Sheep, “Fit the Second”

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Last night after supper, I went back to the sheep shed in the pitch dark (I am scared of the dark) and quickly checked there was no more fighting.  Everyone was peaceful.

This morning the weather remained truly revolting.  Not to be trifled with.  Floss and I threw food at everyone and ran back indoors as fast we could.  We did the whole lot in under 3/4 of an hour, which is quite an achievement.

Later, I went out again.

Even though I had left the field gate propped open, the sheep hadn’t gone out, preferring their shed along with three full haynets, and two lick buckets.

They were happy and calm, so I found myself a spot and sat down on the straw.

(Even Barrel was behaving himself).

First up were the new double-act – Maggie and Gussie.  They are the best of friends.

Lambie is in love with Dahlia, who is not in love with Lambie…..

… even though he is an obvious catch.

And this was as near Madge got to me.  The words “Hell freezes over” sound familiar.

But Gussie was surprisingly chatty.

And this is as near as Lambie got to me today.

Maggie was also demanding attention.  She smiled so sweetly, it was hard not to be her friend.

Bert snuggled up on my left side.  I gave him many hugs, pleased to see he was feeling happier.

….. while these two were on my right.


And then Gussie plonked himself down and settled into the task of chewing his cud.

And then Bert plonked himself down on my left and was very settled too.

Lots of cuddles and stroking.

I stayed for an hour, playing classical music on my phone so we could relax.  I always enjoy being with the sheep like this.  So peaceful, even though it was raging outside.  The gap between Gussie and Bert was where I was sitting, propped up against the wall.

Barrel vs. Bert

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When I went to feed the sheep their breakfast, I found Bert and Barrel knocking seven bells out of each other (fighting). It was serious.  Bert was almost unconcious, wobbly on his legs, his sides heaving while Barrel kept having another go, refusing to give up.  I separated them by pushing Bert into Lambie’s private diningroom (oh, the vapours from Lambie) and gave him a bowl of food.  Even then, Barrel was waiting by the gate trying to get in.

So I shut the door on them all and went to help Floss feed the horses and ponies.  We are currently in the middle of a three day gale with lashing rain and lowering temperatures.  I needed to think what was the best thing to do next.

I decided to separate them.  My plan was to keep Bert, Lambie and Ster back around the house/stable. They could have a Duvet Day with haynets while the others went outside to enjoy the revolting weather and Barrel could calm down a bit.

I took my bribery (rattly food box) and the rest of the sheep followed me into their field. Hastily shutting the gate, I shouted at Barrel to “cool down or you’re outside for life!”

Lambie, Bert and Ster now had free run of the place all day.

Later I went to visit them.

I sat down but Bert wouldn’t come and chat. But that was ok. He was happily eating the haynet.

Ster never left my side and Lambie came past for a scratch.

After a nice chat with Lambie and Ster, I gave them all a second breakfast which was received gratefully.

Bert happily tucked in.

The others have just come home, the weather is vile now and I watched Bert and Barrel in the shed together.  Nothing.  Apparently, they are now good friends. I think I will go out later to double check, though.

 

Rugs and Moving Fields

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These days, it’s a toss-up as to what and how much I can do.

But, as ever with my back, every day is a new oneand the pain is never the same (when it stays the same, I begin to panic). When I wake up in the morning, I can usually gauge my potential achievement level. Last night, I had definitely overdone things but today my back had forgiven me.

This is the last day before the gale, rain and possible snow arrive so Floss and I changed the rugs to thick ones on the old horses and ponies. Then Floss went to work and I went off to throw celery stalks at the Shetland ponies. I could see their field was not looking its best anymore and they were all a bit depressed. I hate that for them.

So I made a decision. I put a nice rug on Tiddles (ok, he’s wet but I can’t dry him and it is better than nothing), and then led him through the inter-connecting gate to the last field the old horses/ponies had been living in. They all dutifully followed. In this field, there is more shelter as it is in a valley with lots of very high dry-stone walls. There is also a bit more grazing. Nothing special, but it will do. The ponies were thrilled and I was left feeling that I had made a good decision. They will be alright in the next gale and I don’t have to worry about anyone now.

Then I went inside to work on the Diaries and I had some help. The head torch is to help me see the teensy tiny writing of August 1947. The help was very licky. Yuk!

A Morning Away

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Today I left my bed.

It was bliss. My friend, Monika, kindly offered to drive me to Lerwick. I desperately wanted to stock up on animal feed before the next snow arrives – it is threatening for next week.

So, Monika collected me at 10 o’clock, when we had all finished our crofting chores, and drove me to town.

First stop, the feed merchants. It felt very odd being amongst real people as opposed to my family who are used to my current prone form on the bed for most of my day.

    

Then on to another feed merchant – to get all the stuff that the other one hadn’t got.

And lastly, to the chemist who supplies the drugs for Bibble and his cancererous bits. They are lovely in there and I always show them a photo of a very happy Bibble so they know all their efforts of finding the cheapest version of the drug and ordering it for him are totally worth it.

Just before we turned for home, I said that I had more energy than I thought I would’ve and could we possibly go to Tesco for a quick nip round with a trolley. Such luxuries before me and I stocked up on the essentials – yes, my Tunnock teacakes were replenished.

It was lovely to be away from home, animals and around other people and things. For me, it was ridiculously wonderful.

And then home, unpacked and I spent the afternoon resting on my bed remembering that I can be normal, I can have a normal life and I will get better one day to reclaim it.

Huge thanks to Monika who was the best chauffeur.

Edited to say I am paying for my galivanting now – currently on acupressure mat wondering when I can take analgesia.

 

 

Rugs On Today

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I’ve not been very energetic today as I’m not feeling very well – back pain, sciatica, general malaise.

I had one thing planned – to put rugs on the older horses and ponies.  So Flossie and I managed to carry down five rugs to get on before the rain for the day set in.

I also cut tails a bit shorter as I know everyone hates treading on long tails.  I might’ve been a bit over-ambitious. I can never tell until the job is done.  Never mind. It will grow back.

I think everyone was quite pleased to have their rugs on as it started raining almost the minute we clipped the last one into place.

I tried to take a nice photo of all three Icelandic horses looking smart so Haakon and Iacs stuck out their tongues.  Honestly.

We can do better, I told them.  So they did.  Much better.  Thank you.

(is it me, or do they look like a now-photo of an 1980’s band?)

And then it started to rain, so Floss and I walked the perimeter of the field with the dogs, putting fence posts back that had fallen over in previous storms, and I went back to bed, where I’ve been tucked up with a hot water bottle all day.