I went out this morning to see this!

Haakon, aged 21 this year playing with Taktur, aged 6 this year!

I think Haakon started it.

And I think Taktur was very happy to join in.

(At this point, Haakon was a bit embarrassed and also a bit stuck.  He managed to shuffle off somehow!)

And then they piled in again.

I love watching the boys play.  It makes me realise that they are a strong little herd who have a great deal of time for each other.

Seconds later, after playing roughly with Haakon, Taktur was eating with Storm and they are the best of friends. Taktur wouldn’t dream of playing roughly with Storm like this but still endures endless nibbling from the Minions.

Even the most pathetic are with the strongest and no one is horrid or bullying.

And that, for me, is perfect.

Today was a very good day for a bonfire.

I was in a clearing out mood so, along with my sturdy helper, I took my wheelbarrow to the big shed.

I was quickly joined by Iacs and Haakon who decided they wanted to “help”.  They had been hanging round the gate all morning refusing to go down to the bigger field to eat with the others. I have no idea why they particularly wanted to spend their day with me.

They helped in their own unique way.

I cleared out all the old leftover winter hay dregs, swept up and put it all on my bonfire.  I then made a rug tree for the Shetland pony rugs.  Yes, that is The Minions’ wardrobe.  They have more clothes than me!

After lunch, I returned to clean up the rest of the shed.  My helpers were still adamant that they could be of use.

I will admit that I got slightly bored of all this worthy industry and took to decorating Iacs with Daisy’s old chaps!

He was also very happy to be BeAnne’s sofa as well.

I worked very hard today.  It took about 6 hours in total – my back is killing me, I am covered in dust and my hair is gritty.  The saddle clothes and towels are now in the washing machine.

I found lots of things.

For example, I found that if you put an empty wine bottle plus lid in a bonfire, it will explode!  Oops.
I also found you can use Iacs to rest things on.

Who knows, I might even clean some tack next!

OH had returned from a tortuous time in Lerwick at the Dentist so, out of sympathy, I offered to walk the dogs for him.

And, of course, I took my camera with me too!

This time of year, the bird population starts increasing – the lapwings were flying around bickering with each other, probably about their nesting rights.

The weather was fast and furious.  One minute the sun was shining, the sky was a gorgeous blue and then the next, it would darken over ominously and start something different.

In Shetland hailstones are called “Haily-Puckles”.  I never knew this but I think it is an excellent onomatopoeic word and we were all covered in them.  Luckily they were not the stingy type.  I hate it when they hurt like needles.

I strode on with the belief that there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes and walked the boundary of my croft, trying to stay out of the bogs.

This is a typical Thordale field gate.  It is called the “coathanger gate” because I think we once tied it up with a wire coat-hanger!  It is at the furthest end of my property and I know my horses can be opportunists given any chance at all.  I try and keep a piece of string in my coat pocket just in case!

It made me think of this!

Both the dogs enjoyed themselves – BeAnne occasionally putting up the rabbits (she mostly walks blindly into them and then surprises herself) and Loki chasing them to ground.  He sometimes reappears having caught one.

A few more photos from our walk.

This morning Storm refused to get out of bed. He was in the stable by himself (door open) and would not budge. He said he hated the weather and the deep mud – he wanted a duvet day.  So, being a nice caring parent, I fed him his Speshul Soldier food in the stable, added his little friend and another bucket and left them together while I went for my flute lesson.  The rest went out into the field.

I got home a few hours later to see a little tufty black forelock over this wall.  I thought “Oh, I suppose OH has let them out” but no, Storm had walked into the tiny gap between two fences, followed determinedly by Tiddles and they were stuck because Tids then forgot how to reverse (the electric fence was not on).

Luckily OH managed to pull them both backwards by their rugs and set them free.

They are not the brightest stars in my firmament.

Storm then said he had changed his mind about his duvet day so I let them both out into the field to join the others.

Storm galloped hysterically off silly-billy-bucking and screaming like a stuck pig for his friends while Tiddles managed a cursory backward glance at me.  Probably because he could hear me laughing at them both.

I’m not sure whose turn it is today to have the brain!

My jury is still out.

BeAnne and I went on a road-trip this morning down to Sandwick, the South end of the island.  I had seen some baled hay being advertised at a very reasonable price and so we went to buy because I am terrified it is about to snow.

(This afternoon’s offering – I am never going to say I think Spring is here ever again.  I was shocked!)

As we arrived, two miniature Shetland ponies (Hans and Tiba) were being led towards us into the garden for their breakfast and a lovely Nova Scotla Duck Tolling Retriever puppy galloped about “helping”, as puppies always do.

BeAnne liked Lace, the puppy.  She also appreciated the fact that these ponies were used to dogs and was very happy to introduce herself to everyone.

As you can see, these ponies are allowed in the garden and I thoroughly approve of this.  I am very jealous and wish mine were allowed the same privileges!  But sadly, it is not to be. Not now, not never apparently.

There was much playing, much delicious apricot and banana cake and a much needed cup of coffee.

Tiba and Hans sported excellent hair styles and had impeccable manners.  In the future, I was told they would be participating in Shetland Pony Agility.  I think this might be something my little lot could be interested in.  I shall investigate further.

It was a lovely morning and I enjoyed meeting everyone.  I expect one small person might be missing BeAnne, though.