Today’s been a bit of a weird one. Things seem to have taken me longer to do than usual. Things haven’t quite worked out how I planned them. A few things have unsettled me. Not the best start to the week or a new month.

September means lots of things for me. Burghley Horse Trials for one! I’m very much looking forward to my outing there on Saturday. Burghley has been a feature in my diary for so many years now.

I love watching the leaves change colour. I love the freshness of the air in the mornings and evenings. I’m sure there will be many occasions when I’m questioning this love as I’m freezing my backside off somewhere with Bert or Buddy. But you get my drift.

It also heralds the return of the geese to the bird reserve. Buddy will be thrilled at the low-flying, honking monsters return. That’ll be spook-fodder for a few rides.

Bert, on the other hand, thought it was great when he met them today. He quickly cleared the field. Fear not, there was little chance of him catching one or upsetting them too much. I’m not sure he has a stealth-mode?! They flew off when he started barking…

This morning I took the Buddy over to Blickling to meet a friend for a lovely ride. It was my first trip there in my new lorry. Sadly, it was also my first prang in it. I’m still adjusting to the size and misjudged the rather narrow entrance to the car park…

I was so busy trying not to hit the athe gate and fence post, I didn’t notice the sign sticking out. So it took some paint off. It’s cosmetic and can be fixed.

I broke a bit off one of the headlight too as I tried to squeeze in. So frustrated with myself. And yes reader, I cried! Lots.

My wonderful friend scooped me up and made me feel better as she’d done something similar. I’m sure I’m not the first person to do it. But I’m gutted.

I am so thankful that we are allowed to ride on the National Trust estate. They actively encourage it. So it’s a bit frustrating that it’s difficult to park when you get there.

Don’t get me wrong, I know I got it wrong. I held my breath going back out. Thankfully that was easier.

We rode for 1.75 hours round the estate. As annoyed with myself as I was, I tried really hard not to let it spoil a lovely day out.

I took a friend and her horse over to Thetford Forest for a ride this afternoon. It was blissfully quiet.

My friend’s mare doesn’t like travelling on the end, but Buddy is happy there, so he went on second. He thought it was great as he could stick his head over the doors to see what was going on.

The minute the ramp came down, out his head popped. He makes me laugh. I think he quite likes his upgraded transport. Good job too as we have many adventures to be had….

I met up with one of my wise women for coffee this morning. On my way out, I stopped in the farm shop and picked up a few bits.

I had a craving for prawns for lunch, but it’s not the sort of thing you can readily find in a farm shop. So imagine my joy when there was a seafood truck in the car park. Along with my prawns, I got a dressed Cromer Crab too.

So coffee, lunch, dinner and a few other meals sorted all in one go. Result!

So apparently it’s International Dog Day. Bert was rather perplexed when I told him as he clearly assumed every day was a dog day.

I have now been a dog owner again for 9 months. I honestly couldn’t imagine life without Bert. Sure he drives me mad sometimes (see yesterday’s digging video). Today he got his ball stuck in a pot. That was carnage for my poor plants…

They will recover. My garden will recover. Holes can be filled. My house will be straight again one day. I will be able to leave things without fear of them being chewed or nicked. My shoulders and arms will recover from being dragged around. One day he’ll walk nicely on the lead. My legs will recover from the extra miles of walking. My ears will recover from his random barking. And I’ll stop jumping when he does. I’m really selling it huh?!

The happiness my Baby Sprocker brings me is worth it all. He’s such a sweet boy. And is really well behaved for nearly 11 months. I mean, just look at his little face.

We’re back home after the most wonderful trip to Scone Palace International Horse Trials. In some way, I feel like I’ve been away for ages. In others, it’s flown by.

I am so grateful to those who let me tag along and be apart of the inaugural event. Just that would have been magical. But to be there supporting Flynn and Ange was one I’ll never forget.

Bert had the best time too. He got lots of cuddles and attention. I got more offers of adoption for him. He slept pretty much all of the way home. All told it took me over 12 hours to get home. Let’s hope he sleeps well tonight. I know I will, that’s for sure!

Bert was full of beans this morning. Well I guess he slept most of the way back from Scotland. I wasn’t quite so enthusiastic first thing. A strong coffee, a shower and some fresh air and I was ready to face my chores.

After nearly a week away, I had rather a lot to do. And quite a lot of washing. Luckily it was a perfect drying day. So 4 loads later…

Bert decided that we should be doing some gardening. Well it is a Bank Holiday. While I was sorting stuff out, he helpfully dug a trench in one of my borders. Guess I’ll be buying some new plants to go in those holes.

Before I became too much of a chores bore, I took Buddy Boy out for a lovely ride. It felt good to be back in the saddle after watching so many people enjoying their horses this last week. I told Buddy all about my adventures and how inspired I was by it all. Let’s see how enthusiastic he is when we can out XC schooling. Just need some rain…

Well I was more nervous than the Mayor of Nervous Town waiting for Flynn’s cross country today. Sadly it ended early after a fall at the first water. I didn’t see it live, I was waiting further round the course. But saw it on the big screen nearly.

Gutted for everyone. The good news is that both horse and rider are none the worse after their early bath. Not how we’d all hoped today would go.

Today I saw the highs and lows of horses. Some amazing riding. Some more tumbles. Some mistakes. Equestrianism is incredibly tough. When it all comes together, it’s magic. When it doesn’t go to plan, it’s a great leveller.

Sobering to hear there were two horse fatalities here today. I know there will be those who say we shouldn’t ride horses. I’ve seen so many horses with smiles on their faces enjoying what they do. I’ve seen so many riders praise their horses on the course. Ours is the only sport where your equipment has a say…

It’s been so inspiring watching those from the grassroots to the elites, the amateurs to the professionals. One things for sure, we all love horses.