Gecko going

What a productive May Day bank holiday it’s been. Burned a few calories that’s for sure.

This morning I spent 2.5 hours at the yard. Wanted to poo pick and pull some ragwort that’s sprung up. It’s so satisfying!

Then this afternoon, it was cleaning out the greenhouse. Got a free sauna in the process. Possibly the hottest day so far this year, so I decide to spend it in a glass box.

It appears I’ve had guests in the greenhouse. Found next doors’ cat asleep in it. Not sure who got the biggest shock – me or him! I also found two tiny lizards. They were only about 5cm long. Super cute! Not a clue what kind they are.

It took a lot longer to sort out than I thought. But then it hasn’t been cleaned out for a few years. It’s looking nice and neat again now. Planted lots more veg too.

As there was still petrol in the tank, I spend another hour on the brambles. Bit of a glutton for punishment there. It looks so much better for it.

I do love an outdoors day. It’s very rewarding indeed. I shall sleep well tonight.

Paw Patrol

Not sure if the kittens had spotted something. Or they were just on guard. But Paw Patrol was in full force today.

They sat like this for ages. Till the sun broke through and they retired to the sunshine. Maybe they were waiting for it to hit the conservatory.

I was toasting nicely with my dinky heater. I’m fact, I had to turn it off at one point as I was overheating.

Burnt tongue

Anyone else’s cats queue up for pizza?! Just mine huh? I was off to Carrow Road tonight to watch Norwich City play. I was running late, so threw a pizza in the oven while I got ready to go.

Believe me there was a lot of debating on layers and coats! As a result, I burnt half the pizza. The other half was like molten lava, so I burnt my tongue and the roof of my mouth.

Once at the game, I thought I get a hot chocolate. Yes, you guessed it, I burnt my mouth. Again. Seriously, I’m 53! You’d thought I’d have learnt by now.

Sadly the hot chocolate was the highlight of the game.

Hair you go

The woolly mammoth that was Buddy is no more!! Doesn’t he look sexy all clipped? And shiny after a hot towel off too.

The weather has been so mild, I haven’t needed to get him clipped. But his coat has grown so much in the past few weeks, it needed to be done. He was a right sweaty betty (or should that be Buddy) after our lesson last week. And was overheating on Sunday. He should be feeling much better now.

Time to break out the rugs as we’re bound to have a cold snap now. I love the feel of a freshly clipped horse. So soft.

Sweat stings

Buddy and I headed over to the Showground for a spot of showjumping today. I left the yard and it didn’t feel too hot. I was wrong. It was baking by the time we arrived.

Tacked Buddy up and headed to walk the 70cm course. Thankfully someone was able to hold him for me. It walked well so headed to the warm up. It was a bit of a different set up. There was a very small warm up next to the ring. They were only letting 4 horses at a time in there, so we used the bigger warm up away from the ring.

Buddy managed to trip a few times on the uneven ground so I kept the jumping to a minimum. Soon it was our turn the go to the proper warm up and Buddy was feeling good.

Slight blip when a woman decided to walk her inhand pony and two children through the warm up. Madness! Buddy was not happy about that either. It was such a small area and people jumping – it was downright dangerous.

The warm up ring can be like going into battle at the best of times.

I brushed it off and entered the ring. It was single phase and we went double clear in a really fast time. Took a few ‘eventer’ lines and Buddy was on it! He ate up the ground.

He was so sweaty by the time we’d finished, I thought I’d take him back to the lorry and wash him off while I waited for the next class. I’m so lucky that Buddy is so easy when we go out.

Wandering back to the ring, I arrived as the last rider was finishing. Imagine my surprise when they announced we’d come second! So happy.

Walked the 80cm and went back to tack Buddy up again. I nearly blinded myself as I had so much sweat running in my eyes. My god, sweat stings! I was a dribbly mess by the time I was done. I couldn’t get my gloves on as my hands were so wet. Classy huh?!

By the time we got back to the warm up, Buddy was feeling as hot and bothered as I was. Neither of us was at our best in the 80cm round. I messed up some of the line and it was a very twisty course. Final result was 16 faults.

I was disappointed as I know we could do so much better. But we started together, finished together and sweated even more together!

Upgrades

This is the latest upgrade for the Buddymobile. It can run hot and with the hot weather, I wanted to make sure Buddy is as comfortable as possible.

He’s already like an oversized Labrador with his head out the window as I keep the living one open. I can see him sticking his head towards it was we drive along.

This is the next logical step. And works a treat. Took Buddy over to a friend’s this morning, so while we went for a hack, her partner fitted the fan.

It’s been so hot today, Buddy definitely approved. It also helped to keep me cool while I was cleaning the lorry after getting back.

Hot pants

After yesterday’s impromptu hack, today I took advantage of a withdrawal for a spot of impromptu show jumping at Carleton Riding Club’s show.

I was wondering if it would be too much for Buddy after camp. And with the very muggy weather today. But he handled the heat better than I did that’s for sure.

I made sure he was well watered. Me, not so much. I was too busy rushing around. Arrived early to help out the jumps out. Ended up stewarding for the first two classes before heading back to the lorry to get Buddy ready for our class.

I’d got him in the 70cm and 80cm. He’d jumped so well at camp, I wanted to test it in a competition environment.

My first challenge was getting my competition gear on. I was dripping from the humidity so had to peel my jeans off and my riding tights were sticking to me. Then my hair decided that it wasn’t going to go in a bun and kept escaping. So I scrapped the hairnet.

As it was hot, I decided to forgo Buddy’s SJ boots and ears. Mr Nappy Pants made a couple of appearances, but was dealt with quickly. For the most part, he flew round the 70cm. We had a fence at the beginning of the timed section, so I pushed him on for a fast 4-faults.

It was a good strategy, as we got the fastest 4-faults. So picked up 3rd place.

After a bucket of water for Buddy and a new course for me to walk and learn, it was time for the 80cm. Oh and I put on his ears and SJ boots for good measure. Not our best round as we had two down but another good time.

Overall, I was really happy with Buddy today. They were both twisty courses and he proved again he can handle the turns. And even though he had his little wobbles, he jumped everything I asked him to. Just need to work on keeping them all up now.

Buddy is so easy to take out. He stands on the lorry patiently waiting for his turn. He plays nicely with others in the warm up. There’s a lot to be said for that. He also acted like a brat waiting for his recovery mash and threw the bucket across the car park when it was empty.

Can’t win them all…

Comatosed

Hugo gave me a fright when I found him comatosed in the conservatory earlier. He was out for the count. I wondered if he’d overheated at first. It was pretty warm in there. Cause that’s cat logic. It’s a nice sunny day, so let’s go and sit in a glass box!

Thankfully he was OK. Just very tired from a heavy night of sleeping. I wish I could sleep like a cat, I really do.

Light and shade

Gosh it’s been hot again today. I know I sound like a broken record, but it’s getting a bit tiresome now. I’m really, really, REALLY hoping the rain they’re forecasting next week arrives. We desperately need it right now.

Still the heat has given me time to catch up on a few podcasts. The kittens joined me in the shade while I listened to them.

Lapdogs

My dog sitting duties are over. They were exceptionally well behaved. Took them out for an early walk to beat the heat. Thankfully there was a cooling breeze as it’s been a tad warm again.

I was at a bit of a loose end this morning. I felt very decadent as I had nothing to do. So the dogs and I watched a film called ‘The Sea Beast’. It was an animation and really sweet.

When I got home, I pottered in the garden for a bit (before I got too hot). Then went and gave Buddy a bath (and I didn’t mind getting sprayed too).