Floss and I went to see Vitamin today in her Fat Fighters Field.

But, before we reached her field, we met four little piglets that were newly arrived at their croft.

I am not sure if I am a piglet/piggie person.

On the one hand, they remind me, of Gremlins after they have eaten.

And, on the other, of Jack, my little Patterdale – same shape and with the same language.

I do see that pigs are sort of cute.

They have huge expressions and communicate all the time with each other, mostly about food.

And there is even a human-esque quality to them which, I think, is purely anthropomorphic, in reality.

I can understand sheep.  I can even tame sheep, but I just don’t get pigs.

(the film “Babe” has never appealed and that voice was just plain annoying).

It could be the shape of their face – those ridiculous ears.

The snout.

They almost look prehistoric.

Anywho, we left the piggies, visited the ducks (a happy little comedy Marx Brother foursome).

And there, in the distance, was a newly-slimmed Vitamin.

She looked perfect for coming into winter.

She had her same beautiful expression and was very pleased to see us, whickering when we came over. It is good that she is happy and settled in her slimming environment.  This field in spring/summer probably saved her life.  It was my fault for feeding her last winter and I know this.

Anywho, they all have a lovely view.

And the pigs are happy.

(they still freak me out!)

Sometimes, very occasionally I add, I jump up and down and rant about the mess we all live in.

Today was that day.

We have a container for keeping feed, old rugs, etc in and every winter we (well, particularly me) throw empty feed bags, as well as anything that needs a place to live. It fills up quickly and becomes increasingly disgusting.

Today, Floss emptied the container.  She scraped the welded fusty sheep/pony feed off the floor.

And revealed was space, beautiful space!

Pallets were lugged inside to keep feed bags off the floor.

Feed bins were repositioned so there was easier access rather than finding a bin, peering into it and wondering who the contents were for, while Lambie bouncing round your legs yells “me, me, me – it is all for me!”

Meanwhile, in the indoor school, Daisy was hard at work removing old bruck (Shetland dialect for rubbish) that has been stored here since we were once a riding school and trekking centre. That was many years ago.

The regularly used bridles are now arranged.  The saddles are covered in old duvet covers as the birds who also share in the shed, ie nesting wrens, sparrows, etc, tend to leave little blobs around.  I don’t mind as long as I can protect the good kit.

If I couldn’t burn it, then nto the back of my van went all the rubbish – ie, stuff we trip over thinking it might be useful, but it never is.

Obviously, we had help.

And then, to top it all off, I had a big bonfire and I burned all the burnable rubbish that had been lying around for far too long.

It was very cathartic.

Well done all of us – Daisy, Flossie, me, Lambie, ‘Ster.  Without you none of this could be achieved.

There is much work to be done but Taktur is going very well.

Daisy and Taktur are having regular training sessions with our trainer, Bjørn Roar Larsen.

Tölt

Laugh and relax (probably one of the most important gaits)

Trot (I love Taktur’s trot)

Walk

Relax – long reins, nose on the floor

And collapse in a heap……

…… because everyone did some very hard work today.

Lambie was, as usual, very helpful. He knows everything about horseriding (he’s watched enough).

As was BeAnne who spends equal amounts of time in the saddle or on asleep!

Having taken the serious training photos, I went a bit artyesque-fartyesque.

Lambie has still got his baa factor (those eyes, so understanding and so very beautiful).

And Taktur’s swooshy mane that moves like a wave down his neck.

It is always good to be surrounded by The Beautiful People!

This is the Lambie that Daisy put in my handbag yesterday.

Last year, I had some made, with Lambie’s unique markings, for Daisy and Flossie (along with two very special friends).

As you can see, the similarity is scary!

This year, I may get a version of ‘Ster created, after all he is part of The Family.

So, this morning was spent taking things easy with my boys.

Floss kindly fed little Albie his breakfast (1 litre of multimilk and a scoop of Foal Creep/Mare & Foal mix).

Albie that can take over an hour to eat his breakfast.  Some might consider it a chore but Flossie is very patient.

Because it was raining, Tor and Camus retreated into the shed for shelter.  We let them “wash-up” Albie’s feed bowls when he is bored of them.

Meanwhile, there was a block of dried alfalfa to keep them entertained while it rained.  They like this and a little goes a long way.

This afternoon, after taking the morning fairly easy, I went to work at Turriefield.

My job is to weigh the produce, bag, seal and label it for the various boxes and shops.

I love this job.  It keeps my brain going.  I suffer from appalling short term memory loss (analgesia drugs, life, etc) and for one afternoon a week (plus my flute lesson) I am made to think.   If you know about Dory, then I am the same as her and it scares me.

I end up checking everything many times over in case I have forgotten.  I cannot trust myself to remember so I become obsessive in case I am getting it wrong.  For the shops, it must be right.

This is my box of vegetables, at the end of the day – so proud!

I have been feeling a bit nervous about today.  I don’t know why. I have had this procedure (steroid/anaesthetic injections into my spine) a few times but every time is a different occasion.

When it comes to my spine, I get a bit precious.

So, last night, I wrote on Facebook….

Accompanied with my favourite photo….

Daisy and I drove to GBH this morning (yes, it is the best name for a hospital ever!) nice and early.  We did the usual department dance.  You know, go to Day Surgery, ring the doorbell, be asked to go back to reception and let the Day Surgery reception lady know you have arrived,   Sit down in Out-Patients reception and wait for Day Surgery reception nurse arrive to collect to you to take you to the original Day Surgery, where you started out!

While we sat in Out-Patients Reception, Daisy and I discussed where BeAnne would sit (on my knee was the conclusion) and also Lambie, had we brought them  And, with that, Daisy took out of her handbag, her Lambie to put in mine so he was with me all day.

I could’ve cried.  What a lovely gesture.

Meanwhile, Flossie was at home holding the fort.

My two daughters are wonderful and I cannot thank them enough.

Today was not brilliant.  The injections hurt.  Seriously hurt.  I don’t remember that part where they ask use a needle, poke around and ask you where it hurts, before – usually I am unconscious and remember nothing.  Anywho, it has all been done and tomorrow it is business as usual.

Lambie is always with me!