Away in a manger

You know you’re pretty special when your amazing friends build you a stable so that your horse can come to stay for Christmas.

Buddy is loving his festive stay away. We’ve arrived and ridden in their arena. Buddy thought he was having a holiday. He got a workout instead.

So excited for our holiday. Christmas has officially started.

Lookout

This made me laugh today when I was at the yard. Turned round to find this heron keeping a watchful eye on proceedings. I’ve never seen one on a roof before. They’re usually in the reeds.

Made me wonder what he was looking for. Maybe he’s on Santa watch for all the other birds.

Fair weather

One last trip round Blickling with Katie and Archie this morning. We checked the weather forecast yesterday and it said it would be dry. It lied. It was very wet indeed.

We waited in the car park to see if it was going to clear up. It definitely eased. So we headed off. As is the law of sod, we were at the furthest point away from the lorries when the heavens opened and we got soaked.

Blickling is such a beautiful place. Here’s to more adventures in 2023.

Lapcat

After a long day, I swapped the laptop for a lapcat. Hugo was waiting for me and started putting the minute I sat down. I remember reading that a cat’s purr can be therapeutic. If that’s the case, I’m definitely getting my monies worth.

Tired

Definitely feeling my late night today. Got back from London at 1:30am this morning. So didn’t get the best sleep as I was wired from a brilliant day (and a midnight McDonalds).

Woke up feeling rather jet-lagged if I’m honest. We’re heading towards the end of the year and I’m feeling it. It’s been another really busy one. The last few years have been really challenging for me. And full on in so many ways.

It seems that so many people I speak to are feeling the same. Tired, exhausted and drained are three words I hear a lot.

But I truly love my life. And am grateful for the experiences I’ve had along the way, the people I’ve met and the memories made.

Olympia not Olympia

On my goodness, what a fab day. Feels so good to be at the London International Horse Show. It’s not Olympia cause it’s not there. But it’s a cracking show.

I’ve spent more than I planned. Bought myself a new body protector. I needed it as my old one is far too big for me. It’s really uncomfortable now. My new one is so comfortable. Can’t wait to get back out XC and test it out. The riding bit, not the falling bit of course.

Got a new reflective tabard too. With lights on it. No driver is going to miss me!

Waiting for the fancy dress class. Then home. It’s going to be a late one, but totally worth it. Same again next year!

Annual hernia

Yes it’s that time of the year when I risk life and limb, as well as a hernia, lugging the tree in from the garage. I knew it was heavy, but spotted the weight on the side of the box. It’s 65lb (over half a Pip).

No wonder I look like something out of World’s Strongest Man each year. Well that’s a Christmas tradition too!

Every year, I say I’m going to get a smaller tree. Then I put it up and remember how much I love it!

At least I only have to move it twice each year.

Dizzy

So it appears I may have a mild concussion after my fall on Wednesday. Woke up feeling rather dizzy. Took me a while to get vertical without the world spinning. It was very reminiscent of when I had vertigo.

So I cut myself some slack and had chilled day. After doing my meetings and some work, I headed to the conservatory to join the kittens. It was gorgeous in the sunshine. Even though there had been another thick frost.

Yesterday when I got back, I put the ‘ski mask’ on the Comedy Car to help keep the frost out. Needed to pop out this afternoon and it appears that overnight the ski mask had blown off. So still had to scrape the car anyway. Best laid plans. And not great when you’re feeling off kilter.

Ice feathers

I’m loving these ice feathers on my boot room window this afternoon. Isn’t nature amazing!?!

I’m sure one of my clever friends will be able to tell me why this happens. There’s something magical about it.

Wearing a billion layers to leave the house isn’t quite as magical. This cold snap has definitely got teeth right now.