Pony Painting with my Pals and other Fun Stuff

Friends are great things to have in general, but friends that don't mind driving eight hours across the country to see you and play with ponies are the best.

Kirrimuir, Cats and Cows

 This post is roughly three weeks late but never mind. XD

Barely a couple of days after returning from Clochan, I got on a train again, this time to Perth, where Heather would be picking me up to stay with her for a few days.

See my previous post for all the Magpie Model related shenanigans, and stick with this for shiny scenery and amusing anecdotes.

Tfw you see a whole field of cobs from the train but can't get
your phone camera out quick enough to catch them all. 😥 .

Behind the scenes at Magpie Model Horses!

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,  
Seven for a secret,
Never to be told.
Eight for a wish,
Nine for a kiss,
Ten for a bird,
You must not miss.

I've been waiting a while to make this particular post!

The UK has produced a number of model horse companies over the years, only a scant couple of which are still on the go. Magpie Models (once known as 'Dream Ponies') was one such company, much beloved by collectors. I have a modest herd myself, almost all customs, but there are some folk I know that have loads!

 

The company has changed hands a few times over the years but production ceased a while back and its future was uncertain.When then owner, Becky Benfield of Utterly Horses (and now Copperfox) put Magpie Models up for sale a few years ago, speculation was buzzing. Just who would take the reins of this much loved stalwart of the UK hobby?

After the initial excitement when word got out that it had sold, all went quiet and a couple of years on, nobody knew anything about the new owner's identity or even whereabouts, and it was all rather mysterious. It was around about this time that my friend Heather Forrest, who I've travelled down to the Lake District Julip shows with the last few years, dropped a rather large bombshell when she was picking me up from the station at Perth, having very kindly invited me up to stay with her family for Thanksgiving last year...

Stornoway, Kelpies and Excessive Precipitation

I rarely get the chance to meet up with other hobbyists so this weekend has been something of an unexpected bonus!

My friend Viki, who some may know as THS on the forums, contacted me a while ago about going to a gig in Glasgow together - I'd never really heard of the band, Stornoway, so was a little hesitant, but she talked me into it eventually and I'm very glad she did as they were brilliant!
 (here's their latest album if anyone needs convincing!)