Mostly Daisy or OH walk the dog – Loki.  BeAnne refuses to go with either of them.

Today, OH was working off-shore and Daisy had hurt her knee (excuses, excuses), so I took on the mantle of The Dog Walk and BeAnne accompanied because today it was me.

Obviously, I took a camera.

The oil is rising in the soil – time to cut peats if you have your own peat bank in the scattald (open hill).  Hard work at the best of times.

Today, I took the dogs round Lyradale – 50 acres of hill and in-bye pasture.

It is lambing time so dogs have no place anywhere, even well trained dogs.

I love Lyradale.  This is the most perfect place ever.

Everywhere, the grass is trying to grow.

Currently, apart from the Shetland ponies and Icelandic horses who live there, Lyradale is home to three caddy (bottle raised) sheep belonging to my neighbours.  One is called Colin, which I think is possibly one of the best names ever for a sheep!

Loki and BeAnne were very happy on their walk.

BeAnne even took herself off for a little swim.

She adores swimming.

Loki is not so keen.  In fact, now I think about it, I have never seen him swim.

Dip his toes, yes, but swim – no.  You can only ask so much.

The statutory roll in god-knows-what, possibly otter vomit or worse.  Whatever it is, it will linger like nothing else.

It was a good walk and lovely to see plants starting to grow.

Happy days.

At last!  We have made a huge discovery.

We have finally found Lambie’s favourite food (apart from Rich Tea Biscuits, like the Queen, Meadowherb Glucosamine treats and roasted kale chips).

Lambie loves crunchy peanut butter (organic) on toasted homemade brown bread.

Or, as it is better known, Daisy’s breakfast.  So much so, she had to go and make another round for each of them!

This morning, after his second breakfast (he had his usual Sheep Crunch outside with the others), Lambie came indoors as my OH’s car was driving away!

He even found a new bed that he quite fancied, although it smelled a bit doggy.  I hope he didn’t make it his own!

Lambie found a nice spot and listened to his favourite radio station (Classic FM) while I pottered about doing some cleaning.  I was also keeping an eye on Lambie as he can be quite destructive when left unattended.  His second favourite food was Apple cables when he was little Lambie, hence his eviction from the house.

As always, Lambie seemed very happy indoors.  He even found the dog’s water bowl and had a good drink.

The usual routine, please – say nothing!  OH doesn’t know.  No evidence is ever left and we thank the Gods for Febreeze!

This is the latest game between Albie and Newt.

The basic rules are when in doubt, sit down.

I am exhausted. I have had a long day, so enjoy the film and photos.

First there is the chase…..

Then the negotiations……

They go up….

They chase….

They pull funny faces…..

They go for the knees…..

(I love, love, love Delia’s face!)

There are teefs, muchos teefs…….

Then there is the side-swipe …..

Attack the knees….

Up and up ….

A little bounce (that is so cute!)

And then down they go…

A brilliant new game.

Darling little boys.  While I was out, Daisy caught the exhausting games on film.

If you have a bad day, go and see the Minions.

So off I went to Lyradale.

The Minions (and their female friends) make everything better.

I spent the afternoon with my little ones.

Apart from the fact that I go to Lyradale every day to change and refill the water for the pregnant Icelandic ladies, I wanted to find some perspective.

I have days like that.

Life is not treating me particularly well at the moment.

But, hey ho, who cares.

Minions always make everything better.

That is what they do.

Essential therapy.

Now the rest of the world can go and do one.

I have my little Shetland pony friends.

And that is all I need.

I even rent them out to others!

Best therapy ever.

If you are feeling low, go and sit with the Minions and their friends.

Everything is fine afterwards.

Honest, it is.  How can it not be?

We brought Efstur and Hjalti into the indoor school for a checkup and to see how they are getting on.

Obviously I spend time with them every day, but it is always good to have a second opinion – then I know if everything is going ok.

Well, little Efstur is growing like a weed – a darling boy going through the yearling giraffe-phase.  Funny to think that this time last year, Efstur was still in his mummy’s tummy.  How on earth did he fit?

Efstur’s main aim in life is to do “The Right Thing”.  There is no malice in him.  Such a little trier, too.

While Efstur was cantering, trotting, walking and tölting around the school, I could see he knew his legs could go in all these strange gaits but he didn’t actually know how, as they seemed to have a mind of their own!  Most confusing.

Hjalti is blossoming.  His incredibly big trot is jaw-droppingly gorgeous!  He is also showing tölt too and hopefully all this will come together when his time comes to be trained – probably when he is 4 years old.  We will see where his head is first.  But he is a nice strong lad and very easy to work with.

Now, this is a sight I love to see.

Haakon, the head of the herd, aged 23 years old, playing with the youngest of the herd, aged not even 1 year old.

And the best bit?  Haakon lets Efstur play back. It is not all one-sided or bullying. It is a game between two very different-in-age horses because Efstur loves playing and Haakon will teach him how to do it properly.

And that is how horses learn best.  Through other horses.