It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good…… dur dum, dur dum, dur dum, dur dum, etc!

Today’s sunrise was very magical today.

Last night, Esja’s new rider came over to try on her new-to-her saddle.  I have been badgering Lauren to bring her dog, Jack, as he very similar to BeAnne.

(but now I see the photos, I think that BeAnne might be a tad on the portly side – we don’t use the F word in our house).

Jack was enchanting.  His activity and enthusiasm was lovely to watch.

The two lookey-likeys almost played.

Almost, because then BeAnne lost her temper when Jack’s intentions were less than honourable.  For the worst Bum Slut Terrier in history, BeAnne suddenly became a snotty maiden aunt.

There was a spat.  That’s terriers.

Lauren and Esja did brilliantly.

They will make a perfect team.

Esja is really enjoying her training.  She has a good head carriage and outline that she naturally offers her rider.  No one has asked her to hold herself like this.

Considering Esja is four years old, she is very mature in her way of going – she has balance, poise and a good rhythmic tölt.

I promise they did go round the other way, my camera had run out of batteries by then.

Look what arrived in the post for me! I am thrilled. I have NEVER won a trophy by myself that I get to keep (I hope I can keep it. Please can I keep it? Pretty please).

There was also a useful and most excellent hoodie which I will live in, a keyring and a car sticker.   The last two look good in my new horsevan.

So a huge thank you to Haynet for my trophy and gifts.  Happy, happy, happy.

The other night the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis or Merrie Dancers, put on an amazing show.  All these photos were taken from the back door.  It was a very cold crisp night.  My camera and I spent the evening watching this majestic mysterious light display.

I have always said that the Northern Lights should be accompanied by a soundtrack and that night I was in luck.

Lambie and Lambster were in their bedroom-garden burping and baa-ing gently to me.  Perhaps not the magnificence of Elgar’s Enigma Variations or Wagner’s Die Walkürenritt but still it was certainly atmospheric in a different way!

I am easily pleased and my duet was done with love (and some complaining that they couldn’t “help”).  My exotic life!

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Lambster Buttons Pack Of Small Button Covers by Boysenberries

Lambster Temporary Tattoo Temporary Tattoos by Boysenberries

Lambster Apron by Boysenberries

There are a few types of nose kisseys.

This is Tiddles demonstrating the “top of the nose” kiss.

He will lift his head to be kissed.

Silver and I are demonstrating the “full front nose” kissey.  Notice the preparation – you should keep your hands away.  They are not needed.

Silver approaches me for the kiss.  I would never go and ask him because that would be rude and an invasion of his space.  If he wants a kiss, he will come and ask politely.  My boys are brung up proper, they are.

Ok, so now we have Hjalti who is a bit of a novice at this but, even so, a nose kissey from Hjalti is the equivalent of a Blessing from El Papa.  Again, note, hands away.

Hjalti likes to touch noses first.

And then in for a full front nose kissey.

Now this is me and Lambie who refused to show anyone that he is the Maestro of Nose Kisseys so I lifted his nose and planted one on him.

But, after my initial smacker, he gives me a kiss back because I am his Mum and I love my Lambie.

Lambster, again, is a novice nose kisser but he is doing his very best to learn our ways.

Again, if I look casual and like I just happen to be in the area, he will come up to me and lift his nose to give and receive a kiss.  He expects one every day.

So that is what I mean by a nose kissey and almost everyone is very good at it except for a few exceptions – Haakon, Iacs, Kappi – I think they are old-school!

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Three Shetland pony stallions NOTEBOOK Memo Pad by Boysenberries

Three Shetland pony stallions in a field Poster by Boysenberries

Three Shetland pony stallions – Jumbo Tote Jumbo Tote Bag by Boysenberries

It was a lovely crisp quiet Winter’s day.  My back was hurting and I find going for a walk can help – gets it gently moving again rather than locking up.  I would rather exercise than reach for the painkillers.

Having been to collect Lambie and Lambster home from the hill on a few occasions, I don’t trust Lambie not to pack his spotted hankie and set off (ungrateful so and so that he is).

Lambie gets very narky if he is walked with a collar and lead so I fashioned a very effective harness (Patent pending) for him by putting Hetja’s headcollar on him backwards.

It worked a treat.

Flossie led Lambie using an extendable lead and we had a very civilised walk to Watsness and back with Lambster dutifully following, because he is a good boy.

How we struggled looking at this view!

The way home.

And this, I think, is Lambster’s small-bounce-of-happiness!  He is getting much tamer now and we spent time this morning talking and stroking him.  Such a darling boy.  He does long runs of lambie-bounces with all four legs on the way home  Boing, boing, boing.

What a wonderful walk it was.  BeAnne is somewhere – don’t worry she didn’t disown us. (Loki did not go with us because he had gone on a long walk with OH).

That Lambie harness was very effective.  The way forward for Lambie, I think.

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Shetland pony belt buckle by Boysenberries

Shetland pony football soccer ball by Boysenberries

Shetland pony table card holder by Boysenberries

Today, I have been relaxing and pottering around the croft.

Lambert is officially a hill sheep now.  He almost came back to the house this afternoon and, when I went out to bring him home, he said no thank you and walked off with his friends.

Lambie is on top form.  He is over his sulk and enjoys eating (and wearing) the Rosa Rugosa (Shetland Wild Rose).

Lambie’s horns grow inward and a crofter friend told me that they will grow into his head unless I trim them.  I did not know this and I was nervous but I managed to cut the ends off with the dogs’ nail clippers.  Lambie was very good and stood still.

Lambster is Lambie’s devoted follower (as Daisy says, he is doomed then!) –  a darling boy who has come out of his shell, relaxed and well behaved, with lovely manners.  Such a pleasure to have around.

Though not hugely tame with folk he doesn’t know, he will talk to me.  He likes BeAnne very much.  I think he must’ve grown because he is much bigger than her now.

I left the horses to do their own thing as they were far away and not watching out for me.

Iacs and Haakon especially need a day off after yesterday.   Being nice is always tiring.  They must be exhausted!

Les Grandes Dames are allowed to wander around the place.  Vitamin wants to be with the others so she can boss the little ones around.  I might let them through sometimes.

Delia is very stiff but has started supplements for that.  She potters about.  I think she looks good and she always demands and enjoys her food.

I don’t think this is a bottom that is too thin.  Just right.

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Tiddles Car Air Freshener by Boysenberries

Tiddles Napkin Standard Cocktail Napkin by Boysenberries

Tiddles Envelope by Boysenberries