Tonight I had my first Christmas meal of the season as the Carleton Committee got together. It was a fun evening indeed. I ended up having a rather retro meal – prawn cocktail to start and trifle to finish. Shades of the 70s right there.

Trifle is a firm favourite of mine. This one was a banoffee version and very yummy it was too. Trifle always reminds me of my Auntie Joan. She could be found in the fridge ‘testing’ the trifle at family events. I think she would have approved of this one.

After two days of ‘house arrest’ (aka his Mother was ill), the Baby Sprocker was released back into the Countryside. His glee was there for all to see.

Thankfully his enthusiasm meant I didn’t actually have to walk that far. In fact, I spent some considerable time standing still watching him run around the stubble field like a loon.

Good job too as I did the classic ‘I’m feeling better so I will totally overdo it’. Mucking out nearly wiped me out. When will I learn…

Can’t say I’m impressed with Bert’s nursing skills. Though he has been very attentive today. Mostly wanting me to throw his ball…

Good news is that after a good dose of Night Nurse, Vicks and nearly 18 hours sleep, I am pleased to report that I am feeling more like me again.

I’ve had another day curled up with Bert and the kittens. More snooker, a bit of Disney and a lot more resting.

In a way I was glad I didn’t have to go out. The weather was a bit vile. I did leave the house though. Only to put the bin out. I waited till after dark to venture out in my dressing gown. Not the first time I’ve done that. Probably won’t be the last either…

These three items mean one thing. I am poorly, sick and bad. I’ve been fighting something off for weeks it seems. Today it floored me…

My head feels like it’s full of cotton wool, my chest is tight and I am with snot. I am utterly delightful.

I withdrew from the Arena Eventing I’d entered. I got Buddy covered. I dragged myself to the shop for supplies. I snuggled on the sofa shivering. The twig burner was lit. There were tears. There were cuddles from Bert. There was snooker too. Not my finest day I’ll grant you.

These three items were the childhood remedies I grew up with. For seemingly any ailment one of them would work. Of course back then, the lucozade came in orange cellophane. The soup has enough colouring to turn your pee orange. And the Lemsip didn’t cost nearly £7!!

I know it’s just a bug. But right now, I’m not loving it. Normal service will be resumed soon I’m sure. Till then, more rest and sleep for me…

I spotted these beautiful red leaves when I was out on my ride with Buddy today. A distinct island in a sea of green sugar beet leaves. It’s amazing the things you can notice if you take the time to look.

And taking time was something I did today. I was meant to be peopling, but I knew my batteries were low and I’m full of cold. So yesterday I asked if the other receptionist could cover for me. Thankfully she could.

I got an early night. I had a lay in. I had a relaxed morning. I had coffee in the sunshine. I just was. It was lovely to ‘be’ for a change rather than ‘do’.

I took Bert out for a good run. He loves truffle hunting through the sugar beet. There are lots of good sniffs in there. He got a bit carried away running back and forth though. Bit of selective deafness as his Mother called for him. He was having far too much fun. He came back eventually… Not sure he’d notice the red leaves, he was definitely nose down.

It’s been one of those weeks in a few ways. One of those weeks where things that you thought you’d dealt with resurface. When emotions take over and you’re left feeling rather drained by it all.

It sounds dramatic I know. Just my stuff and I’m doing my best to work through it. There’s been a lot going on recently and I think it’s all catching up with me. As it does when you don’t give yourself time to recover.

I got to the yard and for the second day running Buddy was mucked out for me. So kind. Even though it was raining, we headed out for a ride with his field mate and his rider. His rider is a teenager, so there’s a bit of an age gap. But we chatted, giggled and braved the wind and rain.

Then when we got back, we trot raced our wheelbarrows down the road to poo pick. Needless to say, we were slower on the way back with barrows full of poo. We were still giggling. It’s one of the things I love about the horse world. Age isn’t a barrier. It’s the common love of horses that transcend everything.

Horse therapy was just what I needed today – without even realising it. Horses really do fill my soul in a way nothing else does. I’m definitely feeling more balanced again.

Buddy was king of the hill today. OK, so you might need to zoom in to see him. But he’s up there munching away in his new shoes with his new haircut (it’s been an expensive week).

I was quite impressed with my arty composition. Even more impressive is that I spotted him while driving past, reversed back down the road, jumped out to take the picture without being able to see the screen.

I love winter days when it’s frosty and sunny. They’re my favourite kind of winter days. Today was glorious. But very mild. When I was up on that hill yesterday, I noticed the brambles were in blossom. Has anyone told Mother Nature it’s December…!

Blimey it was a wild night. Not like that smutty. I’m talking about the weather. The wind was howling! I’m sure my little house was rocking.

I am so, so , SO grateful that I got my roof sorted out this Summer. It’s amazing how secure it makes me feel, knowing my roof is now secure and watertight.

It was definitely the calm after the storm when Bert and I headed out for our walk. It was blissfully still after hours of swirling winds. It was lovely to see the return of sunshine and blue skies.

Buddy has obviously heard he’s having a bit of a ‘pamper week’ and decided to start early with a face and neck mud pack. He excelled himself, he really did! He even managed to get mud in his ears!

I normally wouldn’t mind and do my best to get the worse off before riding. But he’s being clipped tomorrow. So that meant he got brushed within an inch of his life and is now sporting a turnout rug with a neck in a valiant attempt to keep him clean for his haircut.

He’s got his pedicure on Wednesday, so will have to hope his legs stay free of mud. Wish me luck there!

As the sun had made a welcome return today, I thought I’d put up the solar security lights I bought a few weeks ago. It’s been a bit damp to do it. And I’ve been a bit busy.

The box said it was really easy and would take 10 mins to install. It didn’t factor that I am not so handy.

Let’s just say it took a lot longer than 10 mins to put it up. I might have used the wrong drill bit. I might have lost a raw plug. I might have broken my screwdriver (and fixed it). I might have dropped it twice as I was trying to attach it. I might have got frustrated and burst into tears at the fact something so simple was making me so irritated. I might have given up after the first one and left the other one for another day.

But I did it. I know it’s not straight. It might not be the brightest. Hopefully it will be better when it has a chance to fully charge.

I might not be very handy. But I did (half) tick something off my list.