As it was a beautiful sunny afternoon yesterday, we went to see Little Himself and Hetja.

I apologise in advance, as a token gesture, for the huge photo overload of our new lad but this is the first real opportunity I have had to see him properly with a halfway decent camera.

If you are not an Icelandic horse colt foal fan, perhaps skip this blog today (and possibly many others in the future).

Look, look, look at his tufty squirrel hair-do between the huge ears! I am loving the eyelashes too.

And he stands very squarely, with solid front legs and real presence.

All the time, he is looking and thinking…..

At one stage, Hetja jumped the burn (stream) to eat and Little Himself was nearer to us than she was so he used this opportunity to come and investigate us further.

Hetja, in an instant, jumped back over and rounded him up trying to get him to give up these subversive thoughts.

In the end, she went up to Daisy and generously accepted the proffered carrot (we came prepared this time).

Little Himself looked on with interest.

Once Hetja had decided that Daisy may, if she was nice, be allowed to talk, then First Contact was made.

Daisy is sensible and very good around mares.  She reads their body language and lets the mare make the moves.  She does not sit down but squats on her haunches ready to move quickly should she have to.

Look at Hetja’s eyes.  She watches everything and everyone (we had left the dogs in the car).

So that’s it.  We are all officially in love with the most darling little boy.

Now to find a suitable Icelandic name……..

(I like Huginn)

Anyone missing the Minions?

These past few weeks, they have mostly been left to their own devices, so we called them down and put them two at a time in the school to be brushed.

The first two “volunteers” were Tiddles and Storm.  Tiddles is still determinedly keeping his winter foal coat on.  It refuses to budge so we attacked him with BeAnne’s coat stripping comb and a brush that was bought to refluff sheepskin rugs!

Everyone was looking very good, fit, the right weight and happy.

It is a relief especially after this grotty winter, which took its toll on both Storm and Tiddles.

Anyway, the Minions enjoy their pampering session.  They are such sweeties and, as always, very easy to work with.

I am just waiting for a phone call from the vet à propos Tiddles’ castration. It needs to be done, the weather is nice and they are coming off!

Sorry Tiddles. It is for your own good.  Everyone else will thank me especially Storm who is fed up of being jumped on!

(Storm has a sunburned nosey so I put Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream on it – only the best for my special soldier.  He may still be a bit of a Mummy’s boy).

I was asked to go to see and photograph some of last year’s fillies from Bergli Stud.

They were enchanting, grubby, tatty, wild but beautiful.

Everyone was in a mad gallopy spring (I just can’t say it is summer yet) mood.

They happily hassled and barged each other.

At one stage one filly walked into a small pond in the field to stand up to her belly water.  We looked on in astonishment.

And then she jumped out and off they galloped again.

Anywho, I am feeling a bit grot today so I won’t rattle on but please enjoy the photos of these lovely little girls.

As usual, I fell in love and met a very special girl – Dimma.  She had the most hypnotic eyes and perfectly sculpted face.

Suddenly we looked at the time and it was way past what either of us had thought and so we had to leave.

The Sheepie boys (Lambert and Lambie) are doing very well.  They remain the best of friends and the same size.

Lambert’s wool is very tight curls while Lambie looks rather unravelled.  I don’t know why.  They are also both growing horns.  We are trying to wean them which is not easy.  The lunchtime feed has been dropped and the boys complain very loudly about this.

The lads have been moved into a small garden shed attached to the house so they can come and go as they please.  There is an old vegetable garden attached which they have the run of.  We let them out to go anywhere they like during the day.  Mostly they try to come into the house or Lambert takes Lambie on adventures!

Lambert is an excellent friend for Lambie.  He has taught him to eat grass and they are still very tame and loving.

I love my boys.  Lambert uses the Land Rover to scratch his back and is the comedian.  He plays with BeAnne and she is very happy chasing him around while he butts her in return.  Hours of entertainment, though there is always an eye kept on BeAnne.

Lambie is a bit of a wet and a weed and still wants his cuddles from his Mum.  He would really like to be carried about everywhere.

They are both a wonderful addition to my little crofting life and even though they do not behave as real sheep, they are very loved (if you sit down outside and read a book, they always sit beside you).

Tomorrow, I will tell you about these lovely ladies.  Scruffy, wonderful and beautiful.  I have not give up on Shetland ponies – there is always a place in my heart.

(I just thought you would like an update on Lambie and Lambert!)

We visited Hetja and ?♂ today.

Hetja would have nothing to do with us last time but today she came storming up to us demanding payment if we wanted to talk to her beautiful perfect son.

We had stupidly come empty handed so, after a cursory sniff of us, she stormed off again taking her boy with her.

Note:  Next time bring carrots.

I went and stood in the field by myself and Hetja soon returned.  She approached me slowly and cautiously, pretending to eat but never actually taking her eyes off me.  I, in return, kept my shoulders sloped and looked at the ground, hopefully showing her I was no threat to either of them.

I was rewarded for my patience and she brought him back although we did not talk.  The little colt is very inquisitive and I think it won’t be soon before we make friends.

I have always thought Hetja would make the best mother.  She adores her son and he knows this and takes a few liberties like walking underneath her and rubbing his back on her belly!

We didn’t want to outstay our welcome, so I put out a bucket with a Himalayan salt lick (only the best) and left Mother and Son to it.

Exciting times ahead……