At 09:00 sharp we all congregate for the morning chores.  The sun is coming up and being winter, it is always beautiful to watch.  I stop for a moment every sunny morning and feel lucky I live in Shetland.

Today Wu was about looking very disapproving.  He suffers from bitchy-resting-face most of the time but it is very unusual to see him out and about with us.  Usually by this time in the morning, he is asleep on someone’s bed.  But no, today, here he was with us looking cross.

After the feeds (Velia’s turmeric bomb and Albie’s brekkie), we found the little-bigger boys by the house.

They are a sweet comedy duo and carrots were obviously dished out because of this.

Tomorrow is less nice, weather-wise, so Daisy and I took the riding horses out.

First up were Klængur and Taktur.  Klængur belongs to my other daughter, Flossie, so I just ride him to keep him fit and to remind him of his manners.  He had a bit of an abberation this summer but is much nicer now.

Darling Taktur is having a good winter in his field across the hill.  He lives with Kappi and they are very settled there.

On the next ride, we took Haakon and Kappi.

Kappi is Daisy’s 2nd horse – her competition horse.

Haakon and Kappi are not the best of friends.  They like each other more than when they don’t live together.

So, they were pleased to see each other again.

Haakon sneaked in a cheeky nibble just to remind Kappi that he is still the boss!

A lovely riding day.

Every day, one of us (either Daisy or I) drives over to Sandness to see the little herd of Shetland ponies who live there.

Yesterday, it was a soggy cold Shetland winter afternoon.

I always bring four carrots with me.

They know this.

And now expect it!  According to Vitamin, it is The Law.

For me, having ponies far from home is always difficult. I want them all around the house but it is just not practical but I know they are fine living where they are.

I keep thinking I must move these ponies as they stand by the roadside fence waiting for the school children going past and I bet they beg treats off them too.  That part of the field is pretty churned up but the rest is fine, absolutely fine and when it is eaten down properly, the ponies will be moved to yet another grassy field.

Anwyay, everyone is rather on the chubby side.

Yes, Waffle, chubby.  I swear he is wider than he is taller.

Beautiful Lyra has become used to me not being Daisy now.  I think it might be the carrots.  She very graciously takes them from me.  Good for her!

And so I tickle and scratch them and tell them they are not forgotten or unloved. I am sure Daisy does the same.

On the way home, I saw the best icicle stalactites.

And Foula being enveloped in a wintry shower.

Flossie phoned last night and the conversation came around to “and how is Lambie?”

So this blog is for Flossie.

Lambie wants to be different.

We are having some fencing done – a bit fenced off to put a silage bale in so everyone can have a turn but not live there.

This makes the field “different”.

According to Lambie, now the field has to be avoided at all costs.

Every morning, I take a bucket of food and all the sheep follow me to their field to their buckets where I distribute their food.

Except for Lambie.  Now he can’t go in.  He lingers about and today Daisy left him with no breakfast.

Lambie was not happy, mostly because he had not got his own way.

The others were at the far end of their field and I shook the bucket at Lambie who reluctantly (if not sulkily) followed me into the field.

I gave him his brekkie and told him he was “speshul” (perhaps not in a good way).

Meanwhile, ‘Bert is doing brilliantly.  The weight and sparkle are returning.

Always my happy little Monkey.

‘Ster is fabulous, as ever.

And Lambie is being very silly.

Film-star face

They all stay in their field until late afternoon because I am cruel like that.

Once out, they come wandering down to the front door.

Except for Lambie who is still feeling special.

He did manage to come over and talk to the inmates.

This is “I don’t seem to be getting my own way” face.

My little Boyzenberries.

And this is Lambie’s most filthy look!

He really wants his own way.  It is a battle of wills at the moment.

For God’s sake – the ruddy fuss at staying in a field with green grass.  They’re sheep!

I found lovely frost patterns this morning on the car.

It has been freezing all day but not really cold, just freezing.  There is absolutely no wind so the silence is deafening.

The horses don’t mind this kind of weather.  They are miserable with the endless wind and rain and so far, though I am sure it will all change, we have been very lucky.

But, the best part of today was watching Albie instigate play with one of the Minions.  This is the first time I have seen him do this.  He did play with Camus but Camus used to pick on him rather than the other way round.

We fed Albie his afternoon milk and afterwards, he pounced on Storm who was not expecting it.

I didn’t feel sorry for Storm at all.

He has had this coming for many years – someone even more annoying than himself.

They are going to be very good friends – I can see it.  This is how Minions behave.

Albie, having now turned into a typical Thordale pony, introduced himself the way he was taught.

He loved his nose kissey.  Obviously, he understands this method of communication.

Winter brings the best sunsets.

It might be cold and clear but Shetland has breath-taking skies this time of year.

The sun was going down.

I had a job – to feed Albie his afternoon milk.  Daisy checked the Sandness herd (Waffle, Silver, Lyra and Vitamin).  We take it in turns.

So I called my little Albie and, of course, he came running.

And then he had to stop and look distinguished.  I think he is a beautiful boy.  Very special.

A friend turned up too because that is what this kind of “friend” does. Your friend if there is food.

Albie had his milk. He can drink it down in ten seconds flat – one whole litre.  It’s his talent.

Albie does that thing with his left front leg – he paws the bucket or the ground.  I am not sure why.  It is purely instinct as he has never seen anyone else do it but, never the less, he always does it sometimes tipping up his milk, which is very frustrating.

Then a quick play with the bucket because I wasn’t telling him not to.

And then off, back to the herd.  Lickety split!

Of course, his friend went too.  The food had vanished.

I hung around for a while, sitting on a rock taking photos while my bum went numb.

All worth it.  I was loved by a variety of Shetland ponies ….

…..and Icelandic horses.

It was a rugs-off day because, although cold, there is no wind or rain forecast.

Life is good when you are loved and appreciated.

Sitting on a rock, talking to my ponies is my idea of heaven, especially on winter days like these.

Can you get chilblains on yer bum? Already have them on my toes.