A busy day today.

Flute lesson and then on into Lerwick to empty the van at the Recycling Centre of all the bruck (Shetland dialect for rubbish) that didn’t burn when we cleared the indoor school the other week.

Once empty, we then spent the rest of the day filling it up again with essential supplies as we are off south on Thursday to attend The NorthEast  of Scotland and Shetland HestFest!  Daisy and Flossie are riding while I am on photography duty.

When we returned home, having achieved a satisfyingly large dent in my wallet, I sent Daisy off with my little camera to “check on the boys”.

Although they live 7 miles away, we try to visit the herd every day.  I hate them being so far away from home but we have no choice.

If I had my way, they would all live in the house!

But everyone has grass, water and each other.

We try to cater for all their needs – something for everyone!

Alone time (what seems to have happened to Silver’s forelock?)

Cross country

A social life

Gentle exercise

No exercise

Lyra is doing well.  Perhaps a bit too well.   Winter is coming.  Everyone will be slimmer.

Daisy took lovely photos and I am thankful she has a good eye.

And then just as I was about to put up the blog, I noticed a stunning sunset going on outside. It took my breath away.

So tomorrow we will be busy – cleaning tack, cleaning horses, cleaning van, cleaning clothes as well as getting organised.

Lists, I must make lists.  Little piles of essentials are sprouting up all over the house – midge spray, sunscreen, babywipes, string, scissors, gaffer tape ……..

I can use the wee small hours to make lists because there is bugger-all sleeping going on in my life.

This is the result of Taktur’s rage at Daisy’s electric fence (the one she constructed on the other side of the field).  He was so cross with her, he took his anger out on another fence!

Yes, he pushes it up and goes under.

Anywho, the wind was blowing and the sun was shining.  The Afternoon autumn sunlight is always particularly special to me.

Taktur was busy being by himself in his different field while his Support Network feigned slight interest.

From a distance, Taktur looked beautiful.  Close-up was a different story.

But with enough filters, I managed to find his inner beauty.

How can I stay cross with someone so handsome?

Ears unhelpful.

Ears helpful.

Taktur is a funny lad.  As in funny peculiar, not funny ha-ha.  He is generous, kind and (mostly) honest.  He just wants to gaze at the mares and foals, not say anything or do anything, just gaze and know everyone is ok in his world.

The Support Network nodded off.

Back up was available.

I have been trying to create more space on my slaptop because, funnily enough, it is full of photos and becoming increasingly slower and slower.

Last night, I came across ‘Ster’s baby photos.

Day 1 – just arrived.

Oof.

He was tiny.

And so, so cute.

After a few days, we let him out into the big field.  He thought Lambie was rather special.

Can’t you can just tell that this is the beginning of a great friendship.

Sadly, this wasn’t.

I desperately wanted my little sheepie family to get on and to all be happy together.

Little ‘Ster worked on his “Winning Smile” …..

His Monarch-of-the-Glen pose.

But, mostly, just being a lovely little chap.

Sadly, Lambert (‘Bert) decided to leave us to go and live in the scattald (open hill).  He didn’t like ‘Ster.

Lambie and ‘Ster decided they would stay with us.

I miss ‘Bert.  I thought I didn’t, but I do.  I see him occasionally but more recently, he has been hanging round the gate.  Yesterday I saw him and ‘Ster talking to each other in a friendly way. He looked straight at me too.  I thought he was rather thin and not very happy.

Today, ‘Bert was around again, so I called him (the way I always used to) and he looked up.

The hill is beingy caa’ed (sheep rounded up into one place) again soon so I have asked if I can be told so that I can take ‘Bert back home and see if he wants to be One of Us again.

At best, he will come home and that will be wonderful.  At worst, I can feed him up and let him go again.  It would be so lovely he decided to stay.

(I am feeling very emotional at the moment – I cry at the slightest thought.)

A lovely day, today.

I slept last night and am tentatively beginning to feel that my body may be starting to calm down.

This afternoon, I decided to go for a walk.  I asked Lambie and ‘Ster if they wanted to come too. There was no interest so I set off without them with BeAnne for company.

Just as I reached the road, I turned back to see Lambie trying to catch me up.  He had changed his mind.

So, off we went, an unusual three, but all perfectly happy with each other’s company.

I let Lambie and BeAnne do their own thing, as long as it is safe.

Lambie has a penchant for thistles.

He eats them very carefully, but he is tempted by every thistle he sees on the side of the road.

Sometimes he giggles to himself about the prickles. His little tail wags with happiness.

One girl and her sheep.  Together.  As it should be.

And then Lambie finds another thistle and had to run fast to catch me up again.

“Muzzah, wait for me!”

Afterwards, we sat outside in the sun, while I double podded broadbeans and we all listened to Classic FM.

This is how I heal best, I think.

The nights are rather ghastly at the moment, while the mornings after are very odd too so, to lift my spirits whenever we can, weather permitting (there are limits), Daisy and I go out for a ride.

This morning Haakon (me), Iacs (Daisy) and BeAnne set off for a saunter.

On these occasions, when I am not the full shilling, I admit to riding as a total passenger.   I get on, clip myself in and that’s that. Haakon makes the decisions.

I don’t bother picking up the reins.  I can’t see the point really.

Iacs is given a similar degree of trust as long as he doesn’t abuse it.

It doesn’t take very long.

His mode d’emploi is to quietly creep up alongside me and then ask if he could relieve me of the many carrots that he knows I keep about my person.  He is alway very polite but insistent.

So, I sat on board enjoying the view.  We even went up the canter track.  Haakon was enthusiastic to start with and then slowed back down.  We left the youngsters to do their own thing.

Onwards and upwards into The North.

Haakon always likes to stop and admire the view.

While he does, Iacs goes in for the kill.

Unsuccessful, we turn around and head for home.

When Iacs tries his begging, Daisy does “ahem” and “tch”.  Iacs knows it is wrong but, as I just mostly laugh, he maintains that one day I will give in.

You could say that Iacs is a glass-half-full kinda guy.

This morning’s ride was just what I needed.

It set me up to face the next lot of hellery that lies in wait.