I went to have a chat with the cows this morning. They’re great listeners so easy to chew the cud with. Bert found a tennis ball in the undergrowth, he was much more interested in that!

It’s been another week of ups and downs. Sadly there’s been another blip with my Dad, so he wasn’t discharged as planned and gets to spend another weekend in hospital. It’s disappointing for him, but the right decision.

Buddy and I are off to Champs tomorrow. On Monday, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to go with everything that’s been happening. I wasn’t sure I had it in me. Or if Dad would be OK.

We’re part of a team and I didn’t want to let the side down. A few quiet days and my energy levels are back up. I talked it through with the cows today and decide that whatever’s going on, I need to keep making memories with my Buddy Boy. This afternoon, I packed the lorry ready for the off.

First I have to get over the tears of filling dear Toby. That’s going to be rather expensive. Honestly the fuel prices are insane! Without getting political, something needs to be done before we’re all bankrupt. The world seems very off right now.

Anyway, I have no expectations for tomorrow. We will go, compete and have fun. Here’s to making memories…

My goodness the sky was glorious this evening. The nights are definitely drawing in. After spending the day in a polo shirt, I had to break out the ‘big dressing gown’ this evening as I got a bit cold.

The pretty sky wasn’t the only thing to make me smile today. It looks like my Dad is being discharged tomorrow. I’ve found him some respite care so he can continue his recovery. Let’s face it, we all need a bit of TLC when we’ve been poorly.

My nieces came to visit him this week and he got to meet his new Great-Granddaughter. She’s only three months old. And quite the cutie it seems! That all seems to have perked him up…

I told a friend today that I’d had a non-day. She rightly pointed out that it was a lovely day rather than a non-day. I had coffee with a friend this morning and rode out with another this afternoon.

It made me reflect that we can all be so driven by doing stuff, we miss the little moments. Are we busy for busy’s sake?

We are human beings after all. When did we become human doings? Bit deep I know. That’s what happens when I stop I guess.

The time I spent with friends, Buddy and Bert was valuable to me today.

As I was driving to my friend’s this morning, I noticed the name of a cottage on the road. It was called Langley Cottage. I’d never noticed it before. Now maybe it’s a new sign, or maybe I’d been too busy looking at the road. It made me smile for sure. So rather than sweating the big stuff, my non-day was actually about the little things.

Is anyone else’s garden a bit confused by the mild weather? I have spring roses back out again. It’s September, right?!

I noticed a few tiny sunflowers standing tall in the cutaway when I took Buddy out. I do love a sunflower. They’re such cheery little flowers. They always make me smile.

I also love the way that they move towards each other. Not literally, they do have roots. But the way they can end up facing each other. We all need support – in any form!

I’ve given myself a bit of a talking to. I know I’m not handling things as smoothly as I normally am. It’s understandable, there’s a lot going on. I left a few things out on the fields today. First with Bert, then with Buddy.

I nearly left myself out there when Buddy decided that a motorbike tearing fast him was OK, but a pheasant flying out in front of him wasn’t. Thank goodness for sticky jods, that’s all I’m saying!

Even though he’s calmed down a lot over the years, he’s still got one hell of a spook on him. After that I sat a little bit taller in the saddle too…

I really wasn’t feeling today when I woke up. Culmination of a few very busy, very emotional weeks. And a lot of driving!

So I did something I rarely do. I let Bert out for his morning ablutions and crawled back under the duvet. Bert rarely sleeps on the bed. This morning I was reminded why. He’s a total bed hog! Worse than the kittens. We both must have drifted off though. Clearly I needed more sleep.

I booked myself an appointment to go and see my lovely chiro. She worked her magic and I was feeling more level again. Literally and metaphysically.

I was doing OK till I knocked my full barrow over while doing Maid Duty. That was the last straw. Again literally. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, scream or give in. Think it was a combination of all of them. Sometimes you just have to let it all out.

At least by the time I got in the saddle, I’d regain my composure. Buddy doesn’t need a bawling emotional wreck on his back. That’s not fair on him. I went out with tears in my eyes and came back with a huge smile. My little boy is the best therapist I could have. He really is.

I saw this air freshener hanging up in the car I parked next to in the hospital car park this morning. It made me laugh a little bit too hard. I showed it to my Dad and he had a similar reaction.

