Thursday afternoon and you will find me packing vegetables at Transition Turriefield ready to go to the shops.  It’s what I do.  Not a job – I volunteer.

Anyway, we were all weighing, packing and labelling away, chatting as we went when someone appeared with binoculars and a casually slung camera saying he had just seen (and it was a confirmed sighting) of an Eastern Crowned Warbler (Phylloscopus coronatus) at Turriefield.

Apparently this is a very rare bird who has absolutely no business being in Shetland being happier in Japan or Manchuria.   I had a look but regretfully saw nothing.  It’s green. The trees are green.  Nuff said.

However, I did then spot about 200 bird-watchers (you aren’t allowed to call them twitchers – they hate that) descend on the hill opposite, complete with “bins” and cameras, with longer lenses than mine.

Bored of not seeing this extremely rare bird who has obviously made a wrong turn somewhere, I took photos of the polytunnels in the low Autumn sunlight instead.

And then went back indoors to talk to Trotsky, the cat, and finish my vegetable packing.

One thing I will add is that these bird-watchers drive fast and don’t care about other road-users in their pursuit of a rare bird and nearly had me off the road on my way home.  Not great really.

I came back from Turriefield (my vegetable packing volunteering job) after a busy morning with a packet of little carrots that hadn’t sold.  I was told they were for the sheep.

So the dogs and I set off to find Gussie to give them to him.  He has been such a good boy recently – here was his reward.

I found the original 7 and ‘Bert quickly sussed that I had carrots……

As did Edna – carrots were given but I kept some back for Gus-Gus.

And then off we went to the end of the field (40 acres) without seeing anyone ever again.  I checked that the end gate was shut as does blow open occasionally and then everyone escapes.

Now, one thing – I’ve stopped wearing my glasses.  They annoy me but then I actually can’t see very much.  However, I did see a vague blob in the far corner of the field and I used my camera on the phone to see what it could possibly be.  A rock?  No, a rather obvious Gussie shaped blob.  Aha! Located.

I shouted and rustled the carrot bag and they came running over.  Phew.  I hate losing sheep.

Sitting on my rock, I fed them both the remaining carrots.

And the reason Gussie was a good boy was that one of his horns had to be cut off (on Sunday) as it was going to grow into his head.  We also cut ‘Bert’s too for the same reason.

Gus-Gus was so good about this operation.  He just let us clip it off with the pony hoof clippers – it must’ve been a bit of a surprise for him.

So Gussie is my speshul soldier at the moment and  the carrots were his reward for this new experience.  It will probably have to be done fairly regularly.

It has been a lovely day – a slight breeze with endless lovely sunshine.  I could feel everyone around me relax and breathe out.  We all make the most of days like these.

I’d like you to know I watched Tiddles bend over and nibble Waffle’s ear!

I don’t know why Waffle had decided some dried up mud was the perfect place to snooze.  There’s a lovely large patch of green grass next to him but that’s Waffle for you.

Anyway, everyone made the most of this gorgeous day.

They were all in a very snoozy mood.  Even Storm gave in.

Except for the little capybara that is Newt whose middle name is Evil!  He was not giving in to sleep for anyone….. ever!

While everyone was eating their hay, I made the executive decision to open up a bit more of the track.

It is pretty bare now, and I am swithering about whether to send the ponies to another nearby croft to go onto that hill park (field).

Pros:  Endless grass which would be good for them and me – no more lugging haynets.
Cons:  I would have to drive there daily and put on/take off rugs as there is very little shelter.

I am not sure I want them away from home this time of year.

So my middle ground is to give the ponies a little more grazing so they have the benefits of the containers too, if they want them.  It’s easy enough to do – I just move the electric fence and cut the corners.

The “new” grass is not rich green grass so hopefully no laminitis.

And they all seemed very happy to be given it.

An afternoon spent making sheep.

And after tea, I went back to see if anyone had moved.

Apparently not and they had made quick work of it too. Locusts.

So, having written this all down and seen my arguments, I think for the time being I will keep the ponies on the track, opening up more as the winter goes along…. but this could all change.  You know me.  Nothing written in stone.

I’m feeling very slightly smug.

After breakfast (their’s, not mine), I put a headcollar on Albie, taking him away from his haynet-in-a-box over to the containers where Fivla was resting.

I asked Albie to walk into the container and he just walked straight in.   No reluctance, no refusal.

I was very happy with him and dished out carrots to say well done and thank you.  This was good.  No, it was great.  A huge Albie hurdle overcome.

And then there was the lingering capybara who had followed along possibly for the chance of a carrot.

Later on, in the morning, I noticed there were not many Shetland ponies around – just two cousins eating hay and no one else.

I found this lot in one of the containers.

They were packed like sardines.  It was snug but warm, possibly a bit close (stuffy).

Albie was happily in with his herd and seemed very relaxed.

The other container remained empty despite evidence of investigation.  And, interestingly, Albie and his friends spent all day in their container just chillin’.

I’ve just mucked out now.  There was a lot but it was easily swept out and taken away by Skippy (my BFF).