It’s been rather a long day, but Conference is underway. People seem happy so far. Long may that continue. Tomorrow is the big day though.

You can tell that I’m a bit tired. I found the only thing to trip over on a very empty floor. Much to the amusement of the AV guys. I am that special that I can find the only trip hazard about.

And before you ask, yes I’d eaten. I’m very lucky to have amazing people who are looking after me. Which makes a change from me looking after everone. I’m still doing that of course.

I’ve bumped into so many people I’ve met from previous conferences. It’s so lovely that they recognise me. And are pleased to see me.

Tomorrow will be an ultra marathon. I’ve walked 12 miles today. And I didn’t leave the hotel! Let’s see what the step count is tomorrow…

It’s a good job I have a bigger car now. The Upgrade did me well. I managed to get everything I had to bring to Brighton in the car. There was a lot of tessellating going on. And there was still room for Bert. Not that I could see him! I dropped him off for his holiday on my way to my Dad’s yesterday.

Today I headed to the hotel. My home till Thursday. Unpacking the car took longer than packing it. I’d put all the heavy items on the bottom, so needed to shuffle everything around to get it on the trolley.

What didn’t fit in my car was delivered today. I’d had a few palpitations about things going astray, but I needn’t have worried. Everything arrived ready for Wednesday.

Tomorrow will be a long day, not as long as Wednesday of course. These things really do take on a life of their own after a while. I’m sure there will be something I’ve forgotten or missed. There’s usually a curveball or two.

The hotel have upgraded me to a beautiful room. I have a balcony and sea view. A very lovely touch. Not that I will spend much time in my room. So tonight I have flopped on my huge bed relaxing. Tomorrow I will be in full swan mode!

I bloody love Conference. It’s bonkers, but so much fun.

Nine years ago this gorgeous creature became mine. I can honestly say that buying him was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Together we have built a true partnership. I trust him completely (even if he does spook at a pigeon). Without him, I simply couldn’t do the things that bring me so much joy. I love him more than words. And that’s saying something for me!!

He’s made dreams come true. Did I mention I competed at Hickstead? Twice.

He’s taught me patience. 3 months of rehab for me after breaking my ankle (thanks to a terrifying carrier bag). Then an eternity waiting for Covid to do one so we could get back to the fun stuff. 5 months of rehab for him after twisting his ankle. Seriously, what is it with us and ankles?!

With him I’ve had lessons with some incredible instructors and coaches. The list is a veritable who’s who of eventers. I’ve learnt from Olympians, 5* winners and European and Workd medalists. But it’s not just about the names. I’ve been so lucky to have consistency with instructors and coaches who’ve been there all the way throughout our nine years together.

Since we’ve been together, we’ve pushed our comfort zones. The Norfolk Show. Twice. The Suffolk Show. FYI Showing is really hard. We’ve tried side-saddle. We’ve represented Carleton Riding Club. He’s taken me to BRC Qualifiers and BRC Championships.

He’s brought me closer to so many people. I’ve made lifelong friends. And a lot of them I’ve never even met! The Buddy Fan Club is strong.

We might not have achieved everything I set out to do. But we’ve done things I didn’t know were possible.

He is and always will be ‘My Absolute Diamond’. Here’s to the next year Buddy Boy. Let’s see what adventures await…

It seems we have a new water feature on the marshes behind the close. Bert and I had a very splashy walk round the fields to find considerable flooding!

I mean, I know we had a lot of rain, but this is bad! It’s very marshy and was draining into the neighbouring water meadow. But then I guess that is the point of them. They are there to catch the water. Hence the name!

Bert thought it was a lot of fun splashing through the puddles. He wasn’t so keen when he face planted through a rather large one. He tried to style it out, but we both knew.

He had time to drip dry while we waited for a group of walkers to climb the sty. I say group. There were a lot! So it took a very long time for them to negotiate it. Then there was the mud…

The poor women who’d organised the walk said they had checked it out on Thursday and it was all good. I felt for them as they tiptoed through the quagmire.

Bert was very well behaved considering the time it took. And the fact he wanted to play with his toe. He got lots of attention though.

When we got home, his equafleece went straight in the washing machine. Still it did the job as he wasn’t too wet in the end.

It’ll be interesting to see how long it takes the new lake to drain away fully. I won’t be able to check it out again till at least Friday…

Without stating the bleeding obvious, it’s rain A LOT today. Here are the things I have learnt:

• Two of my coats are not as waterproof as they once were.
• My waterproof trousers aren’t anymore either.
• The Ugrade is pretty good at going through mahoosive puddles and floods.
• People drive too fast down country lanes (I kinda knew that one).
• I got a new alert message on my phone (see previous statement about coats not being watertight).

