I’ve been feeling sad today. Badminton Horse Trials started today. I’m not going this year. I was invited to watch my friend’s 4 year old in the Young Event Horse class today. Given neither Bert or I are 100%, I couldn’t face a 4am start, hours of driving or the long day.

She did brilliantly from all accounts. Spookily, FB told me I first met her 3 years ago today.

I have lots of wonderful memories of Badders. 8 years ago, I was there for the first time. I was so giddy, overexcited and probably quite annoying. This morning I sat watching the rain and counted my blessings. Badders included.

There are so many in my life. There really are. Even the fact it was raining is a blessing. We need it. Ironic after the amount of rain we had at the beginning of the year.

Bert and I got damp on our walk, Buddy was back in a rain sheet. The kittens were cuddled up in the conservatory. The fact I have a horse, a dog and two cats are also huge blessings.

I consider myself truly blessed most days. We can all look at the chaos in the world. But when you boil it down, life is pretty special.

I may not be at Badders this year, but I will be there again. Till then, I am enjoying the fact my newsfeed is full of horses. And remembering the fun times I had. At least my feet will thank me that I don’t have to walk miles round the course…

This is a sight that always makes me smile. The first little shoots appearing through the compost. My courgettes and leeks are sprouting.

It wasn’t the only thing to make me smile today. Bert is clearly feeling much better as he’s been tearing round the house and garden today. Such a relief. I’m not sure how much longer I could have taken the sad Spaniel eyes. Honestly, it just broke my heart seeing him so subdued and sad.

After some Night Nurse and 11 hours sleep, I’m feeling more human again too. Still not at my best so another slow day. Maid Duty was interesting as I kept getting dizzy. Poo-picking was rather ambitious. Regretted that so back to resting for me.

Normal service will be resumed soon I’m sure. So will interesting times in the greenhouse (still not a euphemism) by the little shoots.

After Bert being poorly yesterday, it was my turn today. I woke up with a headache and like I’d been punched in the face.

The kittens as they were locked out of the bedroom last night so it wasn’t them beating me up. I don’t remember Buddy or Bert clonking me. So must be a bug. Deep joy.

Thought I’d take Bert out for a gentle walk see if the fresh air helped clear my sinuses. We walked down one of the footpaths near the railway line. I spotted this sign. Can’t say I’ve seen it before. Or realised that the land there was called Otters Bottom. I do hope that’s cause there are otters there.

The land is small, but over the time I’ve had Bert, I watched it being cleared, fruit trees being planted and vegetable beds laid out. So lovely that someone is taking care of it.

The walk may have helped Bert, it didn’t help me. I came back feeling worse, cold and rather dizzy. Cancelled my plans for the day, did Maid Duty and retired to the conservatory. Bert and I convalesced together. Him and Dodo snoring, me listening to some online learning. My brain wasn’t up to anything heavy, so kept it light.

Bert is much improved, which is good news. He’s not keen on his antibiotics. Given they cost £2:39 each (I kid you not), he is definitely taking them.

Is it any wonder the NHS is a mess if that’s how much one tablet costs. Or are they more cause they’re for animals? Let’s hope they work. And let’s hope after an early nights, I’m feeling better too.

Not the best start to my Sunday. Poor Bert needed a trip to the emergency vets as he had an abscess in his mouth that had burst.

I’m well versed with abscesses in cats. I’ve dealt with my fair share over the years. So when I saw what was coming out of Bert’s mouth, I knew instantly the issue.

That and the smell. So imagine me on the floor trying to clear as much gunk as I could. Bert was remarkable patient given I was shoving my fingers and kitchen roll in his mouth.

His temperature was up too, so off to the vets we went. The vet confirmed it was indeed an abscess. He reckoned it was more likely a stick injury than a sting. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and a big bill later we were heading back home.

On arrival, Bert wolfed down the food he’d turned his nose up at this morning. And promptly crashed out. I had a coffee and did housework. Each to their own huh?!

I left him to sleep it off and headed to the yard. I took Buddy out for a long ride. It was blissfully peaceful. We even got an air display by a red kite, buzzard and marsh harrier.

So day definitely ended better than it started…

Bert and I headed to Suffolk to catch up with Simon today. Bert had a wonderful time tearing round the farm. It was hard to get a decent photo of him.

