Guess who arrived this morning?

For a little look around.

Yes, you’ve guessed it, my OH was not about – he was working outwith this island.

Lambie was thrilled and happily invited himself inside the house.

We could tell he recognised his surroundings, even if it has been a while since he was last here.

‘Ster, on the other hoof, was appalled at this intrusion.  Never, in his life, had he seen such behaviour and took to standing sentry-like outside the front door, looking totally bemused.  He refused to come inside (OH would’ve loved him).  Darling ‘Ster – you can tell he had a different upbringing.

Even if the rest of the household was not pleased to see Lambie inside the house, I really don’t care.  We have always been the best of friends.

Lambie  is my special little boy and I love him.  There is nothing in this world that can’t be cleaned up, thrown away or replaced and you can’ t do that with someone who loves you.  Some things are just more important than belongings.

Lambie quickly made himself at home.

He nodded off listening to Debussy’s Clair de Lune on Classic FM.  An upbringing of listening to classical music has stayed with him and he finds it very soothing.

So that is how I spent my morning.  It was worth every second.  I love spending time with my boy.  He is family to me.

And he knows I am family to him.

Sunday morning – everything was a little later than usual.

Lambie and ‘Ster managed to cadge two breakfasts off me (and Daisy).

When we had finished all our chores and I was going back in for a well deserved cup of proper coffee, I noticed two little boys playing in the field adjacent to the garden.

Well, this was not an opportunity to be missed so I grabbed my camera.

I often see Albie and Camus play but usually they are too far away and look like silhouette ants galloping about on the skyline background.

Today, they were closer.

They chased each other one way.

And then the other.

There was a Mexican standoff – both maintaining their ground and strategic tension, giving nothing away for at least 5 minutes.

Before rushing in for the “kill”.

It makes my heart glow to see Albie playing with Camus and giving as good as he gets.

He dives in and everyone is equal.

Neither one is the bully or the bullied.

Lovely little bottoms cantering happily away.

Seeing these photos makes me realise that we have done good and all is well and Albie, God-willing, he will grow up to be a well-balanced normal Shetland pony who has, most importantly, a sense of humour.  He will make a great Minion.

We never under-estimate the Shetland pony sense of humour. To be a Minion, it should be developed and encouraged at all times.

Laughing at the world means everything is alright.

As well as the ability to bite each other’s legs!

I may make this my family crest!

Two Shetland ponies rampant?

Today, if you didn’t already know it, is National Bobbing for Apples Day!

No, seriously, it is.  We know these things.

And the Minions know it too. Such an important date in their social calendar.

When we told Storm today was his Apple Day, he was very enthusiastic.

He even managed a silly-billy hair-do while he jumping the world’s smallest ditch (bless him for trying).

Tomorrow HOYS – Storm is on his way!

Daisy had to show the Minions what they were aiming for.

(I would hate to say they are not very bright but, to be honest, they are not very bright!)

Once led to the water, Tiddles and Storm gave it their best effort.

They knew what apples were for.

Eating.  But it wasn’t easy, so Daisy let them eat an apple without the water to keep them focussed on the job in hand (or in hoof).

Waffle, of course, was brilliant – a natural talent.

The others were hopeless and needed help.

I love these little Minions bottoms.  My little boys all growed up.

When we visit, we don’t leave anyone out, so Daisy took Delia her own apple.  She adores apples.  A major reason to keep on going.

As do other small Minion-like pony-peoples.

It is not all about food and I like that.  The Minions enjoy our company.  I wished they lived nearer to Thordale but they can’t (at present).  If we sit down with them, the Minions spend their time talking to us and that is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.  Lots of hugging.

I miss my boys  The summer grass is good so they need to live outwith Thordale but there is no choice.  Once they are home, there will be lots more hugging.

Yesterday I took photos of this little lad.  He is divine.

You may remember him from his birth – (Yes, I blogged)

OMG! OMG! OMG! I saw a foal being born!

And then I made a filum.

So now Andante is growing up and I may have to pop him in a pocket and take him home to hug.  I am sure he would be a BFF (Best Friends Forever) for Albie, my orphan Shetland pony foal.

But, this morning, I received a message saying please come over and take more photos as the Andante had been washed, in readiness for the Unst Show.  He was looking rather gorgeous.  All clean.

(What a chore, how I suffer)

So I pottered over (09:30 is early in my world) and, firstly, had to negotiate my way through the standard black Shetland pony mares who waited by the gate.

I have a very soft spot for standard black Shetland ponies. A few years back, this is what we specialised in as Thordale Shetland Pony Stud.

This is one of the photos I took of the newly washed Andante.

He is very wow.  That is some trot.

While I was taking photos, I also snapped away at ponies – I am easily diverted by pretty pony faces.

This little filly is a sweetie and came over to be endlessly hugged.  I had been given cake (with cream) for breakfast and she wanted to help me eat it.

Everyone should have cake for breakfast, especially with cream!

Just sayin’

Daisy and I spent the afternoon in Lerwick (or the Big L, as we like to call it).

Lerwick is the main port of Shetland.

There is some great architecture – I am very partial to turrets with crow-stepped gable ends.

Small pedestrian lanes radiate outwards from the main street.

Commercial Street, although looking rather empty today, is very busy when the large cruise-liners dock (as well as Saturdays).

The bunting is out to meet and greet our summer visitors.

You never know who you will meet in “da Street:…

or what you will see.

All the shops make a huge  effort and, I, for one, appreciate that. This is not a high street full of the usual names but somewhere that individual shops do their very best for their customers.

The sailing dinghies are moored, ready for the next sailing competition.

And then I saw the Dim Riv – their website

It is a replica Viking longship built in Shetland in 1980 and run by a group of volunteers. They operate trips around Lerwick harbour from May – September.

Not bad for a day in town!