I spent most of today in Lerwick as I had an out-patient’s appointment for my “little episode”.

It has barely been light all day and I left Daisy and Flossie doing all the animal chores (house ones are not considered important here).

On my way back from Lerwick, in my vaguely clean clothes, I thought I would pop by Liradale to check on everyone there, while I could still see them.

There were the big girls but not my little Shetland pony troupe.

I thought I spied them right at the top of the hill but wasn’t really certain.  All I could see was a black blob, which could be a group of black ponies…… or not.

I went home, changed into my usual grubby clothes and wellies, and returned to Liradale complete with a good pair of binoculars and some carrots.

Upon inspection, it was blatantly obvious that the lump of black was, in fact, just that!

and my little herd was in the valley waiting for me.

Lyra, now full,  was having a little bit of a sit on a dry hillock.

Vitamin enjoyed her carrot.

Waffle went through my pockets.

Lyra grabbed and ran.  Ungrateful beast.  She is always like this in winter.

Everyone was, of course, fine.

They have food, shelter, company and water.

Those binoculars are not leaving my car from now on.

I think they will be put to good use!

That is one big field!

Well, the big ones are all fine

(this looks like a school photo, doesn’t it?!)

The little ones are all fine too.

Ok, obviously starving because they are leaving new piles of freshly opened silage that smells delicious.

We had to open the bale that Hetja wrecked when she had her moment of revenge a few days ago.

This morning we could all be found outside constructing an anti-hill sheep barrier as one sniff of this gorgeous silage and the hill sheep will be round the bales wrecking everything.

Meanwhile, a few minutes down the road…..

I went to check on everyone else.  This is much easier.  The preggie ladies are fine.

They look very settled.

It is a still a tad windy out.

But I am not worried.

The other herd was miles away.  Their field is huge and there is much to explore.

I shouted, heads up and they spied me coming rushing over.

That is the determined look of “where is my carrot?”

I love this croft.  It is wonderful for photos.  I can’t wait for the others to arrive for a bit more variety of colour.

I just have such a good feeling about Liradale or should it be Lyradale?

The pregnant ladies have been moved to a new field. The time has come.

Efstur is now officially weaned and Hjalti is still his best friend.  He will now get a mug of hard feed to make up for his lack of Muzzah!  He didn’t seem too upset.  Brá never looked back.

Making the most of a lull in the fierce winter weather, we left Haakon in charge while we moved ponies about today.

I decided to take all my Shetland ponies out of Sandness to let my fields recover for the Summer.  Needs must.

They have been moved to my two new-to-me fields much nearer to home.

The neighbours seem nice.

There is space and, once Storm has decided which leg he doesn’t want to be lame on, then he and Tiddles will join them.

Those two dark dots in the far distance are Hetja and Brá are in their green field where they can now concentrate on growing their babies.

The fields do adjoin and the whole area is divided into two huge fields – hill for the Shetlands and green pasture for the preggie ladies.

It is perfect.

I think everyone will be very happy here.

The best Shetland pony and Icelandic horse environment.

A natural environment.

So today it was Storm Conor’s turn to give it some welly.

The top gust was 97 mph in Unst (two islands up).  Outside was vile and downright dangerous.

In the morning, during a lull, I managed to get outside, hanging onto the side of the house for support and uprightedness. I got as far as Lambie’s 2nd best bedroom, where I met three “starving” sheeps.  They followed me into the stable where I gave them Lambie’s most favourite food ever – Mare & Youngstock – put out some hay and water, shut the door and left them to it.

Meanwhile, all the horses were outside.  When I went to get the sheep’s hay, the noise in the indoor school was horrendous. The deafening sound of the wind constantly battering was terrifying and exhausting.  We felt that the horses and ponies would definitely be safer outside making their own decisions.

I took this brief film at the height of the storm and, if you look carefully, you will see that barely a mane or tail is moving.  They had strategically placed themselves in the lee of the hill.

Also, note, that the tiny spec of blue rug is Albie.  Newt is using someone bigger to hide behind or under.  They are sensible like that.

This afternoon, once the wind abated a bit, we called the big herd up and opened the stable door.  I spread out a bale of hay, gave some more to the sheep in another shed, made up some haynets for those that remained outside and quickly checked everyone.

Everyone is fine.  Shetland ponies and Icelandic horses are sensible.  They found shelter and waited until the storm stopped.

Thank you for your prayers, vibes and kind thoughts during this ordeal.  Hugely appreciated. Last night I was scared for my family.

This year, one member of the family has completely lost it!

Wu spends most of his days either asleep or lurking under the tree.

The tomte or nisse who live in our tree (nisse (usually Norwegian) and tomte (usually Swedish) are  solitary, mischievous domestic sprites responsible for the protection and welfare of the farmstead and its buildings) are all now doomed.

Wu goes into the tree

and then carefully chooses his victims.

One by one he is picking them off.  Once back on the floor, they are duly eaten.  It isn’t pretty.

Wu is in a playful, if murderous, mood this Christmas.

Anywho, the traditional Christmas yule log has been constructed, thatched and mostly demolished by everyone human.

But this has to be my best Christmas present ever (apart from the thermal wellies, the tofu press and Walt Disney flute playalong music)…..

A beautiful handmade decoration that lives in Pride of Place and will never be put away under the stairs. It will stay where I can see it always – by my desk, where I write this blog.

Whoever you are, thank you.  Perfection in a basket saddle (BeAnne and Fivla).

(we had a bit of a muddle with the envelope/tag/package matching department this year so I am not 100% sure who the sender is.)

I am so thankful BeAnne is still with us. I took this photo this morning after I had unwrapped my Christmas stocking. It fills me with such happiness.