I flew into Heathrow Airport yesterday evening after my ears nearly burst.  I don’t think I have ever known such excruciating earache as the plane landed.  I could’ve cried.

This morning my mother and I were up early to walk Teddy, Mum’s little dog, on the surrounding golf course before the golfers all appeared.  It can be a bit of a race against time as it does get busy.  I think it is only on Christmas Day when there is no one around.

It was very beautiful, if cold.

Autumn is most definitely here.  The colours of the trees are beautiful – something we don’t have in Shetland.

I like seeing the garden in the different seasons.

Autumn is my favourite month wherever I am.   We have a busy day tomorrow taking Mum to hospital for her surgery so I cannot guarantee a blog tomorrow.

I am south again tomorrow to look after my mother – cataract surgery.

So, my daughters and I moved the horses/ponies (Icelandic horses plus Albie and Newt) around the house into another field with a bit more grass.  It is that time of year when the horses spend a week or two in each field taking anything that is there before they are moved on.

We let the sheeple back into their field (they were very happy) and I went over to Leradale to feed Delia and to kiss noseys.

Everyone was on good form.

They know the routine now.

I just chuck the bucket over the wall and Delia marches in, head down and woe betide anyone who thinks they should go in and “help”.  There is no discussion.  They know what would happen.  Delia would tell them in no uncertain terms.

And then we all wait while Delia munches.

I get to enjoy the wild and whacky hairdo’s!

I also go around each little pony and tell them how much they are loved.

And how proud I am of my little Minions.

There are some, I know, who would prefer a carrot but we had run out and I hate being associated with just food.

So a busy week ahead.  I have put up the Advent Calendar but not filled it in – you will have to wait until the 1st December like everyone else in the whole world.

I am pretty sure there won’t be a blog tomorrow. I wont reach my destination until 19:00 at the earliest and it would be rude to just arrive, barge past family and plonk myself down at the computer to whinge about airports and travelling.

I have acute sinusitis – if anyone is passing who has done even just a coffee morning in trepanning, please feel free to drop in and have a shot on me.  My head is exploding so I am trying to rest, stay warm and delegate as much as possible.

I did manage to get outside today as I was told Puzzah was on his own.

I found Iacs instead.

And then the rest.

Albie immediately came over.

And little Newt pushed his way through the forest of legs to come and chat.  I may have a couple of old bananas and apple on me too!

It is a bleak time of year for the horses – we will move them tomorrow over to Clothie for a week, while I am away south.  I leave on Wednesday for 6 days to help my mother.

The sheep will be happy to have their field back too. They hate sharing and have left in a huff.

Meanwhile, Puzzah was drifting about by himself and while the other Boyzens were miles away in a happy, if neglectful, group.  Puzzah can’t get his mighty horns under the hole in the fence so was left behind.

I shouted at them and they came racing over.

Jumping the burn and galloping towards me.

It was starting to get dark because it was after lunch and we are nearing the shortest day soon.

Puzzah was glad the others had come home.

I love the way the white hen is in the same step as Lambie – a dressage chicken/sheep combo!

The daily smörgåsbord of beetroot and parsnips was served up.

Awww, father and son.  Happy little chaps

I just need to teach Puzzah how to perfect his Winning Smile!

Meet Tedwina and Friends.

Hand-made, ready to be loved jointed teddy bears (and some growl too!) and terriers (non-growling).

Unique, hand crafted collectors bears.

(I was especially taken with this one little chap).

He just had The Look!

Character.

So, on a stormy Saturday, we sat down a variety bears and their friends for their photoshoot.

They come in all different shapes and sizes.

Each one has his/her own unique charm.

I just love their expressions.  So beautifully made and understood.

We put them in little made-up families.

And I happily snapped away.

The bears and dogs are made by Lauren Doughton who has been making traditional jointed mohair teddybears since 2012.

Each bear is crafted using traditional materials and techniques.

You can find more information about these lovely heirloom bears and dogs on Tedwina’s Facebook page.

Or email Lauren on l.f.doughton@gmail.com

In the summer, there will hopefully be more photoshoots – I am imagining a picnic or a day at the beach.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful.

Everyone hates it.  I saw Lambie standing in a vicious hail shower with his head on the ground, looking very miserable.

So I opened up the sheep shed a bit better (with wifi and radio) as ‘Ster was hogging it, ie standing by the door and not letting anyone in.  I wish the Boyzens worked more as a team during bad weather rather than adopting the dog-in-a-manger stance, which is neither big or clever.

Puzzah is a hard nut and stays outside without making the fuss that other girls do.

For now, the Thordale horse/pony herd are very happy because there is still some grass in their new field.

Despite what is falling out of the sky, they ignore and happily go on eating.

But we are all bored of the hail.  It hurts too.

Look how Lambie’s Grade V fleece suffers.  He is not built for this weather and I feed him secret biscuits/carrots/beetroot when no one is looking as he is also the thinnest of them all. A Muzzah knows and minds.

Shhh….. don’t tell Daisy – she is tough and gets cross with me.

But “Where’er I walk”, I am followed.  One way.

And then the other!

I might be carrying secret carrots/beetroot/biscuits about my person.  You never know.