Tag Archives: Shetland sheep

A Rare Sight

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Now here’s a rare sight – all the sheep grazing together with the Shetland ponies.

After “The Incident” (the one where Lambie was chased by the Shetland ponies when they were much younger n this very field), I never thought he would forgive, let alone forget.

The other sheep don’t particularly mind the Shetland ponies being around. They are much braver than Lambie, It is already a low bar, though.

I know it is just Lambie who runs (read waddles) when he sees or hears the ponies approaching.

Poor Lambie, one of life’s victims (which is his actual life goal).

But today, this morning they are all grazing perfectly happily together and I think it is because Dahlia and Gussie quite like the horses and ponies, and everyone is becoming a bit more tolerant and a bit less silly, or murderous.

So that’s good and well done to Lambie for facing his fears.

I suppose having his very own guard dog helps too.

Pepper is afraid of not nothing and not nobody.  “As fierce as maggots”, as my grandfather used to say.

A Beautiful Evening

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When I came out of my shed this afternoon having made my hand-felted sheep, the sun was just setting and the light was beautiful. Really special.

I fed the ducks and hens who were around while my Fan Club looked on.  I left a bit out for them as well.  After all, the Fans have to be fed too.

This lovely evening quite took my breath away.  Truly magical.  So calm too.

Pepper appreciated it with me.

Once everyone was fed, I went to call the sheep home.  Gussie and Ster were mucking about and refusing to come home, and the ponies heard me shouting, which is never good as it puts the sheep off too.

But I did think Silver looked beautiful as he strolled up with all the glorious colours around him.

And then the others arrived too, like a small group of thugs.

Of course, they demanded my attention.

And obviously I could not say no.

Nose kisses for all.

And then this three had a row and all the peace and quiet abruptly ended because that’s what always happens.

The sheep came home eventually despite pony interference.

Still, it was a beautiful evening and I appreciate that.

All Bare Nekkid

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I don’t think Tiddles is talking to me anymore. I took off his rug mostly because the storm is finally over and therefore he didn’t need it.

He was very unimpressed and walked off in a huff.  I hope he will be back chatting to me tomorrow.

I tell myself that Tiddles is no longer the ill little pony of last year. He is fat, fit and fine.

After that, I off-roaded over the hill with Pepper in the Eggbox (Jimny) to Clothie, where the old folk currently live.

And, again, I took off all their rugs.  I wanted the horses and ponies to feel the sunshine on their backs. I think that is very important.  Rugs are very useful when needed but then so is sunshine.

Like Tiddles, Fivla was severely dischuffed with this idea.  Vitamin just got on with her job of eating while Fivvie sulked by the gable-end.

So that’s everyone now “bare nekkid” and I hope they all enjoy the respite from the recent vicious winter weather.

Later, after making another hand-felted Shetland sheep…..

….. Pepper brought the sheep home (I love this photo).

And I saw that the old folk were up the top of the hill on the skyline, eating (and I can tell you that is quite some hill to climb – ie, not one I do willingly so it is good to know everyone is getting some exercise too, in their old age).

Perfect.

Leaving These Here

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Here are a few films that Daisy found on her phone the other day.

A freshly shorn Lambie eating biscuits (lovely sounds of munching)

Lambie in the kitchen (cough) eating toast and marmite.  He’s very partial.

Lambie, Bert and Ster when they were young playing in the school.

More playing.  I think this must’ve been in the spring/summer after Bert came back from his life in the hill (where he nearly died).  His coat is not as good as the others but they are all still young because Ster’s horns are very little. So sweet.

Everyone a little older playing outside (and that’s BeAnne barking in the background which I find very triggering – sniff).

And lastly, my very favourite film of best buddies (then) Albie and Newt having a mad playing session outside the house.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen this film.  They both sit down if they’re not winning, which I love (and no one is ever hurt).

Ready for the Next One

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The rugs are not coming off for the time being and I hear no complaints from anyone.

We have another storm coming tonight – Storm Boelo, I think.

And then another storm on Sunday and possibly for what feels like the foreseeable future.  I think it is going to be coarse for the next few weeks now.  Tuesday looks like an eternal nightmare.

Luckily, there is a bit of a lull each morning so hopefully I will get out to check everyone and feed them their breakfast.   After that, it is every man, horse, and sheep for themselves.

This lot (the aged) have lots of shelter available so they can find the safest place to stand.  I have deliberately not brought them home to stand in the shed as it can get scarily noisy and very loud inside.  They hate that and become agitated, which can lead swiftly to colic and worse.

Everyone knows what to do in a storm – they have heaps of long grass, high walls to stand by and a very good built-in survival instinct.

I just hope the rugs don’t blow off – the green ones have leg straps and the blue ones have tail straps.  They seem pretty fixed on.

At lunchtime, I popped a rug onto Tiddles too because it is going to suddenly get very cold and what with his EMS, he is not very good at temperature regulation.  The sheep are home and they will also do their own thing.

So that’s us. Wish us luck (again).  If you don’t hear from me, it probably means the electricity went.

I hope not, though because that would be a bit much.