Tag Archives: hay

Snow Gone Today

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The snow has now just about gone from our fields, and so has the 4 hourly waitress service, much to the horror of everyone when we threw them back out into their fields this morning.

We put the oldies’ rugs back on and led them down to their field that hasn’t been grazed for two years. They seemed pleased to be back.  Freedom and food.

And yet, when they saw us putting the ducks to bed tonight, they came rushing over and assumed we would arrive with buckets of lovely food.  It didn’t happen.  Sorry, guys.

We put the Shetland ponies back in their old field, which started life as their winter track and they now have access to the whole place.

After a cursory glance at the grass, they spent their day in their containers grumbling, coming out only to ask for a spot of tea.

Daisy and I thought briefly about giving them some haynets and then decided no, it would set a preference, they are fat, they had a loads of hay yesterday and they can go and look for grazing in their field.  So, again, no.

For now, we stand firm on this decision and it’s not easy (though I would’ve secretly given them hay if I was on my own).

 

Escape for the Day

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As Flossie hasn’t left the house since last year – just after Christmas to be precise – I thought we should have a day out.  It would do us both good. And I am also panicking about any potential snow dump that might happen.  After all, if there is a life-threatening snow storm about to hit the USA (please, all stay safe everyone) and mega-snow in Russia (Kamchatka peninsula), then I have to worry.

So I got the horsevan out (first offering up a prayer to the Gods of starting vans) and off we drove to Lerwick, sadly leaving Pepperpot behind.

It was cold, windy with occasional biting rain.  There’ve been no boats for many days so I couldn’t get some of the animal feed I wanted.   Never mind, we have enough for a while, no one is going to starve.  I did, however, get a big bale of hay so now we are well stocked with hay.

Everyone in town is gearing up for Up Helly Aa – held on the last Tuesday of the month.

 

I checked the sheep field in Jamieson’s and kicked myself for forgetting to bring any one. Never mind. OH will go in on Monday and I can send them in with him ready for the cruise ship full of tourists arriving specifically for Up Helly Aa.

We had a nice lunch – our reward for all our recent hard work – and then a quick nip around Tesco’s.  It was very obvious there had been no boats.

Apparently no one likes watermelon.

Or beetroot.

I think (but I could be wrong) the only local produce Tesco will sell here is milk from Shetland Farm Dairies.  There was absolutely no bread in the aisles – which is disappointing because there are at least 8 – 10 local bakeries scattered all over Shetland.  At least the local shops are well stocked with bread.

We went home feeling full (delicious lunch) and with a good supply of hay too.

In My World

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This is my Night Nurse who finally turned up having cleared up the supper things first.

And this is my Day Nurse, who likes to sit on my arm, gaze at me (probably to check I am still breathing) and ruin my sweater with his pummeling claws.

I went for a little walk this afternoon, and met a kind friend bringing us hay to replace all that the horses and ponies ate while living in the shed.  We had run out and were down to nothing. I am so grateful for the kindness of everyone who has helped during this difficult time.

And then there are the sheep who came home tonight to a lovely new bed – four bales of straw were also delivered (2 now down) – and the horses’ old haynets to finish up.

Now, the snow has gone things are beginning to get easier as there is less work for me to do.  Floss is still here and she does all the daily lifting and carrying, which is helping hugely.

I am still spending most of my day lying on my bed resting up and listening to a very good version of Lord of the Rings on Spotify.  We are just leaving the Shire and entering the Old Forest.  The Black Riders have not arrived yet but they’re coming……

(I wonder if I could have LOTR wallpaper in the bedroom – or maybe even a map?)