Buddy got a gold star today for being an absolute one during his sheath cleaning. I swear he was dribbling…

Honestly the things we do for our precious equine partners. I had to be careful how I wrote that as I’m sure there are a few men wincing at the thought of their appendages being cleaned. Of course, some may like that sort of thing. I’ve been single a long time now.

Buddy also got a gold star this morning as a friend came and rode him. It’s always interesting watching someone else ride your horse. Reminds me of how far we’ve come and how well schooled he actually is. All of those lessons, clinics and camps really do pay off!

It’s so easy to focus on what needs to be worked on, we forget to appreciate just how far you’ve come.

Today has been one of those ‘guess what month we are in’ kinda days. The weather has been changeable. Bit like my clothing choices.

One minute sunshine, then rain, then winds, then sunshine, then thunder and finally more rain. And a lot of rain! My water butt overflowed and I definitely didn’t need to water my hanging baskets.

As a result, I’ve been layering on and off all day too. Don’t get me wrong, we need the rain, but last week I was in shorts. Now I’m back to sweatshirts. Go figure…

So my birthday celebrations continues today with lunch at Fizz & Fromage in Wroxham. Oh my days, I won’t need to eat for the rest of the week after three meals out!

It was so good. As we were in Wroxham, it would have been a crime not to pop into Roy’s. We started with the garden centre, then headed to the main department store.

I may have bought a new duvet set. Well it is my birthday. And it has Highland Cows on it!! Like I need an excuse…

I saw this and it made me smile. In fact a few things have made me smile today. An interesting chat with my financial advisor. Lunch with a good friend for my birthday. Arena hire with another. Buddy feeling good.

I rode Buddy in the dressage saddle to see how he felt on a surface. He was a little stiff to start off with, but soon limbered up. It was so humid, we were both glowing.

I love the word whimsy. And I’ve craved a simple life for many years now. Maybe it’s the frenetic pace in the world we live in. Maybe I’m getting older. Maybe it’s spending time with my animals. They don’t have the same urgency that we do. Well unless it’s dinner time…

Bert and I found a new path today. It’s a restricted byway, so it means I can take Buddy down there too. Bonus!

It was lovely and shaded. Boy was that needed as it was rather humid today. So of course, I decided to mow the lawn, hoover the house and wash the sofa cushions.

The good news is that the sofa cushions dried really quickly. The bad news is that I think I sweated more stuffing the cushions back in their covers than I did taking them out! And I was already dripping from the mower / hoover combo. A delightful image for you.

I now need to hoover again with all the bits that came off the inside of the covers.

Still the lawn looks better (if you don’t look too closely at the holes and brown patches), the house is clean (ish) and the sofa looks cream again (till Bert gets his muddy paws on it). Believe me, my next sofa will be mud coloured. Like my horse…

Happy birthday me! Another trip round the sun done. It’s been an odd one if I’m honest. The year and my birthday…

The past few weeks have been weird. So much angst. So much sadness. I’m not sure I’ve cried so much in a month for a very long time. And most of the time, I couldn’t tell you what I was sad about.

Tear are water and water finds the weakest point. There have been many days where my particular dam has broken. I feel lighter for it though.

Guess there was stuff that needed to come out. My animals have been the biggest source of angst. I got a lovely birthday present as I took Buddy out for our first ride in two weeks. Judging by the power walk home, he’s definitely feeling better. I will probably be lame tomorrow though. It’s a long time between rides.

My birthday itself has been made special by so many people. I’m so lucky to have so many messages, cards, presents and well wishes. My heart has been filled. As well as my stomach.

Let’s see what 56 has to offer…

Bert and I headed over to the Norfolk Food Hall to meet up with a friend and her dog Barney for a walk round the Showground.

Barney was very excited to see us both. He and Bert have become firm friends. It seems Bert is quite partial to a black lab.

Barney is now much bigger than Bert. Bert is definitely faster. As we walked round, we met a couple of other dog walkers. Apparently it’s the Flyball World Championship there this weekend. So lots of dogs around.

Bert is ball obsessed so not sure he’d be any good at Flyball. But he’s definitely got the speed!

After a lovely walk, we all heading into food hall for a spot of lunch. Bert is a pro at ‘settle’, though today it was more ‘splatter’ as he really liked the cold tiles. With the temperatures the way they’ve been, I don’t blame him.

I caught up with a friend earlier in the week and she had a couple of fans in her lorry that caught my eye. So I ordered a couple for Toby.

They’re rechargeable as well as plug in. I thought they’d work well in the horse area while travelling. As well as in the living when we’re away. They clip on so I can move them easily. And put them in the best position for Buddy, Bert and me of course.

I wasn’t sure if they’d arrive before Champs. Typically they did. I’m sure they will come in useful when we get out and about next…

Today I called it. I withdrew Buddy from the British Riding Club Arena Eventing Championships on Friday. I’d been flip flopping in my head. And holding off for as long as I could. It wasn’t fair on the reserve, so I made the decision today.

Disappointed isn’t the word. I’m gutted. This would have been my third BRC Champs. And the first I actually felt like I deserved to be there. Rather than just making up the numbers. When we qualified last year, we put a score on the board for the team.

Buddy is so much better, but still not quite right. I’m worried if I pushed him, I’d do more damage. So as disappointed as I am, he comes first.

There will be other Championships I’m sure. There is only one Buddy…

I’ll be cheering the team on from afar. I’m sure they will be epic. I love being part of the riding club. It’s very special indeed. As I got back from walking Bert, I stopped to look at the flowers in my border. They are all as valid as each other. They all have a part to play. That’s how I see the support I’ve had since I’ve been part of Carleton Riding Club. I love it when you find your tribe.

Houston we have a problem. Pretty sure my plug should look like that?!

I was so hot today, I thought I’d wash my face when I got back from mucking out. The plug didn’t work. Now I know why, it’s sheered off.

I know they say it’s good to unplug, but I’m not sure this is what they mean…