As I type, we are just coming out of Storm Amy, which was quite a doozy, even by Shetland standards. Everyone survived fine and there was only one casualty – a small window in an old shed blew out resulting in shattered glass everywhere. It’s all been cleared up now.

Apparently the lowest UK barometric pressure ever recorded in October (947.9 hPa) was set in Baltasound, Shetland, during Storm Amy yesterday. Now that I can believe, as I had a stonking headache all day and went to bed feeling very grotty indeed.

I have made the decision that the old horses/ponies will stay in their sheltered field for the time being as there is more bad weather to come this week. Tis the season and we are used to this. The other Shetland ponies may get increased hay rations when it is bad but I am trying hard to hold off on this practice as they easily get used to more food and hang about asking all the time rather than going out and getting a job.

Meanwhile, today I think is Edna’s last day. She has been getting lamer and lamer for a while now and nothing is helping her. Despite many examinations by vet and other sheep experts, there is no diagnosis and nothing helps her. She has finally reached the stage where she can’t walk, and therefore keep up with the flock. The light and her brightness are fading from her eyes and I know what that means. The vet has been called to put her to sleep tomorrow and I feel sad about this. Edna is my friend and a dear sweet soul. How Madge (her very attached daughter) will cope, I do not know either.   We will play it by ear with her. Tomorrow will be a miserable day for us all. One I knew would happen but not so soon. I will ask the vet if she has any magical cure/potion but I am not hopeful as we have tried I think just about everything already.

Think of us. It was not an easy decision to make.