We were all in Lerwick today.  There was a huge cruise ship sitting in the fog and the Continental Market was in town as well.

Look, look false teeth!

Anyway, we pottered up and down but were particularly taken by the scaffolding outside Jamiesons Knitwear.  It was a wonderful piece of innovation and a rare touch of humour in the fog-bound Lerwick.

Messages done, we traipsed home and the weather became brighter and the skies bluer.  There was surface water about but we didn’t pay it much attention.

Upon our return, Daisy wanted to ride so she went to tack up Klængur.  I found her returning him to his field looking rather pissed-off.  He was unrideable, she stated but she didn’t know why.  However, she knew it would have been stupidity to get on. I phoned Jo to ask her what the weather had been doing.  Apparently there had been a thunder storm – massive thunder and lightning going on for ages.  Fiona had arrived to ride Hreyfing and had to turn tail and go home as the heavens opened.  Hreyfing was not playing ball either.  So that explained Klængur’s attitude.  Better left alone.  Daisy said Hammy was being very agreeable so we knew something was most definitely wrong!

Our eyes turned to Iacs (aka Bimble) and Haakon.  They were caught and brought in.  Daisy rode Bimble first. I read her a dressage test and they looked very nice together.

We knew there was nothing wrong with Bimble as his silly-frilly looked fine.

Haakon was not affected either.  He let BeAnne have a little rest, while the others worked hard.

And then, because he didn’t care about BeAnne, I had a go onboard which was lovely although it was more a Dressage Argument than a Dressage Test that we practiced.

I also decided, as no one was particularly watching, to step it up a gear and we had a very passable tölt on both reins.  Good on Daisy, she has kept him fit for me and trained him well these past few months.  I am hugely grateful.

BeAnne made her bed elsewhere and nodded off.  She obviously suffered in the thunderstorm without her mum.

I am a little bit peeved as I would’ve loved to try to photo the lightning.

Today is the first of August.  My spinal surgeon said I could ride in August so I am taking that as the first of August.  To be honest, I was scared.  All today I was putting it off. I kept finding a reason not to.  But all that has gone before and all that will go on after made me do this.  I needed to do it, even if you understand or not.

Haakon is my friend.  We have known each other for over 15 years.  I have watched him this Spring and Summer look at me while others have ridden him. It has been very difficult.  Now it was my turn.

I did what I always do – I was on my own.  OH knew what I planned but he sensibly stayed well away, ready to pick up the pieces if necessary and package them back to the NHS.  I had all my stuff – my back protector, my hat, etc ready to go.

And so we did.  Ok, not pretty, not much use but I did ride.  I make no excuses for how I look and if you cringe, just remember I have had immense spinal surgery for the 3rd time and my left ankle is in a splint.

I realise my riding career is going to be brief.  I am back for more surgery in September but I enjoyed it, so who cares.

We tried out an Inter-Dressage test (internet dressage test) in walk which was hard work as Haakon spooked at the bit of paper I was holding when we tried it first in-hand.  Silly old fart.  Meanwhile, BeAnne positioned herself at A so we knew where it was.

Today was wonderful, an eye-opener and I fully intend to continue riding until I cannot again.  I know some of you are sucking your teeth but I have had so much taken away from me these past few months, and I have played ball, so I need this one thing back for a little while.  I need to fly.

We haven’t been to see the ladies for a while so we paid them a visit today.

First up was Lyra-Lyra-Pants-on-Fyra.  She loves her Daisy still and probably will forever.  She is a very smart little filly and the more I see of her, the more I think we must keep her.  I wish Daisy was into showing but she isn’t.  When I asked her what she planned to do with Lyra (obviously she has to belong to her), Daisy said  “I wish there was a show class where you could just put them in their pen and then she was judged”.  My reply was “that is called The Pet Class”.

Carina is looking good too.  Daisy plucked off the last of her winter fur which is now shifting.  It is only the end of July so she has taken her time to realise it is summer now.  She has the most gorgeous head and a good mane.  I like her shape and she is such a sweetie too.

