Deferring

The plan had been to take a friend and her horse with us for a ride in Thetford Forest today. Unfortunately she wasn’t feeling very well, so we deferred our outing in favour of a hack at home instead.

We were out for nearly 2 hours all told. It was fab. She’d even made lunch for us to take. So we when we got back, we had a picnic in the tack room. I did offer to unlock the lorry so we could sit in there. Lunch in the lorry has a lovely ring to it.

Sometimes plans work out. Sometimes you just make a new plan. This one worked out well after all. Happy Sunday everyone.

Shrunk

My spare bed has shrunk. Intentionally of course. I had a king-sized bed in there but it really was too big. So when I was offered a smaller version I jumped at the chance.

It was the Great Bed Swap Around today. My old big bed is now living across the close. My new little bed was put together. I’m still no nearer sorting out a replacement mattress for me though. But that seems to be a bit of a trend right now. It’ll get sorted I’m sure.

Grateful for the smaller bed. The room looks huge now! Forgive the amount of cushions, they’re still on restriction from Bert. He’s rather partial to running around with one in his mouth. Hence the fact they’re out of bounds. Not that there is anything wrong with a cushion or two. I have several to go in my new lorry.

Smaller bed means new bedding. I love new bedding. I need some for the new lorry too. So if you insist…

Maiden voyage

Buddy had his maiden voyage in the new Buddymobile (or Toby Truck to his friends). We headed over to Easton College for their arena hire to pop a few jumps.

I tried loaded him on Sunday when he’d walked straight on. And christened it! But this is Buddy, so anything could happen. He walked straight on again and started munching his haynet.

He travelled well. It’s weird cause after my little lorry where I can feel him moving about, in the new one, I could almost forget he’s there!

I’m starting to get used to it. I found the windscreen wipers. I found most of the gears at the right time. I still find it massive compared to my old lorry. And I’m still ‘Driving Miss Daisy’.

Thankfully we were much faster round the jumps.

I was so busy concentrating that I totally forgot to take a photo of him onboard. So here’s a photo of him happily munching away when we got back.

Toby

Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to the latest addition to the Langley family, Toby. Otherwise knows as the Buddymobile Mark 2!

I’ve been waiting over 3 weeks for his arrival. They say good things are worth waiting for. Let’s hope it’s the case here.

We didn’t get off to the best start as I totally embarrassed myself by inadvertently using the brake instead of the accelerator. No wonder I wasn’t going anywhere.

I did redeem myself as I drove along. Even had another trucker salute me. OK so he was overtaking me, but it still means I’m a trucker. Right?!

I was a bit ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ on the way home. Probably didn’t help I was looking at kilometres and not miles per hour. It’s all learning.

It’s a tad bigger than the current Buddymobile, so it’s going to take a bit of getting used to. So far so good.

And yes, I might have ducked going under the bridge by my house. I know I was going to fit, so why does your brain do that?!?

Now to start working out where our stuff needs to go, reading the manuals (who am I kidding, I’ll probably just wing it) and take Buddy out for a test drive.

Let the adventures begin…

Chores

Today has been a day of chores. Well I guess that’s what you do on a Bank Holiday weekend. I’ve still got a ton to do, but I’ve ticked off loads.

As the weather was good, I got the washing pile down considerably. I know I say it after every camp, but my god there’s a lot of washing afterwards. And cleaning too. My tack is filthy. The Buddymobile is filthy. They can wait for another day.

When I finally sat down to take stock, Bert clearly felt he needed some attention too. Either that or he decided that I needed to stop for the day. I’m not complaining, he’s a good cuddler.

Two kids

Well I’ve made it to our first training camp of 2025. Hurrah! This is the first time I’ve been away with two kids, Buddy and Bert. My god, they need a lot!

The Buddymobile felt a bit cramped with it all. I also needed three lists! And I still forgot the poo bags and toilet roll. It’s much better now Buddy is tucked up in his stable and Bert is tucked up in his crate in the horse area.

I’m tucked up in the living. As much as I love the Buddymobile, it’s definitely time for a bigger lorry! Bert’s arrival means I need more living. Well that’s my excuse! I want a toilet and a fridge too.

So far both kids are behaving very well. Coming to Forest Edge is such a happy place for me. I know Buddy loves it here. And it seems Bert might too after zoomies in the forest. Buddy, on the other hand, had a leisurely walk before the lessons start tomorrow. Bring on the learning…

Very Good Friday

Well today has been a very Good Friday. Bert and Buddy both got baths. Bert’s was much needed after he discovered a mini-swamp. Talk about pungent!

Buddy’s was also much needed after he did the wall of death round his field when he saw me putting his tack on the lorry. He was a bit of a sweaty Betty when I got him in, so needed a wash down. Then we headed over to Clarkes Farm for a clinic with the ever wonderful Caroline Meads.

Buddy was on top form. She’s laid out a really fun set of exercises. All working on the quality of the canter. Something I’ve been working really hard to keeping consistent.

As if I hadn’t burned enough calories, I decided to mow the back lawn. It was Bert’s first experience of the lawnmower. He wasn’t sure and there was a lot of ‘shouting’ at it. But he soon got bored and found one of his toys instead.

He’s snoring on the sofa now… Bert’s first Easter has started well. That’s for sure.

Boudicca’s Way

What an wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Riding round High Ash Farm in the glorious sunshine. It’s April and it was 19 degrees!

The bluebells are starting to come out. It’s so peaceful there. Well apart from Kathy and I chatting all the way round.

Buddy was very happy to be out for an adventure too.

Be there

Today seems to have been sponsored by the letter B.

I headed to Black Barns for brunch with a friend. Bumped into another friend there who I was only thinking about the other day. Spooky.

Then I headed off to muck out Buddy and Belle. Before driving the Buddymobile to Blickling to meet up with a friend and her gorgeous horse. We had a blast. As we were almost back to the car park, we bumped into yet another friend walking her dogs. What a bonus!

She waited while I untacked Buddy and got Bert. We joined her for a lovely walk round the estate. He had so much fun running around with her three dogs. Bert then crashed out in the Buddymobile on the way home. In fact, he’s still snoring now.

I love days like today when you get bonuses. Sometimes you just have to be there…

Educational

Today has been a very educational one for Buddy, Bert and me. We headed over to Forest Edge for a BHS Clinic being run there. I haven’t been there for a while, it felt so good to be back. It was Bert’s first trip. He loved having zoomies in the forest.

Buddy thankfully didn’t have any zoomies in the arena. Lots of lightbulb moments in our two lessons. Bert slept in the Buddymobile while I was riding. He’s really getting the hang of it all. Good job too as it’s 6 weeks till camp.

Buddy was on top form too. He’s come back from his injury so much softer. It was lovely to catch up with everyone. It’s such a happy place for me.