Mousetrap

I have a mouse in my lorry cab! I kid you not. Only me huh?! I’ve found some droppings. So it’s time for an eviction as I don’t want any cables gnawed.

Off I went to the local hardware shop and bought a humane mouse trap. Let’s face it, I can use all the karma points I can get right now. Two nights I’ve left it in the lorry. Two nights it’s been triggered but no mouse.

So new plan. I brought the lorry home to give it a good clean. While it was here, Hugo took one for the team and got to have a snooze in the cab. It was suggested that the smell of cat might deter a mouse. To be honest, my first plan was to put Dodo in the cab as he’s more of a killer than Hugo. Dodo had other ideas and didn’t want to play ball.

As you can see, Hugo was thrilled! I joined him in the cab for a coffee while I tried to get him to embrace the mouse hunt. He want playing ball either.

The irony is that I’ve saved 3 mice in the past week from the kittens. Maybe word has gotten round that I’m a soft touch.

Anyway, the trap is set for night 3. So fingers crossed the smell of peanut butter is enough to lure the little critter.

Makes me think of the poem: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.’

Railway children

We’ve arrived at The Grange for a 3 day training camp. Buddy has a huge stable, a huger bed and if possible, an even huger haynet. Right now he’s loving life.

He might not feel the same when he realises he’s got two lessons tomorrow. Eased him in gently with a leg stretch down a disused railway line.

There wasn’t a soul in sight. About a hundred partridges though.

After a huge Chinese (me, not Buddy), I’m snuggled up in the lorry. Listening to the rain. Storm whatever your name is, please breeze on by. Though I have brought lots of clothes. Just in case.

Sleepover

It was an early start for us as Buddy and I have headed over to Forest Edge for a BHS clinic with Jo Winfield. Our first lesson was at 9am. Buddy was a little surprised when I arrived at the yard before 7am. He was even more surprised when rather than go out in his field, he headed towards the lorry.

Thankfully the traffic was kind and we sailed along, making good time.

Buddy is such a pro at B&B now. After our first lesson, he settled into his stable for the night. We’re having a sleepover as we’re demo riders for a CPD day on Arena Eventing.

After lunch, it was on to a jumping lesson. I say after lunch. As we were on at 1pm, I decide to eat afterwards. We haven’t done much jumping recently, so it was really good have the chance to work more on me. In fact that was the theme for both lessons – how my position influences him. Very interesting.

It’s been howling here all day so the Buddymobile could be rocking tonight. Think Buddy and I will both be snoring. Fingers crossed we’re on good form for tomorrow’s demo.

True value

Good news for a Friday. The Buddymobile passed its MOT. The bad news is that it cost a pretty penny to get through. It’s only money, right?!

Seems it conked out on Wednesday cause there was a blockage in the diesel filter. Whatever that is?! But whatever it is, I have a shiny, new one.

They fixed all the little niggles too so let’s keep everything crossed this is the last big bill I get.

As I was driving back, I was thinking about the true value of things. My little lorry may sometimes cost me, but the value I get from it outweighs it. We’ve had so many adventures in it. Made so many memories. And had a lot of fun.

I walked back from the yard after dropping the lorry back. I stopped to pick blackberries and admire the view. What value can you put on that?!

Breakdown

So I had a fun morning. The Buddymobile is having its MOT on Friday. So it was going to the garage today so they could give it the once over. Why are both of those such a stressful thing?!

All was going well till I turned off the bypass, the dashboard light up and the engine cut out. Right on a roundabout!

Only I can breakdown on my way to the garage!

Thankfully I wasn’t too far from the garage, so they came straight out to rescue me. Very sad watching The Buddymobile being towed away.

Lucky that I didn’t have Buddy onboard this time. And that Colette was there to pick me up and take me for a medicinal cheese scone. I’m making that a thing.

Fingers crossed it’s a simple fix and it sails through the MOT. The irony of it all was that I was driving along thinking how lucky I am to have my little lorry. Then it conked out. You have to laugh. No really, you do.

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.

Ease in gently

We’ve arrived at Forest Edge for the first camp of 2023. I’m a little giddy about it. Buddy was more understated.

Boys all settled ready for our first lessons tomorrow. We took them for a lovely hack round the forest to ease them in gently. I asked a walker if she’d take our photo. I didn’t realise she was on the phone. Made us giggle as she told whoever she was talking to that she was taking a photo for some ladies on horses. I guess for many people, it’s not an every day occurrence.

Now snuggled up in the Buddymobile, full of pizza and looking forward to tomorrow.

Pony party

Arrived at Onley this evening with my charge all ready for tomorrow’s competition. I’ve driven a friend’s lorry and her horse up here for as she’s coming back from holiday tonight. It made a change driving a 7.5t lorry. The joys of being of a certain age is that my driving licence means I can drive it without the need for an extra test.

Now snuggled up in the lorry for the night.

So vane

Spotted this weather vane on my way to collect The Comedy Car. It’s so cool. I’ve always wanted a weather vane, but not had a house that would suit one. It took a while to get the photo as the wind was whipping it about. Got there in the end. It was rather windy.

The Comedy Car has a new shiny tyre. And I took advantage of having The Buddymobile at home to give the living and the cab a good clean out. It’s amazing how dusty and dirty it gets.

Guess I’ll have to clean the inside of The Comedy Car. And the outside of The Buddymobile. Then both my vehicles will be shiny. And yes, those jobs are on the list…

Nature

I saw this quote today and it made me smile. I’m definitely an outdoor girl. After being ‘grounded’ yesterday, today it was lovely to be out and about again.

Dropped The Comedy Car off at the garage. Picked up The Buddymobile instead. Grateful that I have alternative transport – even if it’s a bit more of a challenge to park.

After meetings and cracking through my to-do list, I sat on the conservatory steps to drink my coffee. There was some warmth in the sun but the wind had some bite to it still. It filled my soul, that’s for sure.

I headed to the yard to meet a friend and her two daughters. They wanted to see Buddy. They helped me poo-pick his field (child labour at its finest). Gave him a lovely groom. Then came for a wander with us round the field. So lovely to be able to share my love of horses with them.