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!

Back from the Carleton Riding Club Quiz & Chips night. Who doesn’t love a spot of quizzing on a Friday night. And we only went and won!!

We’ve been the bridesmaid before, but this time we took top spot.

Learnt lots too. Did you know that a koala has the closest fingerprints to humans. Australian CSI must have fun there!

The food was excellent, so was the company and I got a chocolate sloth as a prize. Winning literally!!

Lovely to catch up with so many club friends. All in all a very lovely evening.

After nearly three months of bad weather, illnesses, family commitments, holidays and all manner of other stuff, we finally made it back to Blickling to meet up with Katie and Archie.

What a day it was too! The sun shone, the tracks were damn near perfect and we were both a bit giddy at finally meeting up.

Blicking is a beautiful place on the best of days. Today it positively glowed!

We bumped into a lovely couple with their granddaughter. She was very enamoured with our horses. We were asked if they could take a photo of her with them ‘to send to her Mummy’. She must have been 3 or 4, so Grandma held her up for the photo.

I did my best sales pitch too and told them about my Buddy book.

I drove home feeling like a bit of normality had been restored in my life. The World felt a much better place indeed.

I also drove home as a new National Trust member. I’ve been meaning to join for ages. Of course, the price had gone up since I decided to join in December. The membership fee is worth it for Blickling alone though!

Spring is definitely in the air today. I let Buddy have the sun on his back from a few hours. He’s wintered really well. Giving him time off and an easier time of it over the winter seems to have paid dividends. Look at the shine he’s got. His summer coat is starting to come through. He’s going to be gleaming.

They’re laying fibre on the road outside the yard, so Buddy’s had to move to a different field. I love the fact this one has a clump of daffodils in it. Every year when they come out, it makes me smile.

Daffodils are such cheery flowers. It’s so lovely to see so many out at the moment. It won’t be long before I’m moaning I’m too hot… After months of rain, I can’t wait!

Today has not been my best day. It ended better than it started though. The winds have dropped and it seemed eerily quiet this morning.

I took Bert out for a walk and was so busy watching him run around that I wasn’t look where I was going. I got my foot caught in a bramble and stumbled. Thankfully I didn’t fall over, but I did tweak my thigh.

Cue mini-meltdown from me as I burst into tears. My little bucket has been filling up so I guess it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Or bramble in my case.

I came back and journaled for many pages. There was a lot that needed to come out of my little brain. You may have clocked the fact that I love writing. I think I’m pretty good at it too. I’ll let you judge my musings. And I am a published author don’t you know.

I find writing out what’s in my head really works for me. I’ve been a little up in my head too much. So after mucking out, I spent an hour poo picking Buddy’s field. It’s a big field!

The sunshine was most welcome. So was the blossom. Spring is on her way. A sight like this fills me with joy. Three barrows of poo not so much. Thank goodness I had a good podcast to listen too. And a hot shower when I got home.

I had a rather sad Bert this morning. We saw the demise of another ‘walk ball’. I say ball, it was more a bit of ball. Bert had mushed to completely. I took a photo for posterity.

So it was time to send it to ball heaven (or the bin as I like to call it). Of course this meant that Bert sat by the bin. Until I distracted him with another ball. Soon his last ball was a distant memory…

Oh to be as easily amused.

Happy Mother’s Day and all that. Bit of an odd day for me if I’m honest. For many reasons. Not least the fact it’s the second without my Mum. I kinda miss the challenge of finding a suitable card.

I get the sentiment of Mother’s Day. I find it sad that we have to have a day to celebrate motherhood or anything else for that matter. I wish we appreciated the wonders of life every day.

After contemplating over my coffee, I decide to spend the day with my unorthodox family. First up I took Bert out for a long walk. Then cuddles with the kittens in the sunshine. Finally a lovely long hack on Buddy.

Bert and Buddy were definitely feeling the positive effects of yesterday’s chiro treatment as they were both full of it!

Either that or it was the wind up their tails. Whatever it was they both made me laugh with their antics. Bert ears flapping. Buddy cantering sideways.

So far, no cards, flowers or other presents from my boys. I But they did all add to my day…