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.

Two films from yesterday.

The first is me calling Lambie – only have the volume up if you want to hear me screeching!

Next, is BeAnne trying to play with Efstur (no sound) before his Mum muscles in to try and stop them.  I think Efstur and BeAnne are going to be good friends in the future.

I spent the morning with Bjørn, helping him with his ponies.   Yes, these are cows.  I like cows.

BeAnne put up a rabbit so everyone gave chase.  No, they didn’t catch it despite their best efforts.

Amina, Bjørn’s German Shepherd dog, played in a sludgy green hill pond.

BeAnne and Loki joined her.  Unusual for Loki who hates water.  It has taken a while, but Loki is now learning how to be a real dog.

BeAnne is just disgusting.  And, yes, she rolled and then was doubly disgusting.

On our way back to the van, we saw a pair of curlew eggs – they were lying in their vague nest. Sorry, but that is not a nest – it is a hopeful dip.

No day spent with Bjørn is a day without visiting his Shetland ponies – Bergli Stud

Much galloping, playing and lots and lots of silly billies.

Always a joy, never a chore.  A lovely day.

Here, at Thordale Stud, I start them early.

In my mind, it is imperative that everyone knows just what a nose-kissey is all about.  What it entails, what is required on both sides and what it stands for.

Of course, from Day 2 (Day 1 being a day off as Efstur had only just been born), I started Basic Training.

I am lucky.  Efstur is very inquisitive and his mother, Brá, doesn’t mind.  If I sit down, look at the ground (ie non-threatening) Efstur comes a-visiting.

And so his training begins. He likes being kissed very much.

Efstur thinks I am the one that make “mwah, mwah” noises – that, and squeaking about how wonderful he is.

Investigation is good and encouraged as long as everyone is nice and plays by the rules. For BeAnne this means no biting, no reacting and no having an opinion.  Efstur is eager to make friends and a terrier nip is not the way forward.  BeAnne knows this and tolerates far more than usual.

Here are a few photos of the many attitudes of Efstur.

“Strike the Pose”.

This time last week, eh?

Delia came home the other day – she had been spending time with another herd since Vitamin went off to her Fat Camp.

Having spent the winter with Brá and Hetja, I put her out with them thinking she would be fine as she is an old mare.

But no, this was not to be.  Hetja decided that Delia could not be in her herd and that she should be kept away from Brá and Efstur at all costs every minute.  She was horrid to Delia

This was not the summer I wanted for my old lady.  She was totally isolated.

So today I took Delia to Sandness to spend her summer with Lyra and the minis.

Lyra was very pleased to see her old friend.

There was no kicking or squealing or great shows of dominance.  Just a nice gentle welcome.

Delia was amongst friends.

Delia looked about her…..

… and then set off to get to know her new herd.

Delia is a dear old girl and I hope she spends happy summer months with her new friends.  The grass is not long, so she is safe from laminitis, but there is enough to keep her at a good healthy weight.   They are all visited daily, anyway.

I feel much happier about this set up. I didn’t like seeing Delia being ostracised and set upon by Hetja.  I know nature is harsh, but Delia doesn’t need this type of behaviour.  She is an old lady who wants her friends around, peace and quiet with the occasional back scratch and her daily apple (she eats it whole and relishes all the juice running down her chin!)