Bert would like you all to know that today he was taken against his will into the shower and ‘forced’ to have a shower. But when I explain, I’m sure you’ll get it…

On our walk this morning, Bert decided to go for a dip in a puddle that was filled with cow muck. Black water is rarely a good thing. As a result, he was a tad pungent. By the time we were back at the car, he didn’t seem that stinky so assumed he’d run it off.

I was wrong. By the time he’d dried out, the smell was off the charts! And let’s face it, I deal with some rather pungent smells. He was quite the swamp monster.

So it was shower time for him. Bert is a typical Spaniel. Horizontal water is the best thing ever. While vertical water is just awful.

He showed his displeasure post-shower, with zoomies round the lounge. Including rubbing himself over the throws and carpet.

He’s rather fluffy now…

My pen ran out while I was on a call this morning and I found this one in my desk drawer. Didn’t pay much attention to it as I was too busy scribbling my actions.

It was only after the call had finished that I actually looked at it. Now I couldn’t tell you where I picked this pen up from (I seem to gather them on my travels). And I couldn’t have told you that Norwich was the City of Dragons.

I love dragons. I’m guessing that’s my Welsh heritage. Norwich is a very long way from Wales. In fact, it’s the other side of the country! It got me wondering how it got that name. So I did a bit of research and it’s a children’s book apparently.

It’s also a bit of a lovely sign as I will be heading to Wales soon for Conference. And that’s why I needed a pen to write down my actions. Love it when things like that happen.

Buddy is considerably lighter after he was de-floofed. I wish I’d taken a photo of how much fur there was on the floor. I could have made a mini-Buddy out of it.

Buddy has had a bit of a love hate relationship with the clippers over the years, but he’s definitely mellowing. Good job too as his experience will soon be immortalised in my second Buddy Book.

Buddy and the Barber is with the publisher. Eek! I really hope people like it as much as my first Buddy Book. I’m so proud to say I’m a published author. It’s something I didn’t set out to do, but I’m so pleased it did…

In today’s episode of ‘what did the Baby Womble find now?’, I give you a bit of an over reach boot.

Bert was a very happy Baby Womble indeed! Goodness knows what he would be like with a whole one! He found it on our walk and played with this bit for several hours.

It nearly ended up a little bit smaller when I went over it with the lawnmower. Several times. Whoops! I can’t quite believe that I mowed the lawn in November. Mental! The grass has grown so much, I could stand it no longer.

I closed down the greenhouse too. Again, bizarre that there were still tomatoes on the vines. It’s always a sad day, but it needs doing before we head into winter. Then I spotted roses in bud. Again.

Today has mostly been about sunshine and showers. Bert and I left the house this morning in beautiful sunshine. Half way round our walk I was blinded by the sun’s rays. As soon as we turned for home, the heavens opened! Bert and I were rather soggy by the time we actually got back.

We must have looked a right pair. Bert trying to drag me home, me giggling as the rain ran down my neck.

This afternoon, the same thing happened. I left to go to the yard in glorious sunshine. Halfway through mucking out, the heavens opened. Again.

Buddy was a bit soggy for his massage, but I got him as dry as I could. While I was waiting, I spotted a rainbow. That’s one of the benefits to sunshine and showers.

It’s official, I have entered fluffy sock season!

I met up with a horsey friend for lunch today. We met at a country estate with a lovely restaurant and a lovely gift shop. I was drawn to these and my feet are currently super toasty.

I am very lucky to have lots of horsey friends. In fact, I have met so many wonderful people through them. The friend I met today is one in point. We haven’t seen each other for two years, but it was like no time had passed at all. We talked non-stop for three hours. And not just about horses.

Bert got a new toy too. He’s been playing with that for three hours as well. Well seems fair…

Happy Halloween everyone. It’s been a weird day. I’ve felt like I’ve drifted into the rumble strip so to speak.

When I was walking Bert this morning, the tears kept welling up. The veil is thinner today apparently. I felt rather sad and a bit lost. Nothing has happened to prompt it.

It seems I’m not alone in that. I’ve had several conversations today along similar lines. I can’t put my finger on it at the moment. There seemed to be lots of weird and unusual things going on today. Maybe I’m just overthinking stuff.

Still I did get to bask in the sunshine. That felt like it recharged my batteries somewhat.

And I watched Practical Magic, my favourite Halloween type film. Well it’s about witches so felt right. That made me cry too. Maybe I need to cast some spells myself tonight. See if I can conjure up some good stuff for us all!

I felt rather overdressed on our hack today. No, your eyes don’t deceive you, I am wearing my competition gear. I’ll explain.

Buddy didn’t get his massage today as the therapist got stuck in a big traffic jam. So a friend suggested a hack instead. Well it was a lovely day.

Slight problem, I wasn’t wearing my riding gear. Yes I could have gone home. But I’d already been home once to drop Bert off. So I threw my competition jods on. The joys of a big lorry huh?!

It made me think of that French and Saunders sketch about horses. Where Dawn turns up in all of the gear and they spend hours trying to catch Peter Pan and Jigsaw. Thankfully Buddy came straight over. That sketch honestly has me in stitches…

It’s going to be an expensive couple of week for me and a busy time for Buddy.

Today he had his annual check up with the dentist. He got a clean bill. He’d chipped one of his front teeth, but I was reassured it’s nothing to worry about. It hasn’t stopped him stuffing his face so all good.

Yesterday he had his annual vaccinations. The vet said he was looking very well. His heart and lungs were check and again all good. . She was very impressed with the shine on his coat. Even if he is very floofy right now.

So that’s 2 out of 5 appointments ticked off with gold stars. Tomorrow he has his massage, next week it’s the farrier and he’s being clipped. Honestly, it’s like buses!

He’s totally worth it. And I love toast and cereal…

As he was such a good boy for the dentist, I took him a carrot afterwards. It struck me that that’s a bit like taking a child to the sweet shop after a trip to the dentist. He wasn’t complaining I can tell you that.

I needed more poo bags for Bert. For a smallish dog, he seems to poo a lot! So we do get through them.

Last time I bought a box of 240. This time I surpassed that and bought 360! That should keep us going for a while.

Now being the marketing man’s dream that I am, I didn’t buy normal poo bags. Oh no, I bought Autumnal ones. I know what you’re thinking, but they’re really pretty.

I bought Christmas ones last year. Which worked well until I found a roll in a coat pocket. Felt rather wrong using them in a heatwave. They did the job though.

I think the Autumnal ones are very cute. Sometimes it’s the little things. They certainly made me smile. Maybe not using them, but then I do have to pick up a bit of poo with Bert and Buddy. Good job I don’t need poo bags for Buddy. Can you imagine the size they would be?!