Tag Archives: Shetland Islands

A Dog Walk on the Beach

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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!

Holding The Fort

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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)

Bedrest For Me

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I’ve been lying on my bed all day being waited on hand and foot by my wonderful Flossie (as I type this, she is cutting up vegetables to roast with a chicken). To fill my day, I have gone through my family tree looking at Data Inconsitency Reports trying to amend errors like having a baby at 14yo or 49 (which is apparently true and not that long ago – 1846).  Poor woman – Fred was the last of 11 children!

Meanwhile, Pepper has proved to be a rotten nurse (and I haven’t seen hide nor hair of Monster either). She has been totally absent all day and was driven home from the neighbours after tea (***sigh ***).  She wants me to apologise to her for being so boring today.  No one is talking to her now, again and she’s been sacked from her job.  And when I think of the undying devotion from BeAnne Duvet who never left my side and bed through 3 spinal operation recoveries, I told Pepper – can you see the bored look on her face?

Flossie also managed to escape, sorry, went for a walk this afternoon and I texted her to take some photos as she went as I had nothing for this blog.

Anyway, it is loveley to see the outside, even through someone else’s eyes.  I know it is not as warm as it looks, hence the rugs staying on as windcheaters.

  

They don’t seem to hold anyone back.

And everyone seems perfectly happy and comfortable so while I am stuck inside, I am not worrying about them.  Just the fact that Pepper is escaping.

A Weird Day

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Today started strangely with a duck first thing on my porch roof.  I’ve never seen one there before.  Pretty but not the usual occurrence.

I don’t know if he flew there by accident or on purpose, though he is definitely one of mine.

Then a potential album cover.  My band will obviously be called “The Black Sheep”.

Flossie and I had set this morning aside for the farrier and I managed to get all the sheep into their day-time field, all except Lambie who was busy finding himself somewhere else (he went out later to join the others or wander about unloved by himself).

Stephen got to work trimming those that needed it, along with his BFF, Pepper who of course “helped”.

She even did a spot of “riding” too, although she is not nearly as proficient as my previous Patterdale terrier, BeAnne, who could actually sit to walk, trot and even a little canter.

Kolka had her feet done….

As did Iacs and I was just beginning to think this was going to be an expensive morning if everyone needed a trim….

But luck would have it, it was just Albie in the other field, out of five, and we were finished.  Everyone was looked at and deemed to be fine.  No laminitis or anything, so I am hugely relieved as this time of year is when things start going wrong.

Lunch and into my shed to make a sheep.

I heard yowling.

I let in the yowling, gave him a bed, told him to shut up and to stop prodding me with his claws.  I had work to do.

(the black marks on Monster’s head and tips of ears are car/van oil.  I think he has been busy cutting brakes – I told you this was a weird sort of day)

Anyway, today’s creation.

 

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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