Toby

Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to the latest addition to the Langley family, Toby. Otherwise knows as the Buddymobile Mark 2!

I’ve been waiting over 3 weeks for his arrival. They say good things are worth waiting for. Let’s hope it’s the case here.

We didn’t get off to the best start as I totally embarrassed myself by inadvertently using the brake instead of the accelerator. No wonder I wasn’t going anywhere.

I did redeem myself as I drove along. Even had another trucker salute me. OK so he was overtaking me, but it still means I’m a trucker. Right?!

I was a bit ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ on the way home. Probably didn’t help I was looking at kilometres and not miles per hour. It’s all learning.

It’s a tad bigger than the current Buddymobile, so it’s going to take a bit of getting used to. So far so good.

And yes, I might have ducked going under the bridge by my house. I know I was going to fit, so why does your brain do that?!?

Now to start working out where our stuff needs to go, reading the manuals (who am I kidding, I’ll probably just wing it) and take Buddy out for a test drive.

Let the adventures begin…

Day camper

Buddy, Bert and I locked and loaded early doors today to head over to Forest Edge for two lessons. There’s a camp running there, so we went as day campers.

When we arrived, Buddy headed to his stable (no. 3 for the third time this year) and Bert headed to the forest for a runabout.

As the weightbridge was there, I thought I’d pop Buddy on it. He walked straight on and stood patiently. He was so eager, the poor lady wasn’t ready. He was also rather eager for his treat. He knows the deal. He stands to be weighted and he gets rewarded. He also got a rosette for having a perfect body score. He’s now 643kg.

In our jumping lesson, we ended up being demo riders for the other campers to watch and learn. We flew round the course that was laid out. There were lots of new campers so they hadn’t seen us in action before. Several came over afterwards to compliment me on my jumping position, our partnership and how at one we were. That has not always been the case I can assure you.

I do feel that we’re getting better and better. Now we need to recreate it in competitions. Maybe we can start getting some perfect round rosettes too. Who doesn’t love a red one?!

Petflap

Bert got caught out in a rather heavy downpour. It was so loud that I couldn’t hear the webinar I was on!!

As I went to shut the conservatory doors, Bert decided to go and play in the rain. He soon came in when he realised just how heavy it was.

The cat flap is getting a bit snug now. He might have got a little stuck in it. He’s still growing!

I was feeling rather smug under my lovely newly laid roof. Then I heard an ominous dripping sound. Fearing the worst, I tried to pinpoint it. It didn’t seem to be coming from inside. So that was a huge relief. Eventually I found it. The water was dripping in the downpipe where it’s connected to the water butt.

Guess I was the butt of that as I got wetter than Bert. And I am in no way complaining about rain. It felt so good on my skin…

Vet wrap

I am definitely embracing the ‘mend and make good’ vibes. The zip on my everyday riding boots got stuck yesterday. Tried putting some grease on it and that seemed to help.

I brought them home so I could try and fix them. Some WD-40 and a toothbrush later and I thought I had. When I got to the yard, it appeared I was mistaken in my efforts. It went completely.

I have another pair of boots – my competition boots. They live in the lorry. The only trouble was that the lorry was at home as I’d given it a good clean out today.

Ever the resourceful equestrian, I used some vet wrap to keep them together. It’s not my best look, but it did the trick.

I worked out that I’ve had these boots since 2013. I bought them with a tax rebate I got after being made redundant. They have served me very well. They are so comfortable.

I think it might be time to get some new ones though. Till then, off to the cobblers I go…

Overordered

I think I might have gotten a little carried away when ordering body parts for the Baby Sprocker. The note on the shipping slip made me giggle.

They had a sale on…. Enough said huh?! One thing’s for sure, Bert was very happy with this delivery.

Mini meadow

The owners of a house near me has planted their verge with meadow flowers. It looks so stunning. It looks like a mini meadow. I’ve driven past it many times, but today was the first time I walked past it.

It was smothered in bees. You could hear them buzzing in the sunshine.

They are going over, but it’s so effective. And really different. It makes me smile every time I go past. Isn’t it amazibg how something so simple can bring so much joy. I wish more people would embrace this look. I think I’m going to try it too.

Ladies Day

Something a bit different for a Thursday. A lovely trip to Ladies Day at Newmarket Races. Well why not?!

Now we know I’m not the best when it comes to ‘dressing up’. I thought I’d make an effort. I even bought a new dress for the occasion. I love it. And it has POCKETS! Not that I used them though. Far to toasty.

I picked the winner in the first race, but typically I didn’t put a bet on. That’s where my luck ran out. The following races that I did bet on, the best I had was a second (not that I put an each way bet on). Still I may not have won any money, but it was a fabulous day out nonetheless.

And I think I looked pretty fabulous too!

Explosion

Oh dear, Bert’s toy exploded! He’s going through a rather destructive phase. Thankfully he’s attacking his toys rather than anything of mine… He’s destuffed several toys and is taking as many of his others toys into the garden as possible.

He does make me laugh. I was tackling my rather long to-do list when I heard a bit of a commotion. This was the sight that greeted me. Typically I’d just hoovered. He was rather pleased with himself.

Princess and the pea

Today has not been my best. I’m on the post-camp comedown. It happens every time, so you’d think I would be used to it by now. I guess cause I went into a busy weekend, it delayed it.

I tried to have a productive day. I was doing well. I’d mown the lawn and trimmed a rather overgrown bush without issue. Then I headed into the Buddymobile to clear it out and burst into tears. I felt so sad clearing him out. Again. My living room looks like a saddlery with all the stuff. I’m in limbo as the part for my new lorry still hasn’t arrived. Limbo isn’t a fun place. I know, I’ve been there many times before…

I decided to get on with some other jobs instead. I needed to print a return label. 35 minutes later, lots of swearing and pleading, I gave up. Honestly, the printer has one job!

I phoned a friend to rant. She needed to buy a new mattress so suggested we meet to test a few out. As you do! It dawned on me that my mattress is 19 years old now. So probably needs changing.

So this is what happens when an overly emotional and tired person tries out mattresses. My god there are so many to choose from. I like a firm one, but the 3D scanner did I needed a medium one. So more to try.

Have to admit, I got a bit overwhelmed with the choice. Who knew it was so hard to choose a mattress?! And when did they get so deep? I felt like the Princess and the Pea on a few. At least I got to have a lie down and a giggle.

Birds and the bees

Bert had a health check today at the vets. He dragged me across the car park and was very pleased to see everyone. The nurses were laughing as he ran into the consultation room. Usually dog run in the opposite direction…

He got a gold star in all categories. He even sat like a statue while his heart was listened to. There might have been a treat or two involved.

I booked him in for his castration in August. Let’s hope he’s still happy to go to the vets after that! He’ll be 10 months then. I don’t want to breed from him, so better to get him done before we have an accident. I could do without having to do the whole birds and the bees speech. I’m hoping it’ll stop him humping too.

Birds actually featured in my day. As I was out with Buddy, a red kite flew over us. It was so low, I could see its eyes. It seemed to follow us along the road. Such a special moment. In fact I was so in the moment, I didn’t get my phone out to take a photo.

Then a Robin flew alongside us. Jumping and flying along the hedgerow. In a spot that I’ve never seen a Robin before. It felt like we were being watched and protected today.