After a very successful flute duet afternoon, I went to check the Icelandic horses just to make sure that they don’t have colic or laminits.

They don’t and I know this as I fed them all a diagnostic carrot.

Afterwards, I crossed the hill, elegantly jumped over a fence (ok, scrambled) and went to see the sheep.  They were, sort of, all together in their flock and I sat myself down on a comfortable rock to see who came over to talk.

And wee Gussie and his mum, Dahlia arrived as if by magic!  Instantly.

Dear little Gus-Gus.

Pepper was also sitting on my knee because Dahlia is not a fan so it was the safest place.

So that was me this late afternoon. Just sitting on a not-very-comfortable rock (I lied about the comfort factor), listening to the birds near by and the sea in the far distance thinking that this is my world and, actually, it is pretty perfect.  I wouldn’t change much.

Addendum:  I may be drinking wine!

I am always counting animals – 9 sheep, 3 Icelandics, 8 Shetland ponies, 12 ducks, 8 hens, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 daughters …. the list is endless.

So, this morning at breakfast, I was counting the ponies and my total only came to 7.  Panic!  Where’s Newt?

I found him in his office!

Fivla arrived so wanted to show her the other container so she knew that if Newt was not letting anyone inside, there were other options.

Options are always good.

Newt can be difficult with the others when he makes up his mind.

Storm, who is Newt’s cousin, wanted in too.

And then everyone wanted in too but Newt was still in charge though.  This was his space, so you know.

Dear Silver stayed with Albie who remains adamant he will never go inside.

The way I see it is that Albie is young and fat.  Staying outside in bad weather can be his choice and if he shivers some weight off, I wouldn’t be sad.

I did try scattering carrots in the empty container to try and lure him inside but that was when Newt switched containers to go and eat them all!  I told you he’s in charge…. possibly of us all!

I (and OH) are exhausted but we did it. We fitted out the two containers with their rubber mats.

Two coats of bitumen paint were down and had dried first.

Then we lugged half the mats from the van into the back of OH’s little van.

We reckoned on eight mats per container.

And, of course, two mats didn’t fit so they had to be measured…..

…. and cut.

One container ready.

And then we did the next one, which was much quicker because we had it down to a fine art by then.

I opened the barrier and the ponies, who had been hovering near by watching and commenting, arrived.

Fivla was the first one in but we were busy using up the spare rubber matting on another shed, so no photos.  Newt was also inquisitive.

The others thought about it for a while but wouldn’t come inside…..

…. despite watching Newt eat lots of treats for his bravery.

So, in the end, I put an ill-fitting headcollar on Tiddles (the closest) and led him inside to have a treat.

Then Waffle and Fivla…..

Swiftly followed by everyone else.

Everyone else, that is, except for Albie who would have none of it and refused to walk inside so I left him to it.

I think I can safely say that the others loved the container.

It’s funny, Albie is not scared of Skippy but going inside a container was one step too far.

I left everyone to explore and Newt spent his afternoon going in and out endlessly.  A bit like  Eeyore’s balloon in a pot.

“But Eeyore wasn’t listening. He was taking the balloon out, and putting it back again, as happy as could be.⁠ ⁠…”

I finished making my afternoon sheep so I thought I would pop over to Clothie to check on the Ancient Icelandic horses.

Haakon had taken himself away.  He didn’t want to talk to the riff-raff (his words and he meant Kolka and Iacs, not me, obviously!)

So I gave them all a turmeric treat and took some photos, as I was standing downhill which can makes for a nice backdrop/angle.

Kolka wanted Iacs’ treats so she came over to block him.

Iacs was having none of it.  Those treats were rightfully his and he told her.

But Kolka never gives up without a fight……

I told them both to stop!

I explained I wanted to take a nice photo of nice Icelandic horses.

I did try, honestly. *** sigh, oh Iacs ***.  He has to let the side down with a gormless face (I blame his owner).

And then they went back to bickering.

I walked away and Kolka decided to follow me too by walking down the wall, like any normal horse wouldn’t do.  I love the way her big bum is in Iacs’ way!  He looks less than impressed.

They are all beginning to grow their hairy winter coats now and I am feeding for winter weather, despite it still being warm.  The more coverage they have internally and externally, the better they will get through the next six months.  Hairy and “well-covered” is good with this lot.

It’s been very foggy all day but when I walked the dogs, I found all the sheep together, which gave me great joy.

At last, I thought, and I took a few photos and sat down on a rock.

Various sheep came up to talk to me…..

Bert

Maggie

Gussie Fink-Nottle (and sometimes known as Gussie Hot-Water-Bottle!)

Harrel-the-Barrel trying to win me round.

Lambie, being aloof.

And then he came trotting up and stood beside me while I gave him a good scratch.

Even Maggie was on form.

She nearly came up to me but then no.

I took lovely photos of Edna, Dahlia and ‘Ster but since upgrading the IOS on my camera, it refuses to play ball with my computer or anything really.  I need some time to sort it all out.