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.

This is today’s Shetland winter morning.  The sun made a brief appearance first thing and then vanished.  At the moment, we have less than six hours of daylight so chores are done quickly.

In the afternoon, we went into Lerwick for the last trudge of Father Christmas’ sledge.  The shop windows were fabulous.

This is the Shetland Times Bookshop’s window.

And this is one of Jamieson’s of Shetland‘s windows.

I love the snow wool mountain.

The wool mill is based in Sandness (4 miles down the road from me) and they have a shop in Lerwick specialising in yarn and Fair Isle sweaters.

Brilliant candy canes too.

From one of our local opticians, Kelly’s, an excellent Christmas tree made of spectacles.  It caught my eye – see what I did there, geddit!

A rock n’ roll Father Christmas at High Level Music.

Moving on down Commercial Street (or “da Street” as it is known) – Ninian, a very wonderful gift shop for all things Shetland.

Their shop is double-fronted and their windows were, as always, inspirational.

I loved the clouds.

But, best of all, I loved the woolly mammoth on his boat.

I only managed to get half way down the street before I had to leave (another appointment beckoned) but I managed to nip to the public toilets where, yes, they have a Christmas window.

I wonder if there is anywhere else in the world where they do this plus their opening hours over the Christmas period.

Lerwick is a very special town full of character and charm.  I strongly recommend you visit and don’t forget to give me a shout too!