From their Auntie P

"...are safe, well and firmly embedded in my heart!

They have been utterly brilliant... a bit wild eyed when they got off the boat but the hour trailer ride with the haynets seemed to pour out happy ponies at the other end.

We got them off the trailer, Auntie H led Charlot and I had L & M and we walked across the wee garden bridge (I take my 17.1 over that!) to the front garden to meet my 3 Alaskan friends.

We let them have 5 mins there - they all had a pee - Charlot must have been holding on for AGES... I was so thrilled to see them pee - good sign of relaxation eh?!

After ten mins we walked them back to the steading and left them in my cattle court for an hour or so with hay and water while we checked the field (you wait a year for a fencer and he turns up just as ponies are arriving...).

I had an insight while talking to ma on the phone just now - I think Charlot has taken over the caretaker role for the other two... and being in charge means showing he is no longer scared... just a thought!

Anyhoo... he is being an absolute angel - and a happy one at that...

We all (5!) went back to the cattle court and Charlot came up to see everyone - we were all a bit gobsmacked but delighted!

Auntie H gave them all a bit of a brush - lifted up all of Charlot's feet and all fine and happy.

Auntie H took Charlot, friend took Likely (she is in LOVE...!) and I took Mal - it's about 150 yards to the field... and that's all it took to teach Mal to WHOA on a soft voice with no tug on the rope - yon is bright wee spark! (Auntie H very excited about our driving future!).

We turned them out... bit of walk, a bit of trot down the hill and then WHEEE... then a wander.

Oh - and they all now know what an electric fence is - Likely took the zap - I wanted to stay to see how it went to know they were ok!

We left them for the afternoon and then went back out around 5... Charlot walked towards us (well Auntie H) from about 50 yards - who'd a thunk it???

Earlier Likely was braver and Mal more shy but the reverse by the evening ... we had a bit of a scratch and a carrot and then left them in peace.

They're out on my hilly field which has a decent 12 foot hedge north west and a bit of the south and the east boundary has a tall line of gorse - so tons of shelter.

I can't tell you how happy I am...... must be hard for you letting them go - I will do my very best to give them a fab life,"

I couldn't ask for better. Crying now. Hopeless, me!