Gwendolinda is looking, err, substantial.  She has made friends with “Dingo” and they follow each other about.  She is definitely a family pony who just wants to be endlessly hugged.

Zoot is still a darling.  She thinks she should be first for everything and doesn’t care about her lack of size or experience.  Zoot is always there.  She is very like Bozz-Bozz (her full brother) in character.

So that’s Les Girls.  We adore them all.  Oh yes, Daisy lightly backed Lyra, Zoot and Carina too.  No one cared and it is all good practice.

I love these photos of Carina telling Daisy where to scratch – left a bit, right a bit….

I did try to leave Daisy in the field with them.  She seemed to fit in so well and was making noises about them all living in her bedroom….. The L’Oreal Girls – because they are worth it (apparently).

Yesterday was incredible.  One of those beautiful Shetland days with huge skies that take your breath away.  This is Foula, which I see every day.  It is about 20 miles west of us.  It always looks different every day.

I accompanied Daisy and the Bimble on a walk as it was such a wonderful day. I dragged Haakon along too and BeAnne caught a rabbit. All was right with the world.

Today was less brilliant.  It rained and it was a day of trying to mend OH’s laptop that finally expired and breathed it’s last with a new screen none of us had ever seen – half grey, half black.  Loki was trying to be supportive during the grieving process (luckily, I had managed to drag all the data off before it died).

So while OH was cursing at his laptop, I pottered around the garden to try and take photos of  raindrops on the roses and whiskers on kittens (ok, I am not doing that last bit and we don’t have any roses).

I will admit, and only Jo knows this, but for many years, I used to go happily about in blissful ignorance singing “raindrops on roses and fish coloured kittens”.  Don’t judge me.

I was quite pleased with the above.  It is not easy, I can tell you.  However, the tripod did help, though with three extra legs, I am guaranteed to trip plus much cursing and swearing whilst trying not to tread in dog shit too!  I had helpers.

Meanwhile, while my nose was to the grindstone, around me was this weird mist or sea haar that was insidiously creeping in from the sea over the hills.

And then we were back into a thick fog again for the afternoon.  Ho hum!  I am quite pleased with my droplets.  I shall practice more, I think.  I want to do more experimenting.

I don’t want to discuss the midges.

Feet are like the Forth Bridge.  They never stop needing attention.  This is Jo’s kit and very useful it is.  She is on the UK Farrier Register too.

These days, all I do is stand around and take photographs.  I am too broken to help much.  However, I did manage to hold PingPong to stop him eating.  It makes Jo’s job much harder if his head is welded to the ground.

All the horses are very good at having their feet done, even the babies.  They also don’t mind the dogs trawling round looking for off-cuts to chew.

Fiona arrived and took one look at Verona’s mane – this is her “Ugh” face – and set to.

As I said, the dogs trawl around and BeAnne has absolutely no idea that she might be kicked.  My heart jumped when I saw this and I yelled at her to move.  Some ponies would not be so tolerant.

The winter mane was pulled out in large clumps.

Snati decided to scrag BeAnne, much to her annoyance but she put up with it.

To get him to leave her alone, we put her on Verona’s back.  I love the way she has her tongue stuck out (probably at Snati!)

BeAnne sat smugly on Verona’s back who has never had a dog there in her life until yesterday. BeAnne’s triumphant smile says it all. Love it!

Fiona tirelessly continued her work.

(an excellent riding seat)

And, again, my heart went into mouth when I saw what liberties BeAnne took with Verona.  FFS, she could be kicked but it doesn’t dawn on either of them to react.  Ponies like this are worth their weight in gold.  I don’t care if Verona hasn’t been in the show ring – there should be a Class specifically called Can Your Terrier Walk Under Your Pony’s Belly Class.  Few would be in this class and Verona should win.

Can I add, I do not promote this dog’s behaviour.  It was just something I happened to capture on film and BeAnne would be the first to save herself should shit happen.  Shit rarely does because she is mostly good at keeping out of it.

Anyway, Verona is now beautiful again in body as well as mind, which is exemplary.  My kind of Shetland pony.