Fully charged

Early start for me as I had to take a horse to the vets (not Buddy). The Buddymobile wouldn’t start again. Even though I moved it yesterday for easy loading. And left it running for a while.

Wasn’t sure if I needed a new battery. If something is draining it. Or the cold affecting it.

Jump started it from the Comedy Car. That made me laugh. My big lorry being jumped from a tiny car. Still it got it going.

After dropping the patient off, I headed to the mechanics. He tested the battery and said it’s all good. So not sure what the issue is. He did say the cold weather does really affect things. I know the feeling!

So going to see if I can get an immobiliser fitted to see if that helps my battery life.

For now, I’ve had to change the direction I park the lorry so that I can jump it again if needed.

Pony pats

I’m not sure where today has gone if I’m honest. It’s been a blur! I kind of love a day like that. One where you get to catch up with friends, work and ticking things off my ever growing to-do lists.

Buddy was super cuddly today. He spent a long time grooming me as I groomed him. He’s such an affectionate little boy.

Feed me

This is either the face of a cat who’s missed me while I was at work. Or the face of a cat who wants to be fed. You decide?!

Whichever it was, Dodo was very attentive when I got back and fired up the laptop to do some client work.

He really has grown into a rather handsome chap.

Frozen

I know I sound like a broken record, but my goodness it was cold today. I had to scrape ice off the inside of my car last night when I left the party. That was interesting sitting in the car park waiting till I could see enough to safely drive.

Today I headed back to WHW Snetterton to watch day 2 of lessons. The fields were frozen but the ponies were very happy munching on the hay.

It was lovely catching up with everyone. It was the same jump floor plan as Buddy and I did yesterday. It was really interesting to see how it rode from the ground.

The downside to being on the ground is that I got very cold (even with multiple layer).

It may have taken a while for my feet to thaw out but it was fun watching everyone.

Low maintenance

Took Buddy to World Horse Welfare for a jumping lesson with Simon Grieve this afternoon. He had us doing some technical lines and fun exercises. Buddy was brilliant. Me, not so much as got a bit tIght and started overthinking rather than letting it flow.

Then a speedy turnaround to get out for a black tie birthday bash. Left the yard at 6:25pm, arrived at the do at 7:15pm. Pretty impressive as that included a shower, feeding the cats and a 20 mins drive to the venues. There are many advantages to being low maintenance.

The sky looked like it was on fire as I left Snetterton.

London Bridge speed

Read this really interesting article today at work. I knew all the rushing around would help somehow. I easily do 10 minutes of speedy walking a day.

Reminded me of when I first started commuting to London. London Bridge speed was definitely something I had to build up to. I was soon powering my way across the bridge to work. Used to feel sorry for the tourists and newbies who were somewhat tramped in the crowds. It was definitely keep up or get out of the way.

I can still leave people for dust when walking. Could be the speed or the rather long stride I have. Whatever it is, it’s good to know it’s doing me good.

Fur real

The kittens are not big fans of the freezing temperatures and ice it seems. They are refusing to leave the house other than to go and do their business (grateful for that)!

This morning they were tearing round the house like loons. They were play fighting and fighting over toys. Typical children huh?!

Heard a commotion so came to investigate. Found huge clumps of fur everywhere. Play fighting seemed to have got a bit rough!

Went to get the hoover, well that shifted them outside. They are even less fans of the hoover. They were both glaring at me through the conservatory doors. Such a mean mother…

Taking the piste

I had to break out the winter over trousers today! It was Baltic out there. These bad boys don’t get used much. As you can see from the state of them. They’ve been hung in my boot room for so long, they’ve bleached in the sun.

They’re also way too big for me. So I tend to feel like a small child dressing up while wearing them. I have to buy men’s ones so that they are long enough for me. They kinda look like those 1920 trousers with the wide thighs. The ones you see in 1920s photos.

Still they kept my thighs toasty warm. So who cares if I look like I should be riding an elephant or flying a plane. Being warm is good right now.

Ice ice baby

Well I wasn’t expecting snow and ice this morning. It was a bit hairy getting off the close this morning I can tell you. Well once I’d a) got out of my front door that was frozen shut, b) opened the car doors that were frozen shut and c) defrosted the ice off the inside of the car!!!

The last one isn’t something I expected or really knew how to deal with. Needless to say, I got covered in ice! Good job I had lots of layers on.

Still when I did get to the yard, I had a brilliant flat lesson with Lewis. Buddy worked his little socks off. We were both glowing by the end! So grateful to have an indoor school to ride in on days like this.

Throw the towel in

There are many things I love about working at my Chiro’s. This is one of them. There’s something very satisfying about washing, drying and folding the towels. They smell so fresh and were warm fresh out of the dryer.

Don’t ask me what it is, cause if this was at home, they’re probably sit in the wash basket for days.…