Just finished watching the coverage of Burghley. Yes I’m rather behind. Utterly thrilled for Ros and Walter. What a partnership! To win either Badminton or Burghley is a huge big deal. But to win them both. Twice. Is epic!

This photo came up on my memories from my first trip to Burghley back in 2012. Cottesmore Leap is utterly vast. Watching the horses pop through it like it was a 90cm is awe inspiring to say the least.

Once again, you could see how much the horses love running and jumping. The trust they have in their rider and themselves is there to see. Same with the riders. They trust these horses. But that takes a long time to build. These combinations are at the peak of their game. It’s been years and years getting there.

I’m sure I will always love eventing. Whether watching it or competing. I’ve been very lucky to go and see a lot of top Eventing this year. It’s so inspiring. Now I have a winter of training to see if Buddy and I can get back out there. Bring on the big jumps…

Bert and I headed to Burghley Horse Trails today. It’s XC day! Burghley is always a favourite. I’ve been going for a long time now. I first went in 2012. It’s been a feature in my diary most years since then.

I was very lucky to have a free day out too. A friend of mine had been given tickets for her Christmas present, but her husband didn’t want to go. So I did! I drove as a thank you.

It was her first time. She was rather impressed that I could find it without the need of a sat nav. And how easily I found my way around. She was also very impressed with my 5 star pup!He’s becoming quite the eventing pro now. That was his second 5 star and he’s not a year yet! He’s also been to two 4 stars as well.

He’s really got the hang of this eventing lark. He still dragged me round the course. Which given the undulation was quite welcome at times. He met lots more people who have him lots of fuss. He also wanted to run with the horses. Hence the control halter. I refuse to be one of ‘those people’.

We didn’t walk the whole course. My friend wasn’t up to that. She’s got a few health issues. But we still managed over 7 miles. I’m sure we will all sleep well tonight. Well I will. She and Bert slept most of the way home.

First time for him. First time for my friend. And first time I’ve come home with no shopping… Who knew that was possible?!

One of the liveries was heading off to BD Camp over at Forest Edge this weekend. Her lorry wouldn’t start. The mechanic couldn’t get it going. I’ve been there and know how frustrating and disappointing that can be.

So I got to do a kind thing. I offered to take her horse over in my lorry. Then drove back in her car (I had flashbacks to the Comedy Car). She was very grateful. My lorry is having a holiday over there without me. I’ll go back and pick them up on Sunday.

It does mean that she will have slept more nights in it that I have so far. I will make up for it though…

One of the liveries at the yard suggested we go for a coffee today. Seemed a rather sensible way to wait out the rain showers. So we headed to the village pub that’s just reopened…

Wasn’t expecting this wallpaper. Let’s just say it’s a bold choice! As we were both a bit pungent from the yard, we thought we’d spare the other patrons and sit out of the way. That mean sitting in front of the wallpapered wall.

What we hadn’t factored on was that several people wanted to check out the wallpaper. So suddenly our lunch turned into something akin to a Tate Modern Art installation.

It’s really rather off putting when you’re trying to eat with people standing in front of you looking over your head.

Being good Brits, there was a lot of explaining and apologising from them. And quite a bit of giggle from us.

Can’t work out if I really like the wallpaper or I find it a bit creepy. I mean, I like goats…

Today’s been a bit of a weird one. Things seem to have taken me longer to do than usual. Things haven’t quite worked out how I planned them. A few things have unsettled me. Not the best start to the week or a new month.

September means lots of things for me. Burghley Horse Trials for one! I’m very much looking forward to my outing there on Saturday. Burghley has been a feature in my diary for so many years now.

I love watching the leaves change colour. I love the freshness of the air in the mornings and evenings. I’m sure there will be many occasions when I’m questioning this love as I’m freezing my backside off somewhere with Bert or Buddy. But you get my drift.

It also heralds the return of the geese to the bird reserve. Buddy will be thrilled at the low-flying, honking monsters return. That’ll be spook-fodder for a few rides.

Bert, on the other hand, thought it was great when he met them today. He quickly cleared the field. Fear not, there was little chance of him catching one or upsetting them too much. I’m not sure he has a stealth-mode?! They flew off when he started barking…

This morning I took the Buddy over to Blickling to meet a friend for a lovely ride. It was my first trip there in my new lorry. Sadly, it was also my first prang in it. I’m still adjusting to the size and misjudged the rather narrow entrance to the car park…

I was so busy trying not to hit the athe gate and fence post, I didn’t notice the sign sticking out. So it took some paint off. It’s cosmetic and can be fixed.

I broke a bit off one of the headlight too as I tried to squeeze in. So frustrated with myself. And yes reader, I cried! Lots.

My wonderful friend scooped me up and made me feel better as she’d done something similar. I’m sure I’m not the first person to do it. But I’m gutted.

I am so thankful that we are allowed to ride on the National Trust estate. They actively encourage it. So it’s a bit frustrating that it’s difficult to park when you get there.

Don’t get me wrong, I know I got it wrong. I held my breath going back out. Thankfully that was easier.

We rode for 1.75 hours round the estate. As annoyed with myself as I was, I tried really hard not to let it spoil a lovely day out.

I took a friend and her horse over to Thetford Forest for a ride this afternoon. It was blissfully quiet.

My friend’s mare doesn’t like travelling on the end, but Buddy is happy there, so he went on second. He thought it was great as he could stick his head over the doors to see what was going on.

The minute the ramp came down, out his head popped. He makes me laugh. I think he quite likes his upgraded transport. Good job too as we have many adventures to be had….

I met up with one of my wise women for coffee this morning. On my way out, I stopped in the farm shop and picked up a few bits.

I had a craving for prawns for lunch, but it’s not the sort of thing you can readily find in a farm shop. So imagine my joy when there was a seafood truck in the car park. Along with my prawns, I got a dressed Cromer Crab too.

So coffee, lunch, dinner and a few other meals sorted all in one go. Result!

So apparently it’s International Dog Day. Bert was rather perplexed when I told him as he clearly assumed every day was a dog day.

I have now been a dog owner again for 9 months. I honestly couldn’t imagine life without Bert. Sure he drives me mad sometimes (see yesterday’s digging video). Today he got his ball stuck in a pot. That was carnage for my poor plants…

They will recover. My garden will recover. Holes can be filled. My house will be straight again one day. I will be able to leave things without fear of them being chewed or nicked. My shoulders and arms will recover from being dragged around. One day he’ll walk nicely on the lead. My legs will recover from the extra miles of walking. My ears will recover from his random barking. And I’ll stop jumping when he does. I’m really selling it huh?!

The happiness my Baby Sprocker brings me is worth it all. He’s such a sweet boy. And is really well behaved for nearly 11 months. I mean, just look at his little face.