Setting sun

Today I’ve rested, I’ve cried and I’ve spent as much time as I can outdoors. Today was about me. The past week and yet more parental angst finally caught up with me.

I woke up feeling quite discombobulated. I’ve had one night at home in October. Funny how it goes like that. Things that were all planned out perfectly, ended up crashing into each other. Guess that’s life huh?!

After two long dog walks and an even longer hack, I sat in the conservatory with the dogs and watched the sun set on another day. Thinking about all the good in my life. And believe me there’s a lot!!

That’s the thing about life, you get a do over. Tomorrow is another day. It’s my last night in Beighton, so watching Strictly and getting lots of puppy cuddles.

Downpour

I got caught in the rain. Out and in! On my way back from the Chiro’s, I popped back home to fill the kittens’ feeders. Decided to put a load on thinking that I would hang it up on my way back from the yard.

Headed up the road to let the dogs out (bet you’re singing it now) in beautiful sunshine. Fast forward a few hours and I thought I’d head to the yard. In typical fashion, the heavens opened. I’d decided to get changed at mine. Halfway home, I realised I’d forgotten my muck boots. So back to Beighton I headed.

By the time I arrived home, it was a monsoon! The rain was so loud on the conservatory roof, I could barely stand it. So I decided to wait it out. Hugo came in and joined me in the drowned rat stakes.

When it showed no signs of stopping I headed to the yard. Well I wasn’t getting any drier!!

Finally headed back to see the dogs. They were much less enthusiastic about going out in the rain I can tell you.

Accident prone

I can always tell when I’m tired. I get even more accident prone. Even by my standards, I’ve excelled myself.

Today I’ve sprayed myself in the face with olive oil, tripped over the dogs on numerous occasions, nearly face planted after getting caught in a bramble, hit myself in the face with a cupboard door, hit my head on the stairs and parted company with Buddy. To name but a few.

I will be admitting defeat and heading to bed. The way my day’s going, I’ll probably fall out!

It must run in the family as my Dad was discharged from hospital today after taking a tumble on Saturday. Thankfully nothing broken. Of course it meant that Mum needed to be admitted too. She’s staying a bit longer so they can assess her further. It’s been a lot and many phone calls have been made. Again.

Colditz

Tonight was the first time I had to muck out in the dark. The yard owners have provided us with these amazing lights if we need a bit of extra light. Extra light?! Buddy’s stable was lit up like Colditz.

The only downside – you’ve heard of the phrase ‘moths to a flame’, well tonight it was ‘midges round a light’. Jeez they were everywhere!

Does anyone know what purpose midges serve?! Other than to make your skin crawl. I guess it’s an incentive to muck out faster.

Short sleeves

After rushing around so much, it was lovely to be back in the saddle today. An added bonus was being in short sleeves still. It’s October right?!

I needed to go and get the screen on my phone fixed. I’d dropped it one too many times and the screen was seriously broken. It’s had a mind of its own. Randomly calling people, opening apps and trying to delete things. So it needed to be done.

I had an hour to kill while I waited. Of course, that was a challenge without my phone. Didn’t really appreciate how much I use my phone to tell the time. I keep saying I need to get the battery changed in my watch. I’ll add that to the list.

It was bizarre walking around in the warm sunshine seeing Halloween and Christmas stuff in the shops. They’ll both be here before we know it.

Wimpy

I had a blast from the past today in Lowestoft. I didn’t know Wimpy was still about?! This one has had a recent refurb too.

This took me back to my childhood. It was the ‘fast food’ chain my Mum preferred. Why? Because they did one burger that came in a brown roll. I’m guessing that was to make it slightly more healthy.

My nearest Wimpy growing up was in Brighton. So going was quite the treat. That was the thing back then. It was a rarity rather than a food group.

Even now I can remember the excitement. It was waitress service too. Like the American diners you saw in movies. As a kid, I felt rather sophisticated. Oh how things have changed.

Wristlet

Back home after an amazing weekend at HOYS. So honoured to be invited to join my friends Simon and Harry on their first HOYS adventure.

HOYS is the premier UK horseshow, so no wristband so for us. Oh now, we had wristlets. And two at that!!

It was surreal watching my friend ride around the International Arena. Somewhere that felt so familiar even though I’d never been before.

Reggie was a delight to look after. He’s such a sweet boy. But no-one tell Buddy that I’ve been with another horse (or two hundred). He’s still my favourite of course. Though there were a few showjumpers I’d have liked to sneak in the lorry.

I’ve walked a marathon in the past 48 hours. Literally! I ache all over, I am beyond shattered and I feel like I could sleep for a year. It was such an incredible experience and one that I will treasure.

HOYS

For many years I’ve been saying that I wanted to go to HOYS. Little did I know that my first trip would be as support crew for a competitor. Talk about making memories!

My goodness, the lorry park is vast. I’ve walked 8.5 miles so far. And may have bought myself some more riding tights. Got to meet the owner of the company too. I now have 8 pairs of her riding tights. She even recognised my name from the orders. Whoops!

Now snuggled up in the lorry ready for a 4am alarm. Oh how love the smell of show shine in the morning.

Uni-corn

Today is a bit of an exciting day. It’s the day the maize is harvested. As much as I love the maize, it gets so high that it nearly engulfs us when we’re riding by it.

Buddy will be pleased when he sees it’s gone. Of course he’ll be weirded out to start off with.

I didn’t get to show him today. But I drove past it a few times today. I’ve perfected the triangle between home, the yard and my dog sitting duties.

Buddy was very pleased to see Auntie Sam for his massage. He had quite a few tight spots so hopefully he’s feeling looser now. It had been a while since his last appointment.

Hopefully he’ll be nice and refreshed when I get back from my next adventure. More on that tomorrow.

Snoring symphony

This is one of my doggie charges, Flip. She’s snoring in my arms. The other doggie charge, Bailey, is snoring in the corner. I’m being treated to quite the snoring symphony! It always amazes me how much dogs actually sleep.

I’d say they’ve been supportive team mates as I worked this afternoon, but they’ve been sleeping on the job. It’s just like being at home. Except louder.

Funny how an animal snoring is cute whereas a person snoring is murder inducing. Though I have been told I have a cute snore, so make of that what you will.