Mothers and Sons

Little Albie is becoming Sturdy Albie.

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This odd family remain a tight unit.

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Camus and Tor job share.  They are the washer-upperers.

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Camus is not really a putter-awayer.  He does try, though.

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We are all thrilled with Albie’s progress and development.  He such a darling little boy and the whole family are involved in feeding him three times a day – hard feed for brekkie plus 2500 ml of Multimilk split.

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Albie’s little worried face makes me scoop him up and hug him while telling what a good little boy he is and how proud his mum would be.  He needs us.

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There is also a cheeky side to Albie too.  I am glad he wants to play rather than always be jumped on by Camus.  This makes me smile.  There are moments he just wants to lie down next to me while Camus bounces up and down around him.  When Camus is in this mood, Albie usually gives up trying to be with me.

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Meanwhile, in another field the other side of the hill, this little mother-son herd are doing very well too.

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Hjalti popped over to say hello.

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He is growing up into a sensible chap. When they swap fields with Taktur and Kappi later on this autumn, I can then reintroduce some of his skills, such as leading nicely, picking up a hoof and even managing to stand on three legs without falling over!

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Little Efstur is very orange.  More orange than anyone else.

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He has lost his white socks and is going through his wobbly leg phase.

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Maybe he is part moose.

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When he comes over, we are going to master the art of wearing a headcollar without a silly fuss. Apparently this is rocket science.

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Lists Are Good. No, Lists are Essential

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.

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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!

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But everyone has grass, water and each other.

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

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

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Cross country

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A social life

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Gentle exercise

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No exercise

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

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

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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.

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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.

Forgiven

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.

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

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

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

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

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How can I stay cross with someone so handsome?

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Ears unhelpful.

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Ears helpful.

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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.

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The Support Network nodded off.

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Back up was available.

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‘Ster’s Baby Photos

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.

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Oof.

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He was tiny.

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And so, so cute.

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

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

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Sadly, this wasn’t.

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

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

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His Monarch-of-the-Glen pose.

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But, mostly, just being a lovely little chap.

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

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Lambie and ‘Ster decided they would stay with us.

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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.)

 

Lambie’s Addiction

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.

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

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

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

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Lambie has a penchant for thistles.

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

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

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

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

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“Muzzah, wait for me!”

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

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This is how I heal best, I think.

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