I went to a Christmas Fayre this morning. There was a wide range of stalls to check out. I got a few presents and a Christmas neckerchief for Bert. He had one last Christmas, so seemed right to get him one this year too. Back then he was so tiny, it needed to be tiny too. There’s no way it would go round his neck now! He won’t get it till nearer Christmas. But I know he’s going to look super cute in it. Let’s hope he doesn’t eat it!

While I was there, I saw these lovely peacock ribbon bows. They will look very striking on my Christmas tree. I didn’t put it up last year because of Bert. This year, I had said I would get myself a new one. The annual hernia-inducing World’s Strongest Man efforts bringing the one I have in from the garage are getting a bit much. That and I’ve had the tree nearly 20 years. It’s served me very well…

Not sure what Bert will make of it, so might give my old tree one more go. If he wrecks it, I will have to get a new one. Or I might just get a small real one instead. Decisions, decisions.

While I was buying these bows, I told my friend that growing up, the Christmas tree didn’t go up till Christmas Eve after my brother and I had gone to bed. My parents did a mammoth effort to decorate the whole house while we slept. It made Christmas so special. Now it feels like Christmas starts earlier each year. The lady who was selling these bows said she made them in August. But said her parents did the same. How I crave for the simpler times when we appreciated the little things in life.

I must be getting old.

Buddy, Bert and I headed over to Martham today for our last lesson of the year with Caroline Meads. She’d set out a very interesting floor plan that started with a bounce and ended with a stretching pair of crosses.

Pip Nav was most definitely needed. Pip Nav was also needed getting there. The way I’d usually go was closed due to a burst water main. I didn’t want to risk driving Toby through the flood. So went the back way out. Few interesting moments with people driving at us. I mean, it’s not like you can miss a bright blue 7.5t lorry, but clearly it’s easier for me to get out of their way…

Got to our lesson in good time. In a way, I wish I’d booked poles so I could try my posh new dressage saddle. But once we left the ground, I was very happy we were jumping. Think Buddy was too. He’s still breaking in his dancing shoes.

Speaking of breaking in, I wore my new competition boots today too. First time wearing them on a horse. They’re very stiff still but very comfortable. Phew! They rode really well. I can’t walk in them, but that will come as they soften up. Till then, I will look like John Wayne.

So today has gotten even more exciting. Not only am I now a published author (still a pinch me moment), I am now the proud owner of a Fairfax World Class Dressage saddle. Eek!

I thought my Fairfax Andrew Hoy Event saddle was lush, but this is even lusher! If that is even possible. I tried one a few years ago but couldn’t justify the price tag. Now I’m in my ‘life is too short’ phase so balls to it.

Fear not, I’m not sure I’ll be heading to the dark side just yet. Jumping is still very much my thing. My theory is a decent dressage saddle will help me to be a half decent rider – flat or jumps.

Buddy went so beautifully in it too. He’s definitely a Fairfax boy!

Today is a VERY exciting day!!

In 2020 I wrote a Children’s short story about Buddy. At the time, many of you said I should get it published. So my journey to published author began.

In January 2022, the amazing Faye Hobson illustration came to meet Buddy and started to draw out the story. Fast forward and today is publication day!!

You can buy it from the publisher’s website – https://pegasuspublishers.com/books/all/buddy-and-the-log

Soon it will be available in store and online elsewhere.

Obviously, I would love it if you would buy a copy.

They say you should do something new every day. Well today I did something new. I went to a Christmas wreath making workshop with a friend.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I mean I am creative, but I am also not if that makes sense. But I had a really good time! Or should that be wreath-ly good time.

I was shocked at how well my wreath came out. And how much fun it was. I got a bit giggy at one point as there was so much choice of foliage and other accoutrements.

My wreath is proudly hanging on my chimney breast so I can admire it. It’s far too nice to be on the door…

All is right in the world when I get to spend time with Mr Fluffy Ears. Pity I felt rather pants doing it. I woke up full of cold. It was bound to happen, there’s been a lot going on. The comedown to an adrenaline fuelled week too.

Took Bert out for a mooch hoping the fresh air would help. It did in a way. But Lemsip helped more!

Took Buddy out for a mooch later. Again hoping the fresh air would help. It did in a way. But I couldn’t feel my face or my thighs by the end of it. Time to break out the thicker coats.

Christened my new Le Mieux coat this evening. At the football. My goodness it was cold. At least my head was warm in the fluffy hood. That is genius on someone’s part. I guess it’s the equestrian equivalent to fluffy ears. Whatever it is, I’m a fan.

OK, so I think I might have hit some mid-life moment or something. First it was the soup maker, now I seem to have bought a heated airer.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a practical gadget. But I’ve surprised myself with this one. In the Summer, I can line dry everything. Or hang it in the conservatory. But come winter and my lounge starts to look like an old-fashioned laundry. So I thought I’d give this a whirl.

Hoping it will speed things up somewhat. At worst, it’s another airer to distribute stuff on. Even if it’s just me, I still end up with a lot of washing. Well I say me, Bert and Buddy have their fair share too. And that’s why I have two washing machines…

Buddy and I had another side-saddle lesson today. Our least one was three years ago. That’s a long time between lessons.

Muscle memory is a wonderful thing. I really impressed myself with how much I remembered. Buddy seemed to remember it better than I did.

I’ve often felt like I was born in the wrong era. I would have loved to have been one of those ladies who elegantly rode side-saddle across the fields. Dress and clock flowing in the breeze.

Let’s face it elegant isn’t a word that is used about me often. I’ve been told I’m an elegant faller. Not sure that’s something to shout about. But riding side-saddle I felt so elegant.

When the lesson had finished, I asked the instructor if she had her hat. She didn’t need a second invitation to hop on Buddy and show me how it should be done. It was wonderful watching my little boy float round the arena.

Looking forward to the next time. Let’s hope I don’t have to wait another three years…

Bert may have gotten a little enthusiastic with his chew and accidentally chewed four holes in my dressing gown! Guess I’ll be ordering myself a new one then.

I’m trying to work out how long I’ve had this dressing gown for. It must be at least 25 years. It’s so warm and comfortable I’ve never seen the need to replace it. Bert clearly had other ideas.

I might have spent a lot of time in it today. My get up and go seems to have wandered off again. At least I had a chilled day planned. I was very tired. I had a late night as it was Carleton’s AGM. It was lovely to catch up with everyone. Even if I was very tired.

I did leave the house to go and see Buddy. He was so funny. He totally ignored me for the first few minutes. Then he sniffed me and brought me in for a cuddle. I think he’d missed me. It felt good to be back in the saddle. I didn’t do much as he’s had a bit of time off and I was very tired.

Did I mention I was very tired?! Early night for me. Bert is snoring already. As are the kittens. I probably will be soon too…

When I was a child, my Dad used to have to go abroad on work trip. He’d sometimes bring me a present from which ever country he’d been to. He then had to go to Chicago quite regularly. He would bring me back Twinkies. I loved Twinkies.

It seems I am now passing that tradition on to Bert. There was a wonderful dog food supplier at the Conference. So I got Bert a few goodies. He was a fan! These tasty morals were gone in seconds. The supplier sells his products the dog-friendly cafes, pubs and hotels. More and more people are taking their dogs on holiday, so perfect to exhibit at a Conference full of holiday park and lodge owners. I saw lots of them walking round with samples.

Bert was very pleased to see me when I picked him up earlier. Not just cause I brought him a present. He’s had a fab time on his holidays with Uncle Harry. It’s makes all the difference knowing he’s happy while I’m away. I missed him. I think he was having too much fun to miss me.