Sloppy

I think I might have put too much water in Buddy’s breakfast. It was a bit sloppy. Needless to say I declined post-breakfast kisses.

We all had a very good night. And a very good day today. Apart from a few whimpers when he first went in his crate, Bert slept through. Buddy had a good sleep too judging from the amount of shavings in his tail.

Today we had two lessons – flat & jumping. I’d bought a ‘Soft Tissue Release and Trigger Point Work, with optional kinesiology taping’ session. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was great. She assessed my position in the saddle. Took lots of videos. Spoke to the instructor. Then released my tight areas. I’ve got tape on my shoulders to help put me in a better position. Be interesting to see how it all affects my riding tomorrow.

Given that this time last year, Buddy was clearly not right and off games, there are so many positives to take from today. And there’s still two more days!

Frostbite

My goodness the wind has some bite to it today. I couldn’t feel my face by the time we’d finished our walk. Bert was on top form! He was having a blast chasing the leaves as they swirled about.

He really does make me laugh. He been in full Spaniel-mode the past few days on our walks. It’s wonderful to see his exuberance.

He got a few more admirers today. We had two trips to the same venue. First for breakfast, then back again later for coffee. He was introduced to sausages. Let’s just say he’s a big fan! Well there has to be perks to going out. Thankfully, Spaniel-mode is switched off when we’re out. Well for the most part…

Human beings

Today was one of those days where I felt torn between doing and being. So I did a mix of both.

I sat on the patio in the glorious sunshine. Having breakfast, journaling and topping up my Vitamin D. It felt so good to just be. To fill my lungs with air and empty my head onto the pages. I even practiced observing my garden, without making a mental note of the things that need to be done. That is very hard for me.

As I was on a writing roll, I drafted the latest newsletter for Carleton Riding Club. An easy bit of doing.

Even easier was taking Buddy out for another long hack. We did the same ride as yesterday – but in reverse. Well you’d think Buddy had never been out before! He was very confused by it all.

As I rode along, I remembered this saying. We are human beings not human doings.

I’ve got a busy period coming up, with lots of doing. So glad I took the change to focus on being. For a change.

Dragonfly

This morning when I was having breakfast on the patio, the most wonderful thing happened. A dragonfly landed on my knee. It gave me goosebumps.

I’ve seen lots of dragonflies in my garden, out riding or at the yard, but it’s the first time one has actually landed on me!

It felt like a very special moment. I wondered if there was a spiritual meaning. So I looked it up. There were lots of different meaning. All along similar themes. Essentially it’s very lucky to have one land on you. They signify change. And being connected to nature (that’s probably obvious as I was outside).

I must admit, I really did feel very lucky indeed. I sat frozen, barely breathing for fear of scaring it off. I must have twitched or something as it flew off to one of my roses. But moments later, it flew back and landed on my knee again. Does that make me doubly lucky?!

I find the symbolism of things fascinating. Makes you wonder where they came from. The symbolism with dragonflies seem to come from China and the Far East. But then they have been a round for a very long time…

Improvise

Had to improvise today as the indoor school was being harrowed when I went to lunge Buddy. So I took him out to his field. In the squally wind. That was interesting!

A couple of ‘wind up the tail’ moments. But for the most part he was his usual wonderful self.

I like to lunge him as it gives me a different view of him and his way of going. He’s looking really well at the moment. Good job too with his crack support team!

One of whom I met for breakfast. It was really good to chat without a horse in the way. Though there were rather large sausage baps involved. I’ll let you insert your own jokes there.

Time

I headed over to Clippesby Hall this morning for breakfast with a friend. It’s the first time I’ve been there. And I will definitely be going back! It’s a little gem. Next time I’ll be trying a pizza. The huge pizza oven looked amazing. Though maybe not for breakfast.

They have this wonderful old clock in the restaurant. It chimes on the hour. And great to see the mechanism on display.

Once again, I’ve been reminded how fleeting time can be. Yet another person in my life going through serious health concerns.

The older I get, the more I feel like time is slipping away. I’ve always tried to live my life to the fullest. There have been challenges. There have been triumphs. Life is about highs and lows.

But recently I feel like there might be too many challenges and lows. So today I paid the balance for a training camp in April. Buddy and I are off to one of our happy places.

Time passes, so grab life by the horns and enjoy it.

Breakfast of champs

Back for Day 2 for the Petplan Area Festival at Forest Edge. A very long day today. A mere 11 hours of announcing combinations today.

One of the wonderful things about spending the day at Forest Edge, is the catering. It’s definitely plus point when I head there for camps. I never go hungry. It’s the only time I have a full English every day. Well one does tend to burn a few calories! I wasn’t burning that many calories today, but couldn’t resist a sausage bap to start the day.

I’m a simple creature really. I love anyone who feeds me.

Full English

This is what happens when you get REALLY cold at the yard and REALLY hungry. I really fancied a Full English. So quick trip to the supermarket and voila!

Traditionally this is breakfast or brunch, so what do you call it at 4:30pm?! Too late for lunch, too early for dinner. Whatever you call it, I’m going with delicious.

The great outdoors

I’ve spent most of the day outdoors. And loved it.

Started with breakfast on the patio with the boys. It was a beautiful way to start the day.

Then mowed and scarified the back lawn. It desperately needed it. I may have overdone the scarifying as I have a couple of bald spots. Whoops!

Then finished with a long hack in the afternoon sunshine. We weren’t alone as everyone seemed to have the same idea. Saw lots of cyclists, walkers and tractors out and about.