Last night we had some weather.  It was not nice and, as I knew it was about to appear, I shut the Minions into my new shed.  The Icelandic horses have good shelter and long grass in their field so I was not worried about them

This morning’s sunrise did not bode well either and the weather forecast for the next 48 hours is scarily horrendous.

The boys have been outside today as much as possible despite Waffle’s desire to live in the house.

I did all my chores as early as I could before the bad weather returned and then at 15:00, we called the boys back into their shed before it got dark.

Lured by carrots, they happily went in.  It is the perfect shed for The Minions or the Icelandic horses.  I hate splitting anyone up into separate stalls unless they are fighting, ill or being bullied.

There are no haynets and hay is on the floor.  Last night Silver managed to wrap a haynet round his hoof so never again.  Luckily I checked them after supper and managed to extricate him before any damage was done.

Tiddles is very happy here.  He is much more relaxed and chatty.  I think it is the space.

So, wish us luck through these next few days.  It is going to be very hairy scary out there.

She is better than many folk I know who call themselves riders.

The horses like her.

No, they do!

She is watches Daisy riding her horse.

Though sometimes it can get a bit boring and she nods off.

She can sit to walk and trot even if Daisy changes rein (go in the opposite direction).

She is perfection.

She is BeAnne.

Today is what is known as a “Day of Shite” so I brought The Minions in to be fed and rest.  Their wet rugs were taken off and they had their food.  Tiddles left some of his food (I gave him a big bowl on his own) so I gave it to Storm seperately, much to Waffle’s horror and disgust.

I had left out a big pile of hay for everyone else and while the others were eating, Tiddles came over to Daisy and politely asked her to scratch his bum.  He loves this more than anything.  He has lots of nasty lumps where the fur has clumped, matted and taken the skin off.

He sat on Daisy’s knee with happiness.

Tiddles is beginning to come out of himself now and he is a delight.   He comes up for kisses and is beginning to think like a Minion.  All good.  He appreciates his rugs and we change them without any problems.  A dry rug everyday.  He has even learned to lead nicely and have his feet picked up without a fuss.

And we are beginning to see the real little boy’s character – determined, solid and never panics.

Now this is why I have two daughters.  They are both put to good use by the Minions (Floss has Silver to talk to).

This is the face of bliss.

And this is the bottom of resentment!

To Lerwick today after a flute lesson to get a micro sim for my new-to-me mobile phone.  Yes, I have still lost my old one despite increasing the finder’s fee and it has taken me ages to arrive at the decision that it might be gone for good.  I still feel it is somewhere in the house.  So now I have another completely unmemorable phone number and I can’t even bring myself to set it up.  It is not as though we have a signal!

While I was in The Street, as Commercial Street is affectionately known, I took a few photos.

Lerwick is a charming town unspoilt as it has retained its own identity (unlike just about every other high street in Britain).

There are hidden houses set back from the street.

Little alleys – or The Lanes – climbing the steep hill away from the sea.    Some have stairs and some have railings.

A proper traditional red telephone box outside The Post Office.  I think the world would probably end if it was changed.

Interesting designs that make you wonder what the architectural influence was.

And shop windows showing off beautiful Fair Isle cardigans, scarves, gloves and hats.  I am particularly liking that bottom cream scarf.  Shetland folk know the art of staying warm.  I  might go back to investigate those wool blankets too.  Purple or pale blue? Both are very pretty.

So Daisy and I achieved what we needed to do, and came home just before it got dark.

The Minions were furious with us.  Three of them were standing in the muck heap looking resentful while Tiddles was a good boy and stood by his bucket looking hopeful.

Today Daisy and I made the most of the fact that it was a very good riding day.  We probably won’t get out again for a while if I believe the weather forecast.

We tacked up Iacs and Haakon, whose abscess has completely healed now.  When Jo put front shoes on the other day, we could see exactly where the abscess had tracked from start to finish.  My poor boy.

It was wonderful to be riding Haakon again.  He has had five weeks off work and I have missed my old friend.  We went out happy and enthusiastically with Daisy/Iacs and BeAnne trotting along too (the little black ant at the front!)

(when I say at the end I should’ve kicked harder, I meant Daisy’s butt as it sailed past!)

I was given a GoPro for Christmas and I am learning how it works, how to edit the films, etc. I wear it on my riding hat and then you see what I see and hear what I am squawking!

This is a fairly typical ride for Daisy and I.  We don’t tend to ride very formally or technically (more function than beauty) on these two horses out and about.  That is saved for indoor schooling.  When we are on a trek, it for all of us to have fun and a good laugh.  We trust these boys implicitly and they really can’t do anything to us we haven’t seen already.  Things like top-speed, spooking and the unseen communication to go home are all things we know well.

We came back with huge smiles on our faces – untacked, gave them a thank-you carrot and put them back in their field.

And then we did it all over again on Klængur and Kappi.

Brilliant!  It don’t get no better.