Tag Archives: Shetland Islands

New Farrier Day

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We were very busy this morning.  There was much to do and get ready.

We had our new farrier coming.

First, I got the old horses and ponies back home from their field across the hill by leading Haakon with all the rest following like the good horses and ponies they are.  Breakfast buckets were waiting as the incentive.

The two old ladies were hidden around the corner so, for once, they could eat a peaceful breakfast.

The sheep didn’t need asking twice to go into their field.  They ran past the horses and ponies (Lambie had his eyes closed) just wanting to stay out of this.

While we waited for the farrier, I let the old ones mooch around eating grass by the house.

Jay was pleasantly early, which I took as a good sign.

Pepper was her usual helpful self – getting in the way over and over again. Next time I might put her in the house.  She was beyond annoying.

Some horses didn’t get trimmed because they didn’t need it and, at one stage, a friend arrived so I threw Haakon’s rope over his neck, left him telling him not to move and to be a good boy for me (Haakon, not the farrier!)

I asked Jay to give me his opinion on each horse and pony as there are times when I honestly wonder if what I am doing is right.

He said no one was fat, all looked good, and best of all absolutely no sign of laminitis.  Newt was the fattest, condition-wise, and Haakon and Iacs were an ok weight coming into spring/summer.

He also commented that everyone was very calm and easy to work.

So I am feeling much happier and thinking this is the way to go.

Things I Love

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If I was to say there are two things I always want and never say no to, if offered…..

The first is shelves.  I love shelves and I always need shelves.  I actually think you can’t have too many shelves (that, and electric socket points – there are never enough).

Today, I was given two shelf units and I know they will be very useful. As quickly as the first one was put up, I filled it.  I am seeing if I need the two extra shelves, which are easy enough to add.  I think I probably will.

The second unit went into the stable where I store the remainder of my extensive rug library – some might say I have an addiction and I refute that theory but I will admit to not being very good at storing them properly.

I know that this is not an ideal method and I am determined to make it a) easier to find the necessary rug and b) store them better.

I have just ordered lots of those zip-up storage bags and will then sort, itemize, label and store each rug according to size and fill in my new easy-to-find method.  I have great plans now I have these great shelves.

Oh, and the second thing is buckets – I can never have too many buckets.  Ever.

As I write, I am feeling very smug about my shelves and will admit that when I had fed the ducks, I went back into the sheds to gaze at each unit lovingly!  Huge thanks to my giver of shelves.  You know who you are and this is a wonderful present.

 

Spring Birds

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This time of year, the Dawn Chorus is very loud and tuneful.  So, I did a little experiment today – I decided to record all the birds I could hear in my garden by putting my phone on the bird table and leaving it there for 15 minutes.  Usually when I try to record and identify every bird, they all vanish, hence leaving the phone on the bird-table and walking away (hiding).

My first attempt I have decided to ignore on the grounds of a carrion crow being in Shetland are pretty much nil.  They are rare (and I would love one).

Screenshot

Screenshot

We do try to encourage birds in our garden. There is also a massive bird table above.

But there is also a massive cat below, though to be fair, I have never seen him bother with a bird – he prefers bigger prey like whitterit (stoats), rabbits and our neighbours (who I, funnily enough, haven’t seen recently).

I had a wander around the garden to admire plants actually growing.  A wonderful sight after such a god-awful winter.  We favour the wild garden look rather than cultivation.

After my wander on this gorgeous calm spring day, I had another shot at trying to record the birds.

With 12 breed of birds in just the garden and its environs, you can see why our Dawn Chorus is a loud experience, with everyone shouting their heads off trying to be heard!  It is very beautiful, though.

(is it just me, or do these two pigeons look like they are walking to work!)

Capturing our Inner Derp

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I know life here can look all glitz and glam, but believe me when I say it isn’t.  We are not The Beautiful People all the time.  No, honestly, we aren’t. I realise that’s difficult to believe.

Anyway, for every good photo, there are many that just don’t quite capture the moment.

I think Iacs is particularly good at finding his Inner Derp. It’s his skill.

Obviously there are no bad photos of Haakon. I couldn’t take one even if I tried.

↓ ↓ ↓ still Iacs ↓ ↓ ↓

Kolka is a close second.  She loves making faces the minute she sees me and my camera.

Pepper also  has moments of true revoltingness – the tideline of mud and the thing she is sniffing/thrown up. I refuse to investigate and I don’t want to know.

‘Ster is good value too on the derp front.

It is Monster obviously who gets the prize.

Sometimes I think my animal-family is revolting in their own unique way.  All except for Haakon.  Like I said, he is perfect, of course.

And possibly Lambie (because I am being kind as it was his birthday). Dear little boy.

11 Today!

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Happy birthday to Lambie.  Today he is 11 years old.

Lambie was born prematurely in a filthy storm during the night and found, along with his twin sister in the field, having been abandoned by their mother, who wanted little to do with them. She had no milk and was not well either.

Things were not great to start with. Lambie’s sister promptly died and then his mother.  Lambie was bottle fed, which he did very badly and unenthusiastically.  Then he got joint ill and couldn’t walk.  I fashioned a small coat to keep him warm out of a sock (and, yes, I still have it!). There were numerous vet visits and injections.  He was very good about everything. A dear little chap.

Lambie had two mothers – our wee dog, BeAnne Duvet who he adored.

And me, who he tolerated.

To begin with, Lambie lived under the stairs in the kitchen and had regular bottles which he hated and drank very little from.

He was part of the family and my neighbour, who babysat him when I went to town for supplies, managed to house-train him, which was quite the achievement.  There was also the prescribed physiotherapy to get him walking as the joint ill took its toll and did much damage – he has awful arthritis.

Lambie obviously moved out of our house when we brought him ‘Bert to be his bestie and then ‘Ster and then others……

So, happy birthday to Lambie.  How he got to this great age, I will never know.  It has been uphill all the way.