As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time for my annual review. Every year I pick a word for the year. This year my word was wonderment and boy has it been full of wonder. With hindsight, it should have been journey as I’ve had a few of them!

It’s been my first full year with Bert. That’s been quite the journey so far. We went to puppy school and learnt so much. There have also been lots of frustrating moments as he grows up. He remains my Baby Sprocker and I adore him (even when he’s driving me bonkers). He was a very good decision.

I said my final goodbye to my Mum as we scattered her ashes and learned to live without her. Grief is a very odd thing for sure. Lots of tears have been shed on that journey.

I said goodbye to the Comedy Car and got the Upgrade. He’s done a few miles with me already. I welcomed Toby Truck and put the Buddymobile up for sale (he’s still available, just saying).

Our first major outing in Toby was to Hickstead. Just a short journey then! It wasn’t just Buddy who did long journeys. Bert and I went to Badminton and Scone. He’s very well travelled already.

I visited Bath for the first time and started more training. Meeting more like-minded people. And found out I’m quite a good shot!

Buddy, Bert and I headed to numerous camps, competitions and clinics. Buddy travels like a dream in Toby. Bert is the perfect lorry dog. I just love Toby. He was a very good decision too.

I’ve spent time with the people I love who bring such joy to my life. I’ve made new friends. I’ve seen some friendships fade. That’s OK, not everyone is meant to finish the journey with you. I’m grateful to those who’ve scrapped me off the floor, let me sob on their shoulders, who’ve made me feel seen and heard, who’ve helped me with Bert and who’ve shared this year with me.

Thank you one and all.

Finally, 2025 is the year I became a published author. Another wonderful journey. And one I am incredibly proud of.

So here’s to a new year. My word for 2026 is zeal. Let’s see what happens next…

Talk about cuteness overload! Anyone else’s dog use their feet as a pillow?! He loves my fluffy boot socks. Shows how he’s growing up as it wasn’t that long ago he was running round the house with my socks. OK that still happens, but not as often as it used to. I think we call that progress!

Today marks 21 years since my brother took his life. Some years are harder than others. Today my niece announced that she’s having a little girl. I’ve always been a great Aunt, but now I am going to be a Great-Aunt for the second time. My Mum would have been thrilled. Not sure how my Brother would have felt about being a Grandfather. It’s sad he didn’t get the chance to meet his Grandson and now his Granddaughter.

I guess some questions will never be answered. Over the years, I have accepted I will never get the answers I wanted in the beginning. I made peace with what happened. Tonight I raise a glass to him and hope the feeling will come back in my feet. As cute as he is, Bert is rather heavy.

I spotted snowdrops today. Not sure whether to be excited or concerned. It feels too early for snowdrops.

At the same time, it’s heart warming to see nature waking up. Just in time for a reported cold snap.

I love snowdrops or Galanthus to give them their posh name. They’re such cheery little flowers. Did you know their name comes from the Greek for milk and flower? Makes sense huh?! Not sure where snowdrops comes from. The shape I guess. There little darlings were in the churchyard not far from my house.

I was not calling Bert a little darling after he decided to take a dip in the stream nearby. He came out covered in pond weed and stinking. He was very unimpressed with a cold-hose off when we got back. Even though I dried him off, he decided that my carpet and the sofa throws were perfect for drying himself. He was having a blast bouncing around. Guess that was his payback for the cold shower. Doesn’t he know cold plunges are all the rage…

I fell down a bit of a Disney+ rabbit hole and found this movie this afternoon. I do struggle with streaming sites as I tend to scroll for an exorbitant amount of time before finding something to watch.

Having said that, this wasn’t bad. The Nutcracker is my favourite ballet. I love the inventiveness of it. And perfect for a Christmas afternoon thawing out on the sofa. My goodness the wind has some bite to it today.

I’d love to say Bert enjoyed it too, but he snored his way through the entire film. I’m pretty sure there are people out there who would have done the same at the ballet. It seems the Baby Sprocker isn’t a culture culture.

OK so when I did my Christmas food shop, I might have accidentally bought myself a new cheeseboard. Not that I have ever actually owned a cheeseboard before. This one was just too cute to pass up.

I love Marmite. So I pretty much love anything with Marmite in it. I spotted the Marmite cheese set and thought why not?!

