Today was the “Celebrate One Year to Go until the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow” afternoon. So off we went to Gilbertson Park in Lerwick with Fivla and Vitamin, plus the Fair Isle sweaters.

Luckily it was a cool, overcast day which meant the ponies were not too hot or miserable.  We arrived, did some brushing, and put the ganseys on.

We also quickly spied an ice-cream van so decided to start the session properly.

A few early introductions and then off to meet our waiting public.

There was much going on around us and the girls totally ignored it, concentrating only on the nice green grass that needed eating or the small child that needed meeting.

There was a prize giving and photos afterwards where the ponies were included.

More eating, more meeting and more greeting…

Still masses going on behind us, including Double Dutch skipping (very impressive).

There was even a large parade of flag wearing children and, though interested to start with, neither Fivla or Vitamin actually cared enough to stop eating for very long.

We cleared up after ourselves and, as everyone was going home, we made the decision to wend our way as well.

I am exhausted but pleased.  The girls behaved perfectly and everyone loved them.  So Round 2 tomorrow and I will report back then of our next adventure.  An early start so I am off to bed.

I luff my horses from Iceland, I really do. Klængur is coming along so well under Daisy’s riding and Bjørn’s expert tutelage.

It is lovely to watch and I am very proud of Daisy.  She has achieved this summer with my horses and she is about the only person I can watch ride them without feeling green with envy.

Today, too, Bjørn looked at Taktur who is enjoying his summer holidays with the lads.  I wanted him to tell me whether he thought Taktur was too thin (a mother does worry, you know).  Luckily he said he looked fabularse and had grown too.  We just have to keep reminding ourselves that he is only 4 years old which is very difficult as Taktur is a wise head on young shoulders and did so well when he was backed.  I refuse to use the word broken.  He was never broken to ride.  He was backed or trained.

This is a happy little field.  The boys are having the best summer and there is no arguing or bullying.

Then the girls – I do not see enough of them.  All I know, in my heart, is that Hetja is wonderful and going to have lovely foals with Taktur.  They will complement each other beautifully.  She is so strong and regal.

Bjørn looked at them both as he hasn’t seen them for a while.  Esja is still a baby.  She thinks like a baby too but she is only 2 years old so it is just a matter of waiting for her to grow up some more before we start to do anything with her.

So thems are my horses from Iceland.  They are happy here and have adapted to their new surroundings very quickly.  Now for some foals please…..

First, locate your pony and shout hopefully …

Fivla, recognising it was her who we obviously wanted, came galloping up doing her best Lady Diana impression (ever the star).

We caught her and Vitamin and loaded them into the trailer.  They are both professionals at this and just walk up the ramp with no discussion (my kinda pony).

We took them back to Jo’s, tied them up where they were brushed and given a pedicure (or foot trim).

Vitamin had a chat with BeAnne as she is used to being beautified for photoshoots too.  These super-models have so much in common.

Then out came the buckets plus the beauty enhancing products.  We did use hot water even thought it was 19 degrees something outside.  The Burco boiler on over-time – a very useful piece of kit.

Fivla’s tail had to be biologically dealt with.  A yellow tail is not a good look.  We put it into soak for a while.

Then it was all hands on deck and Fivla and Vitamin were bathed.  All the winter filth and grease was washed off until they gleamed.

Then rinsed.  They have both done many shows in their youth, so are used to this treatment.

All the tats and knots were combed out.

One more rinse of Vitamin’s tail as Fiona found some bubbles when she was brushing.

Now perfect, we put them into Jo’s back garden to dry off, stay clean (as if) until Tuesday when they have their first public appearance.

We left them rolling…..

and meeting the neighbours.

Please stay clean, please stay clean, please stay clean – repeat ad nauseam!  and don’t let it rain on Tuesday or Wednesday and, while I am at it, no fog please either.  Is this starting to sound like  a list now?

Wuss is getting braver or Loki is chasing him less.  OH decided to make the most of the fact that Loki is also slightly sedated with painkillers and lack of testicles.  He took him to meet Wuss outside.

There was some wagging of the tail and looking shifty but Loki did not try to pull and chase and Wuss seemed fairly calm about things.  He is coming indoors more too which is a good sign he feels more comfortable.  Loki has to stay on a lead for 10-14 days post-op so now is the time to work on these skills, we feel.

Wuss, of course, is not helpful and can be found upside down on the driveway…..

… or imitating road kill.  Yes, he is a very big cat.  No, he is not fat.  No, we do not feed him  and yes, he does get his food from what he catches so, no, we cannot put him on a diet.  If you want to put him on a diet, you tell him!

Anyway, I don’t think Wuss looks too stressed with the newest member of the family.

He goes where he goes and if he meets Loki, well then, they will hopefully sort out their relationship.  Wuss is really a farm cat.  He comes and goes and chooses when he lives with us.  He does know his name and will come running to you, if you shout for him.  Ok, when I say running I probably mean wobbling hopefully.

Loki’s walks are, for the forseeable, on a lead.  Jack is on a lead because he hates walks and just turns tail when you are not looking to immediately go home.  You would think we were punishing them with this terrible torture that is a short dog-walk.

BeAnne is the only one to trust when it suits her.  She has taken to going off a-digging, taking herself off for a swim to try and wash the evidence away and then coming home soaking wet covered in mud.

On our walk to the end of the track, I heard a buzzing sound.  I have a huge fondness for bumblebees and there was a beautiful bumble bee.  They are very special and I am not sure what species it is to be honest.  I am hoping it is the Bombus muscorum (Shetland Bumble Bee) but I could be very wrong and would not dare to seriously identify it.  If you know, please let me know.

Always, always, always, when you go out on horseback have one and a spare.  Thems are the rules.

I went on foot.  Daisy went on horseback.

I took Haakon with me so we could “bond” before I ride him at the beginning of August.

And off we plodded on the 2 mile walk with BeAnne in her beankini (Loki was at the vet to be castrated – tough but true – my OH was being manly and supportive for him).

Anywho, back to us.  We all set out and Daisy went off for her canter while Haakon and I blocked the gateway in case she ran out of control!

Haakon ate as much grass as he could on her behalf.  The Wall – none shall pass.

Actually there was far too much eating and Haakon and I had an exchange of views as he dragged me off to every blade of grass he could.  Bad and horrible manners.  It is not as though he is starving.

So on the way home, BeAnne was tired and she wanted to hitch a ride.  Iacs duly obliged.

She seemed happy enough watching the world go by from a better observation point and off they all pottered.

We met a friend and stopped for a chat.  Haakon remained ever-optimistic that every car has an endless supply of biscuits.  How wrong he was.  Only once did someone produce one and he has never forgotten.

Iacs was bored of his extra passenger, so she hopped off and onto her 2nd mount, Haakon.

And off she went again perfectly happily.  Haakon is used to this and takes it all in his stride.

We met OH on his travels with Jack(et Potato) who was missing Loki dreadfully.  They walked back with us.

And Haakon pulled me home with his tail.  He knows the score and that’s how we roll in this Shire!