That old adage “Never work with animals or children” has never been truer than today.

I espied three orange Icelandic horses of various age and sizes standing looking rather pretty, if hopeful, by the gate.  I had just put Efstur back out after his daily bucket of food.  His reappearance had attracted a couple of hopeful hangers-on.

So I thought, as they looked so nice together, I would take a “family photo”.

I clambered over the fence and tried to capture that special moment when they all look happy and smiley.

So Kappi put his head down.

Kappi raised his head and Hjalti stuck his tongue out.

Ok, we’re getting there, I thought when Efstur ducked his head.

Hjalt stuck out his tongue again while Efstur perfected his utterly dejected face.

I told them both off so then they had a go at each other!

Nearly there!

This was looking hopeful – Kappi looked nobel, Hjalti looked, well like Hjalti and Efstur had by now put himself up for adoption.

So, I gave up on Efstur and achieved this picture.  *** Sigh *** It was the best I could do.

And with that, I clambered back over the fence to go and find a more handsome and cooperative subject!

So, this afternoon, the Walls Community Choir (of which I am a member) played their last two concerts of the year.

The first one was at Wastview, our local Care Centre – a residential and nursing home.

I arrived half an hour early.  I have no idea why, so I drove back down to our local shop to buy some vodka, potatoes (for roasting) and toothpaste – all the major food groups covered really.

Then back I went and, when other singers started to appear, I went in, set up my flute, stand and music next to the pianist.

Our remit was to wear something festive, so I managed a Father Christmas hat and some Christmassy earrings.  My family’s parting shot as I left the house this afternoon was that I looked like a grumpy elf!

With a local population of 700 (ish), there was a very good turnout and I think we sounded strong and festive.

We played our set, had a cup of tea and a natter with the residents and then set off to the next concert.

The venue – outside the local shop.

This time it was just me accompanying the choir and no place for an electric piano.  It was lightly raining (the tail-end of the gale that day).

Armed with my headtorch, music in plastic sleeves (thus waterproof), bulldog clips to keep said music in place, someone to stand in front of the music stand to keep it upright plus a nice chap to add more light and turn the pages, I played while the choir sang to any passing shopper who happened by.

My extremities are now defrosting nicely and I am told that I should get the feeling back in my hands by Christmas Day!

Most importantly, I really enjoyed myself!

(great photos by Barry Broadbent)

I am spending more time with my foals these days.  Now is the window into their little souls when human contact is a good thing.

They are ready to listen and at least with Dreki, we have begun our headcollar routine.

While I work for a few minutes at the most with Dreki every day feeding him a carrot and casually putting on a headcollar, kissing his nosey and taking it off again, I am also getting to know the actual horse inside.

Dreki is turning into a serious little chap who doesn’t want to run away.

His curiousity is stronger than his fear now.

On the other hoof, his sister, Lilja, is a completely different bucket of carrots.

Divinely sweet and pretty, Lilja is has a small pea-size brain that rattles emptily around in her head.

Perhaps not the brightest star in our firmament, Lilja would like to never grow up and always be treated like the Princess she thinks she is.

We are still not forgiven for moving her (and her herd family) to the new field.

At the time, Lilja took a huge personal affront at this decision.

She would tell you that she may never get over the stress of going into the van.

And I doubt, if Lilja has her way, if we will ever move her again – according to Lilja.

The way Lilja is behaving these days, I am inclined to believe her!

Ho hum – plenty of time to work on her speshul skills!

I like geldings and stallions far more than mares and fillies.

There, I’ve said it.  The girls can be complicated and I don’t like surprises.

But perhaps I neglect them, in my blog and Advent Calendar (about to remedied, I hope – but no peaking).

After Delia’s food, I put a headcollar on her and we walk over two burns (streams) to the other side of the field where the grass is.

The others now refuse to follow so I bring back-up, in the form of Flossie, my youngest daughter who herds the ponies around on a slightly less boggy route.

Delia and I get so far on our route before she refuses to budge any further.

So while we wait for the others to catch up, I take some photos of the scenery.

Today is the shortest day and we don’t even have six hours daylight.

Once I know everyone is now a herd again, I take off Delia’s headcollar.

There are some nose kisseys.

The perks of the job.

So that is what we do, every day,

Otherwise, I couldn’t sleep at night.

We’re making the most of the slightly calmer days at the moment even going out for a rather fast ride.  It was wonderful.

The daily visits to Leradale mean everyone has to be given a carrot.

They love the old vegetable garden at the moment.

Since Dreki moved to Leradale, he has changed – a more mature outlook.

From being a rather jumpy berk who would stand behind his sister resisting most contact, Dreki is now first up.

Everyday I put on a headcollar and hold it together so I can let it go quickly if necessary.  Dreki is very brave about this and even today, when they all had the wind in their tails, he was a good boy.

Unlike his sister.  Lilja will tell you she has a note from her mother saying she doesn’t have to do this because she is a Princess.

I am not forcing the issue.  Instead I changed the game.

I catch her by her chin hairs and she is not allowed to pull away from me.  That’s it.  I hold her by her chin for a few seconds and she has to bear it and be big and brave.  Having a huge winter coat helps greatly.  Something to grab!

For Lilja, this is an achievement in itself and she rushes off afterwards to stand behind any mother who will indulge her. Yesterday, it was Brá. Today it was Hetja who just looked rather embarrassed about her little girl’s behaviour.

We will work on this Speshul Skill and move onto Mr Headcollar later when Lilja is calmer about things. It is very early days.  I usually don’t start this until after the New Year.

But the words prima donna and little madam spring to mind. 

However, I am very proud of Dreki.  He is turning into a dude – His father’s son.