Ooh la la

So my life cleanse continued with more items listed today. Not totally sure why Vinted has decided to send me an update email in French though. I mean, I know it’s a fancy jacket and all. But pretty sure I didn’t change one of my settings. Who knows?!

It made me laugh that’s for sure. It’s been a long time since I did French. Thankfully I know what this one says so didn’t need to resort to google translate.

Clearance

One of my aims for 2024 is to declutter my life. It’s a bold aim I grant you. I’ve made a start at least. I’ve sold some stuff, listed some more and set a goal to clear something each week.

Let’s face it, donating my wedding dress took me 10 years. It seems I’ve held onto a lot of stuff I rarely use – ‘just in case’. So it’s time to let it go.

Windswept

Well the wind has picked up today. Typical after the freezing temperatures have warmed up. Still it didn’t stop us heading out for a wind-assisted hack. It felt great to be able to get off the yard. Even if our words were blown away. A lot.

I really need to sort Buddy’s mane out. He was so windswept by the time we got back. He does seem to be able to rock the Mohawk though.

Infrared

Today Buddy was infrared scanned. Nothing to worry about, just a precaution and out of curiosity.

I had to plait his mane out of the way. I gave him a little top knot for his forelock. He was so funny as when I tried to take it out, he was having none of it. He obviously wants to be a fashion icon of the yard. Got it out eventually.

The sweetest thing was Big Buddy finally got to meet Little Buddy. Little Buddy is a Shetland pony who belongs to my friend. There was a definite bromance started today.

It was the most adorable thing. I’ve not heard my Buddy ‘chat’ to another horse like that. They were grooming each other. It made my heart burst seeing them together.

If Buddy ever needs a Buddy, I think he’s just found one. In Shetland form.

Bus pass

I had quite the adventure today. With the freezing temperatures overnight, I was worried the lorry wouldn’t start. And if I did get it started, I wouldn’t be able to park it safely in the city. Thankfully Victoria came to my rescue and gave me a lift in to work.

Of course, that left the conundrum of how to get home. Decided to bus it back. My god, what a faff!

First I had to find the bus stop (easier said than done). Then I nearly missed it as it stopped at a different stop. Luckily someone spotted it, so we all trotted up the road to get it. Finally we ended up going round the houses, including a 3-point turn due to a closed road.

All in all it took an hour and 15 mins to do a journey that takes a max of 20 mins in the car. Still it only cost me £2 (and a little bit more body fat keeping warm while I waited in the freezing temperatures).

Got back to some good news! The Comedy Car was fixed. And the bill wasn’t as much as expected. Good job too as I had to ask one of my neighbours if I could jumpstart the Buddymobile off his car. Seems my worries were well founded after all.

Jammed

So my joyous 2024 continues. Driving back last night from my Riding Club Committee meeting, the Comedy Car started feeling odd and drinking petrol. And I mean drinking!!

Took it to the garage this morning and one of the brakes was jammed on. Just very grateful that it didn’t do that when I was coming back from my parents.

It needs new brake pads, discs and at least one calliper, maybe two. So another car bill coming my way. Plus I’ve got the car tax for the lorry to pay this month.

Thank goodness I have the Buddymobile though. At least I’m kinda mobile. Well once I got it started. Had to jump start it off a friend’s car (normally I’d use the Comedy Car….).

We had a fluttering of snow here today. I inadvertently wheel spun the Buddymobile trying to get off the close earlier. That was fun!

I’m working at the chiro’s tomorrow so wish me luck finding a space for it in Norwich. You have to laugh. Honest you do.

Pedi time

Oh how I’ve missed this little face. Well not so little really. But I’ve missed him. Think he was more interested in whether I had brought food for him.

It was pedicure time for Buddy today. He was very happy to have snacks too as we’ve found a haynet stops him from getting bored.

He looks so handsome. He was actually eyeing up a huge bale of hay. I thought to start off with that he was watching the yard dogs sitting on it. But no, he was all about the food! He kept staring at it even after the dogs had gone.

St Veronica

Dad spotted this cottage opposite the hospital that Mum’s in. Spooky as my Mum’s name is Veronica. I have to admit, I didn’t know there was a St Veronica. So did a bit of research. She offered her veil to Jesus so he could wipe his face on the way to the cross. And is the Patron saint of laundry workers.

Mum was a bit of a mixed bag today. Part Saint. Part very much not. Still she was calmer by the time I left to drive back to Norfolk.

I have a feeling I’m going to be putting a lot more miles on the Comedy Car. Good job I enjoy driving (though the M25 does test that sometimes).

Mac

As we drove over to the hospital today, I spotted one of my own hacking spots – Chailey Common. It brought back many happy memories of my first horse, Grandby Macawber. He was my 15’2 X-Cob, who had the body of a cob and the brain of a TB! He had a few issues – rearing, spinning, mouth like granite, legs like treetrunks, no brakes, steering was a bit suspect too, but I loved him. He taught me a lot, mostly how to sit a rear, brace a spin and bounce! He also gave me the XC bug as he was brave as a lion!

We used to gallop round the common. Huge smile on my face. Sometimes scattering a walker or two (see previous comments about brakes and steering).