Ticking ‘em off

After feeling out of sorts yesterday, I was much more grounded today. And rather motivated to tick things off my to-do list.

Yesterday I also realised the tax had run out on the Comedy Car – at the end July! So got that sorted out. It made me take a look at my to-do list to see what else had fallen down it. Today, I reversed it and ticked off lots of the small, annoying things on there.

Mother Nature gave me a helping hand with a few of them. Watering the garden, cleaning my tack, washing the Comedy Car….

We got soaked on our ride, so tack cleaning was definitely needed after that. The rain helped my garden and cleaned my car. So three more ticks right there!

Anyone else add things to their list, just to tick them off?!

All cuddled up

Right, I know I said you can’t control the weather, but this is just ridiculous now. Maybe Mother Nature didn’t like the fact I said I was fully prepared for Summer?! If so, I’m sorry. Please can we have sunshine again?

The winter dressing gown and fluffy socks have been drafted back into action. They thought they were getting a little break. My 1 tog duvet has been cast aside. The new shorts I bought are still in the bag.

Today I was back in a thermal base layer, a jacket and a gillet! It’s July. I should be moaning I’m too hot.

I must say that I am enjoying the kitten cuddles. They are little purry hot water bottles. We’re all cuddled up listening to the rain on the roof.

Grazing

Buddy was a very happy little boy today. He’s moved to a different field and there’s lots of lovely long grass for him to graze on. He was so happy that he barely registered it when I drove past and said hello.

I love this field. It’s got the most amazing view towards Norwich. The sun sets behind it. So I’ve seen a few stunning sunsets. I miss sunsets. Please can we have them back? I’m done with grey clouds and rain. We’re not even getting the joy of a rainbow to balance out the drizzle.

It’s true what they say, you can’t control the weather. Whoever’s got the sunshine, I hope you’re enjoying.

Summer ready

Right Summer I am officially ready for you. Last week, I bought four new pairs of shorts. Today, my lightweight reincoat arrived.

The shorts I have had definitely see better days. They’re too big too. I had some time to kill as I was waiting for my dentist appointment, so off I popped to search for shorts. They were on sale too! Well I guess there’s no that much call for them – with all the rain and cool temperatures.

After getting soaked on Saturday, I treated myself to a riding raincoat. I love my Equidry, but it’s the winter version. So this one is a lightweight version from a different manufacturer. Isn’t the colour lush?!

Let’s see which gets the most use. Cast your votes now people…

Paper thin

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Well this one doesn’t tell half the story. It looks lovely, right?! Nice fluffy clouds. Bit of sunshine. Perfect for a spot of dressage. This was after the BRC Dressage Qualifier had finished…

What the day had ACTUALLY been like was torrential downpours. It could have been renamed to ‘dancing seahorses’.

I was there to steward as Carleton RC were hosting. We all know how much I love a clipboard and some hi-viz, so I was looking forward to it. Unfortunately I didn’t check the weather and didn’t get my layering right. Very grateful for the full length rain coat I was lent to keep me dry at least.

And can’t be said for my running orders that were so wet, they all stuck together. That made it rather challenging to work out who was meant to be where.

Four arenas is a lot to steward so I felt a bit chaotic at times. Luckily there was a dry running order to hand. With the use of a clear plastic lid and a bit of creativity, we got through everyone with military precision.

I left the Showground looking forward to a hot shower and a relaxing evening. Oh wait, I watched the England match. Great result, but my god, we like to do it the hard way…

Bedraggled

Took my charges out for a long walk this morning. In the rain. So we came came back rather bedraggled. All three of us have curly hair (or fur in their cases). Let’s just say we were all rocking the Poodle Perm by the time we’d finished.

I’m showing my age now. Who else remembers the Poodle Perm?! Please tell me it’s not just me? Even though my hair is curly. I still had a perm at one point. I vaguely remember doing a home kit as well. Cause that was what we did in the 80s.

Not that it made much difference. I was aiming for a spiral perm then. Now I just need a touch of rain or humidity and I have it naturally. Much easier. And less chance of losing an eye or chunks of hair.

Sleepy heads

This is what the kittens think of things. They have clearly decided to sleep through it. Can’t blame them. I wish I could. I felt rather tired when I work up this morning. Guess a day trip to Birmingham will do that to you.

Still I had a super productive admin day. Finally ticked a few things off the list that have been hanging around for a while. Very satisfying.

Less satisfying was the fact that having been dry all day, the heavens opened as I headed to the yard. Good job I’m not a fair-weather equestrian!! Picked the wrong country for that.

One good thing about the rain is that it makes weeding easier. Cleared a big patch of weeds on my driveway when I got back. Trouble is this wet / warm weather is perfect growing weather. Let’s hope they don’t come back too soon. I’ve still got a lot of weeds to tackle!!and more undergrowth to cull.

Shelter

Head over to Easton College for Carleton’s May Show. I was there to steward the show jumping. Wasn’t expecting to herd everyone into the arena to shelter from a thunderstorm. The rain was biblical at times and the thunder echoed round the arena.

Thankfully it passed quickly and we could get back on with the jumping. It was lovely seeing everyone in action. Of course, I did wish I was jumping. We’ll be back to it when Buddy is all better again.

At least I get to spend time watching the action, supporting others and catching up with my horsey family.

Close up

Thought I’d take a nice picture of Buddy in his smart rain coat. He had other ideas and thought he’d get up close and personal.

I was reminded of the saying ‘no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing’ today. Went out to poo pick having taken my coat off cause I was getting too hot. As I reached the furthest point from the yard, the heavens opened.

Let’s just say I was very soggy by the time I’d finished. I can’t help but laugh when the rain is running down my nose and back.

At least one of us was dry.

Complaint

Pretty stunning huh?! A beautiful calm sunny day you say? Not for my jumping lesson. I had high winds, rain and hail.

You know the type of weather where you have to laugh as you’re question your life choices. Where you’re coming into a jump eyes closed in the rain praying one of you can see it.

Thankfully Buddy was on great form. He locked onto every jump. Lewis brought a couple of his jumps over for us to have a play with. Buddy ate them up.

He had us working on straightness and curving lines. It wasn’t long ago that Buddy would have had a meltdown at such technical tracks. Now he’s taking me into the jumps. It’s a wonderful feeling.

Typically the wind dropped and the sun came out after we finished. I did put in a complaint that I got the more challenging weather. I guess it was typical eventing weather. Time to break out the body protector and get back to it.

Super pleased with my little boy today.