I was meant to be meeting a friend for a hack round Blickling this morning. As good equestrians, last night we checked our multiple weather apps, just in case. All of them have yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms.

Now I’m no fair weather rider, but the prospect of being caught in thunder and lightening ain’t that appealing. Believe me, it’s happened a few times now.

So we decided to take a raincheck and meet for lunch instead. Which we duly did – outside in the glorious sunshine. Not a single drop of rain fell here today. I call that a not so weather warning.

It does make me laugh how dramatic the weather has gotten. Well not the weather persay, the way it’s delivered. It seems to be about putting the fear of God into everyone these days. I must be getting old…

Saddened to hear of Dolly Parton’s passing today. She was a huge part of my childhood. On long car journey, my Dad used to choose country music to listen to. My Mum preferred Elvis or Cliff Richard.

I know the words to most of her song. I’ve watched 9-5 more times than I probably should admit. Such a funny film. Even with two more famous actresses, Dolly shone.

She seemed a person who lived by her values. Who didn’t let the harshness of life harden her. She was a shining example to us all. She didn’t seem to judge. She genuinely seemed to want the best for people.

To quote one of her songs ‘I will always love you’ Dolly.

Buddy, Bert and I headed out this morning to catch up with a friend for a hack. Now we know Bert is a great lorry dog, but he decided to take it to a new level as designated driver on the way back.

He was most miffed when I told him he was too young. Let alone the fact his paws wouldn’t reach the pedals.

It wasn’t just Buddy who got some exercise, Bert found a ball and was very happy running round the garden while we had lunch. The joys of having a caterer for a friend.

Since I’ve had a bigger lorry, Bert has been travelling in his crate for safety. As he’s growing up (a little), I’ve been trailing him travelling on the seat behind me or next to me. He’s still secured but it’s been working well.

He loves to look out the window to see where we’re going. Buddy is the same. Well when he’s not stuffing his face.

It seems I’m not alone in loving anyone who feeds me. All my boys are the same.

Gymnastics is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. One of many sports I watch when I have the chance.

I find it utterly incredible what they can do with their bodies. Yes I know it takes years and they start very young. I was rather flexible when I was younger. Now I can barely touch my toes. One for me to work on there.

Last weekend, I watched the women’s competition. This weekend it was the turn of the men. Oh my goodness, it was so exciting. Lots of tumbles – intended and unintended. Man when they fall, they fall hard!

Footballers could learn a thing or two from them. Just saying. As someone who’s had quite a few falls herself, I greatly admire their resilience and mental strength to get back on the apparatus and finish their routines. I too know you have to get back on the horse. Literally in my case.

Team GB retained their European Team title. Absolutely amazing. Football didn’t come home, but plenty of other sports are smashing it right now.

Including my favourite sport, equestrianism. We’ve done rather well at the World Equestrian Games too. I saw Scott Brash took a tumble too. Maybe there’s a crossover. Gymnastics on horses? Oh wait, that’s called vaulting.

There are so many incredible sports out there. It’s such a shame we don’t get to see them that often. So I’m glad I got to enjoy the gymnastics this time.

Today Buddy made a serious misjudgement. Thankfully it wasn’t during our lesson today. No, it was on the way home. Somehow he got his haynet caught on his head collar.

He can be quite the drama llama about things sometimes. This time I think he realised the error of his ways and waited patiently for me to rescue him. That and he’s eaten all of his haylage.

Well it’s hungry work this jumping lark. We had a grids lesson over at World Horse Welfare with Justine Ward. I thought I’d arrive early so I could watch the lesson before mine. Good job too as two people dropped out of it, so I ended up going into the earlier lesson instead. There are many times when I’m grateful that it doesn’t take me long to get ready.

Justine was brilliant as always. Watching the videos back, she really does ride every stride with you. And this time, so did I!

I met one of my wise women for coffee this morning. I needed to get some things out of my head. There were quite a few flying round up there. Talking it out, really helps. Very grateful to have so many amazing people in my corner.

As we were leaving I noticed a crochet animal pop up stall. They were super cute. Then I saw they all had names and were ‘available for adoption’. Such a sweet idea.

I clocked there was a Buddy. OK so he was an elephant, but I had to have him. There will never be another Buddy of course. My little boy is the best.

This was proven by our hack today. The heavens opened and we got a tad soggy. In fact, I got a tad cold too! After weeks of being so hot I wanted to take my skin off, it was rather invigorating. I now get the whole cold plunge thing. Still not enough to join in though.

Now I’m not going to complain about a bit of rain and cold, but typically I’d just cleaned my tack. That got a tad wet too…

Have you ever walked the same route and suddenly spotted something new? That’s what happened on our walk today. Funny how it happens.

Bert and I headed out post-rain. The ground smelt earthy and it was so fresh I almost needed another layer. After weeks of no rain, you could almost hear the ground drinking it in. We’ve had a good amount so far.

Isn’t it odd that we Brits normally curse the rain. Give us a drought and suddenly we’re all celebrating. I will continue my rain dances for a bit longer. I’ve been loving hearing the thunder rumble too. Remind me if this when I am knee deep in mud, frozen to the bone and drenched come Winter.

As I walked along soaking up the freshness, I spotted this dead tree. Now clearly it’s been there a long time. And hasn’t just died. But I’ve never noticed it before. Maybe it was the light, but it really stood out.

Just goes to show that there is beauty hidden in plain sight all around us. If we stop and look.

I got two rather pleasant surprises today. Firstly, the Chiropractor’s husband popped in while I was peopling to bring her a coffee. He didn’t realise I was working, so I got the other receptionist’s hot chocolate. Not going to say no to that!

Then I got a voucher for a free pizza from Sainsbury’s. As it was on the way home, I popped in to pick it up. Well I needed a few bits anyway. And who’s going to say no to free pizza!

The downside was the voucher had to be activated and was only valid for an hour. A bit random I know, but hey ho. It’s still free pizza!

The only issue was that I got a bit carried away and activated it thinking I had plenty of time. By the time I’d faffed around, got to the shop, wandered about looking for the bits I needed, checked out, I had two minutes left. Plenty of time! All I had to do was scan the coupon. Simple. Nope. Flipping thing wouldn’t scan. Thankfully a lovely lady came to my rescue and we did it with seconds to spare.

I guess it really is true what they say that there’s no such thing as a free dinner. I ended up working rather hard for that free pizza…

Bert and I popped over to Forest Edge to catch up with some of the campers there. Not booking this camp was totally the right decision for me. It still made me a little sad that I wasn’t there, so thankful I was able to still go in a way.

It was lovely to see so many familiar faces. It made me laugh that people were more interested in saying hello to Bert. He has quite the fan club don’t you know.

He found it a bit boring after a while. Don’t let him fool you though. This was after he’d gone zoomies round the forest. He just found the horse watching a bit dull. Strangely I can’t say I’m the same…

It was Bert’s turn for a haircut today. He’s such a pro. He ran in and jumped on the table. In fact, he didn’t want to get down when he was finished. Every time the groomer put him on the floor, he jumped right back up.

He was getting quite fluffy. With the hot weather, he was getting rather hot too. Now he’s Mr Cool and Mr Sleek.

He seemed to find an extra gear running round the yard. The fluff was clearly an aerodynamic drag by the speed of his zoomies. He’s a very happy boy! I do love his Otter look.