Tag Archives: Wild Flowers

Summer vs. Winter

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While the rest of the UK is basking in incredible high temperatures, Shetland is not.

I took this photo this morning – and we have enjoyed an ambient but overcast 13℃ all day, which is fine by me and my animals.  I am not worrying about anyone over-heating.

It got me to thinking, though, and I asked my OH this question. Which would you hate most – a bonkers hot English summer or a cold Shetland winter?

OH went for the bonkers hot summer saying that it would only be for a few days here and there and he could cope with that.  I couldn’t. I know – I used to live in London and the heat was awful and the pavements smelled of baked dog poo.  Gross.

I said I preferred a rough cold winter because, although it was difficult, it was much more bearable.  It is easier to get warmer than it is to cool down – both animals and people.  Though winter is very hard work.

Ok, this photo is of an extreme day in Shetland winter – Flossie and I were trying to convince our two new sheep to come home and have some food. It was Gussie and Dahlia who were being unhelpful and “lost”.

Having said all that, looking at the photos of winter, I am now not so convinced by my argument!

But Shetland summers are perfect – rarely too hot – and the wild flowers growing everywhere are beautiful.

All the animals are happy – no one is too hot and I am not worrying.  So I think I am saying that I can cope better with a Shetland winter because itis not as bad as an bonkers hot English summer, which would be unbearable for me.

Glorious Day

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Today turned into a glorious day despite Lambie’s best efforts.  He started his day with a mini melt-down about breakfast.  Because he hates sharing or hassle, he ate in one of his many private dining areas.  The others all ate together as usual in their shed.

Once Lambie had finished his two breakfasts, I opened the gate for him and he stood there debating the complexities of life, the universe and everything.

And then Lambie asked for a third breakfast and of course I gave him more as he needs to put on weight since he came out of winter looking rather bleak and thin (and I also have the word MUG tattooed on my forehead and would give him the world).

It was my turn to walk the dogs so I took them over to Clothie (my separeate 5 acre croft) to run around in.  The flowers are glorious now.  Carpets of marsh marigolds.

My first forget-me-not sighting this year.   Impossible to photograph (I don’t know why) but so perfect and that blue….

The orchids are starting up now.

Such breath-taking colour.

 

So, I sat down and, like Lambie, considered the complexities of life, the universe and everything.  My conclusion?  Life was not too shoddy here in Shetland.

Pepper agreed.

Not too shabby at all really and I hope Lambie had a good day too.  Last seen, he was running with his eyes tight shut past the horses who were eating around the house trying to find the fence to bolt under.  He’s not a fan of the horses and ponies as he was chased when he was a lamb by the Shetland ponies.  He’s never gotten over that one and holds a good grudge.