All future correspondence should be addressed to the following:

Mrs Frances Taylor
℅ The Bog
Thordale

Picolax – “Holy crap on a cracker”, quite literally.

Anywho, hugging my hot water bottle, downloading games for my iPod to keep my occupied tonight, I thought I would bore you with more photos from two nights ago, when the Aurora Borealis put on probably one of its best displays.

Now these photos are a fairly accurate non-tweaked version of what you actually see.  I am not a huge fan of photoshop or jazzing things up to look incredible, apart from the odd use of the sharpen tool.  The Northern Lights are fabulous, don’t get me wrong, but perhaps not as vibrantly sensational that some would lead you to believe.

Here are two examples of the identical pics with a bit of “enhancement”.  They just don’t look like that.  I’m sorry but they don’t, well not outside my back door anyway.

Anywho, the Aurora is out of this world and very special.  Gazing up to the stars watching this sky-show is like standing in a silent cathedral all by yourself.  It puts the world into perspective.

Personally, I would also like a soundtrack to go with them too – some Elgar, perhaps!

For the next few days, I will mostly be living in the bathroom with two sachets of Picolax.  Nuff said.  I dread it.

So, with this impending misery ahead, I decided to spend the afternoon doing what I love best – snogging bebbie noseys.

First I was investigated thoroughly by each of them.

Then they wandered off – this is a “Duvet Day” as the weather today is a fine balance between harsh rain with wind and then brief sunshine.

The noseys arrived to be kissed.  They couldn’t help themselves.  Their curiosity got the better of them as I sat in the corner of their shed waiting.

I discovered that little Storm, initially the shyest of them all, wanted to be with me more than eating.  He just stood beside me while I tickled his neck.  He loved it and tried to block Torbjorn when he came up.  It was funny to watch him have an opinion about what he wanted most.  There was strategy in his thoughts.

After a while, their love of food got the better of them and they wandered off again to eat.

These are the two most perfect bottoms in the world.  In the words of Agnes “They’re (He’s) so fluffy I’m gonna die!”

So true!

A morning up on the hill, putting out a silage bale for the ladies.  I took the Land Rover over to Sandness as it is the best piece of plant for the job.  We lugged and heaved and put the most unportable big bale silage into position.  The mares were miles away in their huge field, so we called and they came running over.

The girls are looking very well and I think we can safely say Threapwood Velvereta is pregnant again (and hopefully Millhouse Verona too).

The silage is made in our hay parks so we know what is in it and, this time of year, it is very popular with everyone.  The girls were enthusiastic to see it (not us particularly).

The usual herd politics and hierarchy means that ponies like Fivla can get left out, so I took her a pile of silage and she gave me a little whiffle when she saw me.  She is always so appreciative of folk and has lovely manners.

So I spread the silage out in piles and no one was left out.

This is a nice herd.  They are all easy to do and nice to talk to. When it gets a bit warmer, I think a day is needed for a bit of grooming and chatting.  We just need to leave winter well and truly behind us.

Meanwhile the dogs were busy entertaining themselves.  Loki and Snati are still getting used to each other.  It is not an easy friendship and sometimes it is “handbags at dawn” – they did have two arguments today but it was all bluff and bluster.

(All film and photos – by Jo as I spent another day away with the NHS)

The Three Amigos having breakfast

Storm and his post-breakfast filler – hay and silage.

When in doubt, stand in your food.

The Shetland Pony Investigation Service or CSI SP!

Torbjørn looking majestic and noble and proud and gorgeous and, and ……

…. then photo bombed by Storm.

More photobombing or a close-up (depends on your perspective)

Cor, he is a gorgeous little sweetie.

Torbjørn doing the same thing while Jo tries to take a nice photo of Silver.  She failed.

It is nearly impossible to take any photos of these little bebbies as they make it their mission to be with you wherever you are in their field, preferably pressed up close.

See what I mean?

and this….

Food, food and more food…..

I ❤ the bebbies.  I hope you do too.