I had a rather exciting delivery today. The publishers sent me my contracted books. I’ve seen it in the flesh as I’ve been asked to sign a few copies. But honestly, I can’t explain the pride I feel holding it in my hand.

It took so long for me to get my copies cause it sold out! OK so I don’t know how many copies there were to start off with. But it sold out.

The feedback has been wonderful too. It’s made me cry happy tears hearing the reaction of friends and children.

This is a pinch me moment. And just goes to show the you can achieve anything you put your mind to. My Little Buddy Boy is out there in the World. OK, so I might be crying again…

After the minus temperatures of the past few days, it was good to get back above freezing.

The snow is more slush than anything. Trouble is that slush is rather slippery. I really struggled to get off my driveway this morning. The Upgrade just couldn’t get traction on the hill. And it’s not even that big a hill!!

Made it up eventually. Thought I’d take Bert to the woods. It was rather slippery underfoot. We both skidded a few times. OK I skidded many times. Thankfully I stayed on my feet. It’s an awful feeling though. Heart in the mouth moment…

It was -7 degrees when Bert and I left the house this morning. He wasn’t keen on having him coat on. He ran round the lounge rather than sit nicely. Kinda defeats the object of going for a walk if you waste energy up first.

I needn’t have worried, he was full of it! He is super charged by the snow. He had a good run around with a black lab he met while I talked to it’s owners. They both commented on how well trained he was. They wouldn’t have said that had they seen him trying to drag me down the road. Walking nicely on the lead is still very much a work in progress.

And how fast! He absolutely smoked the lab.

I couldn’t feel my face by the time we got back. Nor my feet – and that was with three pairs of socks on! I layered up and was still cold. I had the opposite when I was mucking out. Started to overheat. Damned if I was taking any layers off though. I’d rather be a bit hot that end up cold again. Remind me of that when I’m moaning I’m too hot in Summer…

Now I’m no animal communicator, but I’m pretty sure Buddy is saying ‘stop taking photos and give me the haylage woman’. He saw me coming up the track with a haynet and was waiting for me.

Just as I got to him, the snow really started coming down, so I took shelter for a moment. He didn’t take his eyes off me, so I caved and gave him the haylage. I mean, how could I refuse such a handsome face?!

This kittens have spent most of the day sulking in the conservatory. I’m now regretting teaching Bert how to use the cat flap. He’s been in and out like a yo-yo! Each time bringing more snow back in with him.

The kittens have been glaring at me, him, the snow, you name it! The are very unimpressed with the white stuff. I’m sure they’re having conversations about why the Baby Sprocker is so excited! The difference between cats and dogs huh?!

This is what happens when you leave the skylight open on your lorry and it snows! Not quite enough to make a snowman in the horse area.

I went into grab the haynet I didn’t used yesterday and couldn’t help laughing at the snow puddle. Not sure it’s quite a snow drift.

I do love the snow. It does make everything a lot harder. I spent three years living in Sweden, so spent a lot of time in the snow. I learned to ski when I was young and used to ski a lot. In fact I have a pair of downhill skis in my garage. At this rate, they might come in handy.

Bert loves the snow too. Watching him run and play in it is rather joyous. Buddy was more interested in the haynet when I went to see him…

Bert got experience snow for the first time today. I honestly wasn’t expecting quite so much of it either!!

Definitely not how I’d planned my Saturday. I had planned to take Buddy for a lesson at WHW. Given there was a yellow warning in place for snow, ice and freezing temperatures, the decision was made to cancel the clinic. Gutted but I wasn’t totally sure I could get off the driveway, let alone off the yard.

That meant a lot of scrambling sorting out the logistics and doing our best to make sure tomorrow’s clinic can go ahead. There are so many moving parts to putting training like this. Not sure people realise the hours that go into it.

We do it cause we love our riding club. Even if that means there are times we have to disappoint people. It’s been a bit fraught at times today.

Watching Bert’s delight on the snow made me laugh. Safe to say he loved it. He was tearing round the garden. He also seemed to be bring a lot of it into the conservatory!

Buddy was rather unimpressed when I did get to the yard. I took it slowly as it was rather slippery on the roads. Seems we have more than most. Fingers crossed the white stuff goes soon…

I did my first peopling of 2026. It was a bit full on. It was also a little repetitive. Not sure how many times I said ‘Happy New Year’ or asked how people’s Christmases were. Let’s just go with lots!

