We built the indoor school when folk wanted to learn to ride.  When we discovered they just wanted a baby-sitting service or a method of killing themselves and blaming us, we closed a few years later (when insurance costs escalated).

I still have the indoor school and it is very very useful.

I ride in it most day and today, with my back screaming, I rode my beloved Icelandic horse, Klæengur to remind him to bend.

Bending is good and I love this little horse.  We are a team and he would give me his last breath (Note: I am not responsible for those feet. They do not belong to me!)

Jo and Fiona popped by with Fákur and Hreyfing (from left to right – oh heavens, the width).

Jo offered help to Fiona and I left them to get on with it.  I needed to feed Taktur and snog a Minion.

I left my camera in the school and apparently they “did” poles to promote bending.

Then, as it was very windy, Jo, Robert, Freyja and Vi arrived.

Having had gin, I felt brave and decided I wanted to see what this bird thing was all about.

It was, and I hate this word, Awesome!

Robert’s friend, David, also had a shot. He seemed a bit more professional about it all (so jealous).

Today was different but fun.

The view from the window by my desk.  Wind gusting 41knots SWW with great big blasts of rain.

Suffice it to say, I am not going outside in that and the dogs didn’t want to either.  OH tried to take them on a walk and they all got as far as the gate (about 100 yards before they all ran back without him).

I have recently been over doing it with my back and I hurt so I decided not to go outdoors and to catch up on website updates/office chores as penance for my laziness.

So photos today are indoor ones of the complainants.

It is still WW3 between Wu and Loki.  This is not a battle any of us are winning.  Wu happily lives on the stairs and goes outside via a velux window to the roof.  He spends many hours gazing down at the dogs, in particular Loki, giving him the evils.

He has our bed to sleep on and his daily timetable worked out.  Basically he goes out when the dogs are in.

Loki will not give up and it is all about his territory.  Nothing else.  He can’t help himself and knows it is wrong but worth it!

BeAnne is busy trying to Rule The World.  At the moment she features on Channel 4’s Dogs:  Their Secret Lives, about 22 minutes in.  Unfortunately they call her a male Yorkshire Terrier.  We will sue for libel. In her 10 seconds of fame, she is teaching Snati not to jump on her head.

Jack, is well, Jack.  He goes in, he goes out, he goes in, he goes out like a recalcitrant Dalek.

Doors remain  a mystery.

He has dramatically slowed to almost stop but show him a biscuit and he is whippet-like in response!

Jo is babysitting Mario Lanza, while his owner is on holiday (a wonderful chatty cockatoo!)

I had to meet him.  So, via the girls who are in the hill park en route, I popped by to meet the bird.

First, I had a chat with each of my girls.  It was good to see them getting their winter woollies on and interesting to watch how they interacted when I am around.  Vitamin is still the head of this herd and she swings her pants at the slightest misdemeanour.  They are all darling girls but I know that the geldings/stallion would never do that around me or if they did, I would not be nearby.  Suffice it to say, I would never risk sitting down amongst the mares and fillies without a quick exit route planned.  But that’s girls for you.  I know that.

So let me introduce you to Mario Lanza.  He is a lovely boy and I was instantly charmed by him.  His vocabulary is good and so we chatted away while he threw his food on the floor, showed off and was perfectly enchanting.

This pic is for his Mum, who I know is missing him.  She rescued Mario many years ago in Australia and he is her special boy.  I can totally see why.

“Hello Cocky”

A little known fact about The Minions….

If you say the sound “Hirrup” (roll the r’s), they all go galloping off at top speed giggling.

So I stood well back and said HIRRUP ….

…. And off they galloped.

(note the naughty boy, Storm, and his rampant teeth – ever the optimist)

And then the babysitter (Taktur, my Icelandic stallion) has to go rushing after them.

Just to check everything is alright.

And off they all go again.

All together giggling this time.  One happy little group without a care.

It is lovely to watch.

But with this knowledge comes great responsibility.  Do not use the word “hirrup” lightly as they are all impossible to catch afterwards!

I love Waffle’s little bunchy bottoom!

I think I have it sussed.

I have one handsome baby-sitter who needs green grass.

The Minions are happy with my choice and, as long as they don’t eat the babysitter’s mane or tail, they can stay together, get fat and ready for winter.

The field is big and has a burn (stream) that runs through it.  After some recent heavy rain, the burn has changed shape and thrown up a large clod of earth which has entranced Storm.  He decided to eat it.

It didn’t participate much so he dug a bit at it too.

He discovered that he now had a mouthful of earth.

It didn’t taste nice either.

Silver wanted to see if he had something nice.

They love this field.  It is big and they can run and play.

And then the babysitter has to go rushing after them. Its his job after all.

Sadly, the fatties looked on sulkily but as I said to them today, they are each the size of a small bus and until some of the wobble shifts, they are staying where they are with an electric fence to stop any leaning over.

Taktur does visit and they discuss the latest news.

I want the fatties to get thinner and the rest to keep the weight on or add to it.  Look at that little munchy scrunchy bottom – woof!