Abode

I’m back home after a very long and emotional week. Driving back gave me time to reflect on things. My Mum has been very poorly for over 5 years. It’s been a lot. I guess I’ve had plenty of time to think about her passing. Rehearse it in many ways. Don’t get me wrong, there’s much sadness. There are also a lifetime of memories to look back at too.

I listened to a podcast on the way back that compared life to a roadtrip. The irony of me listening to it on the M25 wasn’t lost believe me. When you drive, you spend more time looking at the road ahead than you do looking in your rear view mirror. I guess that’s why the windscreen is bigger than the rear window.

It was an interesting analogy. And got me thinking about where I’m heading. Not literally of course. My first stop was to see Buddy, well after getting home and seeing the kittens. The kittens were very pleased to see me. Buddy was more interested in his hay. He did give me a couple of smooches. I’ll take that. And an evening of kitten cuddles on the sofa.

I know I will need to head back to my Dad’s again soon. But for now, I’m happy to be home.

Poor planning

I found out yesterday that I wasn’t needed to groom for the Norfolk today. I was at a bit of a loose end. Well till a client asked if I could do a site visit to Essex.

I set off early to beat the heat, in shorts no less and windows open. The downside to the Comedy Car – no AC. I was making good time till an accident on A12 stopped my progress. My Sat Nav took me on a bit of a scenic route. You know the type where you feel like you’re getting further away from where you’re heading. It also kept telling me there was a faster route. Which seemed to add more time! Work that one out.

Still I got to my destination, did what I needed to do and headed back home. It was only when I was nearly home that I realised I’d been about 20 mins away from Ingatestone Saddlery.

So that was poor planning on my part. Probably better for my wallet though. I will get there one day.

Kiss kiss

Greetings from North Wales! Guess who thought it would be good idea to drive here on a Bank Holiday weekend?! 7 hours it took me! So many hold up. Still I got to catch up with a few people on my travels. Lovely to chat to so many people. And listened to a few podcasts.

On arrival, I was greeting with lots of puppy kisses. Well after I’d unfurled myself from The Comedy Car. It’s not the most comfortable on a long journey. Lily was very pleased to see me. As were the rest of the Birkett’s.

Dramarama

Back home after a very long day at the BRC Intermediate Champs in Onley. I wasn’t competing, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t in on all the action.

Up for the Arena Walk, which mostly involved me taking my jacket on and off, jumping up and down and generally desensitising the horses to the fact the viewing gallery was rather close to the arenas.

Then it was helping one of the rider get ready for her test. Well I was until another rider’s horse managed to pull a shoe off and cut herself. Once the first rider was onboard, I rushed to get the vet and find a farrier. The later proved more challenging as there wasn’t one onsite. After ringing round as many farriers as we could Google. We found one who would put the shoe on. But only if we took the horse to him.

Cue 1.5 hour roadtrip to the farrier’s house! Where he put the shoe back on on his driveway. I kid you not!!

We managed to made it back in time for her to plait, get signed off by the vet and get ridden in for her test. Phew!

Good job I’m calm in a crisis.