Paper thin

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well this one doesn’t tell half the story. It looks lovely, right?! Nice fluffy clouds. Bit of sunshine. Perfect for a spot of dressage. This was after the BRC Dressage Qualifier had finished…

What the day had ACTUALLY been like was torrential downpours. It could have been renamed to ‘dancing seahorses’.

I was there to steward as Carleton RC were hosting. We all know how much I love a clipboard and some hi-viz, so I was looking forward to it. Unfortunately I didn’t check the weather and didn’t get my layering right. Very grateful for the full length rain coat I was lent to keep me dry at least.

And can’t be said for my running orders that were so wet, they all stuck together. That made it rather challenging to work out who was meant to be where.

Four arenas is a lot to steward so I felt a bit chaotic at times. Luckily there was a dry running order to hand. With the use of a clear plastic lid and a bit of creativity, we got through everyone with military precision.

I left the Showground looking forward to a hot shower and a relaxing evening. Oh wait, I watched the England match. Great result, but my god, we like to do it the hard way…

New era

I woke up to the news that we have a new government. Hardly a surprise I know. Big changes like these can bring uncertainty, fear and speculation. There will be some who are thrilled. Others who are appalled. The vast majority I’m guessing will be waiting to see what it all means.

There are people who’ve lost their jobs. Others who’ve gotten massive promotions. Some will be relieved it’s over. Others will be anxious about the size of the task ahead.

As I drove to work this morning, this prayer popped into my head. There are so many sound bites, click bait and lies out there, it’s hard to know what to believe at times.

We want things to be black and white, clear cut and simplistic. Sadly it’s rarely like that. I don’t know about 50 shades of grey. More like 50 million. Each issues has many sides to it. Every problem many potential solutions.

Whatever happens next, I hope that those elected remember that they are there to represent us. All of us.

Post

It was an exciting post day today. And a bittersweet one. The wristbands and lorry passes arrived for the BRC ‘Team of 3’ Carleton Riding Club have entered at the Royal International Horse Show, Hickstead.

I’m excited for those who are competing there for the first time. I’m excited for those returning. I’m excited that our Riding Club gets to be there again this year. I’m sad that Buddy and I won’t be a part of it. Achieving that dream was so last year. I can’t remember if I mentioned it?!?!

I am the Team Manager for the four teams we have entered. So I have played a tiny part in it. I’m hoping to be there as well to cheer them all on. Hickstead will always be a special place for me. It’s a wonderful place and RI is a wonderful show.

Bedraggled

Took my charges out for a long walk this morning. In the rain. So we came came back rather bedraggled. All three of us have curly hair (or fur in their cases). Let’s just say we were all rocking the Poodle Perm by the time we’d finished.

I’m showing my age now. Who else remembers the Poodle Perm?! Please tell me it’s not just me? Even though my hair is curly. I still had a perm at one point. I vaguely remember doing a home kit as well. Cause that was what we did in the 80s.

Not that it made much difference. I was aiming for a spiral perm then. Now I just need a touch of rain or humidity and I have it naturally. Much easier. And less chance of losing an eye or chunks of hair.

Tea leaf

What’s wrong with this picture?! Seems one of my charges is a little tea leaf! The joys of puppies huh?! Trouble is that he’s so adorably cute…

He reminds me of my grandparents. They had toy poodles when I was growing up. I spent many an hour running round the garden playing with them.

Last night with them tonight before returning home. I’ll miss them, but they will be very pleased to see their humans home again I’m sure. And the kittens will be happy to see me too.

Hay hay

Here we have Buddy sporting this Summer’s look – hay and more hay! It’s not just a good look, it’s snacks for later.

Being the oversized Labrador that he is, Buddy definitely loves his food. It’s the best way to keep him occupied too. And boy did he need it today. First he had new shoes. Then Auntie Jess came to give him the once over and some laser treatment to help his recovery.

Poor boy was starved by the time the laser came out. He was practically wasting away. Lucky for him, it was best to distract him. So he was a very happy boy to get his hay.

Having a food-oriented horse comes in handy sometimes…

Moonwalk

I’ve been using Equilab to track Buddy’s rehab. It’s amazing how hard it is to time yourself. Especially in trot. It’s also amazing how accurate it is!

I’ve been building the trot up slowly. First few times I was worried I was doing too much – till I checked and I’d barely done a minute. Of course it did record a few seconds of canter when Buddy spooked at something. Let’s keep that bit between us huh?!

Today it recorded Buddy’s antics as he decided he didn’t want to leave his friends and go for a hack in the rain. Mr Nappy Pants was back in full force today! Sadly, it’s not accurate enough to track his moonwalking back down the lane.

We’re booked in on 8 July to have his leg rescanned. Let’s hope his dance moves haven’t put us back. Let’s also hope that Mr Nappy Pants does one too. At least I know how to deal with him…

Reuse

I spotted this sign while walking my charges today. It was clearly a marker of some sort. Whether it was a road marker or something else, I don’t know. I love the way it’s been reused in the modern house. They’ve used glass bottles too.

A little bit of history hidden in plain sight. Wonder how old it is. Must be fairly old as it’s Yarmouth rather than Great Yarmouth. Or maybe they charged by the letter…

Nomad

I’m back to my nomadic ways as I’m dog & house sitting for a good friend. New charges for me – Dotty and Bobby. Both adorable. Bobby is only 6 months old. He’s a bundle of fluffy energy for sure.

I’m getting my dog and puppy fix in one go!

Poor planning

I found out yesterday that I wasn’t needed to groom for the Norfolk today. I was at a bit of a loose end. Well till a client asked if I could do a site visit to Essex.

I set off early to beat the heat, in shorts no less and windows open. The downside to the Comedy Car – no AC. I was making good time till an accident on A12 stopped my progress. My Sat Nav took me on a bit of a scenic route. You know the type where you feel like you’re getting further away from where you’re heading. It also kept telling me there was a faster route. Which seemed to add more time! Work that one out.

Still I got to my destination, did what I needed to do and headed back home. It was only when I was nearly home that I realised I’d been about 20 mins away from Ingatestone Saddlery.

So that was poor planning on my part. Probably better for my wallet though. I will get there one day.