Holy stone

Someone is feeling much better!! Bert decided that my garden needed a bit of landscaping today. This is the sight that greeted me when I took a break from the laptop.

He has a new game that he likes to play while I’m working. He brings me a stone. It’s great for training his ‘drop’. Which is much improved. At least he’s not swallowing them!

Not sure what he was digging for, but he was rather pleased with himself. He was also covered in mud. He does make me laugh.

He’s off to the vets tomorrow for his post-op check up. Hoping we can start increasing his exercise again. It seems he’s as inpatient a patient as I am!

Nettles

I think most people know that I love nature. I love being out in it. I love almost everything about it. I say almost, I’m not mad keen when nature fights back.

As it was a nice day, I thought I’d mow the lawns and have a bit of a tidy up of the borders. Great plan I hear you say…

This is me, so it wasn’t going to run smoothly. But even by my standards, I excelled myself. There were a few rather large nettles. No problem, I have protective gloves for them. Unfortunately, they don’t protect against ineptitude. I am now the proud owner of many stings. I peaked when I managed to pull one up and smack myself full in the face. I can confirm that flipping hurts!!

Bert tried to come to my rescue, but ended up taking me out with his cone. We’d been doing well with the body suit. Till he had an accident. I wasn’t quick enough with the fastenings (the clue is there). It needed to go in the wash. So we were back to the cone of shame. My legs are covered in scrapes and bruises from him bashing into me.

I managed to mow the back lawn after nearly falling over him several times. Then it was onto the front. Where a dog rose decided to attack me. Seriously?! They hurt too I can tell you.

Thankfully a full brown bin ended my gardening efforts and I headed to the yard. Buddy had excelled himself in the poo stakes. So that was fun!

Even though I covered him in fly spray, he spent the whole ride trying to get the flies off. There were so many today.

All in all, I’d say it was a draw between me and nature today. My face is really sore. Not as bruised as Bert’s Crown Jewels. He keeps rolling over to show me…

Dog-tired

Oh dear, I think we broke Bert. Puppy College was very tiring. It was his first session and Bert loved it though. When we got home, he crashed on the sofa.

He did rally enough to come and help me clear up the aftermath of the new fences. But soon crashed again during the rugby. And is snoring now. He’s clearly dog-tired.

When Buddy met Bert

You’ve heard of ‘When Harry met Sally’, well today it was ‘When Buddy met Bert’.

It was a big day for Bert. First he got to run round the garden without the lead. I finished puppy-proofing the garden this morning for him. He was very happy to be ‘free’. Took the opportunity to start working on recall too.

Then this afternoon, he came to the yard with me for the first time. He stayed in the car while I mucked out and poo picked. He was such a good boy. Finally it was time to come out and meet his rather big brother.

Buddy was so gentle with him. Bert was his usual bold self and gave Buddy a good sniff. He wasn’t the least bit phased by the horses. He was so squirmy, I could barely hold him.

There are new members of the Bert Fan Club as everyone was cooing over him. He’s such a cutie!

Fort Bert

You’ve heard of Fort Knox, well today my garden took a big step forward in becoming Fort Bert!

I was given some old fence panels a few years ago. I had all the best intentions of sorting out this bit of fencing. Somehow it never quite made it to the top of the list. Or anywhere near it, if I’m honest. Bert’s arrival has rapidly changed that.

I had planned to do it over the weekend, the weather put pay to that. So I decide today was the day! I thought I’d take advantage of the sunshine… that only lasted 5 mins before it started raining again.

I wish I’d taken a photo before I started. It took me an hour to get it to the top picture. It was rather overgrown.

It’s not the best job in the world I grant you. But I used a saw, hammer and secateurs – all without injuring myself! I’m taking that as a win. I’m going to paint the panels so they blend in a bit more too. And need to tweak it slightly.

I blocked off the driveway too. Still got a couple more bits to sort out before it’s completely puppy-proof. But ran out of steam and light today. Overall a very productive day.

Playpen

Bert has a new playpen in the garden. This is so he can be outside (supervised of course) while I puppy proof the garden. As adorable as he is, it’s hard getting stuff done. I have to wait for nap time. I have a new found appreciation for new Mums that’s for sure.

I have to admit, it looked bigger online and I’m sure I measured it out. I’m willing to admit that I’m not great when it comes to scale. It will do for now though.

He gets a gold star for photo posing! It seems I have yet another photogenic animal In my life.

He also gets a gold star for his trip to the vets today. He’s has his first jab, so he’s on the path to proper ‘meet & greets’. He weighs in at 4kg and is a good solid little chap according to the vet. Though he did say that he has rather large paws. Let’s see if he grows into them!!

He’s also enrolled in Pre-Puppy School. Exciting times in Bert’s World.

Wakehurst

I needed to get outdoors today, so I headed over to Wakehurst Place this afternoon. Being outdoors and in nature are good healers for me. With all the emotions and stress of the past few days, I’d usually go for a long ride on Buddy. That’s not an option at the moment. So this was the next best thing.

Wakehurst Place is part of Kew Gardens and the National Trust. My Mum was a lifetime National Trust member, so I borrowed her card. We used to go there together. But I haven’t been for many years.

I walked round the gardens. Then found a bench to sit and reflect. The bench was dedicated with a line from a Wordsworth poem ‘To stay the wanderer’s steps and soothe his thoughts.’ Seemed rather fitting.

I had a chat with a magpie as you do. Before walking up to the highest point. As I sat looking out across the treetops, I couldn’t stop the tears from coming. Luckily there was no-one around.

On my way out, I noticed a plant I recognised. It was a Veronica. My Mum’s favourite. Can’t imagine why?! Guess I’ll be getting one for the garden.

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.

Indecisive

I was meant to be judging a show jumping competition today. Sadly it was cancelled due to low numbers. As I had a free day, there was so much I could have done, it took me a while to decide. In the end, I pottered about, mowed the lawn and tidied up the garden.

This afternoon, Buddy and I went out for a ride today with a pair with a combined age of 102! Pretty special huh? Buddy was so cute as he walked at Sam’s pace. Well once we got going. We headed off in one direction, then had to turn back. So made a new plan. Then changed that too.

We had a lovely wander. As the boys were so good, they got snacks on the way back. They were much more decisive!

Cotoneaster cull

Thought I’d have a quiet day today. Well quiet for me. I needed to pick up a new horsey washing machine, so the Buddymobile got a run out. As he was at home, I thought I’d take advantage of the extra space to clear my garden. I’ve been wanting to have a cull of the cotoneaster at the front of my house for ages.

It had gotten a bit out of hand if I’m honest. I’ve tried to keep on top of it. But it was beyond rescuing. So it was time to go.

My little chainsaw made short work of it. Getting it in the garden bag was a more interesting challenge. Still got there in the end.

With the Buddymobile suitable filled, I thought I’d better check what time the recycling centre closed. Annoyingly I’d missed it by 15 mins.

So I headed back to the yard to walk Buddy over some poles. And put the windows up on the Comedy Car. Not sure if it was going to rain, but better safe than sorry.

The Buddymobile is now pine-scented from the old hedge branches I cut off a while ago. Who needs an air freshener?!

I’m going to plant Agatha in the space. I love roses and think it’ll like quite fetching there. The rest of the cotoneaster can have a stay of execution. I ran out of garden bags (and steam).

It’s amazing what a difference it makes. And how much lighter my living room is!