Let’s face it, we’ve all driven like a manic when we need to toilet. I’ve driven like an F1 driver heading to the pits as I’ve entered a service car park before. Trying to control my badder as you go over the speed bumps.

Coming home, I had a different challenge. It took nearly six hours to get back! A broken down car was causing chaos on the M25. Call me critic if you like, but given there were Highways men there and had coned said car off, wouldn’t it have made more sense to push it to the side of the road. Rather than cause a two hour tailback?! Probably some safety rule.

I have to admit, when I hit the end of the queue my heart sank. Having sat for over 30 minute not moving, I burst into tears. All of the emotions from the past few weeks tumbled out of my eyes.

By the time I got going again, I didn’t want to stop. My bladder (and Bert’s) had different ideas. So we had to make a pit stop of our own. I grabbed some food and ate it too fast, giving myself hiccups. I’d forgotten how uncomfortable and painful they can be.

Still, we made it home without any more issues. My Dad wasn’t as good today when I saw him. It’s a bit of a worry but he’s being well cared for. I’m sure I’ll be feeling more level again after a good night in my own bed. After the past few weeks, I’m sure I have a bit of sleep to catch up on…

Today would have been my
Mum’s birthday. It also marks two years since I last saw her. It’s been a tough day with my Dad in hospital too. He was in hospital for his birthday, now he is in hospital for hers.

Losing a parent is really hard. No-one prepares you for it. Facing the thought of losing my remaining one is really tough.

I took Bert out for a long walk to clear my head. It always feels a bit weird staying at my parents without them. He met another Spaniel and played ball with him. His owners were surprised that Bert was faster than their working cocker spaniel. Watching his enthusiasm lifted my mood a little.

My Dad’s next-door neighbour popped round last night with two apple turnovers – one of my Mum’s favourites. She thought it would make us smile on a bit of a bittersweet day. She didn’t know he was in hospital sadly. It was so sweet of her.

I took them up to him when I visited him. He was better than when I saw him yesterday. He enjoyed the apple turnover as much as I did. We could t raise a glass to her, so a pastry was a good substitute. Happy Birthday Mum.

Another day, another trip round the M25. At least this time I didn’t have to do the whole thing this time.

I got a call yesterday to say that my Dad had been taken to hospital. Again. It didn’t sound good, so I came to see him.

As I walked to the ward he’s on, I noticed a collection of rubber ducks. I’m a big fan of a rubber duck. I have a bit of a collection, even though I don’t actually have a bath.

They made me smile. Hopefully they do the same for the patients and staff at the hospital. Makes you wonder how it started. I feel like there’s a story behind it…

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little tired and achy today. Sign of a good camp. Another sign is the mountain of washing and stuff to sort. Honestly, I don’t know how I end up with quite so much. Guess that’s what happens when you go away with two ‘kids’.

The camp clean up was on today. Several loads done and hung out. This is my latest Practical Pip moment. I’m fed up of washing Buddy’s boots and the Velcro getting stuck together. So I bought one of these delicates bags to try. It’s the perfect size and means I can throw them in the washer without them sticking to everything. It’s also good enough to store them in the lorry too. Two for the price of one huh?!

We’re all back home after our training camp. What a brilliant few days it’s been.

Buddy was on top form. He’s always been a wonderful horse in my eyes. He’s really matured over the years. He takes everything in his stride now. I can’t help smiling while I’m riding (not that it always shows on the photos). He’s such a joy to take away.

So is Bert. He’s growing into the most wonderful little dog. He had lots of friends at this camp. Each morning we’d take the dogs out for a ‘hound exercise’. We started with four dogs on Monday and ended up with six dogs today.

He found a new toy. Not a clue what it was, but he loved it. He seemed to enjoy wearing it like an Alice Band. Maybe it was to keep his ears in check?!

The day started with a tumble and ended with one too. I’m OK before you worry. Bert have having too much fun playing rough and tumble with another puppy. He wiped me out on the way past. Typically I ended up landing in a rather soggy peaty bit. Still no harm done.

Buddy and I only had one lesson today as there was a faller in the first jumping lesson of the afternoon. I stayed with rider while we waited for an ambulance. Thankfully nothing broken, just very sore.

We had five brilliant lessons together so I wasn’t disappointed. I’ve come off one or two times, so know what it can be like. It felt like the right thing to do.

That was our final camp of the year. More memories made, more learning done and more time spent with fabulous people. Till next time…