Luckily I had some rug proofer at home. So two coats and the trousers have been washed and reproofed. Now the challenge is to dry them. And Bert’s coat from his walk.

At least, we’ve both dried out…

Christmas has arrived early Chez Langley. Sainsbury’s have Ecclefechan Tarts in!! This is a big day. And one that reminds me of my Mum. She loved an Ecclefechan Tart. Their arrival heralded that Christmas was around the corner.

Now for many years, I’d wrongly assumed that Ecclefechan was a made up name or one of those obscure villages in Yorkshire or Cornwall. Nope, it’s in Scotland. I know this as we drove past it on our way to Scone Palace Horse Trails. I was rather giggy as it was being on such an adventure. Then to spot a name I recognised. Have you ever had to try and explain why you are so excited about something when you can’t explain what it is?!

All I could come up with was ‘it’s a tart’. But I couldn’t tell you what’s in it. Not my finest moment. But it was a very fine moment indeed when I had my first Ecclefechan Tart. Many will be consumed between now and Christmas Day.

After a very long day at the laptop, I came into the lounge to find Bert had been patiently waiting for me. And keeping my seat warm.

It’s Conference next week so I am up to my eyeballs in spreadsheets, emails and requests. My spare bedroom looks like a jumble sale with the number of boxes in there. I have all manner of things I have to take. Thank goodness I have a bigger car this year!

My inbox is full of last minute requests. I love this time as stressful as it can feel. It means I’m getting closer to the actual event. It’s going to be a very long week or so!

I had to take two rain checks today with plans I’d made. I really don’t like doing that. I like to keep my word and when I say I will do something, I move heaven and earth to deliver. Right now, that means putting my client first and moving heaven and earth to deliver for them!

Once next week is done, I will have plenty of time to catch up with everyone. Have fun with Buddy and Bert. And rest. There will be a lot of rest and sleep needed…

I had to go over to check the awards for Conference this morning. On my way back, I stopped at B&Q to pick up a new security light. Amongst other things. It was a rather eclectic basket!

It was an interesting journey there as I drove past a man running down the road with a Shetland pony. Not so surprising when you live in the countryside, but not that usual on the ring road in Norwich. Not sure who was taking who for a run. Guessing the pony was in charge.

Anyway, back to the illuminating bit. The outside light I have has stopped working. I’ve tried new batteries, I’ve cleaned the solar panel, but it’s not working. Now the clocks have changed, it’s rather dark in my garden and I can’t see my way to the garage.

Bert has also taken a bit of a dislike to going out for his ablutions in the dark. So I got two. One to light the garden and one to light the garage door.

Let there be light! Well when I put them up. That involves a ladder, drill and screwdriver. What could possibly go wrong…

This is exactly what I needed today on a rather soggy day. That and brilliant company as I met a friend for lunch. I love Chowder. It’s a very hearty soup. And we all know what a fan of soup I am!! OK, I’ll stop obsessing.

This was Smoked Haddock, Leek and Sweetcorn Chowder. It definitely hit the spot! I woke up in a bit of a calorie deficit after yesterday. Definitely got my food intake wrong. So made up for it with a hearty dinner and hearty lunch.

Why do we say hearty?! Is it because it makes you feel good as well as filling you up? This definitely warmed my stomach and my heart. The company was good for the soul too.

What a fabulous horsey day. I arrived at Easton College at 7:20am to meet Caroline Powell. She’d beaten me there! She put together the final touches to the floor plan she’d sent over (and I’d build) all ready for the first lesson. She’s won Badminton, Burghley and an Olympic medal so pretty good really. And a really lovely down to earth person.

Poor woman was very hoarse though, so we managed to find a microphone for her. Foghorn Leghorn here ended up relaying messages too. Good to see the drama lessons helped there. I can be a bit loud…

After being there to help as long as I could. I hightailed it back to the yard to get Buddy for his lesson. Now having watched several lessons, you’d might be fooled into thinking we would have an advantage. I can assure you that watching and doing are very different! Kudos to those who made it look easy. The floor plan and exercises were a lot more tricky that you’d think. She said she uses these exercises with all her horses from 4 year old up to her Advanced horses. I can see why.

I have lots of homework and a few more exercises to keep me motivated over the dark, cold winter months. It actually felt like November this morning when I left the house. It was 4 degrees! Back up to 11 degrees by the time I eventually got home at 6:20pm.

The good news is that Caroline’s voice held out for the whole day. There were lots of smiley riders, lots of gorgeous horses and lots of positive feedback. It takes a lot of effort to put these clinics on, it’s totally worth it when you know that people appreciate them.