Tag Archives: lerwick

To Town (hay) and Ponies

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I’m not sure what really happened today.  Nothing huge – so really my type of day. I started by going into town in the van (mostly to see if it still ran) and brought home a huge round bale of hay because the Shetland ponies will be eating that all spring and summer now.

The ponies need something because absolutely no grass is growing on their track and they mustn’t starve (apparently).

It’s the unforgiving north wind. Temperatures are right down.

Anyway, the van did start and went fine which was a big phew for me.

I have a headache now which possibly means I was stressing about the van as it is 2012 so 14 years old and can be a bit grumbly at times.

So I drove in, bought the hay, and came straight home, stopping for no one. I took Pepper with me as company and she was very good, saying hello to anyone who wanted to talk to her.

And then I’ve been practising “hairdo’s” on Newt.  None of them work very well, though.  He is difficult to find the right style.  I haven’t nailed it.

Little “bovver” boy…..

There are no words.

And then Jedward?  Oh dear.

I think my headache just got worse.

We go to Town

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I had my shopping list ready (and I also took a photo of it in case I lost it, which I usually do).

I had my companion too and off we went to town – aka Lerwick, Shetland’s capital.

First stop was Harbro (agricultural feed merchant).  They have a lovely sign saying “dogs welcome”, which I expect they will be taking down shortly as Pepper insisted on trying to jump over their counter. She was hyper and not listening.

Then to “the Street”.  We went to LHD – I needed to buy some waterproof gloves and we left as quickly as possible as Pepper was pulling like a determined wee train.  We returned to the car, had words, and I put her Halti on – no pull dog head collar.  Pepper’s attitude changed and she realised I was going to win this battle.  Life became better. The halti changed everything.  Instant control.

Then we went into various shops – with me asking permission first.  I never assume.

The Bank (Royal Bank of Scotland) …..

I love my Bank (for obvious reasons). Where else would one of their staff sit on the floor with my dog, so I can get on?  Thank you Royal Bank of Scotland – never change.

Then into Superdrug, and again everyone was lovely.

The cashier said “I love it when dogs come into the shop”, and Pepper duly wagged her tail and was appreciative of attention (apologies – worst photo ever of Pepper).

Pepper was happy.  She also met other dogs – no fights.  This was good for Pepper. She needs to get out more.

I had a quick go round Tesco’s for supplies and then we drove home.  I have a headache.

 

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.

A Morning Away

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Today I left my bed.

It was bliss. My friend, Monika, kindly offered to drive me to Lerwick. I desperately wanted to stock up on animal feed before the next snow arrives – it is threatening for next week.

So, Monika collected me at 10 o’clock, when we had all finished our crofting chores, and drove me to town.

First stop, the feed merchants. It felt very odd being amongst real people as opposed to my family who are used to my current prone form on the bed for most of my day.

    

Then on to another feed merchant – to get all the stuff that the other one hadn’t got.

And lastly, to the chemist who supplies the drugs for Bibble and his cancererous bits. They are lovely in there and I always show them a photo of a very happy Bibble so they know all their efforts of finding the cheapest version of the drug and ordering it for him are totally worth it.

Just before we turned for home, I said that I had more energy than I thought I would’ve and could we possibly go to Tesco for a quick nip round with a trolley. Such luxuries before me and I stocked up on the essentials – yes, my Tunnock teacakes were replenished.

It was lovely to be away from home, animals and around other people and things. For me, it was ridiculously wonderful.

And then home, unpacked and I spent the afternoon resting on my bed remembering that I can be normal, I can have a normal life and I will get better one day to reclaim it.

Huge thanks to Monika who was the best chauffeur.

Edited to say I am paying for my galivanting now – currently on acupressure mat wondering when I can take analgesia.

 

 

Dreich

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I don’t think it is actually going to stop raining until next year.  It was dreich (a great word for today).

And it was just getting light when I went outside serving up breakfast to everyone, hence the dismal photos.  Tis the way, this time of year.

So, armed with my extensive shopping list, I headed to Lerwick stopping off first at the feed merchant for provisions for all things ovine, equine and poultry.

And then a quick swoop around Tesco with my trolley and I drove home while it was still daylight.  I hate driving in the dark.

In the last of the quickly fading light of early afternoon (now around 2.30 p.m.; how pathetic is that?), Skippy and I unloaded the car and I made bedding a bit fresher for the chucks and ducks and the sheep too.

Obviously, I had my little follower.  She never left my side though her determination to be run over by Skippy was admirable (if I had a pound for every time I tell her to get out from under the wheels, I could probably pay my feed bill!)

With the ducks and hens now comfortable and the sheep bedroom slightly fresher, I saw the sheep had all come home from their day out in the field.  Even Gussie and Dahlia had turned up – a routine I want them to get into.

You can see just how wet everyone was but doesn’t Gussie-Dustbin look handsome?  He’s quite the sheep these days.

I got out my statutory biscuit tin and gave everyone one ginger biccie each.  Them’s are the rations.  I think there was muttering about bigger rations, though.  I didn’t listen as I shut the front door for the end of the day – at 3 p.m., (fer cryin’ out loud!)