We have one Mr Duckie who lives by himself. He’s always been a loner and now his missus has lost interest in him.  The other males are fighting with him and it never ends well – these days he is looking very beaten up.

A few nights back, I decided Mr D should sleep in the shed behind the house, which is close to where he spends his lonely days.

Of course he decided he wasn’t going to help and after a good chase, and rugby tackle (Muscovy ducks are very strong), I succeeded in picking him up, spraying his fight wounds and putting him my chosen shed for the night.

The next day, I built a tunnel of hurdles into the chosen shed and in the evening, Mr D walked in without the battle.

Today, he was waiting to go into his shed, which I felt was a huge improvement in attitude.

This is a result of the ratio of boys to girls is not being ideal.  I don’t like the idea of Mr D sleeping outside, which he was beginning to do because soon the polecats will appear and that will be it.

So, for as long as he partipates, Mr D will live in his own bedroom at night.  For me, it is just another shed to occasionally muck out.  I will have to work out a ramp system for the door in winter and then we will be all set.

According to this lot, Shetland ponies will melt in the summer rain.  I did not know this but now I do.  Every day’s a learning day and today I learned this.

Or, as I told them, “utterly wet and a weed”(s) – iykyk.

Albie was not sure if he would melt or not.  I rather hoped he would, at least his backside as he seems to have put on weight eating very little and he needs to slim down quickly.

I told Albie this while I was looking for Silver to put some cream on his sarcoids.

I don’t think Albie (Potatoes) was very impressed with what I said.  I am now immune and hardened to any attempts at providing more food based on the latest weight data.

Silver was very good while I put on his cream and then Newt immediately licked it off.  *** sigh *** – thank you Newt. Only he would do this because he is a weird strange little being.

Yes, Newt is very weird and most definitely very strange.   Anyway, it finally stopped raining and everyone went out to be weirder and stranger on the track instead.

This is so you know who everyone is.  Like a quick guide to my sheep.  Always useful.  Maybe just keep it about your person in case someone asks.  You never know.

(and the reason this blog is short is because it took me over an hour to work out how to put the pictures into a grid thingy and type their names underneath.  Photoshop is not my thing. I may need a little lie down now.)

My dream is to put down everyone’s bucket and leave, happy in the knowledge everyone will eat their own breakfast and then wander off feeling full and happy, collecting the empty buckets later.

But this is never going to happen. Today was not the exception and I had to stand guard realising that everyone was eating far too close together.  My fault.

All except Haakon who was a little away from the rest.

Kolka is my worst offender.  She scoffs her food as fast as she can and then looks around and goes for someone else.

Iacs is first to be picked on. Iacs in turn then picks on Fivla and Vitamin.  It is a case of big fish eat little fish who eat even smaller ones…..

But today I stood guard between Kolka and Iacs, Fivla and Vitamin and she quickly realised she would be on a hiding to nothing if she tried.

I was pleased Kolka didn’t try her usual bullying antics.

The old ladies finished quickly and everyone was safe for another day.  Phew!

I’m not feeling brilliant, as I type this.  My back and eye are giving me gyp but I have done all my animal chores morning and afternoon so soon I can kick back and relax.  I just have the sheep to put to bed later or they can stay outside like normal sheep if I decide to go to bed before they do.

To be honest, I am dreaming of my bed.

But this morning took me town to get Iacs’ prescription as well as some horse and hen food (different bags).

Then home and the dogs and I went into my shed.  I made a sheep.

Then I poo-picked the track and reminded myself that Albie is fat, and possibly getting fatter.  On what, I am not sure. I am not going to extend the track anymore.  This is it for them this summer.  I will not waiver.

I took both the dogs with me and told them that this was their dog walk, which they seemed perfectly happy about.  Ted does not talk to ponies. He has a healthy respect for them instead.

I’m sure I will feel better after a good night’s sleep.  I usually do.  Sleep is my go-to cure.

(sorry for the whinge).