Equal measures

Today is one of my favourite days of the year. It’s the Spring Equinox. It’s a milestone for me every year. A sure sign that we’ve made it through the gloom of Winter and longer, warmer days are on the way.

And it was a scorcher! The Upgrade said 18 degrees. Yes, my new car tells me the temperature. The Comedy Car was devoid of this feature. So now I can actually know, rather than just going with hot or cold.

The Upgrade also has working air conditioning. Now that’s a real luxury. The Comedy Car did have AC, but it didn’t work. Rather pumped out even hotter air! Kinda defeated the object really. I got used to the windswept look from having the window open. I usually arrived slightly battered. But no more…

Buddy had his own AC today. A naked day in the field. After months of rugs, it must feel good to have the sun on his back. I sat with it on my face and boy did it feel good!

Spring is my favourite season. Full of hope and wonder. Days like today make me smile.

Nations Cup

This morning I headed off to my favourite horse show – Royal International, Hickstead. I was coming down on Sunday for the BRC Team of 3 competition. I have friends competing this weekend. So I thought balls to it, I’d come down for the weekend. I could catch up with my parents too.

Today was the Nations Cup. It was a cracking competition with Team GB taking the win! Watching John Whittaker riding at the top level at the ripe old age of 68 is inspirational to say the least.

Initially I was sad that Buddy and I aren’t here competing together. We will be back next year I’m sure. I get to share Hickstead with more people. I ended up speaking to some people by one of the rings. They’re local so laughed when I said I was too. And not at the same time.

They said it’s true that you don’t appreciate what you have on your doorstep. They come every year and can’t remember when they first came. It’s a family tradition.

After the competition had finished, I popped to surprise my Mum. Before heading to stay the night with my Dad.

Tomorrow I’ll be back at the Showground to support the showers, watch the jumpers and welcome my teams for Sunday. Might pop to the shops too. Well it would be rude not to really…

Les Mis

So Mum’s been topping up her NHS frequent flyer points this week. So I’ve added more miles to the Comedy Car and headed South to see my parents for the weekend.

My parents are both fans of musical theatre and Les Miserable is a firm favourite of all of us. So we thought we’d watch it tonight. Sadly we didn’t get all the way through as Mum got tired quickly.

She’s not doing so good at the moment. So all
prayers and healing vibes gratefully received.

Stepping out

Impromptu road trip over to Brampton to meet up with Katie and Tash for an afternoon hack.

It was one of my favourite kind of afternoons – catching up with friends, being outdoors and time with Buddy. 3 things that always put a smile on my face.

Dancing in the rain

We headed down to Halesworth this afternoon for a lesson with Jo Winfield. She’s one of my favourite instructors. I love my lessons with her at BHS camp. She’s so insightful, knowledgeable and an amazing coach.

So I jumped at the chance to have a private lesson with her. I may have been slightly regretting my sense of adventure when the sat nav took me down some rather narrow roads. But The Buddymobile got us there safely.

I was slightly regretting my decision as well after leaving the yard in beautiful sunshine, to arrive at the venue in rain. Reminded me of that quote about learning to dance in the rain. Well Buddy definitely had his dancing shoes on today!!

Jo was incredibly complementary about our progress. She said she could see that we’ve been working hard on our flat work since she last saw us. And thought Buddy looked very fit and well.

Helps that I’ve finally found a snaffle bit that Buddy seems to like. Long may that continue.

Didn’t care that I got soaked. I came away beaming.

Roses are red

Took Katie over to Peter Beales Roses for a spot of lunch and a wander round the rose garden. Saw this sign hidden away. It’s very true for me. Roses are my favourite flowers.

They’re so versatile and give colour all years rounds. There were lots that had gone over but I still find the hips beautiful.

I’m an English Rose. And I’m pretty versatile. I’ll let you decide if I give colour all year round.

Oreo

I had an early morning walk with this scrumptious little puppy today. He’s called Oreo. We headed to the local woods to beat the heat.

Anyone who knows me will know that Oreos are my favourite biscuits. In fact so much so, that before we could buy them here, my US friend used to post them to me. They have loads of different flavours over there. We still don’t have the full range here. But at least I can get them here now.

After my walk this morning and meeting Oreo, I kinda wished I had some biscuits at home.

Family favourite

For many years growing up, Thursdays were fish & chips night in the Langley household. So seemed a fitting dinner tonight. Can’t remember the last time I had fish & chips. Probably another time visiting my parents.

I am now as full as an egg.