The general conscious was ‘fairly quiet’. So many people said they hadn’t been feeling it this year.

It was an early start so I left plenty of time to de-ice the Upgrade (there wasn’t any) and navigate the back to work traffic (not much of that either) so I arrived early. I did get to see the most amazing moon. It was huge! Looked more like a sunset that the moon going down.

There was a proper Winter golden hue to it too. The same was true when I got to the yard. The trees looked like they were being lit up by golden spotlights. If it wasn’t so cold, you could be fooled into thinking it wasn’t Winter. The biting wind (and the 50 layers) reminded me for sure.

We’ve had the most amazing sunsets here so far in 2026. It fair takes your breath away. The wind has been doing that too…

So my word for 2026 is zeal. Not as in zealot or a negative way, but as in enthusiasm and excitement. Can’t say that I was feeling either of those things this morning. I went to bed early and clearly slept really heavily as I didn’t hear any fireworks at midnight. I woke up feeling rather groggy (and I didn’t have a single drink last night).

Bert clearly got the memo as he was very enthusiastic about 2026. The biting wind cleared my head. Who needs cold plunges when you can stand in a big field in the cold?! Is it any wonder us country folk are pretty resilient.

I de-Christmased the house. Yes, I went up a ladder to take the lights down (and got them back in the box). I also did the ‘Christmas Tree’ waddle putting it back to the garage. My lounge looks huge now! Funny how you get used to the tree being there. I miss the twinkly lights.

As I hoovered the needles up, I thought about the things I have planned for 2026 already. I’ve two holidays booked in Q1. I’ve booked us in to two training camps. And we’ve qualified for a BRC Championship in May.

I’m sure there will be many more adventures to be had too. Bert is clearly conserving his energy. I mean you wouldn’t want to peak on day one…

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time for my annual review. Every year I pick a word for the year. This year my word was wonderment and boy has it been full of wonder. With hindsight, it should have been journey as I’ve had a few of them!

It’s been my first full year with Bert. That’s been quite the journey so far. We went to puppy school and learnt so much. There have also been lots of frustrating moments as he grows up. He remains my Baby Sprocker and I adore him (even when he’s driving me bonkers). He was a very good decision.

I said my final goodbye to my Mum as we scattered her ashes and learned to live without her. Grief is a very odd thing for sure. Lots of tears have been shed on that journey.

I said goodbye to the Comedy Car and got the Upgrade. He’s done a few miles with me already. I welcomed Toby Truck and put the Buddymobile up for sale (he’s still available, just saying).

Our first major outing in Toby was to Hickstead. Just a short journey then! It wasn’t just Buddy who did long journeys. Bert and I went to Badminton and Scone. He’s very well travelled already.

I visited Bath for the first time and started more training. Meeting more like-minded people. And found out I’m quite a good shot!

Buddy, Bert and I headed to numerous camps, competitions and clinics. Buddy travels like a dream in Toby. Bert is the perfect lorry dog. I just love Toby. He was a very good decision too.

I’ve spent time with the people I love who bring such joy to my life. I’ve made new friends. I’ve seen some friendships fade. That’s OK, not everyone is meant to finish the journey with you. I’m grateful to those who’ve scrapped me off the floor, let me sob on their shoulders, who’ve made me feel seen and heard, who’ve helped me with Bert and who’ve shared this year with me.

Thank you one and all.

Finally, 2025 is the year I became a published author. Another wonderful journey. And one I am incredibly proud of.

So here’s to a new year. My word for 2026 is zeal. Let’s see what happens next…

Talk about cuteness overload! Anyone else’s dog use their feet as a pillow?! He loves my fluffy boot socks. Shows how he’s growing up as it wasn’t that long ago he was running round the house with my socks. OK that still happens, but not as often as it used to. I think we call that progress!

Today marks 21 years since my brother took his life. Some years are harder than others. Today my niece announced that she’s having a little girl. I’ve always been a great Aunt, but now I am going to be a Great-Aunt for the second time. My Mum would have been thrilled. Not sure how my Brother would have felt about being a Grandfather. It’s sad he didn’t get the chance to meet his Grandson and now his Granddaughter.

I guess some questions will never be answered. Over the years, I have accepted I will never get the answers I wanted in the beginning. I made peace with what happened. Tonight I raise a glass to him and hope the feeling will come back in my feet. As cute as he is, Bert is rather heavy.