Today marks 10 years since I said my final goodbye to Murphy. It broke my heart but it was the right decision for me and him. I said I gave him his wings to thank him for helping me fly.

Murphy wasn’t the easiest horse. He taught me so much. Only I could buy an eventer without having ever done a dressage test! I set the goal to event and I did. OK so there were a lot of bruises, tears, setbacks and achievements along the way. He was the one who ticked that box with me.

He paved the way for Buddy. The things I achieved with him have exceeded my expectations.

It was a privilege to be with Murphy at the end. I know it’s not something every owner feels they can do. It’s part of the reason I signed up to be a BHS Friends at the End volunteer. To support others.

I started my training today. A spooky coincidence I guess.

Today has been a bit of a weird one. It was very wet and wild. One of those ‘don’t want to leave the house’ kinda days. Bert definitely didn’t. He shot out and did his business, then shot back in.

After catching up with a few people and on a few things, I lost track of time. I suddenly realised I was going to be late for the hygienist. I called and luckily, they were able to move my appointment back. Brilliant!

Not quite as I had to call them again to say I was stuck in a rather large traffic jam as the A47 was closed due to an accident. So I rerouted back home instead. It sounded like a bad accident, so I’m not complaining about it. Also would have meant that I definitely wouldn’t have made my original appointment.

Think Bert had the right idea. He spent most of the day playing or sleeping indoors. He’s taking the post-holiday recovery very seriously…

Everyone needed feed! Including me. So after a lovely lunch out catching up with a good friend, I headed to the nearby feed store.

This was the result. A boot full of food for the Oversized Labrador, Baby Sprocker and the Kittens. I was rather popular when I got home. And when I got to the yard, Buddy sniffed my hands. A lot.

I now need to go and do a food shop for myself. I was full after my lunch. But at least now my animals are all full too!

My holiday feels like a bit of a distant memory already. I might have looked at the photos a few times. In a way, I still can’t quite believe it all. It was mind blowing. I need to download the rest of the photos. A job for tomorrow me thinks.

It felt very good to be back in my own bed last night. Having to fend for myself once more wasn’t fun. It was really nice being catered for. Even if that meant a lot of pizza. The post-holiday clean up is almost done. Unlike a lot of my trips, I just have my stuff to sort out. Much easier than Buddy and Bert’s stuff too.

Buddy was kinda pleased to see me today. He played it cool. Unlike Bert yesterday who was beside himself to see me. I was soon forgiven and we went out for a lovely hack with Anni and Frankie. Definitely the best way to beat the post-holiday slump.

I’m sat in Naples airport waiting for my flight. It’s been a fabulous break. Pompeii was beyond my expectations. I’m so glad I did it.

Today I headed up to the highest point to check out St Elmo’s castle. Yes I was singing the song as I strode a crossed the drawbridge. The views were pretty amazing.

My legs hurt, my feet hurt, my face aches from smiling. I love Italy and have been many times now. This was a new part for me. I am coming back full of new memories. And pizza. Let’s just say it’s a good job they weight the luggage and not the passengers. Just saying. Pretty sure I walked it off though.

As wonderful as it’s been being away, I have missed my boys. Once again, I am grateful to the amazing people in my life who’ve looked after my animals. Without them, this trip would have been a bit more of a challenge.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Baby Sprocker. He’s definitely going to need a holiday after his holiday. I’m looking forward to seeing the Oversized Labrador. He will be thrilled that I’m back and we will be back to work ready to get out competing. I’m looking forward to seeing the Kittens. They will no doubt ignore me for a while.

So for now its arrivederci Italia. Thanks for the memories…

Well I may have fallen into Pompeii again today. I was meant to be heading to Vesuvius I know. But I had to get the bus from Pompeii…

That and the fact there was a huge cloud hanging over Vesuvius so I wasn’t sure the view would be that good. Besides, I came to visit Pompeii so why not spend more time there?

Another 4 hours in fact! This time I got an audio guide. That was rather fascinating. I learnt so much I kinda wish I’d gotten it first time. Oh well. Found more bits that I missed on Tuesday. I also missed the crowds this time. It was about a 10th of the people that I faced last time. Clearly Tuesdays are popular!

It was wonderful wandering about again. It truly is a magical place. Clocked up another 8 miles today.

