This blog has had a severe lack of horses, and today I went out to see how they were coping without Mum and Daisy.

Once Klaengur managed to pull himself away from the grass, he noticed my presence. Any further attempts to get a good picture of him were soon abandoned as he, like Sylvester, has the extraordinarily ability to move precisely when you try to take a picture.

Taktur soon came to investigate, and noticed an excellent opportunity to annoy.

A Mummy’s boy he may be, but he still has a ‘rebellious streak’, in my opinion.

Soon he was replaced by Iacs, and the two began to plot what I assumed was their revenge (or possibly the pact to follow me around the field and ‘help’.

I turned my attention to Haakon the gentleman, who patiently waited where he was the whole time, watching us with what looked like detached curiosity.

It’s BeAnne’s operation tomorrow, and I think she knows. That or she’s pining. Meanwhile, Loki hasn’t run away today, to my knowledge. He briefly disappeared this afternoon for a few minutes, but soon trotted back in, oblivious to Richard’s calls.

And Jack is just the same as ever.

Floss again. While Mum is off tackling the tourist traps of Scotland, I have been spending the weekend at Dad’s house, catching up on my ‘education’. Apparently, this is the one book to read before you die. I was surprised to find that I actually loved it, especially what I presume are Mum’s notes scribbled inside.

I’d like to add that Pimm’s and NCIS are also a very good combination, especially with the weather outside.

I’m rather glad I came here as Richard has informed me they had a power cut all day. However, there aren’t any ponies roundabout, so instead I shall introduce you to Sylvester II, who came to inform me that I was still on his bed.

Sylvester is, unlike Wu, a very affectionate cat, and will go out of his way for human contact,

when he’s not having a mad moment

or resting…

My favourite is his Batman impression:

As usual, these photos were taken with an iPhone, rather than a Leica. His Lordship has a way of sucking all the light out of a photo, appearing as a fuzzy black and white blob. There isn’t really much to write about here, but tomorrow I’ll be back home and hopefully with some Icelandics to model for the blog.

Well, here we are at St Andrews University with our German guests.  We had a bit of an eventful ferry trip as the boat was called in to particiipate in the search and rescue for the helicopter crash off Shetland last night.  We did not go and watch and stayed firmly in our cabin listening to the tannoy updates from the captain. Desperately sad for all involved.

Anyway, this morning we drove off to St Andrews, scrubbed the house from top to bottom (insert disdainful sniff here) and have showed our German guests a little of town – see photos at the bottom.  Can you spot the face in the stonework?

This evening, we introduced them to Pimms (a huge success – blueberries give lightheadedness, a little known side effect!)  We have told them there is no alcohol and the fruit is good for them. We also tried to explain about Henley Regatta, Royal Ascot, summer, ie when you drink this fruit based drink ……

So here are the pictures.  I always promised myself that I would take my big camera to St Andrews so this weekend I have it and I am going to enjoy myself taking lots of lovely (hopefully) pics of this amazing place.  It started to rain so we gave up and came home to a cup of tea.

More tomorrow – we are off to Falkland Palace somewhere.  Apparently there are nice gardens so I will enjoy that with my camera.   The sat-nav will get us there.  No ponies, sorry!

I am off south again, with Daisy, to St Andrew’s for a long weekend. Floss has kindly offered to write in my absence and I will be back on Tuesday.  All the animals are sulking.  Wuss is trying to get himself packed and OH is mucking out the car.

All the horses came down to be ridden.  They rarely do this and usually, when you want them, you have to walk miles to find them.

I tried to take nice photos of them.   Something to remind Daisy of her noble steed (left) and  then I threw them some carrots as well over the fence to hopefully make amends.  I did so want to ride but realistically there is no time.  An early boat tonight and I am dressed up for “town” – makeup, posh clothes, everything.  If I ride, I will get covered in horse hair too as everyone is moulting.

For some reason I struggled in the photography department.  Everyone looked either gormless or windblown or both!

And now the horses are looking at me over the fence willing me to go and play with them and I can’t.

The wind is gathering force and it makes for a bumpy ride on the boat.  That reminds me to go and look for the Phenergan (essential kit for the ferry) – ginger just does not cut it on the North Sea for 14 hours. (Force 5, I think – “Fresh breeze, small trees in leaf begin to sway and crested wavelets form on inland waters”)

OH collected these today and the realism of my future is growing nearer and nearer.  Non weight bearing, no crutches….. Bugger.

Today is Daisy’s 20th birthday.  Wow!  Presents and Flossie made her a cake.  I helped decorate it and yes, that is our Christmas snowman but I like to think he goes with any occasion!

Poor Daisy had to suffer all day with me saying things like “20, golly, you’re not a teenager anymore”.  Flossie was very helpful and caught our horses for us that were miles away.  She even did some grooming or “ineffectual brushing” as it is known.

So off we toddled on our horses trying to be sedate on this lovely afternoon and not gallop off leaving the other one trailing.  We raced a few times because some 20 year olds still do not have any control over their ravaging beast and should know better.

Next on “this is your day, we can do anything” Day, Daisy said she wanted to see Lyra and say goodbye to her as she is off on the boat tomorrow back to university.  Lyra immediately spotted Daisy and came up….

Then another arrived….

And another….

Lots of hugging, kissing and scratching while I took photos.

And so Daisy kissed her Lyra goodbye and we tried to leave.

Daisy was followed and Zoot was very determined that she should never go.

So Happy Birthday, my darling Daisy.  I hope you had a good one.  I am very proud of you, always.
All my love
Mum xx

PS and a huge thank you for all your help this summer holidays.  Without you, we wouldn’t have had so much fun.

20 years old, who would’ve thought it?  This time 20 years ago……