Cocktails and Ceilidh.

After a bit of a slow start, we hit the shops in between watching dressage, showing and enjoying the members / owners hospitality.

There were some great combinations in action. And lots to watch with 3 dressage rings running 3 levels of competition.

The shopping was pretty good too. I might have bought myself a new pair of competition boots. I might have bought myself a new Ariat top. I might have bought Bert an equafleece.

I might have also bought myself the official Joules Scone polo. It had to be done. After all I might never get here again.

Bert got lots of cuddles and several offers of adoption or looking after. He was a little tired after all the fuss. Tomorrow we’ll walk the course so he’ll enjoy that.

After dinner, we headed to the ceilidh for a cocktail. They had passionfruit pornstar martinis on tap! Rather dangerous. So far my Scone experience has been a rather good one…

At the Palace

A fabulous first day at Scone Palace. We walked the grassroots course and watched some of the BE90 action. Then back for lunch before heading to watch the trot up. Flynn was accepted so he’ll be doing his dressage on Friday. Nearly got sunstroke in the blinding sunshine. That was a bit of a surprise.

This evening, we went to a drinks reception at the palace itself. It’s a pretty special place, that’s for sure. It’s where the kings of Scotland were crowned and the first parliament held. Steeped in history.

Tomorrow the FEI and showing classes start so there will be lots of action to watch. We’re also going to walk the 4* course. Bert is having a wonderful time. He really is turning into a lovely little event dog.

Bonny Scotland

Well it might have taken us nearly 9 hours, but we’ve arrived in Bonny Scotland. The horses are settled. The caravan is all set up. Bert and I went for a little wander to check out the grounds of Scone Palace. I even found it! There’s a drinks reception up there tomorrow evening, so that could be fun.

Saw the first few XC jumps on the course. Tomorrow is the trot up. Everything crossed for that!

Scotland is so beautiful. I have many happy memories of coming to Perth with work. Now I’m making new ones. Bring on the horses…

Adventures begin

We have made it to our first destination on our next adventure. Tonight, we’re in the caravan at a yard near Biggleswade. Tomorrow we’re leaving for Scone Palace International Horse Trials! My friend’s horse is competing in the 4* Long there. She invited me to come with her. I am so excited!

I was very sad that I didn’t make it to Blair Castle. The stars aligned and I am going to the inaugural Scone. How amazing is that?!

It’ll be a long journey tomorrow. I’ve packed for every weather eventually. It is Scotland after all. This is going to be another wonderful adventure…

Deferring

The plan had been to take a friend and her horse with us for a ride in Thetford Forest today. Unfortunately she wasn’t feeling very well, so we deferred our outing in favour of a hack at home instead.

We were out for nearly 2 hours all told. It was fab. She’d even made lunch for us to take. So we when we got back, we had a picnic in the tack room. I did offer to unlock the lorry so we could sit in there. Lunch in the lorry has a lovely ring to it.

Sometimes plans work out. Sometimes you just make a new plan. This one worked out well after all. Happy Sunday everyone.

Model patient

Guess who aced their post-op vets trip? Bert happily dragged me across the car pak and was most perturbed that he wasn’t instantly greeted with cuddles and treats. Have you tried to explain to a 10 month old puppy that he has to be patient cause there’s a queue?!

He made everyone laugh with his enthusiasm. That and the way he crashed about with the cone of shame on (it was far too hot for the baby gro).

He made the vet nurse laugh too when he bounded into the consulting room. Her first words ‘well he’s fine then…’. He really is. He’s back to his normal Bertness. Bouncing around. Wanting to play. I’m not sure he’s really realised what’s happened.

All a huge relief for me. She gave him a quick check over and said he’s very fit and well.

Sadly his duck toy isn’t a case for surgery. Definitely gone too far. He’s definitely in the toy destroying phase. The Dark Destroyer is alive and well. And has now moved on to toys.

Holy stone

Someone is feeling much better!! Bert decided that my garden needed a bit of landscaping today. This is the sight that greeted me when I took a break from the laptop.

He has a new game that he likes to play while I’m working. He brings me a stone. It’s great for training his ‘drop’. Which is much improved. At least he’s not swallowing them!

Not sure what he was digging for, but he was rather pleased with himself. He was also covered in mud. He does make me laugh.

He’s off to the vets tomorrow for his post-op check up. Hoping we can start increasing his exercise again. It seems he’s as inpatient a patient as I am!

Evenfall

What a wonderful way to end a rather frustrating day. Customer Service is a dying art. Or maybe we’ve gone too far with the whole ‘keeping your account secure’ thing. I’ve been stuck in an email loop trying to prove who I am. Honestly, it made me laugh and almost cry at the same time.

I have to admit, they got off on the wrong foot by sending me an email addressed to ‘Valued Customer’. That’s rich when you hear where we went next…

Questions like ‘what’s the email address associated with the account?’ Umm that would be the email address you’ve emailed me on.

‘What’s the account number?’ Oh the one on the email I originally sent you?! That one?!

‘What’s the name on the account?’ The name I put in the original email? No, I’ll repeat it. It’s Philippa.

‘Sorry we can’t accept your answers as you signed your email Pip. Not Philippa…’

Give me strength!! So I called them. Ranted for a while. Still getting no further with answering the questions I had. Eventually the poor person on the phone said she’d raise a complaint for me. I did apologise to her as it wasn’t her fault.

Please tell me it’s not just me?! Then they had the cheek to send me a ‘customer satisfaction survey’. Lock and load people…!

At least my ride was much more pleasant. It was the perfect temperature. Perfect ponies. Perfect company. Just perfect.

Nettles

I think most people know that I love nature. I love being out in it. I love almost everything about it. I say almost, I’m not mad keen when nature fights back.

As it was a nice day, I thought I’d mow the lawns and have a bit of a tidy up of the borders. Great plan I hear you say…

This is me, so it wasn’t going to run smoothly. But even by my standards, I excelled myself. There were a few rather large nettles. No problem, I have protective gloves for them. Unfortunately, they don’t protect against ineptitude. I am now the proud owner of many stings. I peaked when I managed to pull one up and smack myself full in the face. I can confirm that flipping hurts!!

Bert tried to come to my rescue, but ended up taking me out with his cone. We’d been doing well with the body suit. Till he had an accident. I wasn’t quick enough with the fastenings (the clue is there). It needed to go in the wash. So we were back to the cone of shame. My legs are covered in scrapes and bruises from him bashing into me.

I managed to mow the back lawn after nearly falling over him several times. Then it was onto the front. Where a dog rose decided to attack me. Seriously?! They hurt too I can tell you.

Thankfully a full brown bin ended my gardening efforts and I headed to the yard. Buddy had excelled himself in the poo stakes. So that was fun!

Even though I covered him in fly spray, he spent the whole ride trying to get the flies off. There were so many today.

All in all, I’d say it was a draw between me and nature today. My face is really sore. Not as bruised as Bert’s Crown Jewels. He keeps rolling over to show me…

New season

Super sub was called into action early doors – first game of the season. I love the first game of a new season. So much hope, optimism and excitement. It lasted about 83 minutes…. We lost.

There’s a long way to go though. So let’s see what the rest of the season brings. Honestly you have to ride the emotional rollercoaster of being a football fan. Or any kind of sporting fan really. It’s rarely straightforward.

At least the half-time snacks were good. Least said about the coffee the better… Let’s hope that improves as the season goes on too.