It was a glorious day, we all basked in the sunshine. I wore a polo shirt for the first time so my arms were a bit shocked at a) being out and b) being in the sunshine.

I will admit, they are quite white. Not as white as my legs. Not sure we’re quite ready for that!

May is my favourite month. And not just cause it’s my birth month. It’s the month where I really feel at my best. Not too warm. Lush and green everywhere. Flowers springing up all over the place. Blue skies. The list goes on…

It was good to catch up with my ‘little brother’. It’s what they say, family isn’t always blood.

I messed up my diary and missed my niece’s baby shower. Seems I might be a ‘not so Great Aunt’. Excited to meet my Great Niece.

Good news! Bert was a little brighter today. He’s still on half speed, which is rather off-putting if I’m honest. I’m so used to him bouncing off the walls…

I’m also enjoying the calm. Is this what it’s like to have a lower energy dog?!

He’s slept by my chair in the office, rather than encourage me to throw a toy by leaving it in my lap constantly.

He’s wandered round the garden, rather than snuffle and tearing around.

He’s even eating slower, but I’m guessing that’s due to a sore mouth.

I’m sure normal service will be resumed soon.

Buddy was on half speed today too with a leisurely meander out with two of his horsey friends.

I made the fatal mistake of sitting in the rather warm conservatory when I got back. So I’m at half speed too.

Poor Bert really isn’t himself at the moment. So I took him to the vets. The swelling under his chin had gone down a little, but there was clearly still an issue.

Although he’s rather subdued, he still managed to dragged me across the car park. He loves the vets! Ever since he went there for Puppy Pre-School, he sees it as a fun place to go. The vet laughed as Bert led the way to the examination room. He said it makes a change from dogs trying to head out the front door.

Shows it really work if they have positive first experiences for stuff. A lesson to us all I guess.

Anyway, I digress. After being checked over there were no obvious injuries. His mouth was very swollen, so the vet suspects he’s eaten a wasp and been stung under his tongue. He gave him a steroid injection and I have to see what he’s like in 48 hours.

Bert has been asleep since we got home. I’d like to think he would learn a valuable life lesson about buzzy stingy things. The jury is out on that one though…

I’ve had a rather subdued Sprocker today. I think he’s been bitten by something as he’s got a swelling under his chin.

That didn’t stop him scoffing his breakfast, running round the yard or investigating. He decided to help clear a few cobwebs. He made me laugh as he looked like a duster. I mean I know he’s a bit fluffy right now.

He isn’t his usual exuberant self. He stayed in the lorry while Buddy and I went for a spot of jumping this morning. We went over to Clarkes Farm for the ladies coffee morning. Jumps, coffee and cake. I mean, what’s not to love. Great company too.

Buddy was on good form. It’s the first time I’ve jumped since camp. I’m quite impressed I remembered what the instructors told me. Definite improvements in our jumping today.

Fingers crossed there are definite improvements in my Baby Sprocker tomorrow otherwise he’ll be off to the vets. He’s got proper Spaniel-eyes at the moment.

I woke up feeling a bit off, so I took Bert out to clear my head. I think the camp comedown has fully hit me. You’d have thought I would be prepared for it by now. Apparently not.

Camp was brilliant and it was wonderful learning more things and spending time with some of my favourite people, Buddy and Bert. I sometime miss the company of others when I’m at home on my own.

In case you haven’t noticed, I am a bit of an extravert. I need people to energise me. I’m also learning that I am content in my own space.

Of course I’m happy to spend time with my animals. So walking Bert and riding out with Buddy definitely helped to lift my spirits.

Spring is my favourite season and May my favourite month. The trees look so gorgeous at the moment, so many shades of green. I love the lilacs that are out at the moment too. I love those sparks of beauty everywhere.

After clearing my potting shed yesterday, this afternoon I sowed my first seeds. Hurrah!

I also bought some tomato, cucumber and courgette plants to get a bit ahead. They got planted too. So my greenhouse is looking a little less sparse now.

I love growing my own. There’s something magical about watching the first shoots appearing through the compost.

Home grown stuff definitely tastes better too! A little too good sometimes as they don’t always make it to the plate…