I woke up at 02:00 this morning.  I had a feeling.

Looking out of the window, I could see one dark coloured horse on the horizon standing up with possibly another.

So, wellies on, a coat over my Minion jimjams and, armed with a torch, I went out to check on Brá.  The birds were singing beautifully and it was just starting to get light.

She had her foal and they were both up and running.  Perfect.

I found the afterbirth – it looked fine.  So I left them all to it.  Hetja and her little one were one end of the field and Brá and her new bebbie were at the other.

I would find out more in the morning.

And so, this morning, after all chores were done, Daisy and I went to see who the storks had brought.

Brá is a shy mare. Over the past months, I have spent many hours working with her gaining her trust.  We have an understanding.

So, leaving Daisy and my camera behind, I approached, talking her language, gave her a carrot and had a quick check of her foal.

A beautiful colt and he is gorgeous.

We are truly blessed.

Little one does not have “The Ears” but he does have “The Legs” and moves like a dream.  Again, it is likely he is five-gaited and he is very, very black in colour.  Much darker than Hetja’s bebbie girl.

A certain someone is desperate to talk to her new half-brother.

I can’t wait for them to meet.  It won’t be long.

Brá is ready to burst now.

Any minute now.

My money is on either tonight or first thing tomorrow morning there will be an new set of hooves arriving.

She says her foal could not come a day too soon now, please, thank you!

Meanwhile, in the Maternity Unit, all is very well.

Hetja looks like a supermodel.

And Bebbie’s ears are ridiculous!

They are very out of proportion and rather noticeable.

As someone who spent her childhood worrying about very sticky-out ears (my own), I can totally relate to bebbie!  Loving the in-between-ear tuft too.

Perhaps Bebbie will grow into them!

Mother and daughter obviously adore each other.

Little one is stretching out now and working out what her legs do.

Methinks she has some kind of pace (very exciting to see, this early).

I love the way she copies her mother as they go up the hill.

Step for step.

In perfect synchronisation.

So, the “midwives” are on hand.  Ready, waiting and always helpful.

I doubt I will get much sleep tonight.

(I’ll keep you posted!)

So, I check the ladies every couple of hours while it gradually gets lighter in the morning (02:00, 04:00, 06:00 and then when we get up).

Daisy was out at 08:30 to muck out and saw nothing.  I followed shortly and saw an extra four legs!

So, I screamed around the house that we had a foal, went to find Daisy (she was dutifully mucking out her boys) and, armed with my camera, we went out to investigate and hopefully meet our new arrival.

Love at first sight from us all.

Hetja did this last time with Hjalti.  No evidence of an imminent baby arrival and then, suddenly, an extra little person in the field.

And look, look at her ears!  (Yes, she is a filly)

They are lined with chestnut fur.

I really hope this stays. She is special.

Clever, clever Hetja.  She managed everything on her own.

The others were well aware something had happened. Taktur raced up and down the fence occasionally (well electrified now!)

A few hours later, Bjørn, our trainer and neighbour, came over.

And this is how lovely Hetja is.  The communication is huge between her and her bebbie.

She is the best Mum ever and bebbie trusts us.

A sweetheart.

Brá is due any minute.  Hetja keeps her near by but has an eye on her all the time.  Poor Brá has that look.  The one of someone who is very bored of being very, very pregnant!  Any minute now, I think.

Hetja’s little one is showing her gaits already.

(photo overload)

The woolly babysitters have introduced themselves.

I probably don’t have to tell you just how much we are all in love with our new little filly foal.

She is the very definition of divine and Hetja is the best mother (I am still trying to get my head around those ears – they are truly wonderful)

We are all exhausted after yesterday’s exertions – even those who were not involved.  That would be for support purposes only!

Kappi is happy.

Taktur – ditto.  They have all they want.

Meanwhile, back at Base Camp, plans are afoot.

Some are asleep.

And some are not.

The little ones (the midges) play “Grandmother’s Footsteps” with their snoozing friends.

It is funny to watch.

Luckly Hjalti and Efstur are the best buddies.

And then the three little ones move on.

There are plans to be made.

Who will be their next victim?

Ah, yes, that would be Klængur, who was having a lovely sleep in the Shetland spring sunshine.

But, when it is the turn of the little midges, a few hours later….

Well, everyone forgives them and lets them sleep.

Why?  Because they are more irritating when they are awake!

Let sleeping dogs (or Shetland ponies) lie.  That is the herd’s motto!

This morning, at the crack of sparrows (first thing), we left Thordale to go to the Spring Show at Solheim Equestrian, Walls.

Kappi and Taktur were competing and yes, it was raining.

Taktur was going for the experience.  He is a stallion and not used to going out much.  He was a bit shouty to start with but calmed down as the day progressed.  All the classes were mixed. Mares, geldings and stallions together.

Taktur was in the second class – In Hand, any other breed (The Show Register (TSR) Qualifier).

He won the class.

There were five in-hand classes – In hand riding pony/hunter pony type, any other breed, registered mountain and moorland Shetland pony, small pony and large pony.

Then it was the Overall In hand Championship.

Taktur won Overall Reserve Champion.

The day progressed in a soggy fashion with many more classes – all ridden.

The rain it did rain.

Our last class was Best Ridden, Any other breed.  Daisy was riding Kappi and Bjørn Roar Larsen rode Taktur.

Bjørn and Taktur came 1st.

Daisy and Kappi were 3rd.

I think it rained the whole day solidly.

The rosettes are now drying on the Rayburn as well as my camera and all our clothes.

It was a good day. I was very proud of everyone.  They all did very well.