A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the seal on my chest freezer was starting to go. I’ve been doing a number of ‘home’ fixes. Sadly none of them have worked, I gave in and ordered a new one. Well I have had it 9 years so it’s not done too bad.

I decided to go for a smaller one this time as I rarely filled the old one. And it was on offer!

I was originally given a delivery time of ‘somewhere between 7am and 7pm’. Nice and vague there. Then I got a text to say ‘between 12:23 and 16:23’. Then a voicemail to say ‘between 2pm and 3pm’. Finally a call to say they were 20 mins away. It actually arrived at 2:45pm.

The delivery guys took longer to get it into place as they were both cooing over Bert.

Now I need to move everything across. The new one has a digital display and everything. Very fancy indeed!

Toby was on travel duties today. We took one of the livery’s dynamic duo over to Little Lodge as she was staying there for a couple of nights with her loaners.

The original plan had been for me to drop them off and then head back. Some were sleeping in one of the Lodges, but others were in tents! Given that when we arrived it was raining, cold and rather windy, I offered them a bit of an upgrade – Toby. So he’s having a few nights away too. He’s far nicer than a tent. And as someone who’s spent a fair few nights under canvas growing up, I think I’m qualified to judge.

My Dad was a Scout Leader when I was a child. I spent many a Summer camping. Funny how I still do, this time it’s with Buddy, Bert and my ‘luxurious’ accommodation.

Buddy, Bert and I headed over to Clarkes Farm for a spot of Arena Hire this morning. We were meeting a friend and her horse there for a pony play date. Well why should the puppy have all the fun…?!

There was an Arena Eventing course set out, so we figured we could get some practice in for the Champs we’re heading to in May.

There was a bit of a mix up with the booking and we ended up with an extra amigos when another friend rocked up too. Luckily, we all know each other and get on a treat!

Buddy was on good form. In fact, all the ponies and riders were. The only downside was the wind kept blowing the brush fences over. Poor Hannah’s Mum got her steps in trying to put them back up.

We popped into the saddlery across the road too. Bert got a new toy. Buddy got some food. I got some new yard gloves. Kinda feel like I might have got the short straw there.

All in all a rather lovely outing.

Bert’s ears are getting lighter. In colour I mean. Not weight. They’re still rather large spaniel ears. They’ve definitely got the ombré look. I’m sure people would pay a lot of money to recreate it.

It’s funny how he’s changing. His tail is getting lighter too. I’m sure he’s had another growth spurt. He seems to have gone longer again.

Either that or he’s wearing his legs out with all the running around. Today he excelled himself on his puppy play date with Barney. He found a ball. When I say found, he was a bit faster than the dog it was aimed at. At one point, he had quite a collection as he took it on himself to ‘rescue’ all of the balls in the dog park.

The funniest thing was that one of the owners was laughing as her dog wasn’t interested in playing with the ball so she kept throwing it for Bert. Job for life that one. She was happy to amuse him. She was impressed with the way he dropped the ball at her feet too.

Of course, he returned the ball before we headed off. What is it with dogs and balls?! Must be the same as cats and boxes huh?!

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Well that certainly seems to be the case here. Dodo was rather happy to see Bert. Which is huge progress as it wasn’t that long ago that he was hissing, spitting and running away every time he saw him.

Today they were so cute with each other. I’m not sure Dodo is a huge fan of being licked by the Baby Sprocker. Or keen on sharing my lap with him. Let’s face it, my lap isn’t that big!

I think Dodo has finally worked out that he’s actually in charge. Hugo, not so much…

Well we’re all home after our mini-break in Suffolk. Buddy was very happy to be back in his own field. After the VIP treatment he’s had, I wasn’t sure. He went straight in and rolled.

His field mate was very happy to see him too. He was trying to say hello while Buddy was rolling. Elegant creature that he is, not sure this is Buddy’s best look. Seems all of my boys know sit.

Bert has been doing more sleeping that sitting this afternoon. He’s had a blast playing with all the dogs.

I’m sure we will all sleep well tonight…

Buddy is having a wonderful mini-break. He’s loving his view. My goodness, he’s nosey. He’s watched the comings and goings all day.

Well till it was time to do some work, then he was looking for danger in every corner of the arena. There’s a pig farm next door so that was a bit off putting for him. I’m not sure if he’s seem a pig before. They were rather pungent and loud.

It was also howling and there was a bit of metal roofing crashing about, so I will give him the benefit of the doubt on that one.

Bert is having a lovely time too. He’s spent a lot of the day running around and playing.

It’s always lovely to spend time with my ‘brother from another mother’. Especially on his birthday.

How to confuse your horse, put him in a stable with two doors. He was so busy looking out of one, he didn’t notice I’d come in the other. He was rather startled to see me next to him.

We’ve come on a spontaneous trip to Suffolk for Simon’s birthday tomorrow. As both my boys were invited, we locked and loaded and headed down.

Bert is playing with his doggy friends. Buddy is enjoying the view. It’s always lovely to spend time here.

Today I did a lot of cogitating. I love that word. It’s rather descriptive and at the same time a bit vague.

I find that I do my best cogitating when I’m walking Bert, mucking out, poo picking or hacking. Luckily today I did all of those things!

Took Buddy out for a bit of ‘me and him’ time. We put the world to right. And when I say we, I mean I talked and he listened.

Not sure I came to any conclusions in my cogitating. Not sure it matters. What I do know is that I had a good day.

I went to bed last night thinking of the exciting plans I had for today. Unfortunately, my body had other ideas.

I had a fall in the week that clearly affected me more than I’d realised. Not off Buddy, but off a ladder. Long story, don’t ask, yes I am a nightmare…

I had a jumping lesson yesterday and my neck twinged when I landed. Hello Mr Whiplash, haven’t seen you in a while.

This morning, my neck was really sore. And my bruises a lovely shade of deep purple. Clearly overdid it. Us horsey girls really don’t get limits sometimes?!

Anyway, I cancelled my plans and took a chill out day. A friend and her dog stayed last night, so we sat in the garden, in the sunshine, drinking coffee and talking about life.

That was after she let me cry all over her. Disappointment, frustration and discomfort in that order.

The rest seems to have worked as my neck feels looser today. God bless Volterol!