Quiche

I jokingly asked if I could have a doggy bag when I left camp yesterday. They said yes! So I was dispatched with four pieces of quiche for the road.

Arrived home with three. I have to admit that there are easier things to eat while driving. I had two for my dinner tonight. One more piece for lunch tomorrow. I do love quiche. Especially homemade ones. This was mushroom and peppers. Yum!

It always reminds me of my childhood. My Mum is a big fan. My Dad not so much. He used to joke that men didn’t eat quiche. Well this one was made by an Army one at that!

Not right

I’m back home after a wonderful camp. It wasn’t my best camp, but not my worst either. The weather was a bit of a challenge. Talk about sunshine and showers! And blooming cold!

Sadly Buddy isn’t right. Not sure what the issue is, so going to go through the MOT checklist for him. I’ll get to the bottom of it. Or top depending on where the issue is.

Still I got to watch most of the lessons. And we were able to take part but in walk only. Learnt so much though – even in walk. It’s not something I’ve spent much time working on before. I guess I’ve sort of assumed that a horse can walk. Some of the exercises really made my focus on my position and isolating my seat.

Today I learnt how to halt by clenching my bum. Buddy halted square EVERY TIME! Something I’ve really, really struggled with over the past 7 years with him. I swear it’s witchcraft.

Although this camp wasn’t the success I’d hoped for, it was still wonderful being away. It’s always a joy spending time with likeminded people. And of course my Buddy Boy.

Next camp is booked for June. So I need to get Buddy sound and my lorry water tight. It’s good to have a deadline. Wish me luck!

Porker

One of the glorious things about camp is that I get fed three times a day! This isn’t common place in my world. I know people find it weird that I can forget to eat. But I honestly do!

Seems I make up for it at camp when I practically inhale food! Same can be said for Buddy. He’s loving stuffing his face with haylage.

Good job we’re burning a few calories too. Thought today I shivered a lot off! I was very cold last night. I’ve got an extra duvet for tonight. Today the temperature dropped while I was watching lessons. I had to break out the woolly hat!!

Good job I packed for every eventuality. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. And all that!

Cold feet

Oh boy did I need this after an afternoon at Carrow Road. It was a tad fresh! I couldn’t feel my feet, thighs or face! Sadly the match was a bit dull, so that didn’t keep me warm either. I ws back to hat, gloves and the big coat.

I do love a hot chocolate. It’s like a meal in a mug. The downside? I wasn’t hungry when I got home. Even after a hot shower, my feet haven’t warmed up.

Guess I’ll be packing extra layers for camp next week. It could be cold overnight. I am not a fan of cold feet, that’s for sure.

Lino

Check out my posh new floor! The Buddymobile has gone up very market. It’s amazing the difference it’s made and it’s just a bit of new lino!

Of course, now I want to take the carpet off the walls and replace that with lino too. Baby steps Pip.

I’ve got enough leftover to do the two other lockers when needed. Very grateful to have a friend help me get the Buddymobile camp ready. It’s coming together nicely.

A new floor needs an upgraded floor mat, so that’s next on the list. Well the one I’ve got is starting to fall apart but then it’s almost as old as the lorry! I definitely like getting my money’s worth.

Keep learning

Just cause we didn’t get to be demo riders today, didn’t mean that I missed out on the learning. Headed over to Forest Edge to watch everyone in action.

It was a really interesting and insightful day. Came away with lots of tips, exercises and things to play with when Buddy is back in action.

It was lovely to catch up with everyone too. It’s been a long winter. Not long till our first camp. More healing vibes for Buddy please people.

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.

Cuppage

Cuppage was the word of the day. Bear with, I’ll explain. Two brilliant lessons today. And we stayed dry for the most part.

Flatwork this morning. Working on encouraging Buddy to go rounder. Lots of leg yielding and straightness.

This afternoon, it was jumping. Building on what we’d done in our first lesson.

Really like Emily’s style of teaching. She explained things in a way I could get. Learnt a lot in a short space of time.

Back to cuppage. Emily put a number of jump cups and blocks around the arena to help us to get the right line in and out. When one of us missed it, cuppage was shouted across the arena. Made us all giggle.

We finished off the day with a swim, more food and lots more giggles. There was even more cuppage in the pool. But what happens at camp, stays at camp…

Railway children

We’ve arrived at The Grange for a 3 day training camp. Buddy has a huge stable, a huger bed and if possible, an even huger haynet. Right now he’s loving life.

He might not feel the same when he realises he’s got two lessons tomorrow. Eased him in gently with a leg stretch down a disused railway line.

There wasn’t a soul in sight. About a hundred partridges though.

After a huge Chinese (me, not Buddy), I’m snuggled up in the lorry. Listening to the rain. Storm whatever your name is, please breeze on by. Though I have brought lots of clothes. Just in case.

Camp not camper

Headed over to Forest Edge today to catch up with the last BHS campers of 2023. I’ve done three of the four camps but decided to sit this one out.

It was lovely to catch up with everyone. And very different being at camp without a horse. Today is an exciting day as the dates for next year’s camps were released. They’re already in my diary. Along with an alarm on the day the bookings open.

Camps are my happy place. Closet I get to a holiday. Time away with like-minded people, learning lots and bonding with Buddy. And I get fed. A lot. There’s really no downside.