It was saddle check day for Buddy. And the first check my dressage saddle. I absolutely love it. Even if I’m still not 100% confident in it. I’m honestly not sure if I’m a good enough rider to have such a thing of beauty.

The brain is a weird thing sometimes. When I bought my Fairfax Event saddle, I’d never spent that much money on a saddle before. The expectations in my head were huge. We’d be proper eventers with its help. Has it help us be better? I don’t know about that, but I do know there hasn’t been a moment where I regretted buying it. It’s saved my bacon more times than I care to remember.

I’m sure I will be the same this time. It was even more expensive than my other one. It’s not about the price tag. It’s about the feeling I get when I’m riding in it. I could canter in it for days.

I had a chat with my saddler today about it. She summed it up. I thought people would look at the saddle and expect us to knock out a Grand Prix test rather than ballsing up a Prelim (on a good day). Who cares though?! It fits Buddy. It fits me. We will shatter any expectations as we go along.

And no, this isn’t a post for everyone to tell me I’m a good rider. It’s an honest post about how self-worth can be linked to weird things. Who decides if I am worthy of an expensive saddle (or two)? Me. And Buddy is most definitely worth it. I am too…

In the words of Winnie the Pooh, it’s been a blustery day. It’s like we gone from Spring back to Winter. So glad I hadn’t packed away my coats just yet. I needed layers today. It was rather fresh.

The lilac in my garden was looking stunning. It’s looking a bit battered now. Lilac always reminds me of my Nanna. It was one of her favourites. Each year it makes me smile when I see it explode.

Her other favourite flowers were Lily of the Valley and freesia. My favourite is a rose. But then I am an English Rose…

There have been a few tears today. Happy ones though watching Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo winning Badminton for a history-making third time.

Winning a 5* is impressive. Hell completing a 5* is impressive. Actually completing any form of event is impressive. What’s the phrase, why mess up one phase when you can totally mess up all three?!

Eventing is flipping hard. I’ve walked many a top track and am in awe of the horses and riders. The ease they navigate obstacles us mere mortals can only look at from afar (they look smaller that way).

Given Ros gave birth to her second daughter 16 weeks ago makes this achievement even more incredible in so many ways. But then horsey girls are a breed to themselves.

I’m sad I wasn’t there to witness it, but watching it on TV was the next best thing. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one crying…

Not to be outdone by the pair of tits nesting in my roof, Bert has made a nest under my saddle rack. Well he’s had a busy day tearing around in the sunshine.

He does make me laugh so much. He’s back to normal that’s for sure. He’s definitely a great addition to my life. Even if he can be a little demon at times.

Today, he took great pleasure in running round the house with my sock, my shoe and a stick. Not at the same time of course. Sticks have been banned so that was taken away sharpish. So were my sock and shoe before they got too soggy. No-one needs a soggy foot…

This bug is really weird. One moment I have so much energy I’m bouncing off the walls, the next I’m on the floor. Rather odd. At least the punched in the face feeling has gone.

Riding the crest of a high energy moment, I decided to tackle the front lawn. I saw lawn, it’s somewhere between moss and meadow. I’ve been trying to leave it to nature, but even I have my limits!!

It didn’t actually take me that long once I got going. I left the edges so that there are still lots of flowers and plants for the insects. I even did an hour weeding the driveway. That’s a thankless task!

At least I got to admire the beautiful irises. I was gifted them a few years ago. Ever time they flower, I can’t help but wonder at how gorgeous they are.

And they’re a good distraction from how overgrown the rest of the garden has gotten. I think it’s going to need a few more hours weeding. Good job I find it rather therapeutic.

Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes a podcast or webinar. Today I just listened to the birds and soaked up the sunshine.

A bit of facia board has sprung loose. Nothing newsworthy there. Except I seem to have some new housemates. A pair of tits have made a nest in my roof. Not a clue where or even how as it’s not like there’s a lot of space in there.

It’s been fun watching Mum and Dad flit backwards and forwards with snacks for the kids. I snuck out to see if I could hear the chicks. They were louder than I expected.

So my facia board will have to flap a bit longer. Once they’ve fledged, I’ll try and remove the nest and seal it up. Yes, I will be careful.

