Flossie is home for good from Beijing, China.  She did her year out there attending Peking University and came home yesterday morning, minus her suitcase (please find it British Airways).

We are all thrilled to see her.

Today, Flossie came with me to walk the dogs down the road – I have to stay on the flat as much as possible these days because of my back.

Afterwards, we went out to see the horses in their field.

Klaengur has always adored Flossie.

There is non-verbal communication just between themselves.

An inner calm when they are together.  Suddenly, the rest of the world does not exist.

Anywho, I am thrilled to have my baby back – yes, she will always be my baby, even though she is 19 years old.

A year is a very long time away for us all.

Now, I wonder if I can get her on a horse…….!

Hetja is still not letting Aria’s foal, Jubilation, near Hjalti.

Not now, not never.  He and his mum are chased off all the time, which is very sad for both the foals. We have tried for a while now, and nothing changes.

The four Icelandics (Fákur and Tór (geldings) plus Hreyfing and Sparta (mares)) were over the road having previously disgraced themselves by escaping into the hill the evening before.

Hetja was very pleased to see her old herd/friends.

As was Hjalti, who was intrigued.

He was desperate to make friends, and this time Hetja was not trying to stop him.

So a decision was made.  Aria and Jubilation, who obviously would never be allowed to mix, were moved to another field, while the Icelandic renegades were moved in with Hetja and Hjalti.

And, instantly, a tentative peace reigns.  Ok, Hetja did some warning and raging, but not half as much as she did with Aria.

We will see how they get on. Little bebbies love Nuncle Fákur.  They are drawn to him and I don’t think it will be long before Hetja lets him babysit!

Btw, thank you for your healing vibes.  Lambert is doing very well – eating and drinking, though still a bit sore and wary of folk.  I am very happy.

1.  Car wouldn’t start this morning.

2. I went to my weekly flute lesson without my flute or music (a plus side, though, I got to play my teacher’s Rudall Carte which was very very nice).

3.  I forgot my debit card and so was very unpopular paying for petrol by cheque (I always thought cheques were legal tender).

4.  And last, but by no means least, I spent the day worrying about Lambert who went to the vet for a laparotomy and exploration for his non-descended testicle.

Sheep are not the best animals to anaesthetise but this procedure had to be done.  It was a two-vet job and after a good bit of searching, they found the errant testicle attached to a kidney.  It was fully formed so would’ve been fully working, ie producing testosterone.

Lambert is home now with his very own Nurse Lambie in attendance.  I sat in the back of the car with his head on my neck, holding him up while we went round the corners.

The next stage is to get him eating and drinking.  He is still pretty heavily sedated but standing and walking slowly.  I have been told to keep him quiet for the next few days and he can live in his little garden behind the house.

You may think I was stupid to a) put Lambert through this and b) pay for it but he is one of the family and, more importantly, he is Lambie’s best friend so there was no question really in my mind.

So please can I have huge healing vibes, a good appetite and willingness to eat wending their way to Lambert.  I shall go out later and offer him a bottle when he is a bit more awake.

He is an important little dude in our lives at Thordale (even if my OH does not see it!)

I went to Scalloway this morning to help out a friend.

While I was there, I was given the opportunity to photograph some miniature Shetland pony stallions from the famous Berry Stud.

I helped move them into this new field that had lots of long grass for them.

At one stage, all you could see was the tips of their ear as they tried to bounce through it.

Being stallions (3 brothers and a new one), there was a huge amount of squealing and investigation too.

I managed to take some lovely photos and I hope you like them too.

My socks, boots and jeans are now in front of the Rayburn getting dry but it was definitely worth it for these photos.

My little boy is growing up fast.

I haven’t seen Hjalti for a while (the one car situation) but he remains utterly gorgeous.

His Mummy, Hetja, still won’t let him talk to the other mare and her colt foal – not yet, though apparently they came close this morning.  You can’t force these things and who can blame Hetja for wanting to keep Hjalti around her at all times.

Anyway, he doesn’t want to stray too far from the bar!

Hjalti is an inquisitive chap, mostly about people and their terrier and I was given a perfunctory snuffle, while BeAnne quickly retreated to safety…..

….. before he went back to the serious task of eating (I may be in love with his very hairy little chin now).

But then again, he has to-die-for eyes.

And a lovely smile!

I think we could say that Hetja is doing very well and has not lost even a smidgeon of her pregnancy weight.

She looks more pregnant now than before she gave birth!

It was a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon sitting in the field watching Hetja and Hjalti together.