Tag Archives: Shetland Islands

Tiny Little Signs

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This morning while feeding everyone, I heard birds singing and I realised I hadn’t heard them in a while and I had been missing them.  They were very loud and happy.

I got out my phone and, using the bird-song identification app, I found out who was making all that wonderful racket.  I also dispute these findings as I am sure there was a blackbird around too.

I even saw two oyster-catchers at Sumburgh, when I went to fetch Daisy a few weeks back, though they maybe winter residents (some do stay) rather than the migratory ones.  And, ok, they’re not flying around-type wild birds, but my Muscovy ducks are all looking at potential real estate at the moment.  I keep meeting them in pairs in odd places around the croft.

So, thing are a-changing. I can feel it – even though I was trudging around in the snow this morning.  They really are going to change. I shall keep telling myself this.

And, and, and….. the snowdrops have appeared in our garden which is a definite sign.  I need this. I need to know there is a chance that spring might appear in the not too distant future.  There is a light at the end of this long hard winter tunnel.

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Another Bed Saga

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A few days ago, there was the most God-almighty full on dog fight. It was not pretty and both dogs were equally to blame. Apparently, it was about the new dog-bed and it’s accompanying little cushion.  Pepper would not give up or let go while Ted gave as good as he got.  Luckily, there were no injuries and, once separated, I shouted at both of them until they understood that this behaviour was totally unacceptable.  I then ignored them for the remainder of the day disgusted at what had gone on.  To be fair, they did each apologise.

Anyway, this has resulted in a rather strained relationship between Pepper and Ted, while we all watch who has the bed and for any grumbling about it.

And, because Daisy is here helping, Monster needs a bed in her bedroom/study area. Of course he does. So we made him one next to his favourite place – the radiator – basically a folded up throw on an old wicker basket.  Perfect.  He spends many peaceful hours up there.

In one of her wanders around the house, Pepper found the new bed.

She was quite keen on investigating it.

So she hopped on and decided it wasn’t that great after all.

Phew, not another bed to have a fight about.

And anyway Monster always wins every battle with Pepper.  He got her on her way past just now.  So that’s us. The Bed Wars continue but are now being supervised.  We were all very shocked by that latest fight.  I think I made my feelings very clear as it has taken quite a while for Pepper and Ted to play nicely again together.

Pot of Gold, Please

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This is another quick blog and I’m sorry. Just circumstances are still out of my control.

But I have managed to get all my outside chores done in the allotted daylight hours – which are albeit becoming very brief – 8.30 a.m. to about 3.30 p.m. at the moment.

The dog walk is also rather a lick and a promise as the weather’s not great and no one is very enthusiastic, including me.

But, it is lovely to see the Shetland ponies in a huge field being completely free of track life and routine.  They turn up for their breakfast and then go off for the rest of the day bothering no one.  I am not important to them anymore, which is actually a huge relief and very nice.

I liken their massive field to being about the same standard of grazing as if they were on the open hill (scattald). Maybe slightly better, but not much.

They will stay there for as long as they remain healthy and happy.  Hopefully, for the winter if I have my way.

So we are all going along ok.  I am feeling slightly less stressed.

Just off to look for my pot of gold.  Please make it a big one.  That would help.

Frozen Fingers

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Not great photos today. It was too bloomin’ cold and my fingers felt like they had frozen off.  I am currently sitting at my desk playing soothing music while I thaw out – my feet are on a hot water bottle and I have one on my lap.

Anyway, this morning produced a lovely surprise – everyone was together.  Even Madge is coming out of her shell, which is something I never thought I would see.

Gussie is rather taken with Maggie – he is ginormous now, possibly the biggest of all the sheep.  Quite the heffasheep.

Maggie spends a lot of her time in the hill field with Gussie and Dahlia which is fine – as long as they turn up for breakfast so I know they are alright and not lying somewhere upside down in the 30 acre field.

And Lambie remains, well just Lambie really.

We had a sprinkling of snow this morning with a few snow/hail showers all day.

In the afternoon I went into my shed to finish a sheep while watching a Hallmark Christmas film (my determination to find some Christmas spirit and inspiration).  Pepper was having a non-eating day and quickly learned that, if she made sick noises by the door, I would let her outside and then, free at last, she could run off hunting, probably looking for more carrion to eat.  Wee turd.  I am not pleased with her one bit.

Doing the afternoon chores afterwards (I now start at 3pm as it is dark by 4), I fed the ducks/hens, put them to bed and then poo-picked the Shetland ponies’ track.  Newt nearly had the wheelbarrow over (I would’ve happily throttled him if he’d succeeded) and I honestly think my fingers have never been so cold.  I am going to find my freezer-food gloves for tomorrow. I never want to feel like that again. I felt sick with the pain.  Once finished, I went to bed to huddle and warm up.  Monster came to annoy while Ted whined on about “what time is tea?”  Pepper sensibly stayed away.

Oh yes, Pepper said she could only eat cat food for tea. Give me strength.

Cantering Old Fools

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Everyone else had come up the hill for their breakfast, except for the Icelandic horses – Kolka, Haakon and Iacs. They were still on the other side of the stream expecting me to lug their buckets down to them.  Think again, I told them.

In the end Kolka crossed over and cantered up the hill to her bucket.  She knows I am more stubborn than she is.  I don’t offer waitress service in this field.

Meanwhile Haakon and Iacs eventually crossed the stream walking very slowly and then Iacs pushed Haakon up the hill.

At one stage, Haakon turned around to tell Iacs off while I was standing at the top of the hill with their buckets thinking to myself that I might put Haakon back on his very expensive boswellia supplement if he was finding walking so difficult.  Poor old man.

And then I turned my back to put their buckets in their usual spot, only to find Haakon and Iacs cantering up the hill, moving perfectly well for all their old age complaints.  So the boswellia thought quickly vanished and I realised they are absolutely fine.

After chores, I went into to town to get a big bale of hay.  I did a few messages on the Street and stopped off to see if my little town field needed filling.

It was in a bit of a mess so I tidied up the stock and breathed a sigh of relief that I have now reached a less frantic time of the year on the sheep-making front, though I will still keep going through the winter to build up stock.

Then home and I made another sheep, happy in the knowledge there is no mad rush anymore.