I am feeling terrible.

Two of The Minions had escaped into the next door field (mine – and they had gone under the fence via the stream).

So, Jo very kindly was trying to put them back into the right field. I think her precise words were “it is like herding cats”.  Anywho, I thought I would help as The Minions are basically my responsibility (read problem).

I climbed over the fence into the field of errant Minions who were running unhelpfully backwards and forwards through the open gate.  To keep others from joining the runaways, I threw a headcollar at them and it hit Waffle squarely in the face.

I saw the look he gave me.  Oh God, what had I done?

So once everyone was finally where they were supposed to be, I went to talk to Waffle.  He turned his back and walked away.  With that my heart broke.  I knew what I had to do.

I filled my pockets with carrots and went to sit in the field.

Instantly, as if by magic, I was forgiven and I am very lucky that Waffle is being nice to me now.

As a reward for his generous character, I let him eat my camera.

I will continue to feel awful.  I let my Waffle down and he never expected it from anyone, let alone me.

Guilt is a terrible thing.  I have a place set aside for me in Hell now (if not already).

I was asked for some photos of The Minions.

You know, the type that involve me being mugged.

So, being totally unselfish, I set off to their field, sat on a flat rock and waited to be mugged.

30 nano-seconds later…..

After much mugging and a few tortuous hours later, I extracted 3 small furry Minions from my pockets, my wellie boots, myself and was allowed to leave their field.

Don’t ever ask me to do that again.  It is too much like hard work but I am selfless and prepared to suffer – anyway, someone has to do it!

The sun was shining and I was on my own today so I took the dogs (minus Jack) to Sandness beach for a walk.

And who should we see? – Jo and Fiona riding their horses sedately along the beach.

BeAnne instantly recognised them and started shouting.

While they rode home with the promise of a cup of tea waiting for me, I walked my dogs along the beach.

I love the beach in any weather or season.  It is always different and with its own special magic.

The dogs were good and we worked on our listening skills!

Loki hates getting his feet wet while BeAnne loves her swimming and needs no excuse.

Afterwards, I popped by The Odd Couple, aka Hammy and Indy.  Both were looking very good and are still good friends despite having spent the summer apart.

I don’t like stallions ever being kept on their own especially during winter.

I know Indy would hate it.  He has always had a friend but it is very obvious that Hammy is his best friend.  They understand each other very well.  It is a lovely relationship.

And then, after all my hard work, I went and had my cup of tea and watched Snati annoy BeAnne!

I got back from a lovely relaxed plod on Haakon with BeAnne walking alongside and there was Waffle waiting by the gate, asking to do something different.

Once Haakon was untacked, I left him eating his cod liver oil cunningly disguised in some hopefully not too-fattening food.  Waffle would have put on his own head-collar if he could and off we caught up with OH who was doing the world’s slowest geriatric walk with Jack.

Jack loathes ponies.  This failing relationship started when his head was down a rabbit hole, leaving his staffy-like bottom up in the air.  Hammy asked his bottom what it was doing and Jack turned round and swore like a navvy at him.  This immediately resulted in Hammy firmly escorting Jack off the premises with his nose up his arse pushing him out.  Jack has never got over this indignity and from thence forth, loathed anything equine.

Once Jack had spotted Waffle through his cataracts, he went on strike for OH.  So we quickly went passed him leaving them to it.  So much for my romantic idea that we could’ve all gone on this dog walk together.

It was very obvious that Waffle was very happy to be in The Big Outdoors.  Here was a whole new world for him.

I wonder if Waffle will tell Silver that he saw his house on his travels (Silver was bred on Foula – the island in the distance).

As were going so successfully, we went onto the road.  Waffle’s eyes were on stalks and when the neighbour’s horses started shouting at him, he imagined that he was still a stallion again.

After some bouncing and a lovely trot, we grudgingly home.  He loved his walk very much and it was something different for him.  All good training anyway.

Me:  Was there a person who followed a king and told him he was mortal and not a God?

Answer: (courtesy of M Pilcher): It was a slave who rode with Roman generals if they were awarded a ‘Triumph’ (rode through the streets to the frenzied acclamation of the crowd). The slave’s job was to whisper “you’re only a man” into his ear.

I think Taktur has a volunteer for this job.

Silver.

This darling shy little boy spent his day gently biting Taktur’s legs.

This is the total extent of Taktur’s resentment or trying to say no.  His leg never lifted any higher and never kicked out.

Others would perhaps not be as nice as this to a small Shetland midge.  Taktur’s generosity and tolerance are legendary.  He has to be one of the kindest horses I know.  As a 3yo wild colt, Taktur would calmly let me lead him in the pitch dark through welly-deep mud during a vicious Shetland winter pathetically clinging onto his mane in case I fell over.

Poor Taktur.  Today, Silver made it his life mission to follow and annoy.

I fear Taktur has the look of one who accepts his fate.

Taktur also doubles as a babysitter.  I love the way The Waff is trying to imitate his God.  And why not?  He is the best role model after all.