Flossie is returning to university this weekend.  She is leaving us today on the evening flight out.

She wanted a last ride on Haakon so I sent her out into the field (it was dark, wet and miserable) to get him.

As the gate is knee-deep mud, the routine is to throw the rope over the horse’s head, shove him hopefully through, climb over the fence, and catch him on the other, slightly drier, side.

In theory this works. In practice the horse usually stands in the middle and refuses to budge until you wade in to grab him.

Today, Haakon was surprisingly helpful.

There must be a full moon or something.

Flossie tacked Haakon up and got on.

The Olympic Selection Committee were busy.

They sent in substitutes to make decisions on their behalf.

(as well as the usual sulky back-up!)

Flossie did very well on Haakon.

After his out-of-character helpfulness, Haakon resorted to his old and well-used dirty tricks but Floss was determined and effective in her riding.

I am very proud of her progress. She has done brilliantly.

I shall miss having my Floss around.  I have spent a wonderful last two months with her but Oxford calls and she is going back to exams in Chinese, poor love.  Suddenly riding Haakon will seem easy by comparison.

We were very kindly gifted two swedes (rutabaga, yellow turnip, Swedish turnip, neep, call them what you will.).

(or Brassica napobrassica, or Brassica napus var. napobrassica, or Brassica napus subsp. rapifera depending on your preference).

I decided not to cut the swedes up but to put them out into the horse and ponies’ field whole so they could have some fun trying to eat them.

Kappi squished his nose flat against it.

Tiddles was utterly bemused.  He just stood and stared with his nose touching this mysterious vegetable.

Iacs tried to eat it whole.

Despite everyone crowding round and wanting a turn, most managed to share nicely. and without a fight.

Haakon would only share with Iacs.

Afterwards, Haakon wandered round looking like a dinosaur for a while but soon got bored and went off to eat grass.

Apart from Haakon letting the side down, there were no arguments and lots of standing back to let another have a turn.  I like that – the big boys are very tolerant of the little noses pressing in trying to get food.

Tiddles remained hypnotised.

He did manage to roll it over, but that was about the extent of the investigation.

Iacs tried grabbing it and running off like a rugby player!  We just laughed at his efforts.

The swedes were a huge success.  Everyone was very happy to eat and play with them.

Who’s the leader of the club
That’s made for you and me
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Hey! there, Hi! there, Ho! there
You’re as welcome as can be
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Mickey Mouse!
Mickey Mouse!

Forever let us hold our banner
High! High! High! High!

Come along and sing a song
And join the jamboree!
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Mickey Mouse club
We’ll have fun
We’ll be new faces
High! High! High! High!

We’ll do things and
We’ll go places
All around the world
We’ll go marching

Who’s the leader of the club
That’s made for you and me
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Hey! there, Hi! there, Ho! there
You’re as welcome as can be
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Mickey Mouse!
Mickey Mouse!

Forever let us hold our banner
High! High! High! High!

Come along and sing a song
And join the jamboree!
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

So, how is Hjalti, (pronounced He-yalti), I hear you ask?

He is doing well and is now ginormous (that is an official equine term, by the way).

I am not small (5′ 8 1/2″ tall), and Hetja (pronounced Het-ya) is a fair size too (about 14hh), so you can see just how large Hjalti is.

I gave Hetja a good brush of her mane and tail.  She deserved it and I keep meaning to do it every time I visit her but obviously forget to bring the kit with me. Henceforth, I am going to keep the Beauty Box in the car so I can spring out at any given time to brush my horses or ponies!

While I was brushing, Hjalti was intrigued.  He refused to talk to me but examined his Mum’s discarded mane with great interest.

Flossie was then investigated. She has got used to this – it is her role in life at the moment.  She agreed with me that Hjalti’s little nose is made of the softest material ever.  It probably has magical properties too.

Reluctantly we left them, having achieved our aim – to bring beauty to the herd.

When we got home, Lambie and Lambert took up residence in the car.  It is not quite the same now.

(This is for Daisy – she didn’t believe me!)

Lots done today.

Floss and I went for a ride.  This time it was different – Floss rode Haakon while I rode Klaengur.

Floss wanted to experience speed.

And so she did.  Haakon looked after Floss very well but he has his own opinions. This was a good thing because she actually had to have some input.  She described him as “not easy, but it was fun.  You get somewhere”.

(This is Haakon’s dinosaur face as Klaengur is in front and he hates that).

But we went for a spin down the road and back again – it was educational for everyone.

After lunch, we went out for our daily “dog” walk.  I decided we should take a couple of Minions with us.  Floss led Silver.

And I led Tiddles.  Storm was with Taktur being a Big Boy that has to eat, while Waffle was in everyone’s bad books for chasing Lambie.  He was in a bad mood as he wanted to join Storm to stuff his face but I wouldn’t let him because he is so very fat.  So Waffle took it out on Lambie, got his arse kicked for his troubles and returned swiftly to his field.

Off we went.  Loki was over the horizon trying to disown us and the intrepid Lambie was therefore leading. Lambert was the tail end Charlie and, in the end, Lambie stopped to eat a thistle and stayed with him.

Silver and Floss went on ahead.

And Tiddles went very very slowly, grinding to a halt at the slightest opportunity!

But it was a good thing to show the boys The World.  They met a car, an oil tanker lorry and generally behaved as best they could (we may have to work on their leading skills in the future – a winter project, methinks).