Armistice Day

Today is Armistice Day. So feel right to remember my Mum’s Dad. Meet Albert (my Grandfather). He was born in 1897 and died before I was born so I never met him. My Nanna used to tell me we were similar. Seems I got my love of horses from him.

When WWI broke out, he was working in a mine in South Wales. As he had come from a farm in Somerset and they had put him to work with the horses.

He tried to sign up but he was under age and in a reserved occupation so wasn’t allowed to join up. He took the King’s shilling and joined the Middlesex Regiment on the 15 January 1917 he went to France and worked with the horses there, driving a supply wagon between camps.

He was gassed at Ypres (known by the troops as “Wipers”) and later came home with Bronchitis. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 2 December 1917 where he was in France until the end of the war in 1918.

He came back, but war changed him. He wasn’t the same, how could he be?! The price of victory was huge. It was meant to be the war to end all wars. Sadly we’re still fighting. I wish I’d had the chance to meet him and say thank you.

We will remember them.

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.

Hot chocolate

It seems lots of things are benefitting from a bit of rain. Especially me. It was much clearer and cooler this morning after the downpour last night.

I could almost hear the plants rejoicing as I wandered round my garden. Amazing how one’s attitude to rain changes when you don’t get any! After weeks of bemoaning it, we’re back to craving it. We are so fickle…

The rose bush I was given to remember Tom and Nero was particularly happy today. So many blossoms and buds. It’s called hot chocolate as I wanted something to remind me of my beautiful black boys. As they both aged, they ended up being more brown and black. This rose has similar hues.

Both of the kittens have made nest either side of it in the border. I wonder if they know that it’s a cat’s rose.

Always remember

A few years ago, a very wise woman suggested that I hang a bauble on my tree for my brother. This is the bauble I chose.

I know so many people who have lost a loved one in the past year, it feels right that it be not only for my brother, but for them too. So this is for those who aren’t here this Christmas. 😊