“Spring Equinox 2017 in Northern Hemisphere was at 10:28 on Monday, 20 March”

Today is officially the beginning of Spring.  The first day leading towards a gorgeous spring and, hopefully, wonderful summer (please, please, please).

Although it has not been a hard winter, everywhere is wet and mud.  We are all very fed up and just want the grass to grow.

I spent the afternoon dropping off post, driving around a bit and generally taking photos in the drizzle that is the newly arrived Shetland spring weather, replacing the sheet rain and gales for the time being.

I have it on good authority that these are Widgeons (Anas penelope).  I wish they had been a bit nearer – they were very pretty, especially Mr W.  I might, on a nice day, go and have another look for some more.  I have a soft spot for ducks.

Visibility in the drizzle was not brilliant but still, Shetland looks good in most weathers.

There is a point, though, when it is raining too much for me to take my camera out.

So I just stayed in the car and drove around enjoying the scenery.

Roll on Spring, please.  Off we go.  Green grass and sitting outside!

I think I overdid it a bit yesterday.  As the weather was nice, I went riding on Haakon and I found, that when he cantered, my back didn’t like it one little bit.  His wonderful tölt was fine but Haakon has to be first all the time, so would occasionally canter to stay in front of Kappi.  Yes, it is a race thing. He has always been like that.

I am paying the price today.

And, even more stupidly, I decided that today would be the day that I didn’t take any painkillers so I have been moping around hurting and wondering why!

Duh!

Today, I have not felt my best.  For some reason, I thought that, if I went for a walk along the road with BeAnne, then the exercise in the cold wind would make a difference.  It didn’t and I must admit I struggled to get home.  I have given up and taken painkillers.

Anywho, these are pictures from yesterday at Lyradale.

I sat on a rock and one by one the chaps and chappesses came to see me to have a hug and a chat.

(does anyone have a field made of only concrete for Fivla to spend the summer in?)

Lyra was the last to come over and say hello – her mother, Vitamin, had gone the long way round in a sulk.

Waffle went over the wall, not through the gap.

Yesterday, it was a lovely afternoon.  Today it is less so.

Ho-hum, the analgesia is now kicking in.

There was a bright yellow round shining thing in the sky today so we all made the most of it.

Little Albie had found a sun-trap warm spot and made himself comfortably comfortable.  He settled down for his afternoon sleep in the sunshine.

He briefly woke up when he heard my camera shutter.

But soon went quickly back to bye-byes.

Tor, as ever, was watching on.  She still takes her little responsibilities, Albie and Newt, very seriously.  She is always there for them.

I wanted to move the old sorrel stalk that was ruining my shot.

Albie woke up properly.  I love that sleepy face of his.  All snoozy and cuddly.

He is a darling little chap.  Still a Mummy’s Boy.

Round the corner was another darling-little-chap – Newt Patoot!

Newt is trying for the silly-frilly look. He has an excellent corkscrew curl in his mane and forelock which adds to his deliciousness.

Newt, though still 25″, remains the very definition of enchantment.

(This summer, if you can’t find me, try looking in their field – I may have to spend many hours, when the good weather comes, hugging!)

I went up to Lyradale this afternoon to see the pregnant ladies (and to be chased around the other field by the Minions who knew I had brought carrots while I walked the dogs!)

Hetja and Brá are looking very pregnant now.  I really do feel for them.

Hetja loves being pregnant (no dieting) and loves even more being a mother.  This, if all goes well, will be her second foal.

Brá, on the other hoof, hates it.  She is fed up and perhaps not the most happy of mothers either, so this will be her last foal for a while now.  She can have a break, after this one.

I think Hetja suits pregnancy.

She has that “glow” everyone always gone on about, that I never had when I was pregnant.

Brá is more like me – fat and uncomfortable and in a foul mood.

So, this is Hetja’s foaling calculation date….

And this is Brá ‘s…..

Well, at least by my calculations. We are on Week 41 or 287 days (Hetja) and Week 40 or 280 days (Brá).

This is an interesting Foal Development TIme Line page I found on t’net.

And here is a fascinating short film – it is all becoming rather real now!

We will bring the ladies home mid April and then exciting times ahead.

Ok, these are the last of my photos from when I helped Bjørn the other day to feed his Shetland ponies.  They are miniature Shetland ponies from Bergli Stud.

Bjørn shouted and they all came cantering over.

I love watching Shetland ponies moving over the hills like a wild herd.

They always look good in their natural environment.  It was perfect.

Darling little ponies.

All very pleased to see us.

I can’t really tell you who is who as they are not my ponies, but I was particularly taken by this darling little grey.

💉 👨‍⚕️ 💉 👨‍⚕️ 💉 👨‍⚕️ 💉 👨‍⚕️ 💉 👨‍⚕️ 💉 👨‍⚕️ 💉 👨‍⚕️ 💉 👨‍⚕️ 💉 👨‍⚕️

Anywho, a huge thank you to Nick Miners for holding the fort again.  It was appreciated and I know you love his blogs (more guinea pigs, please – just sayin’).

I got through yesterday. It wasn’t fun and I feel very fragile now but hey ho, onwards and upwards.  I won’t ride for a while and will try to take things easy to allow everything to hit the relevant spot and, hopefully, work.  That is my priority at the moment.

Staff Nurse BeAnne is always on hand and I have the best therapy too (when the weather gives us a break).