Fancy footwork

Strictly is back! And I am one very happy girl. It’s one of the wonderful things about the end of Summer. Weeks of watching fancy footwork, enjoying the journey and seeing how the celebrities grow.

Welled up watching Amy back dancing. It’s been quite the journey for her too. I have a few favourites already. And there are a few who have further to go…

In fact, fancy footwork was a bit of a theme as I also got to go to Carrow Road to watch Norwich City. They not only won, they played really well too. Though it was so warm, it felt more like a pre-season match. Very odd to be at the football wearing a polo shirt and not layers. I am not complaining though. It won’t be long before I’m lighting the twig burner and breaking out the big coat.

Roasting

Today has been the hottest day of the year so far. It’s been toasty for sure. Thankfully there was a lovely cooling breeze as well.

The positives about the warm weather are that my garden looks wonderful at the moment. I got all my washing dry on the line. I stripped the bed and got the bedding dry too.

The downside is that there was a lot of sweating as I stripped and remade the bed. Why did I think that would be a good idea in 30 degree heat?! Do other nations have such issues? Or is this a British thing?

The humidity has been off the scale. It’s currently 27 degrees in my living room. And yes, my hair is ‘doing a Monica’.

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.

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…

Swallows

“One swallow does not a summer make…..” Well these two must be wondering what the hell they’ve arrived back to!!

You can just imagine the arguments: “I told you we should have stayed another week…”

It’s always a wonderful sight when the swallows return. Let’s hope warmer weather makes a return too.

Ears of corn

The maize has shot up since we’ve been away. It’s now over our heads. I love the swishing noise as it blows in the breeze. Buddy, not so much. His little ears were going like a radar dish.

He’s had a few days off after Hickstead. It was lovely to take him out for a quick leg stretch between meeting.

On the way back, we stopped to pick a few fat, juicy blackberries. Today felt rather Autumnal. So much for the British Summer.

Horseflies

I love finishing the day with a hack. There’s something wonderful about a Summer evening ride. It’s so still. And hardly a soul about.

Sadly the same can’t be said for the horseflies and other bitey creatures!! I put fly spray on Buddy. Which means they bother him less. The downside is that the bitey things then pick on me instead. I killed 8 horseflies tonight!

Honestly, we wait all year for nice weather. Then within minutes, the ground is too hard. It’s too dusty. And there’s too many bugs around. 😆

Can’t fault the view though…

Cloud busting

Buddy and I got trapped today. I was planning on taking him out for a hack. But as I was tacking up, the heavens opened and it threw it down!!

And not just rain, hail stones, thunder and lightening. A proper Summer storm. It was so heavy, I didn’t want to leave his stable. In fact I could barely see the other side of the stable yard. Eventually it eased enough for us to make a break to the indoor arena.

As you can tell Buddy was thrilled by it all.