A few odds and sods from the past few days.

These two are called Wiggins (ask Daisy why, I can’t remember – was it because she has sideburns like Bradley Wiggins?) and Elvis (yes, he is a she and I think at one stage looked like Elvis Presley but less so now she is mid-moult).  Anyway, they are the two most scheming of the hens and can hear Taktur approaching to be fed from miles away.

BeAnne is in a pose and seems to have recovered from her outside ordeal.  She reminds me of a It-Psammead when she sits like this.

The Minions are on flying form.  They all have very individual characters and I adore them.

Poor Daisy misses her Iacs very much and vice versa.  When she is home at Christmas, he will be happy. He barely bothers to come up anymore to the shed to talk as he knows he probably won’t be ridden.

Little Storm on the other hand is up and at ’em every minute.  He trots past Taktur on his way to his food and is keen on this daily routine.  He thinks it is a very good idea.

He is also surgically attached to his rug.  I forgive him as he is frailer and smaller than the rest. I just never saw myself as a rug person but as it is for health reasons, I shall cut myself some slack.

I think this has to be one of the best photos I have ever taken.  Taktur with his Minion, Waffle.  It sums it all up really.  The Minions have been very good for everyone this year.

For a comparison of heights,  Taktur is probably 13.3hh.

The Minions, like all celebrities, need to be able to let their hair (or fur) down after a hard day’s filming.

It is very unusual for Klængur to play, let alone with a Minion.  They are not his type but they were running and chasing each other very happily this afternoon in the rare winter sun.

Iacs then turned up and was duly attacked.  You can see Waffle just happening to be in the area where they then mounted a two prong attack.

Afterwards, they ran away giggling.

Storm, who had been up the top eating hay with Haakon, galloped down the hill in his new Dinky rug full of the joys, or full of carrots, hay and a big hard feed.

I think this has to be the best photo of Storm in his rug, ever!  He was so happy, he did a straight leg buck thing while trying to chase Waffle.

This set Taktur off too.  He had been face-fighting with Haakon until the three Minions appeared.

There was obviously something in the air.

Taktur was keen to join in with the Minion game too.

There is nothing like a good bit of Minion chasing and Silver gave a playful strategic kick.

Then they turned round and Taktur did a wonderful slow canter, which was purposefully not quite fast enough to catch Silver.  Bless him.  It was like watching Dad on the beach pretending to catch his toddler.

Afterwards, Silver decided to plague him by eating his back legs.

This went on all afternoon.  Lovely to watch.

At the crack of sparrows, Jo arrived and we tied up our future film stars so we could go in and out of the indoor school without them rolling in the sand.

Once loaded up with Minions, carrots, poop-scoops, hay-nets etc, we drove to the location to find the film crew had already started on the human side of things.

An Internet Documentary was being made for Vodafone and I had been asked if they could use The Minions in a couple of scenes.

A little bit of waiting and then it was Storm, Silver and Waffle’s turn.  So they walked out of their  trailer ready for their “starring” role.

The boys had a paparazzi following and posed for their pictures like pros.  Someone said they were obviously used to having their photo taken a great deal (cough *** mebbe *** cough!)

And so they filmed their big part, again and again and again. I would say that this was the first time the Minions had ever met a bus-stop, a camera crew, a pavement, a road, a parked bus, lines on the road, etc.  At one stage, a huge bus came whizzing past and they didn’t even blink.  It was like they were born to act.

We rewarded their work with copious amounts of chopped carrots and apples.

Next it was the scene in the hill park.

Lots of arranging and re-arranging according to the light, shadows and scenery.

The boys happily led wherever they were taken and, again, just got on with their job.

(I love Waffle’s sneaky nibble).

And then Storm’s hopeful one.

At the end everyone wanted their photo taken with the Minions – The producer

The Director!

I am so proud of my little Minions.  They behaved impeccably and this was mentioned more than once.

Obviously we lead them around everyday up and down main roads in front of film crews making Vodafone Internet Documentaries – she says blazély

Jo and Fiona came over with the trailer full of Esja, my 3 year old filly, and Hreyfing (Fiona’s Icelandic mare).  It was not the weather for riding outside.

Although we are not going to back Esja yet, Jo wanted to do some work with her.  First she trimmed Esja’s feet and then she gave her mane and tail a good brush.  It all needed doing.  Hair and nails.  So important.

Afterwards, Jo did some work with Esja on the lunge, teaching her the basics, like standing still when asked and generally start learning body language.

I love Esja’s face saying “did I do ok?”  Yes, you did.

I let The Minions, who were hanging around outside, in to meet and greet.  They have never met ladies since leaving their mothers.

They were intrigued but everyone behaved with respect and good manners.  My boys have been brung up propa!

Next, Fiona practiced leading three minions together.  They need to practice this for a job we have tomorrow (more about that once it has occurred).

The Minions did their best not to get Fiona in a tangle.

I would even go so far as to use the word co-operative.

The Minions were co-operative.  There, I’ve said it.

Tomorrow, they may be less.  Is that plotting I am seeing? It had better not be.

Firstly, a huge thank you for all your messages of concern and kind wishes.  They are hugely appreciated and I am sure Indy et al felt the wave of love and affection as they sailed south.

I received a lovely email from their new owner and I thought I would share it – “All arrived safely and they’re wonderful. They’re exactly as I had hoped and I love them already. Indy is absolutely magnificent …… Hammie’s a wee star and the girls are fabulous.”

So, what next?  Well life doesn’t stand still at Thordale.  We still have 16 horses and ponies loafing around.

Fivla and Anderwoo are on loan with a family and are happily teaching their little girls how to ride.

Charlie has a new job.  He is a Handsome Prince now.

Esja has fallen in love with him and they spend hours playing together. She follows him everywhere.

Esja is 3 years old but will not be started this year. I don’t think her head is in the right place.  She is still a a very friendly large baby.

Hetja is hopefully pregnant or fat!  I am hoping for pregnant.  She is not ridden now – I think she would be uncomfortable and it would not do her any favours.

Hetja and Fákur are a couple.  He is enjoying semi-retirement and escort duty.

Raw Deal (Delia), Lyra and Vitamin are together in a huge field.  Delia is ok (ish) but we will see….. (sucks teeth).   Zoot is staying there too.

The Minions are happy with my herd of Icelandics – Haakon, Iacs, Taktur & Klængur (plus Bjørn’s horse, Kappi).

Next year, God-willing, we will have  a new foal.   So something different for us.  A new path to tread (though I am still rather numb after yesterday).