A friend asked me to go out and take some photos of the surrounding stormy seas.

So, having done my horsey/pony chores and suffering a bit from cabin fever, I set out in the car with my camera to the best place I knew – Dale of Walls.

The sea was boiling while the waves were amazing, crashing onto the rocks with immense furiosity

Pretty impressive, eh?

I wasn’t alone.  Apparently wave photography is a national sport in Shetland.

I met two men who were off up the hill to get a better angle for their photographs.  We exchanged pleasantries, agreed we were all mad, ducked when a piece of hard plastic whisked past our heads at a very dangerous level and speed, and then wished each other well for the festivities. (I do hope they got home safely).

I stayed for a little while longer and then I moved off when another car arrived.  It was beginning to resemble Brighton beach!

Off to Sandness to check on the little fatty-four. They were fine and munched the carrots I threw at them, ignoring me.

And then home.  Earlier, we had put everyone in together as Hjalti had managed to get in with the bigger herd (he found a crack in the fence and squozed through).  We thought now was as good a time as any for them to make friends but when I arrived home, I found Hetja had leaned over the fence, ignored the new grass at hoof level and was munching her way through an illegal silage bale.

Bloody mare.

Incandescent with rage (I mean there is a fence between her and the bale which she pushed through), we herded them into the bottom field whereupon Hetja decided she hated all Shetland ponies and started attacking.

Bloody buggering mare.

I don’t like bullies.  Never have, never will.

So we split them all up again.  Hetja, Brá, Efstur and Hjalti are in the miserable, not-got-much-to-eat field (I honestly don’t care) whilst everyone else has everything else.

Pissed off muchly.  That silage bale will probably not be recoverable.

Well, it is a tad feisty out so I relented and opened up the stable for everyone.  No food – just shelter was on offer.

I even had a bit of a sit down while waiting to see who would come in and join us.

Obviously there were my three loyal friends so I spent my time taking arty-farty photos of them while no one else appeared.

Meanwhile, outside, everyone was standing in the storm.  They knew the stable was open.

I mean, seriously, it was vile out there.

But no, they wouldn’t go into a nice warm, dry, quiet stable.  No, why would you?

And still they hunkered down.

This afternoon, having not moved at all, Daisy and I put a bale of hay into the stabe and spread it around.  We called the little ones who immediately went inside and we shut them in.

I drove to Sandness to check on the four who live there – all fine – and I gave them a bag of carrots.

Upon my return, the bigger ones had discovered the shed, so I let them in as well (ie the little ones had first dibs on the hay without being bullied).

So, my theory is that if there is no food in the stable, my ponies and horses would rather be outside in vile weather.

If there is food, then, of course, they will suffer to be indoors.  Oh yes, how they suffer.

Meanwhile, the three loyal best friends went into Lambie’s Bedroom No 2 (no wifi, no radio) where I had put hay for them.

The doors are all open so everyone can come and go.  As I write this, everyone is back outside again.

I give up!  I did try, honestly.

Storm Barbara is looming  She is making her presence known.

(No, that one is Lambie – he is always making his presence known because he is Lambie and we luffs him for it).

As it is windy. There is also a -2 degree celsius (or is it farenheit, I never know) chill factor. Because of this, I let everyone live around the house.

Obviously, being around makes asking for nose-kisseys very easy.

I showed Little Newt and his friend (Albie) where the stable is, in case they need shelter.  Of course, they left straight away to eat the grass around the house.  There is other shelter – Lambie’s Bedroom 1 (with Wifi and radio), Lambie’s Bedroom 2 (just wifi) and Lambie’s Bedroom 3 (stereo) scattered about the place.

Newt is part of the herd now. He may be  small but he is “one of the guys”.

And that is just what I wanted.

The sheeps asked to come out of their field full of grass in case they missed out because sheep should not live in fields and should have access to three types of bedroom.

Everyone was everywhere – this is Iacs and Klaengur by Lambie’s first bedroom.

We went to see who was in the stable (Lambie’s 3rd bedroom).

Fivla had taken up residence.

As had Storm – his excuse is that he is lame but he just can’t decide which leg it is!

So many legs, so little time!

Lambie and friends (‘Ster and ‘Bert) were also enjoying his third bedroom.

There was an exchange of views, so Lambie left in a huff.

I wonder if the house could be Lambie’s fourth bedroom. I would have no objections.  Sadly, everyone else would!

Pre Storm Barbara is here.

She has started.

Blowing hard, and has been going for a few days now.

The temperature is dropping rapidly and add the wind-chill factor too.  We are into minuses now.

So, after looking to the chaps in Sandness (thank you, they are fine – four carrots distributed plus nose kisseys)…..

…… we went to look at the waves at Dale Beach (our nearest beach).

It was wonderful.

Noisy…..

…. and huge!

Daisy and I sat watching the waves for some time.

They were magnificent.

Those that need to have rugs.

That would be Delia, Taktur and Kappi (because they are working)…

I favour the high-neck ones, not full-neck.

Albie has a rug because he is not very waterproof.  The neck bit is particular useless and annoying but, hey, it might do something.

And Newt.  Well, this is our smallest rug.  Thankfully, it fits perfectly.  We can’t get any smaller.

So, now while Storm Barbara rages, my little boys (and old dragon) will be fine.  Snug as bugs in their rugs!

The others can lose some weight, please.

Storm is lame and I don’t know why.

He came limping down the field this morning on his way to steal Delia’s breakfast.

I grabbed him, Tiddles and Newt and put them in the small paddock together where I could keep an eye on Storm and his ailment.

I also gave Storm half a sachet of Danilon – yellow, odourless granules to add to the food of horses,  used to treat pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, musculo-skeletal injuries and conditions such as bursitis and laminitis. Danilon Equidos should not be given to any equine which might go for human consumption in future!  (dammit, Storm – what will we have for Christmas?)

Storm seemed happy enough and toyed with limping on both front hooves just for an air of mystery and to be different.  He would.

Personally, I think it is his shoulder as Daisy and I both had a good poke about down his legs and found nothing interesting.

Newt was very happy being company.  It may have found his calling in life.

Tiddles wanted to be a diversionary tactic!  He may have to leave if he plays rough.

The other nurses and doctors were, of course, on stand-by.

We are having a few days and nights of shitery weather now so it is good Newt is in the small paddock. There is a shed if he wants to go indoors.

That is, if Tiddles will let him.  I may have to put Tiddles back into the big field if he continues to be annoying.  That also may be Tiddles’ calling in life!

Little Staff Nurse Newt makes the perfect companion.  Tiddles, on the hoof, does not.