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.

Yesterday, OH made the valid point that the horses and ponies should be in the furthest away fields for autumn as it would be easier for us when it was truly winter when they could then be nearer home.

Don’t tell him, but I think he was right.  His idea made good sense.

So I spent my morning cleaning out water troughs and transporting water over to the Ancients’ new field – Clothie.  The one that is a bit of a walk across the open hill.

And then we led them over.  The horses all know this field well and it hasn’t been touched for ages.  Lots of grass to be eaten down.

The Minions will go onto a hill field at another croft when I think the autumn flush is over.  It is still a bit warm and the grass is growing.

Question: Why do I take water over to the field when there are ditches full of the stuff?
Answer: Because Haakon really struggles to drink/bend lower than his hooves and so stops drinking and gets colic.  It has happened before.

Today I went to Lerwick to collect my rubber mats and drop off some sheep at Jamieson’s ready for the Wool Week rush.

Town was busy and there was nowhere easy to park so I did the bare minimum and got out quick.

Once home, I went over to Clothie to check everyone was eating and drinking fine.  After the hustle and bustle of town, I needed some peace so I sat on a “comfortable” rock near the horses.

It really was just what I needed, apart from the munching. There was lots of munching and Iacs was farting. 💨💣

Dahlia and Gussie are now very settled.  It’s like they’ve always been here and have fitted me into their routine beautifully.

They mostly, I think, live in a field but come home every morning for their breakfast, which they eat in the shed.  I like everyone to eat in a contained area so that they get used to it and don’t panic if they have to go inside for shearing or drenching.

After breakfast, everyone follows me back into the field.  Another rule –  go into a field during the daytime, please, except of course if it is vile weather then you can loaf around the shed.

Little Gussie is enchanting and very optimistic that I always have treats.

His mother is not far behind.

They are still together and, if they were in the hill, they would’ve been split up today.  One going to the freezer next month and one possibly going somewhere else.

As for the others, Dahlia and Gussie are slowly infiltrating a rather close-knit flock. Some might say spoilt.

Also, these two are thick as thieves despite Dahlia’s best efforts to keep her son away from bad influences.

It was good to see Edna being friends too.  She knows what the hill is like in winter.  She was dumped there (ear tags cut out) with Madge, her daughter a few years’ back.

So, it is still work-in-progress but I think they will soon be one happy flock.   I am hopeful.

‘Ster assures me he is doing his very best.

I am not convinced at all by Maggie.

And as for Lambie…… who even knows what is going on in there!

And in other news, ‘Bert’s eyes have completely cleared up and I am very relieved.