Billy Goes to Dundrum Castle

Following in Nobby's hoof prints once again, Billy and I met up with a friend for a picnic at Dundrum Castle one Saturday afternoon. It was a glorious spring day with quite the view from our picnic table.

Back at home, I had made sandwiches for the humans and packed a little picnic for Billy, too - I didn't want him feeling left out.

Billy's a very greedy lamb, so he set to making a complete mess of his picnic straight away - but he finished it all. After that, he spent time lying down, chewing his cud, meeting people who came over, and helping himself to the clover growing under our picnic table.

After the picnic, it was time for a wander around the castle itself.

Billy appreciated the 13th Century architecture.

The grass was yummy.

My friend got a nice photo of us, too.

Heather on the Lane

Heather is the oldest, and therefore the biggest, of this year's pet lambs. She can get lost in the crowd of demanding youngsters, so we sat out on the lane for some quality time.

Silliness. 

Scratches.

Being cute.

Off the halter and heading home.

Sunset Siblings

Clare and Kerry, the Kerry Hill twins, out for a lovely sunset walk. Clare was on the halter, Kerry enjoying her freedom in a matching snood.

Tilly and Olive were in this field, being sold soon. I do miss them, but someone had to go.

Olive.

Back in the yard.

Blue Belle keeping an eye on things.

Happy Tenth Gotcha Day, Blue Belle!

Ten years ago today, I made an ill-advised purchase! I was one of those horse girls that never had a horse of her own, but I just realised one day that hey, I was twenty now, I could do what I want! I did some surface level research like costs of keeping a Shetland Pony, but not much else. I also didn't consult any friends who actually owned horses, which would have been a great idea, but I got too excited and ploughed on alone.

I found Blue Belle listed online, on a website popular with farmers. She'd grown up on a sheep farm, a major plus for me. She had a cute name. She was cute herself! I went to look at her and bought her that evening. All of this in about a week! She needed some handling and I took that on because I'm a maniac, but I finally had my little horse, and she's come a very long way with me. Blue Belle has been a wonderful addition to my collection of animals. I couldn't imagine life without her now. Happy Gotcha Day, Blue Belle!

I've complied here some of my favourite Blue Belle photos from our first ten years together. Enjoy!