I am currently looking after my mother, her dog and helping with the garden.  Watering, mainly with occasional weeding.  I am not a natural gardener at all. Not like my mother.

The garden is ever changing and looks beautiful.

Mum walks around it regularly as physiotherapy.

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose – my great grandmother’s first cousins were the children, Dorothy and Polly, in the famous John Singer Sargant painting.

Mum always loves growing her lilies.

Mum is also very keen on growing dahlias.  This particular one seems to be “different” – it is growing a flower on both sides of the flower.  I can’t find any information on this type of mutation.  Is it some kind of mistake?

A pretty mistake, though.

Every morning Pip and I go on our dog walk. sometimes seeing the shy deer and also to feed the  ducks and geese.

Meanwhile, back at home, Wussums has taken up residence on my newly vacated desk.  I tell myself that it is his way of showing how much he misses me.

Anywho, life goes on.  Being in a different part of my world is not bad (apart from the appalling summer heat).  Just different.

Oh yes, I have a cold too. I hate a summer cold ** whinge, whinge **

Some folk came over from Houlls Horses and Hounds to make a film.

I was told “Its part of the Shetland Community Film Making project – (funded by the people’s postcode lottery) – with any luck it will be featured at Screenplay this year (unless its so awful they wont take it :D) – then it will be on youtube for us to share wherever we like.”

Daisy took some photos for me and when I asked if there were anymore, I was told “I didn’t get any pictures (too busy filming) but Gwen had her phone out a few times (mostly just taking gratiutious foal pictures though. They are so charming!”

“I wanted to bundle them up in my car and take them home. Such lovely little people.”

“They did not trust the camera tripod monster at all, but once we all went and sat down they were very curious. I thought Lilja was going to sit in my lap (or on my head) several times.”

“I’m not sure if we got either of him or Efstur on film though – I couldn’t get them far enough away from the lense!”

“Couple of Wobbly Tripod moments courtesy of the minions too  They were very helpful & suspect will be wanting joint DP credits for their advice.”

I’ve never been up to the big house – that’s the grand hunting lodge next to where we lived, originally the stables (well about three hunting lodges back, as they kept burning down).

I have seen the grand house all through my childhood but never actually gone up there.

So, today in the very hot south of England sunshine, I walked up the driveway.  To be honest, all I could think about was how amazing it would be to ride a horse along the green verges.  Imagine the great gallop I could have!

The house is now a conference centre offering meeting rooms, delegate bedrooms (what are they?), specialist training, team building, weddings and events.

This house was built in 1860 – but this is its third incarnation favouring brick now as wood was rather flammable and an Italian style.

I didn’t really wander about much – it is very private property, after all, and they have scary notices!

Anyway, I am glad I have seen the front entrance now for the first time in over 50 years.

We can only imagine what the original hunting lodge was like – the one where Henry VIII banished Catherine of Aragon to in 1531.  She was told about her divorce here.

You can read about the complete history of the house on this website – http://www.eastpark.co.uk/history-of-the-estate.html#event-domesday-book

It all starts with the Domesday Book!

And so you know, coming up from The Stables does not mean I tugged my forelock at the gentry and the like!

Mum is recovering from horrid spinal surgery (different to mine) and so I am walking Pip, Mum’s Patterdale terrier first thing in the morning when it is cool and there is no one much about.

Just as we went out of the garden gate, I imediately saw a deer close by some trees near the house.

I felt very privileged as I don’t see them very often. From now on, I am going to take my camera with me on the dogwalks, if it is not raining.

Some good cobwebs today.

Meanwhile, Daisy and Flossie are in Shetland looking after all the horses, ponies, sheeples, dogs, hens and cat.

Daisy sent me some photos of her morning’s ride on Kappi.  Flossie went along too on Klaengur.

I think there is a bit of an orange theme going on here!

Daisy may have given Floss a riding lesson as they rode.  Klaengur has to practice his circles in a nice non-shoving-off-with-his-shoulder way.  I can see he did his very best.

Well done Flossie – not an easy feat.

I love this photo – typical Klaengur.  He plays with everything he can – picking up buckets, cones, ropes, headcollars – anything.

I know everything is alright when I see Klaengur playing.

I am off on my travels again south to stay with my mother.

Since the funeral, she has had an operation and needs my nursing care and support now.

This summer, I have spent so little time at home, that I am finding it difficult to feel settled anywhere.

I have also made a concerted effort not to get too involved with home life.

They are managing fine without me.

However, I have let myself become briefly reacquainted with the foals.

At the moment, they barely know who I am but I get to tickle and receive a random nose kissey if I am very lucky.

There will be plenty of time later.

Since being sheared, the Sheeples are on fine form.

‘Bert has, at last, put on weight and looks wonderful.  All rounded out – his harsh time on the scattald (open hill) has been forgotten.

Lambie alternates between pretending he doesn’t know me or wanting biscuits.  He is very fickle and easily bought.

My little vegetable garden is going great guns too.  I did a bit of a thinning and tidy up and we had rocket for supper (so proud of myself, sniff – my first growings!)

Out in the big field, my boys are doing well.

I miss them more than words.

Everyone who lost weight this winter has put it back on again.

Once I get back properly, Newt and Albie will be gelded.

It has to be done.

And Her Maj?  Well, she is thrilled I am home and I know she is happy sleeping in Daisy’s room when I am away, so I will just count the days until I am back again.

To be honest, I am finding this very difficult.