Solar powered

Day 157: solar powered. When the phone rang early this morning, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully it was a friend asking us out for a puppy play date. We took the dogs over a local dog park. Bert had a blast. We had coffee and a good catch up.

I am clearly solar powered! Bit of sun and I’m back to boundless energy. So when I got back, the horse hoover was deployed and cleaned out my lorry. I’d brought it home yesterday after Newmarket.

Then Bert had Puppy College. He was a little tired from his morning exertions. No bad thing for Storm Bert. He was definitely ready for his afternoon nap. So I left him home while I went to the yard to muck out and popped Buddy over a couple of jumps.

What a lovely day!

Club helper

Bert did his bit for Carleton Riding Club today. He helped us sort out the jumps we have stored at a local venue. We marked them too so it’s clear which ones are ours.

He was very helpful and definitely didn’t get himself wrapped round them. Or round a table. Or chair. He started ‘free range’ but a pony came into the arena, so he went back on the long line. Then became a bit of a trip hazard…

We’re all volunteers on the club Committee. We give our time willingly to support the club we love. It supports many people to do the things they love as well. All we ask is that our members do a little bit of volunteering too. Think Bert is setting a very good example already.

I’m looking forward to our next clinic where Buddy will be the one jumping them.

Poles & puppies

Today has been about poles and puppies. Started the day taking Buddy to a pole clinic. He was exceptional. Well for Buddy and Poles! Think we were both a bit excited at being back out doing stuff.

And I suspect he was waiting for the poles to turn into jumps. Sadly he was out of luck there. Still lots of positives to take away.

This afternoon I headed down to Simon & Harry’s for a long overdue catch up. It’s been far too long since I visited them. Definitely got a very warm welcome.

I got to have cuddles with their puppies too. Oh my day, talk about scrumminess!! I’ve known almost all their dogs since they were puppies. So fitting that I got to meet these squigglings. They all have lovely homes lined up. Some people are going to be very lucky indeed.

Beachy

Carleton RC are holding a beach camp up at Wells this weekend. As I was in Dereham having my hair cut, I thought I’d pop up and say hi. Well I was kinda halfway there.

It was lovely to catch up with people. I got fed (which is always a bonus). Then helped set a course of jumps for them.

It’s a beautiful setting for a camp. North Norfolk really is stunning. Not the best photo as you can’t actually see the beach. But it is there. They’ve been heading out for beach rides. Sounds like they’ve been having lots of fun!

It’s rather different to the camps I usually go to. Maybe next year I’ll take Buddy for a splashing time.

Brunch and jumps

I had brunch with this gorgeous girl, her brother and her Mum today. Maisie was an absolute poppet. If a little traumatised by the rather unkind actions of another diner, who decided to run over her tail with a wheelchair. Then proceeded to have a go at her owner for not having her under control. I’d like to point out that Maisie was sat minding her own business when said incident happened.

Talk about turning the room against you! The whole cafe (and I’m not exaggerating) looked shocked at what had happened. Several people came over to check she was OK. And the manager brought her a bowl of sausages, eggs and bacon.

So unkind of the lady. Who could have simple asked for her to be moved so she could wheel the chair past. A lack of communication backfired on her as people where definitely on Team Maisie today.

Poor little girl was shaking to start off with. She soon got her wag back when she realised people had only good intentions with their attention.

Thankfully it didn’t spoil a lovely brunch. I’m a big fan of brunch. It’s such a great concept.

To top the day off, my friend then came back to the yard to help me with some jumping practise. She set up a grid for Buddy. It’s hard to do it on your own, so I’m grateful to have someone on the ground. Buddy seemed to enjoy it too. Big smiles all round.