I’ve had bats in that spot before. Now tits have taken up roost. How wonderful is that?!

I’ve been feeling sad today. Badminton Horse Trials started today. I’m not going this year. I was invited to watch my friend’s 4 year old in the Young Event Horse class today. Given neither Bert or I are 100%, I couldn’t face a 4am start, hours of driving or the long day.

She did brilliantly from all accounts. Spookily, FB told me I first met her 3 years ago today.

I have lots of wonderful memories of Badders. 8 years ago, I was there for the first time. I was so giddy, overexcited and probably quite annoying. This morning I sat watching the rain and counted my blessings. Badders included.

There are so many in my life. There really are. Even the fact it was raining is a blessing. We need it. Ironic after the amount of rain we had at the beginning of the year.

Bert and I got damp on our walk, Buddy was back in a rain sheet. The kittens were cuddled up in the conservatory. The fact I have a horse, a dog and two cats are also huge blessings.

I consider myself truly blessed most days. We can all look at the chaos in the world. But when you boil it down, life is pretty special.

I may not be at Badders this year, but I will be there again. Till then, I am enjoying the fact my newsfeed is full of horses. And remembering the fun times I had. At least my feet will thank me that I don’t have to walk miles round the course…

This is a sight that always makes me smile. The first little shoots appearing through the compost. My courgettes and leeks are sprouting.

It wasn’t the only thing to make me smile today. Bert is clearly feeling much better as he’s been tearing round the house and garden today. Such a relief. I’m not sure how much longer I could have taken the sad Spaniel eyes. Honestly, it just broke my heart seeing him so subdued and sad.

After some Night Nurse and 11 hours sleep, I’m feeling more human again too. Still not at my best so another slow day. Maid Duty was interesting as I kept getting dizzy. Poo-picking was rather ambitious. Regretted that so back to resting for me.

Normal service will be resumed soon I’m sure. So will interesting times in the greenhouse (still not a euphemism) by the little shoots.

After Bert being poorly yesterday, it was my turn today. I woke up with a headache and like I’d been punched in the face.

The kittens as they were locked out of the bedroom last night so it wasn’t them beating me up. I don’t remember Buddy or Bert clonking me. So must be a bug. Deep joy.

Thought I’d take Bert out for a gentle walk see if the fresh air helped clear my sinuses. We walked down one of the footpaths near the railway line. I spotted this sign. Can’t say I’ve seen it before. Or realised that the land there was called Otters Bottom. I do hope that’s cause there are otters there.

The land is small, but over the time I’ve had Bert, I watched it being cleared, fruit trees being planted and vegetable beds laid out. So lovely that someone is taking care of it.

The walk may have helped Bert, it didn’t help me. I came back feeling worse, cold and rather dizzy. Cancelled my plans for the day, did Maid Duty and retired to the conservatory. Bert and I convalesced together. Him and Dodo snoring, me listening to some online learning. My brain wasn’t up to anything heavy, so kept it light.

Bert is much improved, which is good news. He’s not keen on his antibiotics. Given they cost £2:39 each (I kid you not), he is definitely taking them.

Is it any wonder the NHS is a mess if that’s how much one tablet costs. Or are they more cause they’re for animals? Let’s hope they work. And let’s hope after an early nights, I’m feeling better too.

Not the best start to my Sunday. Poor Bert needed a trip to the emergency vets as he had an abscess in his mouth that had burst.

I’m well versed with abscesses in cats. I’ve dealt with my fair share over the years. So when I saw what was coming out of Bert’s mouth, I knew instantly the issue.

That and the smell. So imagine me on the floor trying to clear as much gunk as I could. Bert was remarkable patient given I was shoving my fingers and kitchen roll in his mouth.

His temperature was up too, so off to the vets we went. The vet confirmed it was indeed an abscess. He reckoned it was more likely a stick injury than a sting. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and a big bill later we were heading back home.

On arrival, Bert wolfed down the food he’d turned his nose up at this morning. And promptly crashed out. I had a coffee and did housework. Each to their own huh?!

I left him to sleep it off and headed to the yard. I took Buddy out for a long ride. It was blissfully peaceful. We even got an air display by a red kite, buzzard and marsh harrier.

So day definitely ended better than it started…