It’s my birthday today so I can do whatever I want.

So this morning, I chose to go out for a ride on Klaengur.

Daisy rode Kappi and we had a fast, enthusiastic time tölting to Dale and back.  Way to go!  The perfect birthday start.

Then off to Sandness to see how Hetja and Hjalti are getting on with their new roomies.

Things seem much, much better.

Hetja is relaxed around the other Icelandics.

She came over to me for a chat, which was lovely.

Hetja is a wonderful girl, a natural mother and someone who takes her responsibilities very seriously.

I love this photo – it is a real “Oh Mum” moment.

Little Himself, Hjalti, is still gorgeous.

He seems to have grown some legs.  Real legs that go on forever.

Hjalti is very curious now and it is permitted by Hetja, which is lovely.  Such a relief for us all as it will make our winter plans much easier.  He won’t be weaned until next year as he was a late foal.

A perfect birthday is spending time with my family –  furry, woolly or otherwise.

Flossie is making me a cake (I might’ve mentioned chocolate) while OH is cooking supper.  Daisy drew a card for me.  Wonderful.  For those who know me, that is an iPad I have under my arm and I am wearing my most favourite Finnish boots.

I also have a bottle of gin and all is very good.

Happy Birthday to me!

The verb – To be Minioned.

Here is the definition, in case you have been wondering:  To be sitting in a field when little Minions come racing up to be loved and hugged.

By being loved and hugged, I mean this….

This is essential Minion therapy for everyone and this is typical Minion behaviour.

Storm decided he would practice his rollkur – such an important practice (read horrible – I abhor it in real life).

Because, at the end of the day, Storm could achieved this.

This is our idea of heaven.  It don’t get any better for any of us.

Off to Sandness to see my field of Shetland ladies.

We gave them all a good brush and going over, though feet will be trimmed later.

There is nothing better than going into a field of Shetland ponies who are pleased to see you, easy to catch, handle and work with.  It makes life so much better and I totally fail to see why anyone burdens themselves with impossible uncatchable ponies who have no manners.

Vitamin, Lyra’s mother, is beginning to show her age.  She is still beautiful and has a wonderful expressive head that the camera loves.

I think it is her eyes.  They just say everything.  Her son, Indy, has her eyes.  I often wonder how he is getting on in his new home.

Vitamin’s much-wanted and much-loved daughter, Lyra, is very precious to both her and us.

She is three years old now and still the apple of her mother’s eye.

And Daisy’s.

Lyra often doesn’t see Daisy for months but she never forgets her.

Also in the field is Raw Deal or Delia as she is affectionately known.  Delia is ancient and did very badly last winter.

Ok, she is a fat pig now but that won’t last and with heavy heart I am going to make the executive decision to have her put to sleep this autumn.  It has to be done.  There is no other way.  Unlimited food and unlimited shelter does not keep the weight on and the Shetland winters are very harsh.

Today, while she looks fabulous, i could easily be talked out of this plan.

Saturday is always the Show Day and Sunday is “Vintage Day” – this is a show of Vintage Cars, Motorbykes, Tractors and Land Rovers.

So I wandered around with my little camera enjoying looking at an amazing array of machines and meeting their owners.  I had no idea these vehicles existed up here in Shetland, where everything rusts (due to the high salt content in the air) the minute it can if it stands more than ten minutes outside.

But these automobiles do live up here, obviously loved, cosseted and kept under wraps in cotton wool away from the harsh environment.

This is obviously a labour of love, necessity and commitment.

Anywho, I hope you enjoy the photos.  I pottered about while they arrived and were parked in various rows around the Walls show ground.

And then, of course, it started to think about raining.  Luckily for everyone and their cars, it held off.

The rest of the photos are in sepia because I thought that was more evocative of the date of the cars (and I wanted to have a play with my camera!)

There was also a Fun Run arranged from 12 noon.  Sadly, I considered myself a bit too “vintage” for this!

Anyway, it makes a change from ponies, if you were getting bored of them!

Today is Show Day!  I know this because it rained.

Three lovely girls have Andy, Charlie and Fivla on loan and they took them to the show. They entered a variety of classes with their ponies, both in-hand and ridden.

The ponies are old hands (or should that be hooves?) at this showing thing and take it all in their stride.  I think the judge was impressed with the girls’ superb turnout and wonderfully clean ponies.

Charlie

Fivla

Andy

There were the usual exhibits.

And the unusual ones as well.

The rain managed to keep away and it was a fun day for everyone.

Everyone always enjoys the Walls Show.  It is a highlight in our social calendar..