I took my friends sightseeing today down the South end of the island.

My idea of sightseeing is to drive along happily chatting and then suddenly swerve off the road so my friends can get out and take a photo (or recover on solid ground, visibly shaken!)

This is the view of Bressay, another island opposite Lerwick, looking across Fladdabister.

Having terrified everyone, we then drove down to Sumburgh to look at the scenery.  We went up to the Lighthouse and then had a wander around.

There weren’t very many nesting seabirds left but there were lots of twitchers and we played a good game of camera-envy.

(I may be drinking gin while I am typing this!)

Fair Isle was on view, which was lovely to see.

A good lunch and then on to the Jarslhof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement – “one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles”, so they say.

We trundled round it in the rain.  Pity they didn’t have roofs.

Onwards, everyone to one of my favourite museums – The Quendale Watermill – a beautifully restored 19th century overshot watermill.  It is stunning, interesting and in a beautiful setting.

On the way back, we had a Hitchcock moment.  All starlings.  All facing the same way.  All very creepy.

This is Spiggie beach.  A lovely sandy beach that I once galloped Haakon across.  It was brilliant and I will never forget that ride.  I wish I could repeat it.

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!)