Yesterday saw me in Aberdeen with Daisy who was home from her European travels.  As it was her 21st birthday too, I had decided to go down to meet her and then we could spend the day killing the credit card.

The first thing we noticed were the trees which are always a subject of conversation in our house as we have very few in Shetland!

After purchasing one of the important 21st presents, we hit The Disney Store.

I will admit that I did almost seriously think of buying 6 pairs of these cute shoes and putting them on The Minions.

Daisy tried on dresses.  We decided on the Frozen line.

Being 21 she could still fit into a 11-12 years size!  Now is she best as Anna or Elsa?

Next off to the Apple Store in Union Square where we were disregarded by cliquey groups of unhelpful assistants.  Luckily, after being professionally ignored for 10 minutes (you get the feeling they are sneering at the “country mice”), we found an assistant (Peter) who was lovely and helped us purchase the other part of Daisy’s present.

Next off to M&S where we stocked up on goodies for the boat and home – we were beginning to feel a little over-laden now.

And onto the boat to come home.  I might’ve mentioned to a lovely Northlink lady that it was Daisy’s 21st and waiting in our cabin was a complimentary chilled bottle of prosecco and choccies.

Daisy’s face was a picture.  She was thrilled and I think it made her day.  Well done Northlink and thank you.

Drinks in the bar followed by a delicious supper with our prosecco.  I had Orkney steak and it was superb.

This is our view from our table.  All perfect.

The crossing was fine.  We got home safely, went out for a ride and then a post-birthday snog and hug.

Glad to be back.

Today, I took a deep breath, caught Klængur, tacked him up, got on and we went out for a solo trek in the hill.

We have obviously been here before but not on our own and Klængur was such a good boy on the way out, happily tölting along with his ears listening to me rattle on about nothing much.

He loved going up the canter track and we had a blast together.

All was good.  Klængur was hoof perfect and stopped on request for me to take photos at the top of the hill (Haakon tends to dance irritatingly about on one foot).

And then we wended our way home down the track, whereupon he threw the most mahoosive spook.  I have no idea what he saw but we turned 180 degrees on one back foot and suddenly we were pacing up the hill at  100 mph with Klængur in a pure panic (how I stayed on, I have no idea but the Gods were smiling and I must have used up my allowance of good Karma). I quickly got him back using “whooooooooa” and he stood at the top of the hill again in a bit of a state.  So I told him we were brave and could conquer lions together and we re-wended our way downwards.  Another leg-lock spook about nothing, but this time staying the same direction, a hissy fit at an unsuspecting fence post and we got home in one piece.

Look, this is my Face of Pure Relief (with an added chin for affect).

I popped Klængur back in his field where Hammy was waiting for him.

Oh well, we made it home alive and in one piece so that is my Huge Achievement.

I am feeling a little bit owie now and shocked so I took a Naproxen (anti-inflammatory painkiller).  I had my blow-up gilet on clipped to the saddle and if I can sit that spook, I can sit most things.

Tonight I am on the boat to Aberdeen for a jolly with Daisy, back Saturday morning. 

This morning I came upon a heap of ponies.  “Heap” being the “offishul” collective term for a herd of different ages, breeds and sizes.  Now you know.  Please educate the ignorant.

I was particularly taken by little Waffle’s happy snoring smile.  He was dead to the world and I am sure everyone else was not going to wake him.  It can be like waking the Kraken on occasions. I love his fat little tumbly (awwww).

I was in the field catching Klængur and Haakon to ride later.

Anywho, Fiona drove up with Hreyfing, her mare that she is re-training.  I offered advice and tried to help, based on what I have learned working with Klængur.  I think Fiona and Hreyfing achieved great things.

I am not a teacher but I do realise the benefits of calming down a horse and relaxation.

Meanwhile, an update on everyone else.

BeAnne caught a rabbit – well, a rabbit committed harakiri.   This is her filthy look if anyone attempts to steal it. Loki knows better.

BeAnne – post-rabbit.  Now for some very nasty après-odours.

Loki has come on leaps and bounds and is our model citizen.  

He loves playing and is happy to offer anyone a selection of his toys in the hope they will play tug-o-war with him.

Jack is, well, Jack.  Still rattling on deaf and blind but content in his own little world.  His tummy clock is directly synced with Greenwich and supper/breakfast time is not a minute late.  Ever.

And Wussums remains Wussumly.  He loathes everyone canine and has a nocturnal lifestyle, i.e. when Loki is asleep.  This is the compromise reached.

They were all sleeping together so peacefully.  No one stirred. You could almost hear the snoring.

Until, Silver woke up…..

And then Storm (this is post-nap face – bless him – all bleary eyed and a bit unsure).

So what do they do?  Yup, go and annoy Hammy and Waffle who were still lying down, trying to sleep.

Silver tried to work out how to fit Hammy’s head in his mouth so he could bite him!

He persevered for a while.  Annoying Hammy is a great sport.

Until Hammy fought back.

All in good fun, though.  No malice. He loves his Minions.  He has finally found his mental level.

Having made Hammy get up, Storm then decided to persecute Waffle.

So he went to sleep on him instead.

We all woke up this morning to Indy yelling his head off.  Two of the girls, his daughters, had escaped from their field, managed to walk up the stream and duck under the fence into the next door field.  Indy was not going to give up this chance of a possible conquest and the noise was boring and endless.

I drove over to Sandness, brought the trailer and Jo over, the girls were caught, loaded them up and took them away.  This was a two man job.

So Indy continued his fence-walk with Hammy in tow, bellowing and making his feelings very clear.

Tough!

We drove to our hill park where the mothers were and dumped the girls back with them.  They had had a good break from their daughters.

This park is huge and this will be their home for a while.  There is plenty of shelter, grazing and space.

Meanwhile, when I got home, everyone had gone to sleep – probably exhausted from listening and watching Indy.  Note Iacs is almost standing on Indy in case he thinks he should get up and start all over again.

There were two little groups side by side.  Iacs, Indy, Kappi, Haakon and Klaengur were together.

and then a few yards away was Hammy and The Minions in a pile (sounds like a 50’s rock band).

I hope Indy forgets about the girls quickly.  They aren’t for him.  He has Hammy to keep him entertained.  That is what Hammies are for – part-time Shetland pony entertainment centre and/or Nanny to The Minions!