Tag Archives: Shetland Flowers

Not Pepper’s Day

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The dogs and I went for a walk to Clothie – our 5 acre field complete with a derelict croft house that used to be a school.

The grass is so long it make the dogs invisible but they love it, bouncing over everything so they can see where they’re going or aiming for.

And the flowers are glorious and so many of them. They seem extra-good this year.

I walked round and then sat on a windowsill while the dogs galloped about looking for bunnies, etc and eventually gave up to sit close to me.

I had a lovely view with the sea in the distance.

And then, on the way home – which is across the open hill a little bit – I noticed Pepper was lagging behind and licking her front paws.

Upon closer examination, and after following the trail of blood around the kitchen, I discovered she had cut both front paw pads open.

Poor little thing.  She was in a state so I grabbed her and put her on the table, examined both paws, got some gauze and rubber gloves and made two makeshift dressings, covering them with a rubber glove and tape to keep the dirt out.  I also gave her a painkiller.

So now I am carrying Pepper everywhere and she’s no lightweight.  She slept all afternoon, which was good.

And I’ve made an appointment for Pepper to see the vet tomorrow (no appointments today, unfortunately).

Once OH gets home, I might soak and re-bandage Pepper’s paws better. This was a real bodge job as I only had one hand (the other was holding her from jumping off the table).  And then there was all the blood to clean up and I’ve just trodden in cat (?) sick and I am feeling sorry for myself too.

But poor, poor Pepperpot.

Back to Bumble Bees

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I took your advice and went into our garden yesterday evening, in the late sunshine, looking for more bumble bees to photograph.  It was much easier as they were slower.

There is a huge pile of comfrey plants which the bumble bees love and I spent my time trying not to get in their way while they buzzed into all the flowers.

I was captivated while they flew their figures of eight around me and the flowers.

I must admit that I do love their fuzzy little bottoms.

Later in the day, I returned to my comfrey patch and my bumble bees.  I like bee-watching. There is something relaxing about watching someone else work very hard!

It had been raining in the afternoon, too.

Now I think I have identified my bees as being the “Northern White-tailed Bumblebee”
(Bombus magnus) – This is a common visitor to gardens and crofting land throughout Shetland, except Fair Isle. It is the earliest species to appear in Shetland in spring, and can be seen anytime between April and September. The Northern White-tail is a very neat, clean-looking species. It has a black thorax, with a single yellow band at the front. The abdomen has another yellow band, and a white tail; hence this is Shetland’s only ‘double banded white-tail’. – Shetland Amenity Trust.

Bombus Magnus is a very fitting name, I think.

Oh, those little fuzzy butts!

Glorious Day

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Today turned into a glorious day despite Lambie’s best efforts.  He started his day with a mini melt-down about breakfast.  Because he hates sharing or hassle, he ate in one of his many private dining areas.  The others all ate together as usual in their shed.

Once Lambie had finished his two breakfasts, I opened the gate for him and he stood there debating the complexities of life, the universe and everything.

And then Lambie asked for a third breakfast and of course I gave him more as he needs to put on weight since he came out of winter looking rather bleak and thin (and I also have the word MUG tattooed on my forehead and would give him the world).

It was my turn to walk the dogs so I took them over to Clothie (my separeate 5 acre croft) to run around in.  The flowers are glorious now.  Carpets of marsh marigolds.

My first forget-me-not sighting this year.   Impossible to photograph (I don’t know why) but so perfect and that blue….

The orchids are starting up now.

Such breath-taking colour.

 

So, I sat down and, like Lambie, considered the complexities of life, the universe and everything.  My conclusion?  Life was not too shoddy here in Shetland.

Pepper agreed.

Not too shabby at all really and I hope Lambie had a good day too.  Last seen, he was running with his eyes tight shut past the horses who were eating around the house trying to find the fence to bolt under.  He’s not a fan of the horses and ponies as he was chased when he was a lamb by the Shetland ponies.  He’s never gotten over that one and holds a good grudge.

The Saga Continues

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When I came outside this morning, I found Lambie was still very much attached to his marsh marigold boutonnière even though it was looking a bit more tired but definitely still attached.

I took a few more arty-farty photos just because I think Lambie looks lovely and very special.

He wears his flower well, I think.

And he found his charming Winning Smile too today (I had to work hard for that)…..

….as well as some other danglements – possibly a few stalks of heather.

(apologies for the photo over-load of one silly looking sheep wearing a flower but it is Lambie and he was smiling today – I have to make the most of that)

After my ridiculous photoshoot, OH and I finished the annual sheep shed muck out and putting down new bedding for another year.  It needed doing and as I type this, I am contemplating which painkiller to take.

Still, it is a job well done and it’s no longer looming over me.

I like to think I have made a lot of progress since my back going in December/January and am nearly back on track.  At the time, I did wonder if I could.

 

Glorious Spring Day

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It’s been a glorious spring day.  Seeing the sun shine and beautiful blue sky really lifted my spirits. I think we can all agree, it has been a long difficult winter and it is a good feeling to be finally coming out of it.

The dogs and I all appreciated the fine weather as we went on our daily walk around the fields.

I saw my very first “Blugga flooer” (marsh marigold or kingcup) and soon the wet bits in my fields will be carpeted in them. They are quite a determined plant here and no one seems to eat them.

As I wanted to make the most of the sunshine, I went into the sheep’s field to sit down on a rock.  Pepper immediately jumped on my lap and Gussie wandered up for a chat.

It must be coming up to Gussie’s birthday too (well, in fact everyone’s birthdays).  The only date I actually know is Lambie’s.  Gussie is 2 years old now and probably the biggest sheep we have.  Not fat, just tall. There is a lot of Gussie.

He is one big sheep and for a sheep born on the hill, he is the tamest.

And when I went inside, I got shouted at. Monster could’ve come too, I told him.  Maybe next time.