2026 - My Shetland blog

[Frances144]

Dull Start but Brightened

Some of us didn’t even want to get up this morning, let alone go outside….. …. as it was a dull and rainy start. But I put on my wet-weather gear and went out with the breakfast b…

myshetland.co.uk

Dull first, cleared later. A nice day.

 

[Frances144]

Glorious Day

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 priva…

myshetland.co.uk

It really was a glorious day here in Shetland.

 

[Frances144]

The Importance of Apple Cake and Deep Sleep

Under strict surveillance this morning, I made my usual apple cake – I’m trying to use up eggs. The strict surveillance that I was under. So now what to do with my apple peel and cores?…

myshetland.co.uk

Using up eggs (hence cake) and then staying late to make sheep because Haakon was fast asleep.

 

[Frances144]

Asleep and Sheep

The old men took the weight off their hooves this morning. And Iacs had a little snooze as well. Meanwhile, I title this “The only thing holding you back is your mind”. Lambie stood th…

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The horses were asleep so I spent time with the sheep.

 

[Frances144]

https://myshetland.co.uk/turning-goodish/

Little Pepper is 5!

 

[Frances144]

Bumble Bee Fail

i was at Turriefield this morning packing vegetables – salad, onions and spring onions. Not too onerous so I after lunch, I walked down the hill to the bright yellow flowering kalette plant …

myshetland.co.uk

I wanted to take photos of the Shetland bumble bee. I failed dismally. Sorry.

 

[Frances144]

https://myshetland.co.uk/happy-news-day/

Can you guess what they want?

 

[Frances144]

Sheep and Horses

A few random photos from my day. Some of the sheep. I title this “the only thing holding you back, Lambie, is yourself”. The Magnificent Three. Rule the world, this lot could – a…

myshetland.co.uk

The Magnificent Three - Duck, Iacs, Pepper - they're going to rule the world, apparently.

 

[Frances144]

Good Neighbours

Apparently this photo was taken by my neighbour at 06:30. I have no words (but it is sort of my fault because I forgot to clip the lead on last night). Pepper jumped in the car and was brought hom…

myshetland.co.uk

Thank you, good neighbours (rotten dog - wee )

 

[Frances144]

Shearing Today

I received a message from my shearer saying he could shear the sheep Wednesday a.m. The forecast was rain and then more rain the night before so, rattling a packet of Rich Tea biccies, I got the s…

myshetland.co.uk

All the sheep were sheared today.

 

[Frances144]

How the Tables have Turned

Well, the tables have turned. The only sheep who will talk to me these days, without getting up and walking away in disgust, is Lambie. I thought he would be aloof like normal. But, no, he was all…

myshetland.co.uk

No one talking to me because of shearing. All mad.

 

[Frances144]

https://myshetland.co.uk/epic-fail/

I tried, I failed - photography challenge. A total waste of time and batteries.

 

[Frances144]

No Poppy Film

After breakfast, I collected up all the buckets – I usually leave everyone to get on with eating rather than wait around – and I noticed their big water container was half full or half …

myshetland.co.uk

Again, no poppy film. Giving up now.

 

[Frances144]

What Have You Eaten?

A small ginger someone didn’t eat her breakfast this morning, I was told. Pepper has been going around all day with a very rumbly and noisy tumbly whilst occasionally dashing outside for obv…

myshetland.co.uk

Pepper is having one of her off days.

 

[Frances144]

Congratulations to Daisy!

I’ve been on tenterhooks all morning looking at my phone waiting for a text or a call…. Daisy was having her viva (short for viva voce – a spoken oral examination, typically used …

myshetland.co.uk

Many congratulations to Dr. Daisy Taylor.

 

[Frances144]

Grubby Little Boys

Last year I took down part of the Shetland ponies’ track and put all the plastic fence posts into a big tonne bag in case I needed them again. The bag was left securely tied to the fence pos…

myshetland.co.uk

Filthy little Shetland ponies

 

[Frances144]

Summer vs. Winter

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 b…

myshetland.co.uk

Which is worst - intense heat in England or a Shetland winter?

 

[Frances144]

Farrier Today

We had Jay, our farrier, coming today so, after their breakfast, I put everyone where they could be easily caught. The old horses and ponies were grazing the green grass around the outside of the …

myshetland.co.uk

Farrier came today and Pepper managed to get in the way for every trim.

 

[Frances144]

My Day Off

This morning started as a grey day but it had potential. As the day went on, there were hints of blue sky coming through – enough to patch a Dutchman’s breeches, as my mother would say …

myshetland.co.uk

I had a lovely day off.

 

[Frances144]

Sorting Wool

After a morning packing vegetables at Turriefield, I went over to my friend, Monika, at Collaster Croft to “skirt” my sheep fleeces. (sadly without the help of Pepperpot who would only …

myshetland.co.uk

Sorting and skirting all the fleeces with a friend who makes the most beautiful handmade felted fleece pads out of them.