Toby Travel was needed again today. Another one of the liveries at the yard asked if I could take her daughter’s pony to a XC clinic this morning.

I kinda wish I’d known it was on myself as I would have taken Buddy. We’d already made plans for tomorrow by then though. It was lovely to watch and have a walk round.

Bert was on his best behaviour. We’ve been working really hard on ‘wait’. That one definitely takes effort from us both. Especially getting him to sit first. There are times when he’s so good. Other times when he gets distracted. He’s 18 months now and still learning.

He got to jump a few of the jumps too. He really enjoyed that. And snuffling around the field. He’s turned into a fantastic lorry dog. But then I guess he’s been doing it all his life…

This made me smile. And a bit sad that we have to point it out to people.

We’re all unique. There’s a brilliant notion that no-one sees the world how it actually is. We see it through our own lens. Based on our experiences, beliefs and opinions.

Right now, the World is taking another pitch into chaos and weirdness. It’s easy to get caught up in it all. Assuming people are seeing what we are seeing. That people agree with us. That people who don’t are wrong.

Over the years, I’ve been come much more tolerant. More live and let live. I have my limits of course. As I was pottering today, I reflected on the past few weeks. It’s been a lot. So much worry, upset and struggle. It’s hard to see a way through sometimes.

Then I remembered it’s Good Friday. The day that Jesus died on the cross. Whether you are religious or not, whether you believe it or not, Christians believe it was the ultimate sacrifice for humanity’s sins, saving mankind from death. Right now, I think we can all agree that there are some rather abhorrent things going on.

Faith comes in many guises. That’s pretty unique too I guess. My faith in my ability to overcome is strong. My faith in humanity is a little rocky right now. So I’ve had a word with the man upstairs to see if he can help…

They say honesty is the best policy. This made me laugh a little too hard today. And right now, I think we all need a good laugh.

I was doing some work this morning when I heard a phone ringing. It’s happened before so I knew it was on the train track at the bottom of my garden.

Last time it happened it took me ages to work out it where it was coming from. And took several hours to sort. Anyway, I called Network Rail to let them know. This time it was sorted quickly so all good. Little did I know what had caused the problem. Let’s face it, we’ve all done something like that…

I have to admit, I was feeling a little discombobulated today. It was my first peopling in the new clinic. It was also my first Wednesday peopling. My lovely Chiro has asked if I would switch my Fridays to Wednesdays. That was easy to do.

Coming into the city on a Wednesday was considerably busier than a Friday. Plus I had to get to the new clinic and squeeze The Upgrade into the tiny car park.

I was a little apprehensive about it last night. I needn’t have worried. The clients today were very pleased to see me.

The clinic is still a bit chaotic. But all of the things I needed were there so all good.

I have to admit, I was having a lot of flashbacks to when I worked in the building. It’s been redecorated since then. Still find it so funny that I used to work there 20 years ago. I also find it slightly terrifying that I’ve lived in Norfolk for 20 years! Time really does fly…

There are many times in my life where I am very grateful for the fact that I am rather adaptable. Believe me, I can duck and dive with the best of them.

I got a message yesterday to say that the guys were thinking staying an extra night away so could I pick them up tomorrow. Made that work for them.

Then it was suggested that I take Buddy over to spend the day with them today. Brilliant idea! One problem, my lorry is with them. So no transport…

It seemed that it wasn’t a problem as Buddy, Bert and I hitched a lift. So we got to go on a very fun day over at Little Lodge after all.

Bert got to go for a lovely run. So did Buddy. And play over the jumps there. He borrowed one of the paddocks and learnt a valuable life lesson. The electric fence is on mains. He farted so loudly when he got zapped. Poor boy stood for a while in the middle of the field. He wasn’t making that mistake again.

Not to be outdone, Bert managed to get zapped too. Where as Buddy got zapped in the mouth. Bert got zapped in the bum!

We will all sleep well tonight. Honestly, it’s like buses. I haven’t been to Little Lodge since last year, now I’ll be there three times in a week. I’ve promised Bert he can play in the water tomorrow…

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the seal on my chest freezer was starting to go. I’ve been doing a number of ‘home’ fixes. Sadly none of them have worked, I gave in and ordered a new one. Well I have had it 9 years so it’s not done too bad.

I decided to go for a smaller one this time as I rarely filled the old one. And it was on offer!

I was originally given a delivery time of ‘somewhere between 7am and 7pm’. Nice and vague there. Then I got a text to say ‘between 12:23 and 16:23’. Then a voicemail to say ‘between 2pm and 3pm’. Finally a call to say they were 20 mins away. It actually arrived at 2:45pm.

The delivery guys took longer to get it into place as they were both cooing over Bert.

Now I need to move everything across. The new one has a digital display and everything. Very fancy indeed!

Toby was on travel duties today. We took one of the livery’s dynamic duo over to Little Lodge as she was staying there for a couple of nights with her loaners.

The original plan had been for me to drop them off and then head back. Some were sleeping in one of the Lodges, but others were in tents! Given that when we arrived it was raining, cold and rather windy, I offered them a bit of an upgrade – Toby. So he’s having a few nights away too. He’s far nicer than a tent. And as someone who’s spent a fair few nights under canvas growing up, I think I’m qualified to judge.

My Dad was a Scout Leader when I was a child. I spent many a Summer camping. Funny how I still do, this time it’s with Buddy, Bert and my ‘luxurious’ accommodation.

Buddy, Bert and I headed over to Clarkes Farm for a spot of Arena Hire this morning. We were meeting a friend and her horse there for a pony play date. Well why should the puppy have all the fun…?!

There was an Arena Eventing course set out, so we figured we could get some practice in for the Champs we’re heading to in May.

There was a bit of a mix up with the booking and we ended up with an extra amigos when another friend rocked up too. Luckily, we all know each other and get on a treat!

Buddy was on good form. In fact, all the ponies and riders were. The only downside was the wind kept blowing the brush fences over. Poor Hannah’s Mum got her steps in trying to put them back up.

We popped into the saddlery across the road too. Bert got a new toy. Buddy got some food. I got some new yard gloves. Kinda feel like I might have got the short straw there.

All in all a rather lovely outing.

Bert’s ears are getting lighter. In colour I mean. Not weight. They’re still rather large spaniel ears. They’ve definitely got the ombré look. I’m sure people would pay a lot of money to recreate it.

It’s funny how he’s changing. His tail is getting lighter too. I’m sure he’s had another growth spurt. He seems to have gone longer again.

Either that or he’s wearing his legs out with all the running around. Today he excelled himself on his puppy play date with Barney. He found a ball. When I say found, he was a bit faster than the dog it was aimed at. At one point, he had quite a collection as he took it on himself to ‘rescue’ all of the balls in the dog park.

The funniest thing was that one of the owners was laughing as her dog wasn’t interested in playing with the ball so she kept throwing it for Bert. Job for life that one. She was happy to amuse him. She was impressed with the way he dropped the ball at her feet too.

Of course, he returned the ball before we headed off. What is it with dogs and balls?! Must be the same as cats and boxes huh?!

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. Well that certainly seems to be the case here. Dodo was rather happy to see Bert. Which is huge progress as it wasn’t that long ago that he was hissing, spitting and running away every time he saw him.

Today they were so cute with each other. I’m not sure Dodo is a huge fan of being licked by the Baby Sprocker. Or keen on sharing my lap with him. Let’s face it, my lap isn’t that big!

I think Dodo has finally worked out that he’s actually in charge. Hugo, not so much…