Special lady

This afternoon I had the honour of riding a very special horse. One I’ve known for a number of years but have never ridden before. So when I was offered the chance, I wasn’t passing it up.

That and it meant I got to catch up with a good friend too. It’s wonderful that people trust me with their horses. Carla and I chatted the whole way round. It was lovely to ride somewhere else too. We clearly need to catch up more regularly as we talked for another 4 hours!!

Missy was a total poppet. I understand why Martine adored her. And how special she really is. It’s clear that Carla has the same love for her. So made it even more special to be able to take her out.

D-Day

Today is the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. In 2012, I got the chance to visit Normandy Beach and see the landing sites for myself.

The craters are still there. The reminders everywhere. The landscape permanently scarred. As were those ‘lucky’ enough to come home. The horrors they experience we fear to imagine. Sacrifices made we barely comprehend.

This was no Hollywood action movie. War knows no compassion. Violence is indiscriminate. The First World War was meant to be the ‘war that ended all wars’. We’re not doing so well there, are we? Sadly wars still rage around the world.

One day, I pray we learn the lesson.

Sitting in quiet contemplation at the graveyard, I’ve never felt so humble or close to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

We will never forget.

Chainsaw massacre

I got to use my birthday present from my Dad for the first time. I love that when I say I want a chainsaw for my birthday, he goes along with it. I know where I get my sense of adventure from. Some people in my life live in fear of me using power tool. For good reason – it’s not always been a success.

It’s so cool. Makes short work of the branches that are too big for the secateurs. Saved so much time.

I’m getting new neighbours soon. The son and daughter-in-law of a couple who live down the close. Thought I better make an effort to tidy this border as it overlooks their driveway. Might have got a bit carried away. Thankfully full brown bin stopped play.

Well kinda. I thought I’d see how my little chainsaw coped with the large conifers along my driveway. Let’s just say it was a success. But I will need to make a trip to the tip soon.

The only problem I’ve found with it (well apart from it being a bit too efficient) is that it’s designed for right handed people. So ‘cack-handed Annie’ as my Mother used to call me had to work that one out!

Oh and for everyone worrying, I was VERY careful!

Sleepy heads

This is what the kittens think of things. They have clearly decided to sleep through it. Can’t blame them. I wish I could. I felt rather tired when I work up this morning. Guess a day trip to Birmingham will do that to you.

Still I had a super productive admin day. Finally ticked a few things off the list that have been hanging around for a while. Very satisfying.

Less satisfying was the fact that having been dry all day, the heavens opened as I headed to the yard. Good job I’m not a fair-weather equestrian!! Picked the wrong country for that.

One good thing about the rain is that it makes weeding easier. Cleared a big patch of weeds on my driveway when I got back. Trouble is this wet / warm weather is perfect growing weather. Let’s hope they don’t come back too soon. I’ve still got a lot of weeds to tackle!!and more undergrowth to cull.

Moving feast

I had a bit of a food fail today. I had to do a day trip to Birmingham to do a site visit for a conference I’m working on. I wasn’t hungry on my way there, so didn’t bother stopping. On the way back, I thought I’d treat myself to an M&S Best Prawn Sandwich. It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure.

Played Russian roulette with my fuel gauge but made it to the BP in Kettering. Once the Comedy Car was refuelled, I headed into the M&S food bit to refuel me. Not a single sandwich, wrap or roll to be seen!!

Apparently the delivery lorry broke down. By this point it was 4:30pm and I was really hungry. So had to make do with a finger buffet instead. Slightly eclectic mix, but it was slim pickings. And what I had was so good (even if it was meant to be heated).

More ears

Today has been a lovely horsey day. Made even more lovely by the fact the sun shone!

I started the day judging the show jumping for John Lake Riding Club. It was lovely to see so many competitors having fun in the sun. They start at x-poles. So lots of classes to judge.

We know I love the commentary bit, but I’ve found I love the judging bit too. So I’ve applied to do the BS Judge Training. As much as I love jumping. And can’t see myself stopping anytime soon. There will come a day when I can’t or don’t want to. So paying it forward if that makes sense. Horses are my thing. I want to still be involved if I can.

Once back home, I was lucky to ride two horses. Took Buddy out for his 15 mins of walk. Then took Ernie out for a longer ride. At this point, I could make a joke about the fastest milkman. But I really would be showing my age…

Beachy

Carleton RC are holding a beach camp up at Wells this weekend. As I was in Dereham having my hair cut, I thought I’d pop up and say hi. Well I was kinda halfway there.

It was lovely to catch up with people. I got fed (which is always a bonus). Then helped set a course of jumps for them.

It’s a beautiful setting for a camp. North Norfolk really is stunning. Not the best photo as you can’t actually see the beach. But it is there. They’ve been heading out for beach rides. Sounds like they’ve been having lots of fun!

It’s rather different to the camps I usually go to. Maybe next year I’ll take Buddy for a splashing time.

Blue

I headed over to catch up with Natalie this afternoon. She’d kindly offered me the chance to ride one of her horses. I met Blue. He’s 17HH so bigger than Buddy. Just as cheeky though. He definitely made me smile.

I’m grateful that people have offered me their horses to ride while Buddy is off games. It’s very flattering that they consider me good enough.

But riding other horses reminds me that I am a good rider. Sure I’m no professional. I class myself as an enthusiastic amateur (with the emphasis on enthusiastic).

The same could be said of Blue as he jogged along. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride! I definitely wasn’t blue by the end. Though my foot might be after he stood on it. Guess you can’t win them all.

Best present

Well I’ve made it to the ripe old age of 54! Happy birthday me! And I got an extra special present today. I got back on Budy for the first time in a month. Oh I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed these ears. He’s still got a long way to go with his rehab. But the first constitutional under saddle is a milestone.

My birthday is usually a big deal in my world. This year it kinda snuck up on me. I hadn’t planned anything. And this morning when I woke up, I really wasn’t feeling it. After all, it’s only another trip round the sun. Things with Buddy, my parents and life in general has all overshadowed it this year.

Thankfully people in my life decided that it should be marked. I’m overwhelmed with the number of messages I’ve had.

I’ve had some incredibly wonderful and thoughtful presents too. Tonight I was taken out for dinner. And have had cake. Lots of cake.

Next year will be a big one for me. I didn’t get to celebrate my 50th the way I’d planned because of Covid. So I’ve decided to celebrate my 55th in style!

Groom

Headed to the Suffolk Show bright and early today with Vic and Ernie. Well maybe not bright but definitely early. We were just about to leave when I realised I was wearing jeans. Not appropriate groom’s wear. See, not so bright. Not sure where my head was this morning. Too busy trying making sure I remembered my hat. Grateful I live so close to the yard as I was able to whizz home to pick up some more appropriate trousers.

A broken down bus meant a detour round the country lanes. We met a Good Samaritan who came to our rescue and told us to follow her. Which we duly did. Poor Ernie was bouncing around in the trailer down some rather narrow tracks.

Still we arrived in good time. Just as the heaven’s opened. Luckily it was a passing shower. Before we knew it, it was show time! It was all going on! It was rammed by the ring. Not seen that many people at the show for many a year. There was a motorbike display going on in the main ring. That was really loud. The ring was buzzing with music, people, children, dogs and a tannoy going on. Quite the challenge.

Still Vic and Ernie held it together and came away with second place. Very proud of my charges today.

Once we got back, I took Buddy for his constitutional. Before walking home. Cause I hadn’t walked enough today. My step count will be high today! Think we will all sleep well tonight.