Dimness

I was a bit scratchy today. It’s Tax Return time. Enough said huh?!

Honestly, I’m nearly 55. I should be able to do my return without a borderline panic attack. The joys of 30 years of PAYE and someone doing it for me. I think it’s the way the questions are written. I haven’t got a clue what they’re asking most of the time.

Anyway I did as much as I could (yes I phoned a friend who’s helping tomorrow) and headed to the yard for some much needed Buddy time. Bert has had to take centre stage so Buddy and the kittens have been supporting players recently. It felt good to get out on Buddy.

On my way back, I stopped at the garage to get my headlight sorted. I let them know that Bert was in the car. He had 5 people wanting to meet him and have cuddles. See, centre stage.

They all commented on how handsome he is and how calm. He wasn’t so calm this evening as he was tearing round my office and chewing my blanket. The former makes me laugh, the later made me cry.

It’s not damaged but it is the blanket I was given by my Nanna. It belonged to my Grampy. The man Bert is named after. I know it’s just a blanket, but the connection to my Mum kinda hit me. Lots of tears from me. I guess it’s going to happen. Grief is a very tricky path to navigate sometimes. But like HMRC!

Storm Bert

Say hello to my mid-life crisis! I had to drive through Storm Bert to pick up the newest man in my life, Bert. If I ever needed a sign it was meant to be…!

I’d already picked his name before I found out about the storm. He’s Bert after my Grandfather Albert. A homage to my Mum’s side of the family. And he was my closest connection to horses.

It’s been a long time since I had a dog. But I’ve always wanted another one. The time has never felt right. My life is too chaotic. Too full on. But losing my Mum and others has made me realise just how short life can be. So when the opportunity to have this little cutie came up, I said yes!

We’ve had first contact the kittens. They’re a bit confused by the noises. Dodo was very brave and came to say hello. Hugo, not so much. I’m sure they will all love each other in time.

Armistice Day

Today is Armistice Day. So feel right to remember my Mum’s Dad. Meet Albert (my Grandfather). He was born in 1897 and died before I was born so I never met him. My Nanna used to tell me we were similar. Seems I got my love of horses from him.

When WWI broke out, he was working in a mine in South Wales. As he had come from a farm in Somerset and they had put him to work with the horses.

He tried to sign up but he was under age and in a reserved occupation so wasn’t allowed to join up. He took the King’s shilling and joined the Middlesex Regiment on the 15 January 1917 he went to France and worked with the horses there, driving a supply wagon between camps.

He was gassed at Ypres (known by the troops as “Wipers”) and later came home with Bronchitis. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 2 December 1917 where he was in France until the end of the war in 1918.

He came back, but war changed him. He wasn’t the same, how could he be?! The price of victory was huge. It was meant to be the war to end all wars. Sadly we’re still fighting. I wish I’d had the chance to meet him and say thank you.

We will remember them.