Well, it’s all going on out there now!   Wind and rain in equal amount of vileness.  The roof on my little house creaks like a wooden boat on a rough sea, the doors are locked and the fire is lit (plus some candles in case we have the inevitable power cut).

My OH and Daisy fed the horses, while I dashed out to throw a large scoop of chicken feed through the hen house hatch.  I fed the sheeple in their shed with Lambie pratting about outside trying to be special (*** sigh ***).

I didn’t go out with a camera so I am reminding myself (and you) of days in Shetland when it was all calm and beautiful.

This morning I had a grotty migraine and so took to my bed with painkillers and the dog.

I have shaken it off now but I still have that horrid out-of-world feeling that I get after a migraine.

Anyway, tomorrow is another day.  The wind should’ve died down by then and we can go out to inspect the damage and see what is missing.

The weather is about to descend, big time, in the form of a long and boring gale.

I feel so sorry for my animals but they know what to do.

With this in mind, we have spent the last 24 hours getting ready for the onslaught.  Basically, tie everything down that might go flying past the window.

We moved anything so it can be tied to something that won’t go anywhere.

It was also a good chance to tidy up too before nature kicks in and does it for us!

This is the Boyzenberries most favourite shed in the whole world.  It is vile outside and has been here forever.

If it blew away, I would not be sad but the Boyzens would be.

I have put water, a mineral lick bucket, all their feed buckets and plenty of silage onto the deep straw floor.

I am not too worried about the sheeple – there are lots of buildings around they can shelter behind if they want.

The field where the sheep are fed has been cleared.

The hens now live in Lambie’s best bedroom so I have shut them in with water and food.

Everything is as nailed down as much as it can be.

We will do our best to get out tomorrow and feed the herd, at least twice so they have a good central heating system in place.  After much discussion, Daisy and I have decided everyone is better off outside.  Kappi and Taktur, who are now back in full training, have rugs.  Efstur has a rug and we also rugged Newt and Albie (who was very pleased to get his dressing gown back).  Depending on the prevailing wind direction, we may move them to a more sheltered field tomorrow too.

So bring it on.  Candles at the ready too.

Poor little Newt is finding this winter difficult.

His eyes are very “gooby”, ie running and I can’t seem to sort it out.

This is Newt’s second, and different, treatment and I am determined to make him better.  We think it is a combination of the hay seeds from the silage blowing into his eyes when he is eating along with an irritating forelock.

Tomorrow I am going to bring Newt (and probably Albie) in and have a good clean around his eyes with a cold tea concoction.

The herd all come up for the silage in the morning and this little paddock is proving a huge success.  There are no arguments and everyone is sharing beautifully.  Can you spot Albie?

He is usually attached to Newt.  They are the best of friends.

Can you also spot someone determined not be left out? That would be Her Maj.

When Albie saw me talking to Newt and putting drops in his eyes, he wanted to “help” but couldn’t find a way out of the maze of legs.

He ended up using the shove and barge method.

A few weeks ago, Albie’s eyes were not good and he was treated with drops .  They seem to have mostly cleared up now.

Iacs would like to tell you that he is doing very fine – thank you for asking!

Just because!

Guess who came home?

There was a lot of angry butting to start with but they did quickly calm down.

And they told him they were very pleased to see him.

I am so relieved my handsome boy is home – outside the gate there was a small black/white ewe shouting for him to come back but he resisted the urge and has reunited with his friends.

I made a little film.  Turn the sound up!

Enjoy. xx

The HD version (better quality)

Thordale from Frances Taylor on Vimeo.

When we had that beautiful afternoon the other day, I went out with my small camera to take a few snaps of the Minions as well as the Old Ladies in their environs.

Fivla, the little grey (almost white) pony you may remember from the Shetland ponies in sweaters campaign for Visit Scotland a few years back.  She is a lovely little ride and drive mare who can turn her hoof to anything.  We have had her since she was a foal and she has always been one of the family – a treasure.

She is 22 years old now but still going strong.

Today, we trimmed everyone’s hooves at Leradale and Bjørn, our farrier, and owner of Bergli Shetland Pony Stud, so he should know a thing or two, declared that Fivla was spot on weight-wise so that’s good.  She has been on a slimming diet since what feels like when time began (I may know that feeling too!)

Bjørn also thought that the Minions were fat and we agreed with him.

Fivla has always been a fairy-tale pony.

We luffs her very much.

With the same photogenic talent, is Silver who always looks good in pictures.  He is one of those lucky ones.

Tiddles, on the other hand, may not have this apitude but he has lovely eyes, even if they are blue, which is considered a heinous crime here.

I wish the gorgeous light would come back.  It has been dreich for days now.