Solar powered

Day 157: solar powered. When the phone rang early this morning, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully it was a friend asking us out for a puppy play date. We took the dogs over a local dog park. Bert had a blast. We had coffee and a good catch up.

I am clearly solar powered! Bit of sun and I’m back to boundless energy. So when I got back, the horse hoover was deployed and cleaned out my lorry. I’d brought it home yesterday after Newmarket.

Then Bert had Puppy College. He was a little tired from his morning exertions. No bad thing for Storm Bert. He was definitely ready for his afternoon nap. So I left him home while I went to the yard to muck out and popped Buddy over a couple of jumps.

What a lovely day!

Back again

After a very long time, today saw our return to Blickling. Honestly, it’s been months since we were last there. It was also Bert’s first visit! It was so good to catch up with Katie and Archie too. We talked the whole way round.

It was glorious weather too. This photo made me laugh, it looks like Archie and Buddy have had words.

Having ridden for nearly 1.5 hours, I took Bert for a run around. We had our first recall fail when Bert decided that another spaniel was far more fun than Mummy. Thankfully, said spaniel was very happy to play and the owners were incredibly understanding. They said they remembered those moments well.

There were lots of positives though. Bert waited in the lorry while I rode. He ignored several other dogs. And he did come back after he’d played. He clearly has the same love of Blickling that I have…

The upgrade

Today’s been a busy one with a flying trip to my Dad’s. My Dad bought himself a new car (well it was his birthday). That means I get his old one! So I went down to pick up ‘The Upgrade’.

I got the train down. It’s the first time I’ve been to London in a long time. But it was plain sailing all the way. I had a few flashbacks to my commuter days. Especially when we stopped at London Bridge.

I’d gone back and forth over whether to take Bert with me or leave him with someone. I think he would have been OK with the trains, but I wasn’t sure. Thankfully two friends came to the rescue and looked after him between them. Sounds like he had a lovely day. You can see how tired he is.

Driving my new car meant I had a rather lovely day too. It made a huge difference on the M25 I can tell you. Let’s face it, the Comedy Car doesn’t go that fast, so made a refreshing change to put my foot down and get a reaction. Going to have to watch I don’t get too carried away. I’d rather not do another speed awareness course…

Snout

Bert had a proper treat today. A pig snout! He was so funny with it. He didn’t know what to make of it to start off. He played with it. He barked at it. He threw it about. Eventually he chewed it.

Once he’d gotten the hang of it, he made quick work of it!

I had to go and get him some more food. And a few bags of body parts. I made the man in the shop laugh when I said I was going to browse the body parts section. He said he was going to refer to it as that from now on. I do love a rebrand…

Babysitter

I got to have cuddles with this little cherub today. He’s 14 weeks old and scrumptious. I was babysitting while his Mum was being adjusted. A lovely little perk to peopling on a Monday.

Babies have a certain smell. My Mum loved babies. She always used to comment on their smell. I get what she meant.

I’ve had people assume that I don’t like children because I didn’t have them. It’s not true. I like other people’s. Just never wanted them myself. I’m much happier having animals instead.

Bert came with me today as I was doing a longer day. He was very content sleeping in the sunshine. We went for a little walk at lunchtime. The crocuses were in full bloom in the nearby churchyard. So pretty. I love crosses. They’re such happy flowers.

Lustre

Oh my goodness, what a difference a bit of sunshine makes! It’s been a beautiful day. So I wanted to enjoy it as much as I could.

First I took Bert out for his Sunday long walk. He loves having a run around the fields. His recall is getting so good now. There were lots of runners around today. So perfect opportunity to work on keeping him focussed on me. And not jumping at them.

Then it was Buddy’s turn for his Sunday long walk. He loves having a run around the fields too. My Oversized Labrador and my Baby Sprocker are quite similar in that respect.

Buddy and I were out for nearly 1.5 hours. Bert can’t do that much yet, won’t be long before he can! I may need more hours in the day. Thank goodness the days are drawing out. And I love being outdoors.

Between sizes

Bert had a harness fitting after Puppy College today. He’s outgrown his first one. Hardly a surprise as he got it in December. He’s now 21 weeks old. Still growing like a sprout! He’s gone very long, so his original one was starting to rub behind his shoulders. His tail is almost as long as he is! Sure he’ll grow into it (and his paws).

The harness comes in 3 pieces so it can be tailored to each dog. After a bit of mix and match, we realised he’s between sizes. Bit like his Mother then! So I decided to go for the bigger options knowing he will grow into it.

New harness, means new colour. Doesn’t he look smart in green. He’s definitely a smart boy too. He’s loving Puppy College.

Pow wow

All seems right in the world when I’m behind these ears. That’s for sure. It also helps to have great company, interesting conversations and sunshine!!

It’s been a bit of an odd week all told. Not my best. But far from my worst. I saw a display of Mother’s Day cards in the shop. It suddenly hit me that I will never have to buy another Mother’s Day card. Such an odd feeling…

Grief really is a strange process. So unpacking things slowly and kindly. The sunshine definitely helps…

Timing

They say trust the timing of your life. Well I’m having trust issues with mine today.

This morning, I went to sit on the sofa arm. Totally mistimed it and ended up on falling backwards onto the floor. Landed on my hand and jarred myself. Bert was most concerned.

Then we went out for our walk. Mistimed it so ended up getting caught in a shower. Was resigning myself to yet another soaking, when I remembered there is one of those emergency hoods on my coat.

Except it was too big for my head as it’s designed to go over a riding hat. So kept blowing off. Have you ever tried to pick up dog poo while holding a lead, stopping your hood blowing down and trying not to slide over in the mud. Thankfully I ended up laughing at my situation. And didn’t faceplant.

Then I headed to the yard, just as the heaven’s opened again. So got my timing wrong there.

Finally I forgot to put the timer on for my dinner so managed to burnt it.

Let’s hope my timing is better tomorrow…

Common sense

I have suspected for a while now that common sense is a rarity in this wonderful world we live in. But this made me laugh. Also make you wonder how many people ignored the cooking instructions on the back. The first one is remove lid.

I’m very partial to a Fray Bentos pie. Might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s one of my guilty pleasures. There’s something about a pie in a tin that does it for me. Make of that what you will.

For me, it’s proper comfort food. And on a rather wet day, it was much needed. I also needed something to warm me up after getting a tad soggy.

Thankfully it stayed dry for our pony play date this morning. Bert gained more gold stars for his ‘Lorry Dog in training’ chart. I’d parked the Buddymobile facing the arena. Bert was like a little meerkat popping his head up when I rode past. So cute!

In fact, he was so happy in the lorry that when we got back, he didn’t want to leave. Or it might have been he didn’t want to get wet in the rain…