Broom broom

Oh my days, my legs were feeling the past two days this morning. I looked a bit like the love child of John Wayne and the Tin Man walking round! I wasn’t at my usual pace that’s for sure.

But then I rode for the longest I have in some time on Friday. And walked round a huge estate yesterday. Plus lots of driving. It’s kinda understandable why I’m feeling it.

I tried to pick jobs to do today that wouldn’t take much movement. One thing I did need to do was clean out the lorry from Friday. The last few times I’ve cleaned it out, I’ve gotten rather annoyed with my lorry brush. It really isn’t that effective. There’s usually a lot of huffing.

So today, I treated myself to a new lorry broom. I know! I’m just too good to myself.

It works a treat. The label made me laugh. Perfect for removing stubborn debris. Yup that could have been written about Buddy’s poo…

Cotoneaster cull

Thought I’d have a quiet day today. Well quiet for me. I needed to pick up a new horsey washing machine, so the Buddymobile got a run out. As he was at home, I thought I’d take advantage of the extra space to clear my garden. I’ve been wanting to have a cull of the cotoneaster at the front of my house for ages.

It had gotten a bit out of hand if I’m honest. I’ve tried to keep on top of it. But it was beyond rescuing. So it was time to go.

My little chainsaw made short work of it. Getting it in the garden bag was a more interesting challenge. Still got there in the end.

With the Buddymobile suitable filled, I thought I’d better check what time the recycling centre closed. Annoyingly I’d missed it by 15 mins.

So I headed back to the yard to walk Buddy over some poles. And put the windows up on the Comedy Car. Not sure if it was going to rain, but better safe than sorry.

The Buddymobile is now pine-scented from the old hedge branches I cut off a while ago. Who needs an air freshener?!

I’m going to plant Agatha in the space. I love roses and think it’ll like quite fetching there. The rest of the cotoneaster can have a stay of execution. I ran out of garden bags (and steam).

It’s amazing what a difference it makes. And how much lighter my living room is!

Surprise surprise

I did my best ‘Cilla’ impression this evening. I headed over to Forest Edge to surprise and catch up with the campers. It ‘Big Camp’. And the first one I’ve missed since I started going in 2016.

Tuesday morning I woke up feeling really sad that I wasn’t going to be there with Buddy and catch up with everyone.

I’d asked if I could be helper for a day instead. As I was coming tomorrow to help, I thought I’d have a night in the Buddymobile too! I know how to live huh?!

Congestion

It’s total gridlock on the garden fence today. Or is it a Brundall stand-off? You decide. Whatever it is, it made me laugh.

Neither of them was moving. In the end Dodo climbed over Hugo. I guess that’s one way to resolve it. Probably a good job we can’t do that when we’re in congestion. Though there have been a few times when I’ve feared the Comedy Car would go under an HGV. It’s rather small!

Quiche

I jokingly asked if I could have a doggy bag when I left camp yesterday. They said yes! So I was dispatched with four pieces of quiche for the road.

Arrived home with three. I have to admit that there are easier things to eat while driving. I had two for my dinner tonight. One more piece for lunch tomorrow. I do love quiche. Especially homemade ones. This was mushroom and peppers. Yum!

It always reminds me of my childhood. My Mum is a big fan. My Dad not so much. He used to joke that men didn’t eat quiche. Well this one was made by an Army one at that!

Made it

Well I wasn’t sure if we would get here, but we did. We’re all set for our first training camp of 2024. After the Buddymobile pulling a sicky, then Buddy calling in sick, I was fearing the worst.

But we locked and loaded! Eases Buddy in gently with a stroll round the forest.

It’s a tad fresh so hoping I’ve brought enough layers. Time to snuggle up for the night. Bring on the learning!

Cold feet

Oh boy did I need this after an afternoon at Carrow Road. It was a tad fresh! I couldn’t feel my feet, thighs or face! Sadly the match was a bit dull, so that didn’t keep me warm either. I ws back to hat, gloves and the big coat.

I do love a hot chocolate. It’s like a meal in a mug. The downside? I wasn’t hungry when I got home. Even after a hot shower, my feet haven’t warmed up.

Guess I’ll be packing extra layers for camp next week. It could be cold overnight. I am not a fan of cold feet, that’s for sure.

Lino

Check out my posh new floor! The Buddymobile has gone up very market. It’s amazing the difference it’s made and it’s just a bit of new lino!

Of course, now I want to take the carpet off the walls and replace that with lino too. Baby steps Pip.

I’ve got enough leftover to do the two other lockers when needed. Very grateful to have a friend help me get the Buddymobile camp ready. It’s coming together nicely.

A new floor needs an upgraded floor mat, so that’s next on the list. Well the one I’ve got is starting to fall apart but then it’s almost as old as the lorry! I definitely like getting my money’s worth.

Out out

Woo fricking hoooo! Buddy and I headed out in the Buddymobile today. Cause for celebration indeed. It drives like a dream and so did Buddy. He was striding out round the tracks. Sound in walk, trot and canter. Phew!

It felt so good to be out and about again. The Equidry was out and about too! Have Spring and Winter had a tiff?! Cause Winter feels like it’s doing the whole ‘…and another thing’. It was so cold, windy and wet!

The bluebells were out and even in the wet, miserable conditions, they put a smile on my face. As did the cheese toastie and mocha. Well I needed warming up and there was cause to celebrate. We were out out!

Structure

The Buddymobile is back after having a lot of work done on it. One of the rear wheel arches needed replacing. Sounds like a simple job. Right?! This is me, so of course not!

It was bad. First I knew was when a bit fell off. Never a good thing!!

It seems that the wheel arch has been an issue for a while. Water had been coming into one of my side lockers, as well as hitting the living floor. As a result, there was a lot of rotten wood that needed to be replaced. Good job I didn’t go through it. Or my bed collapse overnight.

So I have a rebuilt wheel arch and new floor in the locker and living. Need to get some replacement lino to complete it.

It will need to go back at some point to have the other rear wheel arch done.

I did get an upgrade while it was being done. A new step to make getting in and out a bit easier. Made good use of that as I was giving it a deep clean this evening.