I feel rather grown up having a cheeseboard. I’m pretty full of cheese and crackers now. Eyes bigger than once more…

As another Christmas Day comes to an end, I’m sat reflecting on stuff. December isn’t my favourite month for many reasons. Christmas can be a weird time for me. And so many.

This year, I felt the need for a chilled one. It’s been another busy year. I wasn’t feeling rushing about. I got to spend time with all of my boys. But I felt like a ‘proper parent’ today.

Buddy was busy stuffing his face. Bert took himself to bed at 3pm as he’d gotten over-stimulated. Hugo and Dodo had a fight. Dodo and Bert had a spat. None of them wanted to pose for their Christmas photos.

I sat on the sofa with all of my animals in different locations. It made me laugh.

Bert, Hugo and Dodo did come for cuddles. I had lots of lovely food. It may not have been chilled all the time, but it was lovely nonetheless.

Whatever you got up to, I hope you’ve had a wonderful Christmas Day.

They’re helping, honest they are. Funny how they both needed to come and check their own poo. They made me laugh as they sniffed it. Grateful that they didn’t knock the wheelbarrow over.

Buddy is enjoying his Christmas holiday. I am too. Even if there are lots of things that need doing though. After maid duty, I braved the supermarket to get the last few bits. The panic was palpable in there. It wasn’t as busy as it could have been, but still got bashed by a few trolleys.

I ended up with another eclectic collection of bits. But that’s me done! I came home, made soup, watched The Greatest Showman, watched Strongman and ate my body weight in finger food. It seems Bert is a big fan of filo prawns too.

Let the Christmas food coma and hibernation begin… From my house to yours, Merry Christmas everyone.

Well that’s my Christmas dinner sorted! Judging by the size of it, it might be enough for Boxing Day too. I’ve got a lot of vegetables to go with it.

I’ve been trying to go to farm shops more and buy local where possible. It’s been fun exploring and seeing what I can find.

I was out and about delivering presents and catching up with friends today, so popped into Goodies on the way back. My basket was rather eclectic. I hit the deli counter and came out with four different types of UK cheese. I even found some Camembert crisps. Admittedly they were from France.

I was feeling rather pleased with myself till I discovered my salad leaves were from Italy. Best laid plans huh?!

I also stopped at M&S so have lots of goodies from there too. One things for sure, I won’t go hungry…

This was the perfect way to start my Christmas break – a long overdue trip to Blickling. The last time I was there was back in August. And I scratched dear Toby…

Now that’s not the reason I haven’t been back. Things have been rather busy and we just couldn’t get a date that worked for us both. It’s always wonderful to spend time with Katie and Archie. We talked non-stop the whole way round. There was a lot to catch up on!

I honestly haven’t got a clue what is going on in this country right now. Every day there seems to be more bad news. It makes my head hurt so much. Right now, I’ll take peace on earth, good will to all men and the reversal of some of the bonkers decision the government have made. That would be a wonderful Christmas present to us all.

Today it was a much needed break from it all. Just two friends, two horses and a vast estate to explore.

It was also perfect for Buddy’s final outing of the year. He’s going to get a bit of downtime too. Let’s hope we all get some of that!

I think I might need to lie down or something, but today I rode my amazing horse in my amazing dressage saddle and his new rather amazing bridle.

It’s got a diamonte browband! Dressage mode is fully on!

We may not be the best, but we will certainly look the part. All the gear springs to mind. I picked up this bridle when we are WHW last weekend. It was brand new, but a bargain at £30. The reins were brand new too and only £20. Very happy to support a great charity too.

I’m pleased to report that Buddy positively floated round the arena. Me being me, thought I’d use an old pair of stirrups I had knocking about. Well that showed me that I need to buy another pair of Flex-ons. The tension was back in my inner thighs. Honestly, I don’t know how, but they’ve made a massive improvement to my riding.

I think we are both still getting used to the new saddle. It’s going to take time to adjust after many years in a jump saddle. I mean, I know my legs are long, but they felt VERY long today.

I’ve set myself the goal to do a Novice test competitively in H1 2026. First we need to crack Prelim. Might help if I actually entered a competition. Oh and have some more dressage lessons. Baby steps. For today, can we focus on how handsome Buddy looks with a bit of bling.