Tag Archives: My Shetland

Back to the Vegetables

Today, feeling stronger, I returned to my usual job of packing vegetables.

There was lots to do and the old muscle memory kicked in as I filled poly bags with salad and other leafy veg, labelled them, distributed and counted what was going where.

The sun was shining, although it was bitterly cold, and I was well-prepared – I took my Christmas-present hand-warmers with me and they were a god-send in the cold packing shed.

Later this afternoon, there was a bit more running around and I am now lying in bed considering what painkillers to take and how strong.   I am beginning to think that I probably over-did things today. I must learn to say no and to pace myself.  Flossie can’t stay forever picking up the pieces.

Still, I have Monster with me lying on my bed.  He came indoors soaking wet, so I dried him off and I took a quick picture of his audition for the Nativity.

No one is talking to Pepper (again). She tried to kill a duck.  Not our best day then.

So How Old Is He?

When Daisy and I first met Monster in April 2018, we were told he was approximately 2 – 4 years old.  Our Shetland vet at the time and I disagreed with this estimate and thought he was more like 6 – 8 years old as Monster was one big confidant cat who did not look like he had just been around for a couple of years.

Meet n’ Greet – Day 1 at the SSPCA – on his throne

Does this look like a 2 year old cat to you?

First day at home

I don’t know. I suppose Monster could’ve been 2 – 4.  He had been a Tom cat (swiftly neutered by the SSPCA) and certainly built like one.

So that brings us swiftly to 2026.  By my calculations, we’ve had Monster for 8 years (of total joy, obviously) so at best he is 10 – 14 years old but these days we are all noticing that Monster is getting increasingly stiff when he gets up out of his many beds and I think he might be older than we were told – more like 16.

And I know there are supplements like Yumove for cats but they are all fish-based and he absolutely loathes all fish so I am not sure what the answer is.

A Dog Walk on the Beach

We have a major storm arriving soon, so to the make the most of the bad weather approaching, I took the dogs for a walk on Reawick Beach with some friends and their dog, Harley.

Reawick beach is different from our usual beaches as it has red granite sand.  It is always nice.

With lots of shells too – a good and varied supply.

  

Although not the biggest of Shetland’s beaches, we had it to ourselves and walked up a down a few times, while Harley had a tennis ball thrown for him.  My lot ignored that but enjoyed the new sniffs and smells that were everywhere.  Next time, I want to take my big camera but, for them moment, it is too heavy for me to lug around.

Not gonna lie, but I think I might’ve overdone things a bit now, I realise but at the time walking along a deserted beach with friends and dogs was perfect.  I have managed to make another sheep this afternoon because I must keep going on that front too.

The cruise ships start to arrive at the end of this month and then it will be full steam ahead on the visitor front, espcially in Lerwick where I hope my sheep will sell and travel the world.

So I’m having a bit of a lie down now and will regroup to find my last gasp of energy required for supper, writing two weeks’ of the diaries, a shower and bed.

Though I may forego the Diaries, just this once, especially if I start typing rubbish, which is definitely a pissibolity!

Busy Doing Nothing

Another lovely day and, by choice, I have done nothing much because I just don’t feel like it.  I took no photos, didn’t go for a walk, or do anything.  Floss, on the other paw, has run around all day and even cooked supper too.

Last night I almost saw the Northern Lights.

This photo was taken by precariously holding my phone from the bathroom window. They never really got going, or if they did, I wasn’t aware of it.

So it is a boring blog because I wanted a day off from all my days off of total inactivity.  I felt lazy today. A chocolate-eating day, if you will and yes, I did share my chocolate with Flossie while she whisked past with the hoover.

Holding The Fort

The fort is being well and truly held by Flossie.  She is doing admirable work looking after us all, I know, and it’s not easy.

Today Flossie came in from feeding everyone saying Tiddles wasn’t very enthused about his breakfast, so we went out after our breakfast armed with his rug and put it back on.  I think he was struggling with thinking spring is here as it still quite cold.  We’ll see what he is like tomorrow morning.  Hopefully his rug will make the difference.

I am trying to gently mobilise now so helped this afternoon with getting the sheep home.  It was nice to see that Gussie has got over his “stranger danger” and now considers Floss to be one of his best friends.

I think Gussie watches ‘Bert for his inspiration and ‘Bert adores Flossie and Daisy (don’t we all?)

Anyway, Flossie and Gussie had a good conversation.

Something about always travelling with a snack because you just never know.

And it was nice for me to be a little more out and about.

I wonder if Lambie was pleased to see me. Apparently he’s been the model citizen for Flossie (of course he would be).

And then I drove over to our neighbours who, unbeknownst to them, had Pepper.  She had long since vanished into thin air after her tea *** more sighing *** and we found her very much at home around their stables.  Steps will have to be taken now to prevent this wandering as I’m bored of it and all the apologising.

(I think she all knows we hate her – wee turd)