We have been having a few problems.

Camus, the foal, was found outside the perimeter fence.  We don’t know how but I am pretty certain he went under the gate where it fastens.

So, I knitted a fence out of rope!  Get out of that now, Camus!

Whilst having a 5 acre field to themselves, it is very obvious that mother, Tor, is in season.  She spends much of her time shouting and tarting at Taktur, who is across the hill with his girls.

If she goes on like this, I will put her to Finnigert (1/2 a mile away) for a week while her hormones calm down.

Taktur spends much of his day dreaming.

He is dreaming of a new girlfriend who thinks he is gorgeous, no matter how miniature they may be.  His Icelandic horse mare harem are bored of him now and Taktur is lonely and bored.

We will see how it goes before we move everyone.  Taktur must get used to the waft of hormones and he must learn that sometimes one puts up and shuts up.

Meanwhile, there remains the mystery.  Who drinks the mare replacement milk that we put out every day?

Every day the bowl is licked clean but we never actually see anyone drink it.  Camus, the little bay foal, has his real mother to nurse from while Brisk has no one.  He doesn’t bother asking Tor (the mare) as she will only say no.  He has given up with that method.

Being none the wiser, this morning I set up the Go-Pro camera, Flossie put out the mare replacement milk and we walked away, letting the camera film the results.

The result?  Both the foals are drinking the milk but Brisk has the majority.  That is good to know.

I love the way the Minions* still love to play.  It makes my heart warm.

*The Minions were rescued in January, 2014 from near starvation in winter.

And now they are fine, still all together and doing well.

Waffle and Storm are cheeky and funny.

All the Minions are my darling little boys.

I never want them to stop playing or to grow up and be responsible adults – so boring.

Meanwhile, on the “beautiful girl” front, Flossie was talking to Silver.

Then Hjalti moved in for attention.

This is a safe field to sit in.  No one kicks, bites or argues.  We sit and talk to those that come up for chat.  So that would be everyone, then.

Sometimes Tiddles just needs some quiet time with someone who understands.

Flossie always listens.

I am the luckiest mother on earth.  I have two wonderful daughters who totally get and understand the love of our horses.

This is not something you acquire, it is something you are born with.  Empathy for animals.

Then again, there is being mauled and still smiling!

I am so pleased Daisy and Flossie understand and want to be part of this world.

Daisy came off the boat this morning, having finished her job at Kise Islandshestgård in Norway. She was employed for ten months doing stable work and training young horses.

So, after breakfast, we went straight out for a ride and then I introduced Daisy to the newbies.

First up was Efstur.  He was very happy to be introduced to Daisy.

Next was Taktur’s turn.  He was thrilled to sniff his owner.

(he has always adored Daisy).

Then this year’s “bebbies” wanted to make Daisy’s acquaintance – Camus and Brisk.

Brisk instantly made a friend.

Kappi was very happy with our new arrival although, Daisy rode Iacs this morning, as she had missed her silly-frilly.  This pair of old friends went out together with ears pricked (Iacs) and a silly grin (both).  Tomorrow I am sure Daisy will ride Kappi.

After lunch, it was off to Sandness to see The Minions et al.

Lyra calmed down instantly and her world was was at peace.  She struggles when Daisy is not there and though she puts up with me and Flossie, she constantly reminds us that WE ARE NOT DAISY!

Then it was time for the invasion of the little ones.

Waffle sneaked up when no one was looking.  I am sure Silver got a look in too but I didn’t photo it.

So that is me, all happy because I have my daughters home for the summer.  At Thordale, life doesn’t get better than everyone together and we are looking forwards to much riding, laughing and appalling jokes.

Happy Summer days ahead.

So here we are, two weeks on.

As you can see, Tor (mother) has a happy little family of Camus (her own son) and Brisk (her adopted son).

They are getting along brilliantly and we are all very pleased, if not relieved.  It could have gone horribly wrong but the Gods smiled and it didn’t.

Floss has put in much time taming down the foals.

It is her holiday job.  As she said, when asked, “it is a chore, but someone has to do it.”

And I think we can all agree that Floss is doing very well with her trainees.

Always fully committed to any job, Floss has put in the hours of being loved (Brisk) and nibbled (Camus).

The Award for the Softest Belly fur goes, this summer, to Brisk (or Little B, as he is now known, said with an Australian accent).  It is like stroking velvet made by angels (but only if angels were in the velvet making business).

Camus and Brisk are good friends. Camus is the bossy one and Brisk is the gentle one.

Please don’t let me fall in love with Brisk.  I do not need another Minion.  Does anyone want or need a perfect companion for someone, who is a an absolute delight to have around?  Brisk is kind, calm and very gentle with never a nibble or harsh thought/word.  He just wants to be loved and kissed on his soft velvety gentle nosey and have a friend to look up to.

Brisk is not a show pony nor stallion potential. He is perfect companion pony potential and worth his weight in gold.

I want the best home for him.  He deserves that.

Contact me if you are that home.

The peat is being dried out, having been cut.  Once dried, it will be brought home to be stored and then burned.

The peat bank is allocated to the croft and the peat is cut out of the peat bank using a tushkar (special tool).  Once stacked, It is then left for a few months to dry by the Spring wind.  There are various stacking methods and this is one way. – a precisely built wall.

Another method is small pyramids – this is how I was taught by my neighbour.

And there is this another – larger pyramids.  New to me but, apparently,  used all over Shetland.

The hills and pastures appear to have a slight scattering of “snow” on them.

It is everywhere and very beautiful.

On closer inspection, it is not snow but bog cotton/cotton grass (Eriophorum) or “lukki-minnie’s oo” – and this summer seems to be a particularly good year for this strange plant. Apparently, in very early times, children did not wear nappies during the day but at night they had a wad of bog-cotton heads to help keep them dry.  Poor things!

On another note, Lambie is doing very well, now he has come to terms with being sheared, shorn or whatever.  Although underneath, he is a different shape, he will always be my little lamb. Some days he is more aloof than others but deep down he still a Muzzah’s boy and I will always love him.

I have never met such a sensitive animal.  Only a mother could love him.