This is my three year anniversary for taking on the original Minions – Storm, Waffle and Silver.  (Tiddles arrived nine months later under different circumstances.)

It was the day after Up Helly Aa – I will never forget.  A memorable day for me.

This is the Blog I wrote on that day – The Rescuers – the day when we first brought the Minions home.  The fourth pony in the group (far left) went back to his breeder.

Taking on the original Minions was the start of some major changes in my life.  I look at the world very differently now.

Anywho, that was then…..

And this is now.

They are all fat and happy little Minions.  I may have changed their lives but they have enriched mine far more.

For me, a day of reflection on all that has happened since their arrival.

After meeting these little guys, my life has never been the same!

Tuesday = flute lesson = Mozart weeping in his unmarked grave.

Hey ho.  So, afterwards, Daisy and I drove to Lerwick for our messages.  These days, I have a very routine life – a narrow comfort zone.  Needs must.

The Up Helly Aa galley had been paraded earlier down the street with the Jarl Squad (the main Viking squad) and was sitting waiting to go again this evening down to the park to be burned.

I have never been near the galley to examine it so I used the opportunity to take a few snaps.

And there was the statutory hand cut off at the wrist, ready to be thrown onto the Shetland shore.

It was an amazing boat.  So much craftmanship.

It seems a pity they are going to burn it.

The street was buzzing.  Folk were wandering around in knitted Viking hats.  This afternoon, the Jarl Squad in full kit were busy visiting Primary Schools, Hospitals and eventide homes as well as the Museum.  They appear again at 19:00 for the torchlight procession with the boat as well all the other squads (approximately 30, I think, don’t quote me!).

The Bill is placed at the Market Cross.

It is a proclamation specific for 2017 and for the Jarl Squad.

And still, we featured in teatowel form, as well as a jigsaw puzzle!

It was lovely to see the street alive with people.

Once our messages were done, Daisy and I had to rush home because the vet and SSPCA were visiting to check over the latest additions – Gina and Gypsy.

Ponies before people.

If you want to watch it – Live Web Stream – kick off is at 19:00.  It is a tad feisty out (howling gale and rain) so enjoy Shetland’s most amazing festival from the warmth and comfort of your own home.

The sun was shining.  I know!  The Sun!

It fought its way through the clouds but it managed.

During the day, according to who is home, I allocate the jobs that need doing.  So, while Daisy walked the dogs, I went over to Liradale.

Always a pleasure, never a chore.

I have a number of tasks when I visit. The first – to let me catch Brá and not let her be wild.  Such unbecoming behaviour. I do tell her.  No one likes a wild horse, especially not a pregnant one.

Hetja was, as usual, on spiffing form.

After talking to the two preggie ladies, BeAnne and I jumped the fence and were greeted by The Minions.

They spend their day loafing around the dividing fence.  Fivla and Vitamin are pregnancy bores……

• – “Remember the time when I was so sick, I was thinner the day I gave birth than before I was pregnant!”
• “I was in labour for 48 hours and the doctors were amazed I had a live baby at all”.
• “I was sick from the day I found out I was pregnant to the day I gave birth.

We all know them and we all hate them.

So, with my bag of apples,  I commenced with Task No 2 – to lure the others away into the hill part of their field.

Fivla ended up joining us.

Vitamin ended up sulking!  Her choice.

I sat on a rock for a while, distributing apple quarters and hugs and then all of a sudden, the ponies cantered up the hill and left me.

Perfect.

I want them to leave the Icelandic mares and discover the rest of their field.

It is always difficult, when newbies arrive, to alter the routine you are in.

Our routine : Delia gets to spend her days around the house, eating up the new grass and everyone else just potters along.

But I need to put weight onto Gina, our new old lady, who arrived a few days ago.

That rug is perfect.  Sorry Waffle, but your rug is being used for someone more needy.

The two newbies, Gypsy and Gina, are settling in.

It is slow process and one that will take much work.  Delia (my 24 yo mare) hates Gina (30 yo mare) with a passion.  She will chase her off the food so I have to distribute many piles of silage to make sure everyone gets something.

Gina’s companion, Gypsy, is a complicated person.  She reminds me of Brá.  Our relationship is going to be about trust and reminding her of body language from me and the herd. She understands the basics but she has forgotten and has ruled Gina for too long.  This is not a healthy relationship.

Very obsessive.

My priorities are to give Gina more food.  She has the teeth, the will and the spark.  She needs to eat and to put on weight.

Gypsy does not need any extra food but she shouts for Gina all the time, nagging her to stop eating and to come back to her.

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This afternoon, as I was about, I split them up.

There are new grass shoots around the house (Delia is grazing there), so I let Gina out as well.

She could see Gypsy but there was a fence in between them.

This seemed to work fine.

Daisy brought out Iacs to ride and, afterwards, there were introductions.

I spent my day popping in and out of the field to talk.

I would hate for any of my boys to feel I am ignoring them. I did lots of hugging today!

Everyone is special and everyone needs something different from me.

There are now piles of food everywhere, just in case.  Life has become rather complicated.

We have been having a digital detox for over four hours (that would be a power cut to us oldies!).

Anywho, apologies for the delay in the blog.

It has been a day of shite – rain and more rain, so rugs on those that need them and shiver off your fat, the rest of you!

The newbies, Gina and Gypsy, are doing ok.  Delia is still being a baggage so she spent the day outwith the field to give everyone some peace and quiet.  While we fed Gina her hard feed (plus Albie and Newt), we put Gypsy the other side of the gate.  She does not need any extra feed.  I approached her with a carrot and the deal was that she could have it, if I could put a head collar on and off.  After some trepidation, Gypsy agreed and that was all I wanted.  Good girl. Every day, in every way, we will be doing this!  Little steps.  One headcollar = one carrot.  Them’s the deal.

Anywho, I have been saving this for a rainy day, but I found out that…..

Storm is related to some of the other Minions!

He is Tiddles’ second cousin (that explains so much!)

Newt is his nephew – awww, bless him. Storm a role model.

Interesting fact – Lyra is Storm’s 1st cousin once removed.  And she does remove.  As far away as possible! Can’t you just see the family resemblance?

Fivla is Storm’s father, spouse/partner’s 1st cousin twice removed.  (Storm would sell his soul for a Fair Isle jersey and some internet fame).

Yes, you guessed it, I did my family tree and used the software to see who is related to whom.  Well, you would, wouldn’t you – especially on a rainy day?

So now you know.  Storm is a role model.  God help us all!