Bert’s brother Neville came to stay today. His Mum was in a bit of a pickle and asked if I would have him. She said there weren’t many people she’d trust with her little boy.

The brothers had a fab time together. There was lots of running about, play fighting and quite a bit of humping. They were very fair and took turns to be the humper.

They came with me as I headed to Suffolk for some work. On the way back, they had a run round a secure dog field while I had lunch. They both needed a nap after that!

Recharged, they were back to playing. We had a man down when they were tearing round the garden. Bert jumped over the pond, Neville misjudged it and ended up in it! So not only did he have a fun day with his brother, he got a free shower…

They will both sleep well tonight, that’s for sure.

I brought my tack home to clean on Saturday. Well it was a bit greasy after a few sweaty rides and my lesson. Thought I’d bring my every day riding boots home too. They really needed a good clean.

As is the way, I didn’t get round to cleaning it over the weekend. So set about it today. Might have got a bit carried away as I decided to clean my other boots too. They came up a treat.

Going to have to bring my competition boots home now and give them the once over.

I’d forgotten how satisfying polishing shoes and boots can be. I wish I’d taken a before photo. Let’s just say they were long overdue..

A lovely friend took me out for a birthday carvery today. It was lush! On the way back, we took a detour and stopped at a garden centre. After consuming a lot of food, I needed to walk it off a bit.

I came out with some lovely bedding plants to refresh a few pots and a rather large toy for Bert. It was almost as big as he is!!

He was very excited by it. Sadly the octopus is now a few limbs lighter as he chewed three off. He also found the squeaker and chewed that. His final act was to make my garden a winter wonderland with stuffing everywhere.

He’s clearly going through a destructive phase. But thankfully he’s taking it out on his toys rather than my stuff.

The dead octopus has been dragged round the house and he’s now asleep on it. In Bert’s world it’s been a good day. In mine too. I’m eeking my birthday out for as long as I can… and why not?!

Well this was a wonderful way to start my next orbit around the sun. The sun was in full force today as it was a tad toasty.

Buddy needed a little shower when we got back. I definitely needed one. Given we’ve both had our birthdays recently, I suppose that’s fair. Funny to think people only used to have a bath on their birthday. Or is that one of those urban myths?

Well hello 55! What a lovely day it’s been. Some people get to the spa on their birthday. Some people chill. I did neither. There was a lot of sweating! After taking Bert out for a long walk, it was Buddy’s turn as I headed over to Martham for a jumping lesson. My goodness it was a hot one!

Buddy was on good form. As was the instructor who sang Happy Birthday as I arrived. That made me smile.

So did a lovely dinner out with friends this evening. I even got a candle in my tiramisu. And another round of Happy Birthday. I’ve been quite spoilt.

Thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to send me birthday wishes. Social media can get a bad rap sometimes. But it’s heartwarming to know that so many people have taken a moment to celebrate with me.

Let’s see what 55 brings shall we?!

Thought I’d try and take a cute photo of Buddy and Bert together. Buddy was more interested in Bert’s lead. And Bert kept trying to eat poo. This was the closest I could get. It’s still a bit cute.

Typically they were having a nuzzle but I wasn’t quick enough to get the photo. Bert is so patient. He sits while Buddy sniff him. Buddy is so gentle with him.

I do love my boys. Of course this is only half my boys. There’s no chance I’d get a photo of all four without some serious photoshoot action!

I’m a very lucky girl indeed to have four gorgeous boys in my life…

I saw this quote today and I really like it. As I crash towards another birthday, it’s natural to reflect back.

55 feels like a big birthday. I know it’s not really. It’s just another number. But somehow it feels different. Maybe it’s cause I can access my pension. I could retire (mad when I still think I’m in my 20s). It feels like I must be very old indeed.

So I am rebranding my pension to something more positive. I feel like it needs to be the Adventure Fund, the Fun Pot or the Horn of Plenty. Suggestions welcome…

Having worked in Financial Services for my entire career, a pension feels very serious and grown up. I’m now very grateful that I’ve worked really hard, made sacrifices and prioritised putting money away over the past 30 odd years.

I’m sure there will be people who say I’m lucky. I guess I am in a way. This is my reward for the decisions I’ve made along the way.

Besides which, you can’t have the comeback if you haven’t retired. Oh and fear not, I’m not retiring just yet. Still having way too much fun! It’s just comforting to know that I could if I wanted to.

It’s my birthday on Friday. Did I say? So in our now long held tradition Colette and I went out for a birthday outing. This time we had afternoon tea in Holt.

I’ve never been to Holt before. My goodness, what a charming place. Of course, I’m not sure I saw it at its best as it was chucking it down. I foolishly didn’t take a coat. Thankfully we didn’t have far to go.

Afternoon tea was amazing. It’s one of those weird things where you look at it and think that it’s not a lot of food. I can assure it, it was a lot of food! It was so lovely and we were so busy chatting, it wasn’t till we got back in the car that I realised I hadn’t taken a photo of it. Or us!

We stopped at the saddlery on the way back. Well we were practically passing. And Buddy needed some more feed.

I came out with said feed, a new coat for me and a new rug for him. What can I say, they had a sale on.

OK I admit it, I might have a problem… At least I’m waiting till Bert stops growing before he gets one.

As I kinda missed Buddy’s birthday yesterday, I made it up to him today. He got an apple and verge goodies! I picked him a birthday bouquet.

He also got to pop a few jumps. I think he enjoyed that. Well once he’s stopped spooking at the jump that he’d past several times before. Horses are weird sometimes.

He had some snacks too while I changed one of the jumps. Unfortunately for him, he hadn’t finished said snacks when we started jumping again. So had a long bit of cleaver hanging from his mouth. Every time we went over the jump it waved around. Made me giggle. He looked like Cotton Eye Joe!

Let’s hope he repays my kindness on Friday when it’s my birthday and we go to a jumping clinic. Or maybe I’m tempting fate there. I’d rather not eat verge goodies if I’m honest…

Bert and I headed over to Easton College today for Carleton Riding Club’s May show. No, I didn’t mix my B’s up. I meant Bert. I’d been asked to judge the SJ competition as our usual judge is out of action.

So that meant that Buddy has his birthday off. He’s 15 today! I’m sure he was gutted not to be jumping. I was in a way. You can’t help but be inspired watching the action. Can’t say that Bert was much help. He crashed out under the desk for most of it.

He did love the fact he got to have zoomies round the Arena as we cleared away. He’s a bit tired now…

I will make it up to Buddy tomorrow and pop him over a few jumps instead.

I think I did a good job judging. I didn’t have any complaints and I didn’t make anyone cry. I need to crack on with my judge training and get that ticked off. Judge Pip has a bit of a ring to it. Maybe the elevated position has gone to my head. Well the air was a bit thin up high in the judges box.