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.

Today, I bought a croft.

It is called Liradale.

It is situate about 2.5 miles away from home, Thordale.  We can ride over.

16.4 hectares (approximately 40 acres) of green meadow as well as hill pasture.  The perfect combination with good fencing.

There is a hay park.  A park is a field, in Shetland.

A little vegetable garden.  Let’s not hold our breath on that one!

And a wonderful derelict croft house.

I am totally in love with the whole place.

The house is magical.

As completed today, Daisy and I went round in the pouring rain.  Hetja and Brá will be moved there next week, once the rain storms are over.  They will stay in the green pasture until they are near term and then they will come home to foal.

Efstur will be weaned.  The time has come.

The Minions will go over to the hill a bit later on.

So, Daisy and I lugged wooden planks to block the entrance to the house.  It is not a place for horses (or small curious Shetland ponies).

The house is amazing.

I have this huge desire to live there.

This would be the best long-room.

OH wants to call this croft East Thordale but it will remain Liradale, which is perfect for obvious reasons.  It is just what we all need.  I can see myself making S’mores in my sleeping bag with Storm trying to help!  Roll on summer!

Someone said, and it has been mentioned by others, that they don’t know who everyone is when I write about them.

So I think I should have a Cast List.

The Minions

Waffle – 12 year old midi Shetland pony gelding (rescue).
A dude – easy and helpful, a total sweetheart.

Silver – 12 year old midi Shetland pony gelding (rescue).
An aloof dude but gentle and kind.

Tiddles – 11 year old miniature Shetland pony gelding (rescue)
A total sweetie.  Never a mean word.

Albie – 9 year old miniature Shetland gelding (an orphan).
Gorgeous, a darling. A Mummy’s boy who has grown up to be a little handsome chap.  He worries.

Newt – 9 year old miniature Shetland gelding (“free-to-good-home” on Facebook).
Tiny (27.5″ high), possibly a Russian spy with his Book of Revenge.  No one is safe but utterly enchanting (this is his pathetic face – it fools no one).

Other Shetlands

Vitamin (aka Vitamoobag) – 31 year old standard Shetland pony mare (retired).
Going slightly dotty in her senior years but still the boss.  She is magnificent.

Fivla – 29 year old midi Shetland pony mare (retired).
Quiet and calm, an absolute darling.  Always helpful, kind and never pushy.

The Big Horses

Haakon – 31 year old Icelandic horse gelding (retired).
My boy. My horse forever.  Gentle, kind, exciting and totally trustworthy.

iacs (aka Bibble) – 30 year old Icelandic horse gelding (retired).
Glass-half-full kind of chap.  An optimistic goldfish with the brains of a bunny rabbit.

Kolka –  30 year old Icelandic horse mare (retired).

Other Family

Lambie – 10 years old neutered Shetland sheep (fleckit).
My little soldier with a Winning Smile.  He likes classical music and marmite on toast.

‘Ster, short for Lambster – 10 year old neutered Shetland sheep (katmoget).
Mostly full of confidence but can be needy.  Has terrible separation anxiety.

‘

‘Bert, short for Lambert – an 10 year old neutered Shetland sheep (moorit).
A sensible boy who loves his carrots and his hugs.

Madge – Edna’s daughter and a Shetland/Suffolk cross. Nervous but trying very hard to be tame.  Mostly failing on that score.

Maggie – a shaela Shetland hill sheep who adopted us.  She just turned up.
Who knows how old but arrived pregnant, wild and desperate to be loved.

Harrel-the-Barrel – a 4 year old shaela Shetland neutered male
who arrived in his Mummy’s (Maggie) tummy. Spoilt, happy, pushy and very greedy.

Dahlia – another who-knows-how-old hill sheep who wanted to live here. Sholmet in colour.

Gussie Fink-Nottie (or Gussie Hot Water Bottle)
Dahlia’s lamb from last year (2024), so now 1 years old and a total sweetie.  An enchanting little boy. We luffs him.

Monster – ex-tomcat rescue around 12 years old.
Huge, strong, talkative, laid back family cat who settled in immediately.

Pepper – our little 4 year old Patterdale girl. Determined, wilful, feisty disobedient and funny.

Teddy – my mother’s dog who I promised to look after.  Ted is about 10 years old.  He is learning our ways and is very good with Pepper and getting better with Monster.  He sometimes looks like a greasy Muppet.

So, there you are and now you know xx

Funny old weather at the moment – no light but at least it is warm.

We decided to go a-Christmas visiting.

There were volunteers.

But everyone would have to be on a lead/harness as they tend to eat gardens and I couldn’t be arsed with the argument.

So we took Fivla instead.

Yup, that would be Fivla who appeared in National Geographic and many newspapers/ magazines all over the world. Yes, that would be her.

Her diet remains work-in-progress but it is working.

I also took an elf to carry the Christmas presents.  Needs must.

Everyone (animal and human) loves visiting out neighbours.  They live about 1/3 mile down the road from us and we are good friends.

You may be able to tell that Fivla has visited them often!  She knows how to behave.

Fivla has always been a very people-person.  Horses/ponies are people.  That’s how we roll in this Shire.

BeAnne instantly made herself at home.

Food was given for the effort!

And everyone participated.

BeAnne decided she wanted to stay.

As did Loki.  My animals all want to live here.  I was told that Wussums had recently been seen lurking about too.  Typical!

With the mission accomplished, we wended our way home.

At the moment, there is barely any daylight.  I am sorry for the crap photography but, to be honest, I don’t want to take my good camera out until there is not rain, wind or mud!

How we suffer!