Bardy had a terrible fall a few days back.  All my fault and I continue to feel totally to blame.

The upshot is that Bardy’s development has been delayed and we have spent the last few days just getting back to where we once were.

Obviously, we went to the vet who said she thought no bones were broken and Bardy had bruising.  He needed tlc and rest and hopefully, fingers crossed, he would get back to normal.

So, Bardy lives in his cage on the windowsill sitting in the sun listening to classical music.

Today, I went for my weekly flute lesson and Bardy came too.  Interestingly, when we played our duets, Bardy stopped chirping and listened.  When we stopped to talk and discuss the music, Bardy started to chat away.  He recognises music and enjoys it.

Anywho, it is just an observation and we are promoting Bardy’s independence. A few days back, Floss and I put him and his cage outside.  I went back 30 minutes later to find Bardy hysterical with fury, shouting his head off, apoplectic with rage demanding to go back indoors.  He hated it.  This outside scenario would never catch on and I was never to do that again.

So, here are some films from yesterday of the puffins at Sumburgh Head.

Well, our visitors arrived hot off the ferry this morning.

A full English breakfast and then off to meet the ponios.

Yes, The Minions are trained to do selfies!

Then, off a-sight-seeing.

First off, down to Jarlshof – a prehistoric archaeological site described as “one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles”.

Everyone was suitable impressed and used words like “awesome”!

Afterwards, we went up to Sumburgh Head and, guess what, the puffins were still in residence, which was good as I thought they may have gone back out to sea by now.

I may have slightly gone over-board on the puffin photography.

I think we blew our visitors’ minds with the airport and the driving-over-the-runway scenario!

It is wonderful (and incredible) to meet folk who read the blog and came to Shetland because of it!

Bright and early our visitors arrive fresh off the boat tomorrow morning. The house is immaculate and I have cooked 3 different curries and a very British cake (Mary Berry’s Victoria sponge) – Floss did the icing.

As a reward for all our efforts, and because they must be checked daily, Flossie and I went to see the ladies at Sandness for some time out and relaxation.  We deserve this.

(you could eat your bloody supper of the floor if you wanted to – please don’t)

Fivla is looking very well.

Flossie checked her for “wellness”.  Fivla is Floss’ childhood pony (ride and drive) so now in my book Fivla is what is known as an SEP – Someone Else’s Problem – Flossie’s!

Lyra is also very “well” or well-rounded.

Lyra has given up her usual Summer feral behaviour, which is always tiresome, and now embraces life and anyone who turns up.

We don’t take carrots so this is a genuine happy-to-see you hug.

The old ladies could be found a little way up the huge field.

Vitamin has put on weight since being released from her enforced diet lifestyle with Fivla.

And I think it suits her. Being on a permanent diet to accompany her best friend, Fivla, has no doubt helped Vitamin but she is allowed to put on weight in the Summer. Everyone else does.

Delia is looking wonderful.

She is an old lady and Summer makes her happy.  That is all that matters.  She walks very freely and there is no stiffness.

We are all keeping a very close eye on Fivla and her weight.

It is a fine line and I can see that.

Come the winter, Fivla will have nothing extra but the contents of her hill field at Lyradale and she will have to share it with The Minions.

It is always difficult, when you do something nasty to a foal, to work on their forgiveness.

They are so very young and such a blank canvass.

But my mot du jour is to leave them for a while with their mothers, with little human impact, to get over it.

A constant “are you ok?” from me is not going to do any good.  Just remind them of what happened – the dreaded headcollar and microchipping episode.

But for me, the best answer is to be left alone to get over it, learn from it, gain perspective about it and, best of all, move on.

Lilja is all forgiving because she loves best in her whole world to have a nose kissey and anyone’s attention.

Dreki is still thinking about it. He is that kind of chap.  Being his friend is earned, not an immediate entitlement and I can work with that.

Best of all, the foals are busy growing up being foals.  They are eating grass.

(one is a giraffe in her spare time too!)

Meanwhile, Bardy had a horrid fall – all my fault – I thought he was stronger than he was and he fell from a great height and had a terrible gluff.

After a trip yesterday to the vet, who confirmed he was bruised and possibly stunned, Bardy (LD) has been on strict cage-rest.  I feel awful but every day he is getting a little stronger and more determined to get back to where he was.

The vet said Bardy was a good weight, so that was encouraging.  This bird parenting lark is torture.  I have never worried so much.

I just pray there is no lasting damage.  My nerves just can’t take it.

We have visitors coming over from USA for their holidays.  They are popping up to see Shetland, and to meet the Minions.

So, a huge dilemma faces me.

Do I clean the house and …..

and do some cooking?

Or do I sit with everyone and forget all that?

A lick and a promise should be all my visitors need to believe we live in a filth-free environment.

Maybe I can ask them to take off their glasses/contact lenses before they come into the house.

I just can’t waste the day cleaning.

I can cook every evening but not be as prepared as I should be.  We have Pimms and prawn cocktail crisps.  They will love that and not eve notice the time passing while I cook curry!

Being the perfect host is just not me.

(I wonder if Newt has ever actually walked underneath an Icelandic horse!)

So, dilemma.

To hug or to clean?

Decisions, decisions.

Yup, you guessed it, I hugged.  Cleaning is so over-rated.  So excited, though, to see my visitors!