Tag Archives: Shetland ponies

Lunch in Town

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To town today because it was Floss’ birthday. We went out for lunch and then did a spot of shopping (mostly food for supper, even though we felt very full).

Lerwick was deserted.  The cruise ship season has finished now.

(though, there were a few boats in probably sheltering from the current strong winds).

Floss and I mooched around and checked the field at Jamieson’s Knitwear for stock levels.

When we eventually wended our way home, I went back outside to feed the ducks/hens their tea and get the sheep home for the night.

The ponies came careering up because I had shouted for the sheep.  I could that they were in a very silly mood.

The sheep also came careering out of that field because they hate the ponies, which is not a bad thing because they do tend to dawdle if they possibly can.

Naw, Lambie – the King of dawdlers.  He owns it.

And even Dahlia came home – because I had shouted that there was a fresh packet of ginger biccies waiting.  She does love a biccie.

⬇️And then there are the “idiot children”, as they are currently known. ⬇️  (Tiddles was late to the party).

New Found Freedom

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The little boys are enjoying their new found freedom – all 25 acres of it.

They come down to the house in the morning for their breakfast – the smallest handful of sugar beet mixed with their forage balancer – and then that’s it. I don’t usually see them again for the rest of the day, which is how we all like it.

However, at lunchtime I looked out of the bathroom window (upstairs) and saw that the ponies had all come back home, probably to suss out their wee shed.

I had some old carrots, so broke them into bite-size chunks and went visiting.

I even felt for ribs on the off-chance they might have some.

They didn’t, which is fine – as long as no one gets laminits now (dear God, please no), they can live perfectly well without ribs.

The carrots were appreciated.

And I had two keen followers while I went to find Waffle.

He was having some alone time.

Like I said, no ribs but definitely a leg in each corner.

I’m glad they are off the track and in a field.  They are so happy and that is lovely to see.

Back to Reality

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I left London first thing on Thursday morning.  Door to door on the way back it took me over 14 hours – because Loganair’s Edinburgh to Sumburgh “went technical” and I had to fly home via Orkney.  A stressful day because the cancellation wasn’t mentioned on any airport flight departure board until the gate (that was never called) was closing…. and I had to make a run for it.

So I am rather thankful to be home again away from everyone and everything.  It was a good holiday but one week is enough.

And I also have a very large order of sheep to fulfill.

So it is back to the grindstone with my usual help.

The Shetland ponies are now officially off their summer track and on their winter grazing.  It is the field that has been eaten all spring and summer by the others so perfect for them.

They are currently sharing with the sheep who are not impressed but coping….. so far (remember, Lambie hates the Shetland ponies – they chased him (hereinafter known as “The Incident”) many years back when he was a little lamb).

As for the old horses and ponies, Flossie and I spent the morning lugging 20 litre containers of water over in the Eggbox and filling all their troughs.  Plus we left full ones by the gate for later. It took 3 trips.

Then we led the Icelandic horses (Haakon, Kolka and Iacs) while the Shetland ponies (Fivla and Vitamin) followed along nicely – they trotted enthusiastically in through the gate.

I doubt anyone has lifted their heads yet.  There is grass enough for all, at the moment.

Meanwhile, Lambie would like it to be known that he is not that happy with this new plan.  He has not forgotten The Incident.

A Perfect Day

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It’s been a glorious day.  Total calm and the sun has shone.

I am trying to be organised because I leave for London tomorrow.  If I see something I should take, I grab it as I go past and quickly put it by my bags before I forget again.  Carpe diem because in the next second I will have forgotten.

Pepper has assured me she will behave and not go visiting or looking for me.  I believe her not.

And because it was so nice, Floss and I fed the ponies a little early giving them all their hay in a big heap to munch through.

Please can everyone pray for no dramas during my absence as Floss is (very capably) holding the fort.

So I shall pack my bags with vaguely clean clothes but not ironed because I can’t find the ironing board and fly off south.  I’m not sure if I will write the blog or not. I’ll see how I go.  This is my holiday, after all.  A break from everything.

Back soon!

Country Mouse

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It’s been a very blowy day – the sort of day you could lose your car door if you’re not careful.   So I was careful.

Flossie (who is home to look after the animals when I go away) and I fought our way round serving breakfast in the low buckets that rarely blow away.

Afterwards, I drove to Lerwick for a hair appointment. I want to try at least to look a little less Country Mouse when I go to London. And then I’ve got to find some clean clothes!

Lerwick was deserted which is unsurprising as Shetland Wool Week is finally over.

There were a few woolly hatted visitors wandering around but Lerwick felt like it was going back to sleep now the tourist season is well and truly over.  Shelves were empty and shop-staff looked happily exhausted.

The hair was cut, shopping was done (including some sheep, horse and poultry feed for my ever-increasing getting-ready-for-winter piles).  This is not panic buying. I call it being sensible and thinking ahead.  It will always get eaten.

I came home late and this lot were waiting and tapping their watches.

I apologised and put out two of the fullest haynets I could find and all was forgiven.   I didn’t bother looking for the sheep – after yesterday’s debacle, they were nowhere to be seen. I’ve given up caring. I am glad they are finally doing their own thing.