I bought Buddy a new stable guard yesterday. A new stable deserves a new one. That and I could actually get the old one off!

I managed to get one of the hooks off, but the other one wasn’t budging. Luckily, one of the other liveries had one going spare so I was able to put it up.

Of course me being me, I picked a rather humid day to do it. Honestly the sweat was running down my nose. There was a bit of huffing and puffing as Buddy’s new stable door is narrower than his old one. Got there in the end.

I left him with his lick block while I went to poo pick his field. In fact, there was very little poo in his field as it was all in his field ‘day stable’. That is a big hit I can tell you! Actually makes the job easier for me too.

In fact, him moving to a bigger stable has actually resulted in a less messy stable. Work that one out?! I had wondered if he would be even more messy. Go figure!

He made me laugh when I got back. He’d clearly licked the lick block out of his stable. And was pushing the limits of his restraint. Cause it’s not like he hasn’t limboed under his old one before.

Thankfully my efforts were enough to keep him where he should be…

When I got back from walking Bert this morning, I noticed one of my shoes needed repairing. Yet another sole was coming off. Seriously? Do I walk oddly or do they just not use good enough glue? I’ve had several pairs now where they’ve come apart. Rather disappointing.

Still an easy fix. Managed to glue it back on and left it to dry. I haven’t tested them yet, but fingers crossed. It’s annoying as there is still a lot of life left in them.

I do struggle sometimes with this ‘disposable’ world we live in. All while being told to ‘save the plant’. It’s a weird juxtaposition when you think about it.

Maybe I’m getting old, but I really do feel like things used to be more robust and last longer. Anyone else? Or is that just me?

Anyway, I’ve done my little bit. Let’s hope it works. A sole repair might help my soul. See what I did there…

I popped into B&M today for some plastic drawers. As you do. I came out with some little plastic plants for my lorry. As you do…

Honestly, it’s damn near impossible to come out with just one thing. I also got a bath mat for the lorry shower. Not that I’ve actually used it yet.

I know it might sound silly, but I saw these and thought they’d add those little touches to my lorry. Besides, they were in the sale. There were six left on the shelf. Another woman and I were both eyeing them up and laughing about how cute they were. We ended up taking three each.

I think they look really good and that’s what matters. My lorry is a little bit of a home away from home. Now it feels even more homely.

I went to a wedding reception this evening. I was in two minds as it’s been quite the week. I wasn’t sure if I was in the right frame of mind to socialise. I was wrong. I had a really lovely evening with some really lovely people.

They had a pizza trailer, ice creams and sweet treats. They also had a bathroom basket, which was a new one on me! It had lots of bits in it from safety pins and a sewing kit, to plasters and deodorant. A bit like my ‘event box’.

It was an eclectic mix indeed. As was the music the DJ played. Didn’t stop me hitting the dance floor. Not literally thankfully…

This is definitely not what you want to see on a Friday evening on the M25. Yes, I’m back home again. Interesting journey. Delays everywhere so I came back a different route. Even thought I know the route, it did feel like it took forever…

Honestly I feel a bit like a boomerang at the moment. My Dad is still in hospital and looks like it’ll be next week when he’s discharged, so I came home to wait it out. It’s frustrating for us both. More delays there too.

So where are the positives I’m sure you’re wondering. Well my Dad is still with us and being looked after. Better to find out what’s going on with him rather than discharge him. He’d have boomeranged too.

Even thought my journey took over 4 hours to get home, I have a comfortable car with air conditioning. I don’t miss the Comedy Car in the hot weather.

Bert is an awesome passenger. I barely know he’s there! He curls up in the back and sleeps most of the journey.

I put some music on and sang my heart out to make the journey go faster. Maybe that’s why I forget Bert is there? He’s got his paws over his ears…

I thought I’d take Buddy out for an early morning ride. He was a little surprised to see me. Having not ridden for a week, it felt so good to be back behind my favourite ears. Well maybe my joint favourite ears, I love Bert’s Dumbo ears too.

