Bert and I donned our waterproofs once more. Honestly, I know it’s winter and all that. But it does seem like we’ve had a lot of rain.

My boot room is doubling up as a drying room. There’s a definite foisty smell in there. Bert has an interesting ‘wet dog smell’. It’s a bit like freshly dug potatoes. So now he has a new nickname as I’ve been calling him my little potato when we’re out trudging through the wet and mud.

Not to be outdone, Buddy was a proper mud monster. He and Bert both have fluffy legs or mud magnets as I like to call them. It took ages to clean him off.

I know the rain will stop. Eventually. I’m very grateful that I had my roof relayed last year. At least I’m dry in my house. And I have lots of wet weather gear.

No need to build an ark just yet…

One of the more interesting things about breaking in a new saddle is the creaking noises it makes. I know it’s normal, but it can be a little disturbing.

As I was schooling Buddy today, I couldn’t help but giggle as we creaked round the arena. I know it’ll stop once it beds in. I’m just grateful Buddy doesn’t seem bothered by the noise. And it could be worse, it could be me creaking!

Bert got to meet his Auntie Chris today. He was very excited. She bought him a new toy and an antler chew.

He was very excited about his new toy. He’s played with it for hours. It reminded me of the Olympic rings. OK it’s not all five, but you get my drift.

It was lovely to see Chris. We haven’t caught up in the flesh for far too long. It goes like that. Last year was a bit of a blur with Bert, Buddy, grief and life.

This year I’m going to try and catch up with people more. So who wants to spend time with me….?

I thought I’d watch the women’s downhill this morning. While I cleaned my tack. Well it did get a little wet yesterday. Once again, the bonkersness of winter sports was laid out clear.

Watching Lindsey Vonn crash out was a heart in mouth moment. The fact she made it there in the first place was inspiring. Not only coming out of retirement, after a partial knee replacement and a torn ACL. She’s 41 and still has so much desire for a sport she loves.

It goes to show that age isn’t the limit that we may be implied. In fact there was a 52 year old woman in the snowboard slalom.

Winter sports are definitely high risk. Let’s throw yourself off a mountain and land on something a kin to concrete. Listening to the commentators, it was like top trumps of injuries!

I used to ski when I was younger. Nothing to this level. It was a huge adrenaline rush flying down the slopes. So I do get the appeal.

I ride a horse, which comes with a huge set of risks. And a very similar rush. I guess it’s another reminder that you have to enjoy the ride while you can.

I fell down a Winter Olympic hole this morning. Who doesn’t love a spot of curling with breakfast. I watched another match with my dinner. Team GB was smashing it out of the park so far. Long may that continue.

This evening, Dodo literally fell down a hole. Between me and the sofa. He’s snoring. Bert is snoring. I’ve had to turn the sound up on the ice skating. It’s a rock n roll Friday night Chez Langley.

The next few weeks will feature winter sports. You have been warned. Let’s just hope we don’t get any snow here. If we do, I might be tempted to break my skis out. Bert still pulls like a train on the lead. We could create a new Winter sport. Anyone know if skis work on mud….?!

It’s been a miserable day here today. I couldn’t feel my face, fingers or toes after walking Bert. Finally thawed out before I headed to the yard. After getting a bit giggy yesterday seeing crocuses, Mother Nature reminded me today that it is still Winter.

One good thing about Winter is the Olympics. My Curling obsession has started. And we haven’t even had the opening ceremony yet.

Watched two matches in the Mixed Doubles. Team GB are in good form. Curling is weirdly addictive. A bit like chess on ice. Bert wasn’t as keen as me. He snored his way through most of the second match.

Winter sports are pretty bonkers really. I guess I’m hardly one to talk with my choice of sport. I suppose you have to make the most of winter…

Bring on the bonkersness. Let the Games begin.

This is what happens when you pop into the Co-op for a few bits hungry. You’d think I would have learned that lesson by now.

I had worked up quite the appetite after jumping Buddy for the first time this year. I hadn’t jumped him since my last lesson in mid-December so wasn’t sure how he’d be. He was his usual wonderful self. Flying everything with ease.

I’d been feeling a little out of sorts today. Jumping my little boy definitely put a smile on my face. So did the cheese and onion rolls and Portuguese tart I ate on the way back from the shop. Saved a few pennies too.

Buddy has his first outing of 2026 on Saturday. Bit mental to think that it’s February and we haven’t been out in Toby yet. We’ve both benefited from a quiet January that’s for sure. His was definitely quieter than mine, but you get my drift.

Thought I’d give him a bit of a tidy up before the clinic. So he had a hot cloth, mane tamed and tail neatened. Well after my spa treatment yesterday, I thought it only fair he had one too.

He was very appreciative. Even if it did look like someone had lost a toupee in his stable.

Bert is next on the list. He’s rocking the fluffy legs look at the moment. After playing in the mud today on his puppy play date, he definitely needs a wash! So I’ll have to book him in his his spa treatment too.

It comes to something when your animals are higher maintenance than you are…

I’ve heard people say that Spaniels have no patience. They’ve clearly never met the Baby Sprocker when he wants a toy! He sat patently by his toy box for nearly an hour before he decided that actually dinner was a better choice.

I would like to say that we had been playing with his ball for over an hour before this. And the only reason the ball went away was so I could have a shower.

He also played with his new toy this morning as we did some training. We’re working on ‘wait’ while I throw the toy and send him to get it. Getting back off him is a bit of a challenge still but he’s getting the idea of it.

He also carried his ‘walk ball’ for nearly over an hour on our walk this morning.

So he has had more than enough ball games today. Clearly not in Bert’s eyes. He’s a little bit obsessed with his ball sometimes. Oh to be that easily amused…

Well we know how much I love Buddy. It appear I am coconuts for him.

This was a new one on me. Coconut treats. And yes, opening the bag was a treat for the senses. I honestly didn’t know that horses could eat coconuts. I know that coconut shells make a mean horse noise. But that was where I thought the connection ended. Clearly not.

Pleased to report that Buddy was a big fan judging by the way he tried to mug me for them.

All I had in my head was that song about Pina Coladas. Bet you’re singing it now…