The containers are a huge hit with everyone.

Everyone except Albie who just won’t.  I have no idea why but he refuses to go in.  So today I decided was the day he would. I put a headcollar on him and sat with carrots in a container containing only Storm.

And so I sat trying to entice him in with the carrots.

Obviously, it became a family affair.

Certain helpers were only here for the carrots!

Delicious small Turriefield carrots, just right for enticement.

And then I quickly ran out of carrots and I will admit patience too so I tied Albie up to the container and went off to fetch some more.

A bit more encouragement, and a variety of methods used, and Albie eventually walked inside.

I made him walk in and out probably a billion times from every container and, once I was satisfied, I let him go so he could be with his friends.

Feeling pleased, I went back to get some more carrots and gave Albie the whole lot so he could see it was totally worth it.

The whole process took over an hour but we did it.  I’m not saying it was easy but I can sleep at night knowing that Albie can, if he wants, go into a container for shelter though I bet he still stays outside looking pathetic!

It is very autumnal now, damn near winter really – temperatures are low with a strong and biting north wind.  I might have to dig out my winter sweaters shortly.

But the sun was shining when I took the dogs out armed with carrots for the Ancients and it was nice to see everyone.  The old croft houses offer lots of shelter and they are all looking very *** cough *** well.

And then one more sheep made this afternoon and out I went with my constant companion to do the afternoon chores like feed the ducks/hens, going out with Skippy to clean up (I cannot tell you just how much it is a game-changer), and collect up empty haynets from the boxes refilling them ready for the evening when the ponies want to go into the containers.

Meanwhile, Pepper and I are very adept at waiting for everyone to finish their tea.

Sometimes the ducks have a conversation with Pepper – mostly telling her off, I think – but they honestly don’t mind and have known her since they, and she, were little.

I wonder if they see her as part of their flock!  Similar grubby plumage.

I was lying in bed last night after a lovely hot relaxing bath when I saw someone had posted a photo on social media of the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis or Mirrie Dancers, as they are called here.

So, feeling a bit nonplussed about the whole thing but thinking I should possibly make the effort, I struggled into my dressing gown, donned some wellies and went outside to see if I could see anything.

I couldn’t much (a slight green glow) but the camera picked it up beautifully.  I stuck the phone on the 6 inch nails banged into the side of the house and took a few snaps.

And then I realised that the willow trees around the back door have grown so tall, I couldn’t actually see everything that was going on, so I moved to a different spot – the compost heap, which was slightly better, if more precarious.

The clouds were not helpful or moving either.

While I was snapping away and freezing to death (it was very, very cold), I heard a rustling sound and then the tell-tale meow of Monster, who had surreptitiously snuck up unbeknownst to me.  I got quite the shock!

So, to a soundtrack of much whinging, the Northern Lights flickered away for my camera.

It’s not a bad view from the compost heap really!

I took this photo at 09.15 today when I noticed that only Silver, Albie, Waffle and Tiddles (slightly behind Waffle) were eating their morning hay so then I began to wonder where everyone else was.  Not another pony to be seen.

So I looked around and, yes, everything became clear.

Fivla had taken up residence.

For a while, I thought she must be on her own enjoying the sunshine.  I couldn’t see anyone else.

….. until I got closer and saw who was with her.  Ok, I thought, well that’s three of them so where is the last one…..

And there he was, all alone in the world in “his” container.

Hello Newt!

I hadn’t put any haynets in the containers as I like them to eat outside so the ponies were just standing there enjoying the warmth.  I can understand that.  The containers absorb the heat.  When I went out later (around 11), I saw Vitamoobag emerging from her container.  I think they had all been asleep.

I took this photo last night as I was going indoors for the evening.  I title it “All Alone in the World”.  It felt very Hans Christian Andersen Little-Match-Girl-esque.  Poor Lambie.

One of my many jobs this morning was to open up a bit more of the track for the Shetland ponies.  They had such a boring time yesterday – containers and hay and constant rain – that I thought they could do with something nice, for a change.

Fivla and Silver spotted me first while just finishing off.

The other six ponies were exactly the other side of the track watching me intently.   I had turned off the electric fence and I was suprised that Waffle didn’t just test it and barge through.  He has previous form for this heinous crime and we have had words so maybe they finally sank in.

Anyway, Silver and Fivla were very happy to see the long grass and tried to resemble miniature Carmargue horses wandering the reed-beds.

Then the others got wind of the new grass on offer and set off at full pelt.

It was lovely to watch everyone going lickety-split round the track.  Waffle and Vitamoobag were behind.

Phew!  Grass.

And then eventually Vitamoobag turned up too so everyone was together and happy.  They’ve been asleep all afternoon in the sunshine with full tummies.