Decided to treat Buddy to some recover mash when we got back. He managed to knock it all over the box outside his stable. I thought I’d put it far enough away from him while it soaked, but he has a giraffe neck when it comes to food.

He had a proper hissy for trying to get it. It made it rather hard to wash him down.

I got home to a message from Dad saying he was being discharged, so I scrambled to get back down South. Only for him to call when I was on my way to say there was another complication so he wasn’t being discharged after all.

It’s been an emotional ride so far. There have been lots of tears and I may have had a hissy fit of my own at times.

Fingers crossed he’ll be home tomorrow. At least Bert and I are to welcome him when he does arrive.

I woke up this morning feeling rather low on energy. I haven’t been sleeping the best – just a few things on my mind. Last night was so humid, it really didn’t help.

As it was forecast to be a hot one, after doing everything I needed to, Bert and I retired to the sofa for some down time. I would say chilled time, but it was a tad warm. My little fans were overheating they were working so hard.

After watching some gymnastics from the Commonwealth, I remembered that a new series on Pompeii had been released. So I thought I’d watch it. Oh my goodness it was good. Fanciful, but it gave me goosebumps. Though that could have been the fan…

I had no idea Tom Hiddleston spoke Latin or studied the classics at University. He shares my fascination for Pompeii. Watching it brought back so many memories from my visit there. In some ways it feels like a long time ago, but it was only January.

I ended up watching all three episodes. It’s a different take on the events. It reminds you of the human tragedy but also the fact so many people escaped. That it’s not just a story. It’s history.

I’m not sure if I’m feeling the benefit of taking time out today. But at least I’m not out of time like so many in Pompeii.

Check out my first courgette. It’s huge! It wasn’t quite ready to harvest before I headed down South. It’s clearly had a growth spurt.

I’ve got several more to come too. Now the decision is courgette volute or fried with cheese. With my culinary skills, I think we know which is the sensible option.

Given my Dad is in hospital, I could do without injuring myself at this point…

Bert and I are back home after a rather interesting weekend away. Bert came back with a food parcel this time. My Dad had ordered some goulash when he did an online shop. Little did he know it was dog food! Sure Bert will appreciate it though.

Speaking of my Dad, I went to see him this morning. He looked much better and is recovering well. That’s very good news.

The doctors have told him he’s lucky to be alive. The fact I may have helped to save my Dad’s life has hit me quite hard. He’d had a heart attack on Friday before I arrived. My quick actions meant he got the treatment he needed.

I’m very thankful that I was there. Someone was definitely watching over my family that’s for sure. Talk about divine timing. It could have gone very differently…

I needed the journey home to process it all. Luckily I had four hours or so. I know I’m not at my best as I accidentally put premium petrol in my car. That was an expensive tank full. Still at least I won’t have to buy food for Bert for a while. Let’s hope he likes goulash…

Bert took his duties very serious at Hickstead today. He decided he was to be the International Greeter at the show. He got so much attention. And not just people he knew!

He met a lot of new people. There are lots of people who’ve joined the Bert Fan Club.

It was a very long day for him. He dragged me to the arena for the start of the BRC Team of 3 competition. He dragged me round the Showground too. But overall he was such a good boy as he waited patiently by the rings.

He’s very tired now. So am I. It was wonderful watching all of my nine riders today. Everyone did our fabulous riding club proud.

It looked like a simple course, but it was really testing the riders. There weren’t many clear rounds.

Same could be said for the King George Cup. I was able to go and watch some of that too.

That’s another Hickstead done. I’m grateful that I don’t have to drive home after it. I’m staying at my Dad’s tonight. I’ll head down to see him tomorrow before coming home. He’s recovering slowly but I’d going to be in hospital for a while longer. I’ll need to be back here when he’s allowed home. Bert will be very happy to greet Grandad. He’s keeping his chair warm…