Cold shoulder

Back to reality with a shiver today. It took me ages to scrape all the frozen snow and ice off the Comedy Car before I could head home from Birmingham. I know I’ve spent 3 days running around like a headless chicken, but it did feel like I might have skipped a few months as it was so mild when I arrived.

After yesterday’s long day and massive step count, all 42k of them (nearly 23 miles), my feet looked like they’ve got frostbite. They are very sore and throbbing.

Got home to find my house was a cool 7 degrees! So headed to see Buddy while the hearing did its thing. I definitely got the cold shoulder from him to start off with. But he soon thawed and came over for a cuddle.

I am very, very tired. So early night for me. I’m so proud of what the team achieved over the past few days. It’s getting 5 star reviews!

Head in the clouds

I woke up feeling very tired and a bit overwhelmed today. It’s been an emotional day. A really close friend of mine recently lost her big brother. It was his funeral today. My heart is aching for her as I can empathise.

It’s taken me back to losing my brother. I can’t quite believe it’ll be 20 years this year that he chose to end his life.

Although the circumstances are very different for my friend, the questions are similar, the emotions raw and life has changed forever.

Even after all these years, I have days when I struggle with his death.

I took Buddy out for a ride and looked up at the clouds. I had a quiet word with him. I hope he’s looking down and is proud of his little sister.

Groom

Headed to the Suffolk Show bright and early today with Vic and Ernie. Well maybe not bright but definitely early. We were just about to leave when I realised I was wearing jeans. Not appropriate groom’s wear. See, not so bright. Not sure where my head was this morning. Too busy trying making sure I remembered my hat. Grateful I live so close to the yard as I was able to whizz home to pick up some more appropriate trousers.

A broken down bus meant a detour round the country lanes. We met a Good Samaritan who came to our rescue and told us to follow her. Which we duly did. Poor Ernie was bouncing around in the trailer down some rather narrow tracks.

Still we arrived in good time. Just as the heaven’s opened. Luckily it was a passing shower. Before we knew it, it was show time! It was all going on! It was rammed by the ring. Not seen that many people at the show for many a year. There was a motorbike display going on in the main ring. That was really loud. The ring was buzzing with music, people, children, dogs and a tannoy going on. Quite the challenge.

Still Vic and Ernie held it together and came away with second place. Very proud of my charges today.

Once we got back, I took Buddy for his constitutional. Before walking home. Cause I hadn’t walked enough today. My step count will be high today! Think we will all sleep well tonight.

Twitchy

I woke up feeling rather twitchy. Not sure why. I felt the need to be active. So I set about my house. Things have slipped recently. Understandably given all that’s been going on.

Finally got round to putting some more Buddy memory pictures up. These pictures represent two very big highlights from 2023. I’ve achieved a lot in my life so far, but competing at Hickstead is definitely in my Top 5!!

Photos like these inspire me, motivate me and remind me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. So after waking up twitchy, I finish the day feeling proud.

DIY-er

Now this may not look like a lot to some, but I’m rather proud of myself. It involved a ladder and a power drill!

A bit of guttering fell off a while ago. It’s been on the list but not made it to the top. Today was the day!

While the ladder was out, I checked the roof as it has started leaking in the boot room again. Looks like the flashing had split. Again. So I got some sealant out. Not the best job ever, but fingers crossed it stops the leak.

In typical fashion, the minute I started looking at things, I saw so many more jobs that need doing. So the list may have grown. But at least I get to tick a few off as well.

Farewell

Today I said goodbye to my friend Martine. It was an emotional service to say the least. My tears were already flowing. Then I saw her riding hat on her coffin.

It was also a very fitting tribute to a wonderful woman. I will think of her every time I ride. Her wise words ringing in my ears. I will think of her every time I put on hi-viz. Her stern words ringing in my ears.

When I got Buddy, 7 years ago today, she told me that she would help me with ‘this one’. ‘This one’ was the one for me. And she was spot on there!

When she praised you, you knew it was well earned. When she said she was proud of you, it was the most magical feeling.

So thank you Martine. You helped me more than you will ever know. I’m now riding for us both.

Smashed it

Bit late but I’ve just stopped after a 19.5 hour day! What a bloody brilliant day. Not without it’s challenges. But wouldn’t be an event without those!

The main thing is that all of the delegates had a good time and Simon is happy.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of what we’ve achieved in the past couple of days.

My feet are wrecked. I ache all over. And I haven’t eaten enough. Standard after an event of this size.

Now time for bed. There will be some sore heads tomorrow that’s for sure. My job here is done…

Stepping up

Today Buddy and I did our first competitive 90cm show jumping class. It wasn’t pretty, but we did it. I’ve been wanting to step him up a level for a while. Our last few 80cm rounds haven’t been clear, so wasn’t sure if I should.

I was obviously having a good day when I put the entries in. And feeling brave (or stupid). The last time I competed at 90cm was with Murphy. That was at least 8 years ago.

This morning I wasn’t feeling like leaving the house (not even my house), let alone pushing our comfort zone! Still as I headed to the yard, I made a deal with myself. Go and do 80cm class and see how I felt.

Buddy was rather pleased to be out jumping and warmed up like a dream. Optimism was high! That quickly dipped when he entered the ring and spooked at the timing equipment. Cause he’s never seen that before!!

Still we jumped round in a lovely rhythm. Even jumped our first competitive triple too. The 2 we had down were my fault as I pushed him out of his rhythm. It was a technical course, so I was really pleased with him.

The last time we jumped in competition was at Hickstead. So not like we’ve been out much.

Then it was onto the 90cm. It was definitely a case of ‘we came, we jumped’. We left most of them up. Still had 5 poles though. Haven’t had a cricket score for a while.

So imagine my surprise when I was told we came 3rd! Apparently, we weren’t the only cricket score.

I couldn’t have been happier with Buddy. He tried for me and I know we’ll be getting clear rounds soon. We’ll both sleep well tonight.

Achievements

I finally got round to framing some more photos. These represent three of my biggest achievements with Buddy. I’m very proud of them. And what we’ve achieved together.

Funnily it was FB telling me that it was a year since I posted the pictures from our first BRC Champs that spurred me into action.

I bought the frames a while back too. Today was the day to get them sorted. Just need to get them on the wall now. Let’s hope that doesn’t take me another year…

Niece lunch

Home after another mammoth drive. Took a detour on the way back to meet up with my northern family. So good to catch up with them. One of my nieces is back from New Zealand for a little holiday. I’m so proud of both of my nieces. They’ve grown into amazing women.

We didn’t have long together as I needed to hit the M6, but it was worth the extra miles to see them.