This is  Julian and I am sorry to say there is no Sandy! (for those of us of a certain age – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_and_Sandy)

Julian is a darling standard black colt born last week to Bergli Stud.  He loves his mother, Moana of Urgarth, but he loves everyone else as well.  His Sire is Jubilant av Bergli, perhaps one of the nicest stallions I have ever met.

From the minute Julian’s hooves felt the ground,  he was determined to talk to everyone.

He trots up and wants to make friends.

I think his mother has given up trying to keep him close to her.

Julian has the making of a great children’s family pony.  He is happy, calm, loving and very, very special.

Everybody ❤ Julian.

I wonder if anyone would notice if Julian came home with me!  I could just pop him in a pocket and say nothing.

💝  💘 ❤️ 💕 💗 💖 ❣ ️💝  💘 ❤️ 💕 💗 💖 ❣ 💝  💘 ❤️ 💕 💗 💖

I gave myself an easy day today.  My back is annoyingly refusing to play ball so I just pottered about doing stuff.

It is lambing this time of year so I don’t let the dogs onto the scattald.

Instead, I decided we would walk the boundary of Thordale – all 40 acres.

We had a few stop-offs for refreshment.

I don’t mind, as I can admire the view, appreciate the new primroses and generally try to decide whether the grass is growing or if it is my imagination.

In the old tattie rig, I found daffodils that had survived the most recent gales.  I was just about to take a better photo…..

…. when there was an invasion.  They know. I am sure they know.

We crossed into the horses’ park where everyone had arrived to come and say hello.

Brá is looking and feeling very pregnant.  Her foal may be due on between May 2, 2016 and May 17, 2016.

Not panicking, not panicking, not panicking – ok, panicking.

She trusts me enough now to let me feel for an udder – there is none so far.

After the walk, I found a sunny windless spot and sat down with ‘Ster and Lambie.  Lambie was unusually unsettled – fretting, wandering around and obviously looking for someone.

After ten minutes of this, I got up and went to find BeAnne who had managed to shut herself in the house.   She immediately followed me outside and Lambie instantly settled.

Most odd.

Yesterday was Lambie’s official birthday.

He came into the world on a Sunday night covered in green scour from his mother, along with his twin sister, who died the next day.

After that, Lambie came to live with me.  Firstly in the oven to warm up and then to mostly sit by the Rayburn or on my shoulder, being massaged.  He had constant trips to the vet for a nasty case of joint-ill and eye problems.  Many shook their heads and told me he was just a sheep but to me he was, and always will be, my precious Lambie – one of the family.

BeAnne did her best too, though I think she mostly loved the Rayburn more than the little squirt who seemed to have priority over her.

They did share (grudgingly on BeAnne’s part).

In the evenings Lambie would sit on my shoulder while I lay on the sofa (I can’t sit) and I would pick out the scour from his head using coconut oil.

When folk comment on Lambie’s beautiful fleece, I always attribute it to the coconut oil massages!

Even as Lambie got older, he still loved to lie on me and go to sleep.

Eventually there came the time when Lambie was too big for the house.  My OH was having a major sense of humour failure about Lambie’s “little ways” – he likes to chew on cables, especially Apple computer ones!

So Lambie had to move out.

Lambie now lives with his bestest friend (hopefully forever), ‘Ster.  They get on well and play endlessly.

Lambie will always be my precious woolly lamb.  He follows me everywhere and his dream day is if I am working outside so he and ‘Ster can “help”.

We still go to sleep together on occasions but nowadays it is the other way around – Lambie is my pillow.

So, happy birthday to my darling little boy.  There were times I honestly didn’t think we would see this day.

(and yes, he did get a present – his favourite food ever – a bag of Spillers Meadow Herb Horse Treats.)

Ooof, this little Chunky Monkey was born yesterday to Bergli Stud.  What a beautiful little chap and look who solid he is.

Apparently he goes around with his tongue out which makes him extra special gorgeousness.  My girls and I love it when anyone (animal) does this!

This miniature foal is just beginning to unravel and stretch out.  He has to find out which bit goes where and why.

Hopefully, he will get the plot soon!

I adore this little foal mostly because he is so solid and has the cutest face ever.

A leg at each corner, we would say.

He is another that may well vanish in the middle of the night (and may well be found with me – I am saying nothing!)

I am very jealous of Bergli Stud.  They have such wonderful foals and I just want to hug them all.

The silage bale is where everyone congregates when they feel peckish (as if the spring grass is not enough).

The thing that strikes me the most, the other afternoon, is just how alike Hetja and Hjalti are.

Yes, they are mother and son but they have the same expression and thoughts.  Two perfect peas in a perfect pod.

Soon, yes, soon, I will wean Hjalti from Hetja.  I have made the decision to put Hetja into the Fat Park with Silver, Waffle, Klaengur and Iacs – all who need to lose weight rather than get laminitis. Vitamin will go to a field where she can boss little girls around (she will love that) and Bra will remain with Delia at Thordale while she has her foal.  In the big park (at Thordale) we will have Taktur, Kappi, Hjalti, Storm and Tiddles.

This is my new plan.  I give it five minutes before I change my mind again.  You know me – nothing is written in stone.  This time of year it is a matter of juggling.