2026 - My Shetland blog

[Frances144]

Damned Midges

Today was bad, very bad. Outside was thick with midges because there is no wind, not even a slight breeze anywhere. We all wore full anti-midge gear. No bare skin anywhere. Some of the sheep went …

myshetland.co.uk

The midges were out in full force today.

 

[Frances144]

Our First Courgette Harvest

The dogs and I went on a soggy walk in the field. The dogs were looking for bunny rabbitses while I was looking for two errant sheep – Gussie and his mother, Dahlia, who have not turned up fo…

myshetland.co.uk

Our first courgette harvest, ever.
And it was raining, so some photos of the field flowers.

 

[Frances144]

https://myshetland.co.uk/resentment-and-winning-smiles/

To town, to hospital (appointment), and then home.

 

[Frances144]

Bloody Ragwort

It’s not all hugging ponies and sheep around here. Sometimes we have to do real work. And today it was pulling ragwort, a job I loathe because it hurts my back. I have been putting it off al…

myshetland.co.uk

Pulling ragwort in the field. A job that has to be done.

 

[Frances144]

https://myshetland.co.uk/goodbye-daisy/

Daisy has gone back now, but she has handed her bucket/gloves/shovel to Flossie.

 

[Frances144]

We Are Absolutely Not Talking To…..

We are absolutely not talking to Pepper today. She has disgraced herself beyond redemption. She was found with a baby Muscovy duckling hanging out of her mouth – tragically, dead. I am pret…

myshetland.co.uk

Friends not food, Pepper.

 

[Frances144]

Celery For All!

Lambie et al have just discovered that Flossie is here now and that she isn’t Daisy! I mean who knew? Honestly, I do sometimes wonder at the size of brain for an average sheep who should kno…

myshetland.co.uk

The sheep discover Flossie.
Celery for all the Shetland ponies.

 

[Frances144]

Going Out

There was a weird eerie light this morning, when I went to fetch the buckets in to wash before putting them away. The “big” horses had let themselves out and looked very picturesque in …

myshetland.co.uk

Everyone went out into the big hill field after breakfast.
Sheep, horses, ponies.

 

[Frances144]

Too Early

I mis-read my appointment time for a routine check-up at the Doctor’s so I had 40 minutes to waste. There was not enough time to go back home, and not enough time to go and do anything usefu…

myshetland.co.uk

A perfect Shetland view.

 

[Frances144]

Today I Want to Move House

This morning started as it always does – feeding all the animals. In the distance, Flossie and I could hear some sharp barking, so assumed that Pepper and Ted had found someone to hassle tha…

myshetland.co.uk

Polecat 1. Dogs 0 but the smell..... I want to move house.

 

[Frances144]

A Brief Nip to Town

I made a brief nip into town (Lerwick) to pay a bill (hay), drop off more sheep, buy horse/chicken/sheep food and then round Tesco’s for some human food too. It was a lovely day and there wer…

myshetland.co.uk

To town. Now a headache. Pepper found another polecat.

 

[Frances144]

An Indian Summer

I’m running late today with writing the blog. Apologies, but I was talking to two friends overseas – (they know who they are but it’s my fault for not being more organised). Anywh…

myshetland.co.uk

Another lovely Autumn day.

 

[Frances144]

Summer Was Brief

The rain clouds were coming in thick and fast this morning and by lunchtime it was pouring down. Obviously there is the world’s smallest shed for everyone to pile into but of course this lot …

myshetland.co.uk

Rain clouds have rolled in now. Lambie went to bed.

 

[Frances144]

https://myshetland.co.uk/shed-blocking/

Kolka has to rule the world but it is difficult when there is a shed involved.

 

[Frances144]

https://myshetland.co.uk/rabbit-rescue-2/

I'm telling myself the baby rabbit I rescued from Pepper, the Patterdale terrier, is now tucked up in bed by his mother drinking chamomile tea.

 

[Frances144]

https://myshetland.co.uk/sands-of-sound/

Floss and I went on an expedition to fill in time (an hour early for hospital apppointment)