The wind is back with sporadic rain or hail.  This morning, it was white outside with joined-up hail but it had melted by the time we went over to Leradale to feed the ponies.

I think we are all rather fed up with winter now and I am sorry if I sound like a perpetual whining weather forecast but this weather is very eroding and makes hard work of everything.

Every day, the little ones come up for their daily carrot and hug and I just have to keep telling myself that they are doing very well.

There field is enormous with plenty of rough grazing around.  I also tell myself that they are native Shetland ponies who are perfectly capable of finding it as well as doing very well on it.

The Shetland ponies here are fat with room to lose more weight – all of them – so to feed them hard feed like we do their Icelandic neighbours (mares and foals) would be a mistake, leading to health problems, so not a good idea.

I just have to keep telling myself this over and over again and I am finding it very difficult this time of year. I always do.

Flute lesson = Tuesday morning – and then on into town to do our messages.

First stop the agricultural feed merchants to get essentials for the horses and sheeple.  Animals first. Always.

Next up, lunch – me? haggis and chips.  This is the view from our lunch table!

We always find a nice spot.  It is important.

There is always an audience.

They play the guilt card.

And sometimes bring their friends but I am used to this behaviour and have learned to ignore it!

While Daisy was finishing her lunch (white pudding and chips), I wandered round the car park taking a few snaps so you can see just how unique and wonderful Lerwick is.

There were a few boats in.

The usual harbour tug.

Some history – Lerwick was first founded in the 17th century as a herring and white fish seaport to trade with the Dutch fishing fleet, though there is evidence of settlement since 1000 BC.

Our newly restored town hall set at the top of the hill.

I love Lerwick’s architecture.

“The name “Lerwick” means bay of clay. The corresponding Norwegian name is Leirvik, leir meaning clay and vik meaning “bay” or “inlet”….. ” from Wikipedia because I do not know these things!

This area is known as The Lodberries – merchants’ wharfs extending out to the sea.  They are the oldest buildings in Lerwick, some dating back to the 18th century.

The salmon-pink building is an old toll-booth, again built in 18th century on the site of an older version.  It is now home of the RNLI shop and station.

The RNLI have a long-standing presence in Lerwick.  This is the Severn Class RNLB Michael & Jane Vernon.

I think, writing this blog, I have learned something today!

Feeding the little Icelandic herd at Leradale is a two-man job.  Today, it was Floss’ turn to help me feed Brá, Dreki and Lilja.

I had hold of Hetja and was feeding her pieces of swede as she is a good weight.

The little foals get a bucket each, which they have quickly learned to kick over or play with or even eat the contents…..

ie, mucking about and arguing!

The most important horse is Brá who is giving her all to her son, Dreki.  In science terms, it is called a “maternal investment”.

If you are interested, this article is fascinating – Maternal investment results in better foal condition through increased play behaviour in horses

Lilja was bored of her bucket first – the wind had tipped it up and she lost interest.

So she came to say hello to me and ask why I was keeping her mother back.

Next up was Dreki, having finished off Lilja’s food, now on the ground, too.

Lilja drifted back but Dreki stayed to chat.

Brá, meanwhile, still ate her bucket.  She has her personal body guard, ie Flossie.

Hetja did the washing up!

They are not looking bad for 8 month old foals.

I am still working with Dreki and Mr Headcollar.  He is a very good boy.  Lilja continues to voice her objections.

So this was the 1st of February (last Thursday) – the weather was just vile, blowing a gale.

Good waves, though.

We all sat in utter misery, candles and headtorches at the ready – our electricity supply can be sporadic this time of year – I guess those hamsters can get blown off their wheels!

(having said that there is nothing like the scream of anguish of someone (preferably a daughter) caught in the shower during a powercut for good family entertainment – don’t judge me!)

Today, however, is different.  It is beautifully calm.  Not a zephyr.

I indulged and had a little drive around finding the wonderful Shetland winter colours.

Seeing the mist rise off the sea  makes me believe somewhere out there is Spring.

It was almost unnaturally calm today.

Still, there is the retreating ice on the lochs.  Because of the recent clear winter skies, temperatures at night have fallen below freezing point.

A windless Shetland winter’s day is a rare but valuable experience.

Because when it blows, it truly blows!

I felt sorry for my two little ones this morning so I let them have a day around the house.

Elvis, the chicken, babysat them for me.

Elvis in her Vegas era!  Our Elvis is very old.  At least double figures.

Anywho, Newt and Albie were happily munching the sheeples’ silage and it is good that someone eats it as the sheep like it freshly hand-plucked from the bale, lightly drizzled where they want it, take one mouthful, announce it has been on the floor or a chicken sat in it and then leave it.

Albie and Newt are not that fussy.

The big boys remained in their mud happily arguing over every last bit of food.

Afterwards they parked up on the hard shoulder for a bit of shut-eye!

I secretly love having the little ones around the house (outside, preferably) but I don’t trust the sheep very much.

Puzzah has weaponry and can sometimes interpret friendly interest the wrong way.

Tonight I put the Albie and Newt into a little paddock with their very own silage, water and shed where they will be safe. I think it is nice to give them some time off from all this endless mud.

(I love this photo – ‘Bert looks like Puzzah’s minder!)

Meanwhile, it has been declared that Lambie is looking a bit thin so daily rations have been increased.  He was thrilled to hear this and has been following me around all day begging.

Is it just me or does anyone else think he looks a bit like Blue Ivy Carter at the Grammy’s when she shushed her parents, Beyoncé and Jay Z?

Same look!