Thank you for all your kind thoughts and messages.  When it is suddenly cold, my bones ache – hence the bad mood yesterday.  My spine is a barometer.

Today we have a gale with huge rain showers that are made of ice needles.  I have stayed indoors keeping warm.

However, this afternoon everyone had a job to do –

• OH walked Loki but BeAnne refused to go; she always stays with me.
• Daisy checked the ponies in Sandness.  Lyra will be pleased. Last time I turned up on my own, Lyra ran past me shouting for Daisy.  Ungrateful mare.
• Me? I fed Albie his tea.

Before the light went, I quickly took my camera outside to see who was close by the house.

The mothers were sheltering round the back of OH’s shed.  They are clever and always show their sons where is best to stand.  I took carrots.

Little Efstur was desperate to come and talk to me and when I said “stay”, he put on his disapproving face.  This little horse thinks far too much.  He is very expressive.

I only wanted him to stay where he was because I always end up with blurred noseys on my lens.

Such a pretty boy.

Hjalti was happy to eat his carrots and stand wherever I wanted him to.

He was also keen to show Efstur how to follow me back home and perhaps get into the garden.

I know one day we will find them all in the garden so I wound an elastic bungee strap round the rickety gate in the hope that this might deter them.  They are not Minions who would have that down in seconds.

I have asked OH to mend the gate. Maybe if he sees the bungee strap, he might feel inspired!

It is either that or four horses at the back door! I wouldn’t mind at all.

My back hurts today.

I can’t think of much to write.

I took these photos of a raven that was flying about on Sunday over the marts (Shetland auction site) where the show was being held.

Ravens are not much loved here because of the sheep and their lambs.  Folk want them dead.

This one was rolling and flying about upside down just because it could.  Clever bird.

Anywho, today Daisy and I had our flute lesson. It went well – there were even good moments – and then we went on into town.

It was one of those afternoons where everyone just said no when we walked into their shop.

Is my camera lens mended and back from south? – no.
Are the pictures ready for collection, ie framed? – no.
Have Daisy’s lenses arrived yet – no and what lenses!  (Fer crying out loud, Specsavers, it’s been two weeks.)

I hate days like these.

It was so disheartening.

To add insult to injury, we tried to dodge the rain, failed dismally and trudged about getting wet as well.

So, feeling thoroughly disheartened, we left Lerwick having achieved nothing.  Absolutely ruddy nothing.

On the way home, we checked the Sandness ponies and threw carrots at them. OH had very kindly fed Albie for us as it gets dark early now.  Apparently he wolfed it down in seconds.  He can drink a litre of milk in 5 seconds!

Now I have taken painkillers, which I don’t do lightly just in case I have a “little episode” and no, I probably will never get over having anaphylactic shock called that!

Don’t talk to me.  Don’t even come near me.  Sorry, just not feeling the love today.

The little ones, the Shetland ponies, mostly group together leaving the bigger boys, the Icelandic horses, to themselves.

Albie is looked after by everyone, but mostly all the older mares in the herd mother him.  They stand over him when he sleeps.

Tor has been wonderful since Camus left.  We adore her.  She can stay for as long as she wants.

Secretly, and when no one is watching, Daisy gives her a handful of Albie’s hard feed.  She loves that and positions herself in a “I just happen to be by the fence” sort of way!  A wise little mare who knows the score. I wish she could stay forever, just for Albie.

Whenever Albie sees me, or anyone actually, he comes over.  Sometimes bouncing, sometimes walking but he appears, with enthusiasm and his rug a-flapping like a smiley navy blue Batman.

Albie has filled our lives.  We adore him.

He is resourceful, determined and an altogether very nice little chap with beautiful manners.  He leads perfectly, never bites or kicks and loves a nose kissey.  My kinda guy.

I was told that orphan Shetland pony foals are a pain in the arse to keep, but bringing up Albie has been nothing but love and fun.

He has adapted totally to his situation and lacks for nothing.

Well adjusted and definitely one of the herd and not “Mummy’s boy”.

The herd collectively look after him and I love them for that (I may have had gin, *** sniff ***).

I was determined Albie would not rely on us and things, for once, worked out fine.

At the moment, winter is upon us and when needed, Albie’s little rug goes on because he is not as waterproof as I would like.

He also has some very dodgy friends.

*** ahem *** cough *** very dodgy!

Today was the annual Pony Breeders of Shetland Youngstock Show.   It is held at the Lerwick Marts.

I have never been before but I thought I should go and help (read get in the way) Bergli Stud.

The little ponies were wearing hay.  Probably not a good look for the show ring. We had to pick it all out before they went in.

Everyone was involved.

I was trying to work out how the camera flash worked – I failed dismally and gave up.  I may even have to RTFM.

This is the judge. I could be wrong, but I think he came from Scotland.

Presentations were made before the show.

How we all laughed.

And then on with the serious bit.

There were big classes.

Everyone  worked hard.

The statutory raffle (I think it is actual part of the Shetland Constitution).

The Loot everyone wanted.

Some folk kept their ponies in their horseboxes (the weather forecast was vile).

There was also ample pony parking outside.

Here are a few moments that grabbed me at the time  …..

It was a good day, if tiring, and my I couldn’t feel my feet for most of the day, but it was certainly worth it.

My favourite pony, Dimma from Bergli, was Reserve Overall Champion.

I have always loved her and known she is very special

I am now officially dead and my feet are returning ownership to me.  Bloody cold.

Things to do today on the Urgent List.

I had to drop off some rugs and collect some dog food today – a 121 mile round trip!  I only found this out when I worked it out afterwards.

It was a curate’s egg of a day.  Daisy was riding inside so I took a good audiobook (Ancient Roman crime) and off I drove.

First stop was Shetland Equestrian Centre in Stromfirth (21 miles away).

I wandered about and met some of the stabled ponies.

Admired the ‘tache!

The youngsters.

The Oldster (what a forelock – beautiful girl).

Rugs dropped off and I discovered the essential one was still sitting in my stable – damn.

Next, off to Burra – 16 miles down the road – to collect some dog food.  The Nutriment treats are the best and everyone canine/feline are addicted to the fishy treats.

This is where Esja lives – Houlls Horses and Hounds, at Bridge End in Burra (another two islands away.  Luckily they are connected by bridges so no big deal really.  Just sounds good!)

Esja is looking very good  and is much loved in her home – nice, too, to have a nose kissey and a catch up.

It is always interesting to see the coastline from a different angle.  The far coast is the westside, I think.  I live on the other side of the far hills in the distance.

I saw a Heron (Hegri in Shetland dialect) standing staring out to sea.

I am fascinated by them.

They are very hypnotic.  I love it when they fly.

And so I wended my way home (another 35 miles as I went via Sandness to check on the ponies there),

Sandness to home – 7 miles.

Home, collect rug and back to Shetland Equestrian Centre – 21 miles
and back home again – 21 miles.

I saw some beautiful scenery en route so it was all worth it.