitely would’ve had it coming), she had to be nice.

Or the Minions would all gang up against her.

My theory worked!

Vitamin wanted to be accepted.

She wanted her little kingdom back even if it included Albie and Newt because now they were fully fledged Minions.

Albie sweetly came running over while I was taking photographs to have a hug.  He was not stressed seeing Vitamin but he does like reassurance from us.

To be fair, the Minions were pleased to see Vitamin back with them.

After all they had spent the winter with her.

Albeit minus Albie and Newt.

Anyway, I think this time they are all going to be fine.  So a big phew!

Meanwhile, Lilja boxed like a pro and I took her and Fivla over to another field nearby but not near enough for her to see or smell her mother.

So it is all change for the forthcoming summer months.