I went into the big field this morning in need of some hugging.

I found a rock (drier than the ground at the moment), sat down on it and waited.

Not for very long, mind.

The babies approached.

I was fair game and I was asking for company.

There is nothing better than a Sunday morning chat.

No one actually bites – they just like to reciprocate grooming if you are stroking or scratching them.  It is called mutual grooming.

I am so proud of my two littlest boys.

They are both dudes who are very affectionate and well-mannered.  They have come a long way and are very much part of their herd and family.

Lots of tickling.

Obviously lots of nose-kisseys.  That goes without saying.

Efstur and Hjalti happily joined in.

They are all growing up so fast – sniff.

My little boys.

Over the past few days, I have been trying to teach the foals to eat carrots.

First up was Dreki.

He wanted to like carrots.  He really did.  But his answer was yuck, no thank you.

He was not a fan of carrots.

Now Lilja totally gets it.  She loves her carrot slices (her mother’s daughter).  It didn’t take long to teach her.  She had the best role model.

Dreki came back to try again.

Ten out of ten for effort.

Zero for the actual eating, though.

Meanwhile, Lilja was happily eating all my supplies.

The foals are doing very well – developing and growing nicely.

They wanted to “play with” (read chase) BeAnne who knows how to stay out of their way as their intentions are not always honourable.  The foals don’t chase the sheep who wander in and out of their field, though, which is good.  I hate horses that kill sheep just for fun.  It has been known.

Dreki is still very much a Mummy’s Boy.

Obviously, both foals are still nursing.  They won’t be weaned until next year.

Lilja is much more independent than Dreki.  She followed me around the field as I was the one with those nice little edible orange pieces.

They are both very gorgeous, carrots or no carrots.

Bribery is always a useful tool to have in one’s arsenal and one I full intend to use and exploit!

Shetland in Autumn is special.

It is my favourite season.

So, this morning, after a lovely ride on Haakon accompanied by my two daughters on their Icelandic horses, I went out to collect a prescription from my doctor.  Afterwards I decided to go for a little drive about with my camera.

I didn’t go very far.  Just around the block, so to speak.

The rain was coming in too.

I saw many things I have never noticed before.

If the rain was not on its way, I would’ve stayed out for longer.

I enjoy driving around, watching the world or being watched – whichever.

I see these views most days but, as the light changes, so do the colours.

Driving through the scattald (open hill) is always an adventure.

This landscape is a mixture of sandstone and granite.

Foula was looking mysterious today.

Enjoy the views.  I always do.

It was a beautiful day yesterday.  The sun shining, barely much wind and now we have the beautiful Autumn colours.  Shetland in Autumn is, I think, my favourite time of year.

So I volunteered to check on the herd that live a few miles away – Four Minions plus the girls.

Everyone wanted to talk which makes the drive very worthwhile.

Silver was very kissey.

Fivla wanted a tickle.

Storm was happy pulling his idiot face.

Tiddles was happy stuffing his face.

As was Waffle.

Vitamin was in a regal frame of mind.

I adore her whiskers.

And Lyra laughed at me!

Delia is looking good.  Spot on, for this time of year.  The others are all very large and wide!  Grass bellies.

As the weather starts to deteriorate, they will all need all the heating and insulation their bodies can give them so I am not worried.

Up here, fat is good.  Fat works hard.

Earlier this year, you may remember that the Boyzenberries were expertly sheared.

We carefully rolled up their fleeces and stored them each separately in a bag with the top open, so they didn’t sweat and turn nasty.

🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏

First up, we have ‘Ster – who is a two year old pure Shetland sheep, with a katmoget Grade 1 fleece – the best you can have, so I am told.

(Handsome Sheep on the right)

Katmoget – having a light colored body with dark belly and legs, and moget facial markings (Shetland sheep markings).

‘Ster’s fleece has a natural curl and is considered very good and of the best quality.

Ster’s fleece weighs 3kg.

🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏 🐑 🐏

Then we have Lambie.

What can I say?  He has an honest face with a Winning Smile but perhaps a not-so-good fleece.

Grade 4, to be perfectly honest.  Apparently he is “double coated”.  If someone is happy to separate it, the undercoat is fine to spin – or it could be spun together to make a rug!  (from my expert spinner)

His fleece weighs 1.5 kg.

Lambie is a two year old pure Shetland sheep with a flecket or yuglet fleece.

The underneath is pretty.

So, to recap….

‘Ster – Grade 1, katmoget fleece = 3kg
Lambie – Grade 4, flecket fleece = 1.5kg

‘Bert’s fleece has already gone to be turned into something beautiful

Make me an offer. My email is frances@fstaylor.co.uk – all contributions will go to The Minion Fund.  I am happy to send a fleece anywhere in the world, if you are happy to pay the postage.

The closing date for offers on these two fleeces is a week today – 14th September.