Yesterday, this was Lambie, BeAnne and Loki on their daily dog walk.

And this is today!

Can you spot the difference?

The boys were sheared.  It had to happen and today was the day.  They are both suffering in the hot (for us) weather and spend most of the day living in the shade feeling utterly lethargic.

First up was Lambie.

Chris is a professional sheep-shearer and he was wonderful.  I explained Lambie’s general outlook on life (ie, he is very speshul), Chris did the best job and Lambie didn’t struggle or mind at all (after all my worrying too).

Lambie’s fleece was huge and very thick.  I think he is secretly a dalmatian.

Next up was ‘Ster.  He was unhelpful to catch, but settled down quickly.

I like the fact that no one was tied up, struggling or panicking.  I was proud of my sheepie-boys.  They were well behaved…..

…. and just put up with a necessary chore.

Afterwards, we watched Lambie and ‘Ster get their heads around having no wool.

They seemed more active and happy in themselves – as if a big load had been lifted.

‘Ster then ran off into the hill (hopefully, he will come home) to fight Bert but Lambie stayed with me.

I must admit that Lambie’s new appearance is very drastic and rather shocking to me but I am getting my head around it.  He has still got the same sweet smile and character.

So, today is a whole new day for us all.  On a plus side, it is lovely to see Lambie au naturel, ie his actual shape. I can see that he is “well covered” and much happier.

At least Lambie’s sisters love him, even if ‘Ster has gone, for the time being.

So, who wants their fleeces?

Now I know I spent most, if not all, of winter complaining bitterly about the rain and just how wet and muddy everything was and how fed up we were of walking through knee-deep gutter (Shetland dialect for mud), etc…..

Well, it hasn’t rained since the night Efstur was born on 21st May – so that would be ten days ago.

Since then the sun has not stopped shining which, on one hand, is lovely and everything is drying up but, on the other hand, the ground has dried up and the water springs/hill streams have dried up too.

I like all my animals to have an unlimited supply to water.  Apart from gin, water is my preferred drink.

These boys are living at Clothie – my separate 5 acre croft.  It has its own water supply – a little well that is situate behind the derelict house.

There is a trench dug through the croft too letting the well run all the way through the field joining a bigger stream further along in the hill.

Sadly, it is not the best well (a high iron content) and the horses tolerate it when there is lots of water passing through but as it dries up, the iron becomes more concentrated and the horses don’t drink much.

I have started to take two buckets of water over with me, when I take Taktur his Handsome Prince food,

The buckets are empty the next morning.  This may because they were drunk or because Taktur likes wearing them on his head!  My jury is out.

So today, I lugged 6 half 25 litre containers of water over to fill the trough.

It is back breaking but essential.

Until it rains, I will continue to do this. My mouth goes dry at the thought of anyone being thirsty until I have sorted it out.

I feel like crap.
My sleep is crap.
And I am not feeling the love for anything today.

So, to divert myself and my lack of lustre, I created this comic strip from yesterday’s photos.

Then, having helped a friend try to get a pony back into its’ field (having found it had already jumped over), I went out and about with my camera.

This is Foula – with the haar coming in from the sea – a haar is a cold sea fog.  It hangs off the coast of Shetland threatening to come in and create havoc with all air traffic.

Lupins – Lupinus nootkatensis – these grow everywhere in Iceland.  We have been given some for our garden.  I hope they take over.

As ever, I am drawn to Shetland ponies.  With interested ears tipped forwards, they always capture my heart.  This mare was no exception.

This is a rare (according to Wikipedia) four-horned Shetland ram.  No, not a Jacob ram, but a pure-bred Shetland ram.  I cannot imagine Lambie with four horns.  He struggles enough with his two little nubbins and even then needs therapy if one falls off.

The loch nearest the sea was steaming – these past few days, we have had some lovely hot weather.  The enveloping haar creates a sudden drop in temperature and thus this mist appears.

I walked the dogs on the beach and marvelled at the clear glass-like sea water.

Today, as it was hot, BeAnne had her final summer coat strip.

She looks so much better for it and enjoyed feeling cool.  Much thinner too.

Remember Orville from The Rescuers!?  Ha ha!

The tirricks are back (Arctic Terns).  I totally failed to take any good photos.

I told you today was not my day.  I need a decent night’s sleep.

Every day, we (that would be me and 2 sheeps plus 1 dog) visit Thordale Maternity Unit wherever it is situate – they have two large fields.

The horses like to stand on top of the hill and look down on us mere mortals.

Efstur makes a beautiful subject.  His name means “Top”, “No 1” so it seems apt.

Efstur is very inquisitive and is completely intrigued by ‘Ster, who is much braver than Lambie.

This photo I took when I shouted “Boys” and they both looked up and at me!

As long as Efstur does not overstep the mark (wherever that is), ‘Ster will always be pleased to have a game.

I guess he will find that one out for himself.

Efstur is gorgeous.  Today, he is eight days old – should I make a cake, throw him a party?

What is the social etiquette for such an occasion?  Black tie, white tie, napkins on the left, fish knives, is he considered royalty?  At times, I just feel so ignorant.

Whatever – that little boy can move and he is beautiful to watch.

A natural five gaited Icelandic horse foal who is an utter delight.

It is odd, but Thordale ponies know other Thordale ponies.

The minute I put Storm, Tiddles and Hjalti into the field with 20+ other Bergli Stud ponies, they immediately made friends with Lyra, Vitamin’s daughter, having never met her before.

Last week, due to various crappery, I decided to move Storm, Tiddles and Hjalti into a different field.

As the boys spent most of their days gazing at those they had left behind, I moved Lyra and Delia in with them.  So five Thordale ponies together.

That was the right decision.  Everyone was suddenly very happy and very settled.  As if it was meant to be.

Delia was pleased to see her two Minions plus Hjalti – she had spent the winter with them and, I hadn’t realised before, but she had formed a relationship with them too.

Hjalti’s weaning has been very easy.  He considers these friends a good substitute for his mother, Hetja, and is very settled .  Just what I wanted.

I think we can now say that he is officially weaned, doing well and growing upwards every day.

I realise this is a very anthropomorphic take on life, but I am pleased to see Delia looking so healthy and cheerful.  She is looking good for an old lady.  I love the cheeky glint in her eye and everyday I feed her a huge red apple – the rest get a carrot.

They are a content bunch.   Lyra has decided she is boss …..

And everyone else isn’t!

I look forward to visiting them – they are always very happy to see their carrots and Delia loves her apple.  I just check their nose-kissey buttons are fully functional.