Impermeable

Merry Christmas me! I was feeling rather smug in my new coat this afternoon. I bought it when we were at the London International Horse Show. In the torrential rain today, I was jolly glad I did!

Not only was I toasty warm, I was dry as a bone. Hurrah! This was the first time I’d really tested it in the rain. It put a smile on my face.

Very different from this morning when I couldn’t stop crying. Everything was tumbling out of my face. It’s been an emotional few months for me. It was bound to catch up with me eventually.

I couldn’t get going either. So I cut myself some slack and sat in the conservatory listening to the rain.

Hopefully the rain (and the tears) will stop soon. If not, at least I’ll be dry.

Strongman

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without World’s Strongest Man. It’s such a tradition. I grew up watching Geoff Capes, Bill Kazmaier, Jon-Páll Sigmarsson and Magnús Ver Magnússon. Legends of the sport. And yes, it’s a sport.

Then we moved on to Mariusz Pudzianowski, Zydrunas Savickas and Brian Shaw. Giants indeed.

Now it’s the turn of Tom Stoltman and a new crop of athletes. The loads they carry are insane. The feats they perform, jaw-dropping. Tonight they were throwing a kettle bell that weighed more than me over a 15 foot bar!!

Puts my annual Christmas tree carry challenge to shame…

Welcomed

Back home after a lovely Christmas in Suffolk. Simon and Harry always make me feel so welcomed. It really is my home away from home. And they’re family for sure!

I was welcomed home by my family. The kittens haven’t left me since I got back. Maybe they missed me. Or maybe it was cause I came home with cat food.

Buddy was pleased to see me too. Maybe he missed me. Or maybe it was cause I came home with haylage.

You draw your own conclusions…

Baby Jesus

I got to spend a lot of time having cuddles with this rather cute baby today. Well Christmas is about baby Jesus. So kinda fitting.

Who am I kidding?! Christmas is about eating lots, presents and spending it with the people you love. I got to spend most of it with 11 dogs. Definitely got my puppy fix.

Merry Christmas one and all! I hope you’ve had a good one. I have a full belly and a full heart. And that’s not just the Christmas spirit talking.

Festivities

And so it begins. The now traditional ‘eat my body weight in finger food’ has started in earnest.

I appreciate that my body weight isn’t that much in the grand scheme of things, but I do my best. I love finger food. Well I love anyone who feeds me. But that’s another story.

With the big day tomorrow, I hope you all enjoy the festivities. Whatever it means to you. Whatever your traditions are.

Christmas isn’t my favourite time of the year for so many reasons. But again, I do my best. So let’s raise a glass to doing your best!

Absent friends

It was our yard Xmas dinner tonight. We headed to the village pub for a lovely meal. There was a special person missing. It’s the first Xmas meal without Martine. So we raised a glass to her and toasted her honour.

I really liked the festive centrepieces. We lit the candle and I said a prayer – peace on earth and joy to all. May your table be full, your heart be fuller and your belly even fuller still.

Carnage

And so it begins. They’re helping honest. My efforts to wrap Christmas presents have been seriously hampered by chaos and carnage as the kittens will now be known.

They’re having way too much fun playing with the paper, cardboard and boxes. I can’t stop laughing at them. They’re so cute. They really are.

I apologise now for my rather bad wrapping.

Wise woman

I met up with one of my wise women for coffee and a chat. I say chat, I did most of the chatting. There’s been a lot going on. Again. I feel like every time we meet up, I emotionally vomit on her. Thankfully she’s happy to listen.

On our way out, we passed this Christmas display. How cool is it?! No pun intended.

I think it might be time to risk the annual hernia and bring the tree in from the garage…

Baubles

I’m going to be honest, I really haven’t been feeling the slightest bit festive. There’s so much going on right now that it just hasn’t made it to the top of the list. I haven’t bought a single present yet, my tree is still in the garage and I haven’t broken out Buddy’s elf hat.

So when I spotted some baubles left over from our yard Le Trec session, I thought I’d try and ignite my festive feelings.

Pretty sure Buddy is plotting my demise….

Au revoir

Buddy and I are back home after a fab Christmas away. It was an amazing few days. Spent with loving people, six dogs, seven horses and two cats. What’s not to love?!?!

Always sad to leave. But it’s definitely au revoir. The kittens were very happy to have me home, I can tell you. I’ve swapped puppy kisses for kitten purrs.