Stormy seas

I’m back home after an emotionally exhausting few days with my parents. Mum isn’t doing well at all. And as we end 2023, it looks like there are more stormy seas to navigate for us as a family.

Quite apt as the view from the hospital earlier was of very stormy seas indeed. The pier was very low in the water. Or the sea was very high. I felt a bit seasick watching the waves.

I’d hoped to start 2024 with a clean slate. But that’s unrealistic I guess as you get older. The challenges seem to get tougher and last longer.

Normally I’d finish the year with a round up. But honestly, my brain is mush from all the driving, trying to stay up beat and not bursting into tears at any given moment. So forgive me, it’ll have to wait.

For now, I’m proud that I’ve navigated 2023 relatively unscathed. I’m hoping 2024 is kind to us all.

Missed

Think it’s safe to say that I’ve been missed. The kittens have been close at hand today.

Think it’s safe to say that I’ve missed my bed. And the kittens of course. As lovely as it’s been being away, it was very lovely waking up in my own bed. I do love my little house.

Hugo decided that snuggles were in order. Typical as I was getting ready to go to a Committee meeting.

Don’t feel too bad for him, he’s purring loudly next to me as I type. He’s one happy boy.

Setting sun

Today I’ve rested, I’ve cried and I’ve spent as much time as I can outdoors. Today was about me. The past week and yet more parental angst finally caught up with me.

I woke up feeling quite discombobulated. I’ve had one night at home in October. Funny how it goes like that. Things that were all planned out perfectly, ended up crashing into each other. Guess that’s life huh?!

After two long dog walks and an even longer hack, I sat in the conservatory with the dogs and watched the sun set on another day. Thinking about all the good in my life. And believe me there’s a lot!!

That’s the thing about life, you get a do over. Tomorrow is another day. It’s my last night in Beighton, so watching Strictly and getting lots of puppy cuddles.

Downpour

I got caught in the rain. Out and in! On my way back from the Chiro’s, I popped back home to fill the kittens’ feeders. Decided to put a load on thinking that I would hang it up on my way back from the yard.

Headed up the road to let the dogs out (bet you’re singing it now) in beautiful sunshine. Fast forward a few hours and I thought I’d head to the yard. In typical fashion, the heavens opened. I’d decided to get changed at mine. Halfway home, I realised I’d forgotten my muck boots. So back to Beighton I headed.

By the time I arrived home, it was a monsoon! The rain was so loud on the conservatory roof, I could barely stand it. So I decided to wait it out. Hugo came in and joined me in the drowned rat stakes.

When it showed no signs of stopping I headed to the yard. Well I wasn’t getting any drier!!

Finally headed back to see the dogs. They were much less enthusiastic about going out in the rain I can tell you.

Uni-corn

Today is a bit of an exciting day. It’s the day the maize is harvested. As much as I love the maize, it gets so high that it nearly engulfs us when we’re riding by it.

Buddy will be pleased when he sees it’s gone. Of course he’ll be weirded out to start off with.

I didn’t get to show him today. But I drove past it a few times today. I’ve perfected the triangle between home, the yard and my dog sitting duties.

Buddy was very pleased to see Auntie Sam for his massage. He had quite a few tight spots so hopefully he’s feeling looser now. It had been a while since his last appointment.

Hopefully he’ll be nice and refreshed when I get back from my next adventure. More on that tomorrow.

High flyer

Back home after my trip to Birmingham. Day two of the conference didn’t disappoint. Today’s keynote speaker was Mandy Hickson.

Mandy fought hard to achieve her ambition to be a Royal Air Force pilot. She was only the second woman to fly the Tornado GR4 on the front line, amassing over thirty years experience within aviation, completing three tours of duty and 45 missions over Iraq during that time.

Talk about inspirational! Of course there were a few references to Top Gun. And yes, she’s met Tom Cruise.

Bye bye Burghley

That’s Burghley done for another year. Another fantastic experience and more memories made. Lovely company. Lovely weather. And lots of lovely horses. What more could you want.

My legs are aching and my feet are very sore. I think I’ve probably done a full week’s worth of steps this weekend and some.

Given the number of people who attend each year, I’m always amazed at how many people I bump into. So lovely to see so many familiar faces.

The only blip on a wonderful weekend, was losing my notch bracelet. Still no sign of it, but hopefully it’ll turn up.

I’ve come home inspired. Bye bye Burghley. Till next year…

Roots

I was rudely awakened by the builders this morning. They’re doing my neighbour’s roof. He’s 99, so I greatly admire his optimism!

My roof could benefit for being redone too. It’s on the list. Along with many other things that need to be done around my little house. And garden. It’s never ending. But then it struck me today that I’ve lived here for a decade in October. Things are going to need to be looked at after that length of time.

It also struck me that apart from my childhood, this is the longest I’ve ever lived in one place. I’ve definitely put down roots here.

It still makes me smile when I drive round the corner of the close and see my little house. I’m not sure where a decade has gone. But I’m happy here.

Very happy camper

Back home after another brilliant training camp. 3 nights away, 6 brilliant lessons, 2 great instructors, many wonderful friends, countless laughs and 2 very tired campers.

Well I definitely am. You’d like to think Buddy was too.

Today we finished off our lessons with more course jumping with jumps on angles. And a flat work lesson with no stirrups and counter-canter. It’s a wonder I could drive home!!

It was also a camp tinged with sadness as it could be the last camp for some wonderful horses and inspirational people.

This was my motto of the camp. And by Jove, I did just that! I couldn’t have asked more from
Buddy. He tried his heart out for me. Even with my inept moments.

Thank you to everyone who made it such a special few days.

Less than a month till we’re back there for BIG camp. Eeek!! Best get the washing on….

Horse person

I’m back home from my trip South and the joy that is the M25. As I drove back, I played tag with a rather swanky horsebox. I say tag. It overtook The Comedy Car twice (work that one out) and I then followed it through the Dartford Tunnel before it turned off.

As a kid, I used to look out for horses on road trips. Now I look out for horse lorries and trailers too. With the lorries, there is a bit of market research in a way. There are some very lovely lorries indeed. At the moment there’s a bit of champagne taste on beer budget. But it’s fun looking. It makes me smile seeing other horse people on the road.