Yesterday, when I crept into their field, I found Hjalti nodding off.  He likes to sleep a lot.

I put this down to growing.  By my calculations, then, he should be 18hh at least by next week.

Also, being perpetually annoyed by The Minions who never stop, he is pretty much permanently exhausted.

zzzzzzz…….

ZZZZZ…..

Hjalti is also his father’s son so he has to wake up when he sees someone because that is what his Dad does, even if his eyelids are telling him something different. When I took these photos, I tried not to disturb him – I wanted him to sleep and make the most of the rare winter sun.

This is the point of no return…. Zzzz….. and he lay flat and went to sleep with his Mum standing over him.

Hjalti is a credit to both his parents.  He has his mother to keep him on the right side of the  tracks and she does, big time.  He doesn’t move without her permission and even then, good manners are required because that is the kind of mare Hetja is.  I have never known Hetja to behave badly ever so her son is certainly not goint to.  She is one of those dignified mothers who exudes class, without ever being asked.  Everyone defers to Hetja – even the Minions (yes, I know that is hard to believe but they do behave when they are with her).

Gorgeous Himself, aka Taktur has manners that only the Royal Family could dream of.  He is a gentleman and Hjalti is most definitely his son.

I love my foal and I love his parents.

Well, here is a sight I never thought I would see (yes, it is another one!)

My back is still agony with no respite and I also seem to have acquired pain-related Tourettes, ie I scream a bad word when I take a bad step.  So I am not riding but Daisy and Flossie went out for a blast on my behalf.

Daisy said Haakon was very bouncy and fast – so the Turmeric Golden Paste is obviously working fine, then.

She also mentioned that he is barrel-like – I don’t see it myself.  Daisy is obviously deranged and needs her eyes testing.

So while they were out, I hobbled into the field to take see how the girls and Minions were.  Everyone was very peaceful.

Delia looks very well.  She has kept the weight on this year (so far) but she is stiff (on turmeric golden paste too) and takes a while to loosen up.  She was in the stable last night which, though warm, restricts her movement so it is a bit swings and roundabouts managing her.

The Minions were basking in the sun and snoring gently to themselves.  I left them well alone or, if woken will start to follow and annoy.

I didn’t want to disturb this peaceful bunch, so having crept around with my camera, I left them enjoy the rare sun on their backs.  The weather returns tomorrow with a vengeance.

And then Daisy and Haakon came trundling down the track…

Flossie and Iacs came bimbling along (Iacs’ classic gait) too.

And then Floss’ 20p ran out and Iacs stopped never to go again.  Thems are The Ways.

The Cure for my bad back is to walk.  I am sure walking helps.  Painkillers stop me minding the pain but walking is definitely the way forward for as long as I my legs work.

Lambie (and Lamb-ster – now officially known as Ster according to Daisy and Flossie) are determined to escape and live in the hill.  Lambie squeezes himself through the tiniest gap he can find taking Ster with him and off they bugger.

Having retrieved them once from the hill, I took them, with Floss, on my two mile walk.  We went slowly but it was exercise for me, none the less.  I am hurting hugely but doing my best.

Lambie was furious with me for bringing him home from playing his hill-friends and would only talk to Flossie.  He knows how to hurt me.

When we got home from our walk, Waffle had managed to get himself stuck in the shed.  He didn’t mind very much and was happily taking in the view.

I sat down with some carrots and fed everyone – sheep and pony.  Waffle decided that he wanted to get to know Lambie.

Lambie is not scared of anyone and happily nosed-to-nose an introduction.

Despite his wicked ways, Lambie is a darling little complaining boy.

Tiddles was on good form today.  His nosey was brought into every occasion and obviously there were kisses given.

Poor little Storm was feeling very sorry for himself.  This is his pathetic feed-me-all-your-carrots face.

And this is his ooh-is-that-a-carrot face?!

All the Minions are doing very well this winter.  I love it when they come out of the field to play and to chat.  Silver was in the background stuffing his face.  If he wanted to talk, he would’ve turned up.

Today my back finally gave up. Bugger.

But I am blessed.

OH cooked breakfast, while Daisy and Floss fed the horses/ponies, put rugs on those that need it and made sure everyone went into their correct fields.

Breakfast was fresh homemade (yes, you heard me, homemade) bagels with bacon and fried home-laid eggs.  Delicious.

Then I had a lie down while OH prepared lunch.  Once everyone was gathered, I crawled downstairs and we opened presents.

Lunch was delicious.  I ate it and then it was all whisked away and washed up.

While OH walked Loki, I tried to help Daisy muck out the shed and the stable from last night’s inmates.  It was then, on the final stretch, that my back closed down completely.

Now I have taken to my bed while I try to decide what to do next.  Valium for the muscle spasms?  Severe analgesia for the pain?  Acupressure for the pain?  A hammer for the pain?

I dunno.  But I feel blessed because my family are around me and they are helpful, kind and wonderful.

As for photos, I managed some food porn.

OH even put Lambie in his boudoir – apparently he was unhelpful (Lambie, not OH) and escaped 5 times!  He was in a wicked bouncy mood.

Happy Christmas everyone.

And please tell my back to behave.  I am in agony.

A Thordale Christmas is full of tradition. However, a lot of preparation goes into maintaining these traditions.

The first tradition is the construction of our “real and authentic” pine tree with our miscellaneous tree decorations gathered over the years and from various locations.

Lambie, of course, makes an appearance.  For some reason he has wings and why not.

Of course, Lambie doesn’t in real life – yet!   (to be arranged, maybe – Lambie would love wings – he would flutter, Mavis Cruet like, over our croft.  It would be beautiful – and yes, I may have had gin.)

We have various Tomte – or nisse or tomtenisse – who have always been living in our tree.  That is a 20 year old Thordale tradition and one everyone remembers.  Tomte are very important to us.

Then there is the Ye Olde Wolde Thordale Yule Log.

It is a work of art and a trial to create.  I leave OH and Daisy to do the thatching and they never cease to amaze me with their abilities.

This year I bought a flock of sheep to decorate the Log with.  As usual, they were smaller than I expected.  That’s Ebay for you!

But I like to think that the new additions to the Thordale Family have been included.  Even in a teeny-tiny way.  (OH said they looked like maggots)

So that is us, ready for Christmas and I may feel slightly sick from eating some of the Yule Log.

Happy Christmas everyone xx

🎄 🎀 🎁 🎂 🎁 🎀 🎄 🎀 🎁 🎂 🎁 🎀 🎄 🎀 🎁 🎂 🎁 🎀 🎄 🎀