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!

Gridlock

This picture pretty much sums up the world I live in. I had lots of errands to run today. Which mean lots of driving down country roads. I got stuck behind this mahoosive vehicle.

It made me laugh cause it probably goes faster than the Comedy Car. And probably costs more than my house!

I never get upset about being stuck behind farm machinery. I appreciate just how vital the role they play is. I’m a big fan of food. And let’s face it, without farmers, we’d starve.

So big up the farmers and being grateful for this kind of gridlock.

Escape

And rest…. Today I slept in. I lounged about. I caught up with friends. I did the things that fill my soul. I took Buddy out for a long hack. I let the air fill my lungs. I felt the cold on my face. I admired the changing view as the leaves turn.

I came home. I ate good food. I rested. It’s not often that I do that. But after a week of little sleep, even less food and a lot of rushing about – it was very much needed.

Man’s best friend

Back home after a lovely flying visit to Suffolk to catch up with Simon and Harry. And Bailey of course. He does love his Auntie Pip. I got to meet their new puppy too. My goodness, he’s a bundle of energy and fluff!

It’s always good for my soul to go and spend time with them all. We had a BBQ feast for dinner. So I can home feeling refreshed, refuelled and ready to go again.

I’m very lucky to have such special people in my life.

Lost at FEA

Arrived at Forest Edge for our latest training camp. Buddy is such a pro at camp life. And so am I. It doesn’t feel that long ago that we were here before. Well I guess it has only been a few weeks. Feels very good to be back.

We took the horses out for a leg stretch before the welcome BBQ. We honestly didn’t get lost. We just took the slightly scenic route. Pip Nav was actually right. But we ended up adding on an extra loop. Made it back for foo though.

We’re not lost, you are?!

Looking forward to the first lessons tomorrow. Bring on the learning, aching and sweating…

Food taster

Greetings from Wales! Yes I’m on my travels again. Flying visit to Celtic Manor for one of the very fun bit of my job – food and beverage choices for a conference I’m working on.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love anyone who feeds me (given my lack of ability to do it myself). So this is heaven. Today I’ve consumed 4 starters, 4 mains and 3 desserts.

As if that wasn’t enough there were 4 wines to choose from too. Finished the day with a cocktail and canapés.

Such fun! Sat with the chef chatting food options. Now I may be culinarily challenged, but I know a lot about food. I knew watching all those cooking programmes would come in handy. We’ve got a cracking menu for the two days.

Now retired to my room as my food-coma is setting in. And what a room.

Have I mentioned I love my life?!

Combined challenge

Well we’ve arrived at Aston-Le-Walls ready for the Combined Challenge Championships. Buddy was nice and chilled on the journey and settled into his stable like a pro. It was a novelty being chauffeured to an event.

Took him for a wander round and did a bit of schooling in the arena. He was a little eyes on stalks to start off with. But he had his emotional support pony, Halo by his side.

We then went to walk the course for tomorrow. Nothing that looked too bad. But that’s just me. Buddy may have other ideas.

Finished off by cooking for Sam. Yes you heard me right, I cooked! And no-one died or was injured. Let’s hope it’s the same tomorrow…

Small whale

I headed down to Suffolk today to meet up with a friend. We went out to a local pub for lunch and I made the fateful mistake of ordering Fish & Chips. When will I learn that this is usually code for ‘Small Whale & Chips’.

It was bloody good though. And so was the company.

Mussels

Lovely evening at the Belgium Monk tonight. I bloody love mussels. So any chance to have them, I’m taking it.

They’re the kind of thing I would never cook at home. I mean, seriously?! I’m culinarily challenged at the best of time. Me cooking mussels has food poisoning written all over it…

It was the perfect end to a very good week.

New era

Great to be back at Carrow Road today for the FA Cup match against Blackburn.

New manager, same disappointing result. I guess he may need more than one training session to sort them out. 20 corners and not a sniff of a goal. Of well, at least I got to have a pie, hot chocolate and Twix brownie. There have to be some upsides.

And we stayed dry when the heaven’s opened. What’s the old adage? We can now focus on the league…