I know it’s not very British, but I am really rather proud of myself right now. I set Pompeii as a goal when I was in the midst of depression post-Covid. I needed to refocus myself and start looking to my future again.

Goals, dreams, bucket list, call them what you will. I set lots of them back then. But I am slowly ticking them off. I’ve competed at Hickstead. I’ve published my book. I’ve been to Pompeii. Funny how things turn out when you put your mind to it.

There are still many more things on my list. I have made it happen. And that is something to bask in right now. I’m sure the feeling in my feet will come back at some point too…

Another day, another spectacular ancient site. This time Herculaneum. It’s much smaller than Pompeii, but packs quite the punch.

Because of the way it was hit by the eruption, there’s a better level of preservation than at Pompeii. It’s eery walking round I have to admit.

There was much to wonder at indeed. Once again the true horror of the loss was laid bare when you get to the lowest levels. This is where nearly 300 people took refuge in vaulted caves to escape the blast. Their skeleton’s remain as a chilling reminder.

I must admit, I found it slightly disrespectful watching the number of people take selfies with the skeletons. I know they’ve been dead a long time, but they once had dreams like us.

I guess it’s another reminder to live life to the fullest. You just never know what’s coming next. Well let’s hope a volcanic eruption isn’t on the cards as I’m heading to Vesuvius tomorrow.

Oh my days, I have just had a religious experience!! No I haven’t been to a church, I’ve just had a pizza…

But not just any pizza. A pizza in the country that invented pizza! A margherita in the city that invented it. In 1889 in honour of Queen Margherita of Savoy in case you were wondering.

Oh and yes, I inhaled it! Then I have walked 10 miles today so I’ve definitely earned it.

It was drizzly today so I hit the MANN (or the Museo Archaelogico Nazionale di Napoli) this morning. That was a fascinating wander back through time. From the romans back to pre-history. Clearly there were going to be a lot of Roman stuff. Pompeii, Herculaneum and all that. The craftsmanship was jaw dropping. How they created such beauty with limited tools is amazing.

Got me wondering what the archaeologists of the future will find from our times. We live in a very different time. A throwaway culture where things aren’t necessarily built to last. Not sure we will be seen in the same light of creativity…

One thing I did discover is that I have Roman feet. Most of the statues have feet like mine (big second toe). Mine are throbbing slightly as I didn’t put my walking boots on today. Foolishly I didn’t think I’d walk that far…

After a few hours walking round the museum, I spent few hours walking round Naples. Hence clocking up 10 miles. I found some lovely bits. I found some not so nice bits. Typical city really. Overall, I’m having fun exploring.

Greetings from Naples! I’ve made it. It’s been a long day but I’ve arrived safe and sound ready to explore. I’m feeling decidedly grotty though. Flying with a cold isn’t that much fun! Dosed myself up and tried really hard not to be that person on the flight. Sure a good night’s sleep with help!

It was a bit of an adventure finding my hotel. The driver dropped me as close as he could but it’s on a pedestrian street, so off I trotted with my case over the cobbles. It was very hidden. In fact, you had to climb through a very small door in a very large wooden door. Rather cool really.

Checked in and am settled in my room. It’s tiny, very boutique hotel. Seems in a nice area. Kinda hard to tell in the dark though. Found a cafe and had my first (of many) slices of pizza and a scrumptious raspberry dessert. Looking forward to exploring tomorrow. But for now, it’s time to chill, rest and recharge…

Isn’t it funny how we have favourite bags for things. I pondered this as I drove to my Dad’s today. I bought a new rucksack for my trip. It came with a free satchel bag..

Winner you’d think. But when I started putting my stuff in them, they didn’t work how I’d hoped they would. So I went back to my trusty travel bag. I bought this one in New Zealand many years ago. It’s clocked up some miles since then I can tell you. It has just the right amount of pockets, zips and Velcro. Yes it’s a thing. It’s rather frustrating when you can’t get your passport, boarding pass or phone out quick enough in the queue. Most of us been that person. And a lot of us have been behind that that person!

I even dug out my Aviva backpack. Again, it’s small but mighty. That’s done a few miles too.

The new bags will get lots of use I’m sure. But for this trip, I have chosen familiarity over looks. My suitcase is neon yellow to stand out on the belt. See what I mean?!

Bert has already started his holiday. He’s having a blast already. Lots of zoomies with his brother. Let’s hope he doesn’t need a holiday to get over his holiday…