If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair….

by Scott McKenzie

Himself was mooching about while we were doing feet.  He likes to mooch.  Its his “thing”.

He mooches because, I think, he has a regular supply of small children who adore him.  They visit often and were seen hopping up and down by the roadside trying to catch his attention.  Methinks he also knows his way around a picnic too.

He likes to keep an eye.  Make sure we are doing things properly.  He had his hooves trimmed and I had another lovely chat and snog with him.  His nose is addictive.

And then he had a little roll because, I dunno, he could?

(another Ferdinand the Bull moment.  It runs in the Thordale Stud stallions)

I laughed when he got up.  I’m sorry but I did.

Then he had a shake, which didn’t make anything better.

And he stood there looking a bit “speshul”.

Obviously, embracing his feminine side and searching for his inner hippy, Indy wore this look well.  Some can and some can’t.  Personally, I think he can.

A very handsome boy who enjoys exploring all aspects of his, err, flowery side!

I cleaned him up a little so he hid behind a large fern.  I don’t actually think there is anyone more gorgeous on this entire planet than Indy PingPong.  He is such a dude.

Of course, I can only think this when I am not near Taktur who is the personification of all things gorgeous, but please don’t tell Indy.  Conversations about Taktur bore him.

(and Taktur doesn’t wear flowers like Indy can)

This is about as close as Loki can get to Wussums (on the roof).

This is not good – they hate each other.  Tis a fact and one we are not likely to change in the near future so we keep them apart.

To change the subject, we took Loki and BeAnne to Sandness beach for a nice walk.  Things are getting a tad tense at home, which does not make for a learning environment for any of us.

Sandness Beach was empty.  It is mostly like this which spoils us because if anyone dared to turn up, we would take exception at their presence.  After all, this is “our” beach.

BeAnne loves the beach.  She especially enjoys paddling.

But best, she likes swimming and she sets off like a clock-work boat in the bath.

She is particularly good at bringing back bits of wood that anyone lobs into the sea for her.  This used to be Celt’s thing but BeAnne has taken on the mantle now (so proud, sniff).

We didn’t dare let Loki off the lead.  He seems to have totally forgotten any recall at the moment so we cannot take the risk.

OH is working on Loki’s speshul skills like coming when he is called.

Both dogs get on fine – no arguments about anything.

It is still early days and we will get there.  We are all learning and today was another wake-up call.

To cheer me up, we popped by to see PingPong and his laydeez.

I miss him so much. I miss his jolly little self, his gorgeous good looks and infinite charm (plus the way his belly touches the grass).

I think he is looking rather superb at the moment.

I will admit that I gave him a huge snog and told him he was very very handsome (I have a feeling he already knows this as every small child that goes past on their way to school has given him their sandwiches).

There is nothing better in the whole wide world that opening the front door to be met by horses.  It is better, in my opinion, than seeing the postman on your birthday!

All the horses were allowed around the house to eat the long grass.  This is a good time of year for them to have it and they like being there.  I lay in the grass yesterday evening just listening to them munching above me.  Heaven.

Some were more interested in seeing what else was about.

We started with one who was interested, which is acceptable and nice.

Then two – he brought his friend who was hopeful.

A third popped by to see if there were potential carrots in the offing.

Then a fourth and a fifth.  By now, we were lobbing the carrots over for the ones at the back.

There was no jostling and the lads were happy investigating.  I was not very worried for my car.  I trust these boys.  They have good manners and know the rules.

This is my idea of the best view ever.

I wasn’t allowed a horse or pony as a child. I forget why – something to do with gardens and not enough room – but now I have horses at my front door and life is perfect.

Now, to get them into the house without my OH noticing!  That shouldn’t be too difficult, really.

I am exhausted from the last few days but we had to get our messages today.  So off OH and I went to Lerwick.

I like Lerwick. It is just right.  Not too big, no road rage, everyone smiles and says hello.  It is also a place where you can go in wellies, hi-viz, a boilersuit and no one would bat an eyelid.  I took my camera, obviously.  It was a lovely day so I made the most of this.

One of those “floatels” has been parked on the main pier.

Perhaps not a thing of beauty, but I do like one of the “inmates” spiritual optimism!

So we shopped and quickly drove home having left the dogs for the first time on their own in the kitchen.  Jack is getting old and so is his bladder but there were no puddles, so that was good.  Their reward was a nice walk in the field to work on Loki’s recall skills.

Although Loki knows his name in the house and is very good at coming indoors, he has very selective hearing on walks.  He put up a snipe but never caught it.  He has a fair turn of speed but little stamina.

Then he went on a lead into the hill for a good walk with OH.

Jack and I went home as I cannot risk turning my ankle again on uneven ground and Jack only has short walks.  My ankle is splinted permanently now and I am waiting for an operation.  Yup another.

To be honest, I am rather worried about this impending time on crutches so I had a long talk with Taktur about it.  He is always good at listening and offering support.  I am crap on crutches, seriously crap.

I have also decided not to start riding in August too.  I need this ankle operation and I cannot afford to do any more damage to it (one of my falls was when I dismounted and my ankle collapsed leaving me hanging onto Haakon’s mane as a crutch – not good).

I am learning to let go – it just not very easy.

An early start for us all.  Daisy and I were at Jo’s for 08.00.  Fivla was already waiting to go.

We had left the Land Rover full of all the stuff we used from yesterday so all we had to do was load up the ponies and get going to Lerwick to collect Fiona at Tesco’s car park.

As we drove out of Lerwick, we could see the fog starting to come down.  It wasn’t too bad on the way in but our hearts sank into our boots as we headed south for the airport.

This is not the weather that lets important airplanes into Shetland.  We had been asked to meet The First Minister of Scotland, Mr Alex Salmond, for a photoshoot with Fivla and Vitamin in their Fair Isle sweaters on behalf of The Scottish Government.

Camp was made at the approved place – a field next to The Sumburgh Hotel in front of The Jarlshof – one of Shetland’s most famous landmarks.

The happy campers!

Bored, while waiting for any plane to land, we played i-spy while I took photos of sparrows.  My phone rang occasionally with the latest update but still we sat…..

The sun tried to come out and failed so we did a spot of fog-bathing for a while, still waiting.

We had put the girls on a tether tied to the Land Rover bumper and they were busy stuffing their faces.

At one stage, we managed to lose Fivla and Vitamin in the long grass around the side of the trailer.

Then action – the phone call.  Mr Salmond was held up in Aberdeen or Edinburgh by the fog so another Minister, Mr Derek Mackay MSP was going to take advantage of the ponies and have his photo taken instead.  He is the Minister for Local Government and Planning.

The “offishul photographers” arrived, were given their orders and sent to various locations…..

…. while we worked at dressing the ponies.

Once ready, they went to meet and greet.

Mr Mackay liked them very much and seemed happy to participate in this event.

Many photos were taken and everyone behaved beautifully.

There were photos with us as well….

… and a film.

Afterwards, a quick brush down so that no white pony hairs were on the suit. (I brought my grandmother’s cloakroom brush for the job)

Then the girls were got ready to travel home.

It was a long day for us all – exhausting.  All that waiting in the fog.

Home again for everyone.

A day to remember and I think Mr Mackay will remember us too.