Frostbite

My goodness the wind has some bite to it today. I couldn’t feel my face by the time we’d finished our walk. Bert was on top form! He was having a blast chasing the leaves as they swirled about.

He really does make me laugh. He been in full Spaniel-mode the past few days on our walks. It’s wonderful to see his exuberance.

He got a few more admirers today. We had two trips to the same venue. First for breakfast, then back again later for coffee. He was introduced to sausages. Let’s just say he’s a big fan! Well there has to be perks to going out. Thankfully, Spaniel-mode is switched off when we’re out. Well for the most part…

Zoomies

As Bert has been doing so well with his recall, we’ve been experimenting with him being more free-range on his walks. Just for a few minutes to test the water. As a spaniel, he’s driven by his nose, so loves a good sniff. So this way he can sniff without getting caught round a tree!

Today he was in full zoomies mode. He made me laugh as he was tearing back and forth. His ears were flapping so much, he could have taken off!

Just call him Bert the Blur!

As well as he’s doing now, I’m preparing myself for the next phase when he forgets everything he’s learnt…

Glimmers

I took Bert out for his constitutional this morning. It was a very grey and gloomy affair that’s for sure.

I’m getting rather fed up of the gloom. I’m craving sunshine and moaning I’m too hot. Still there were glimmers of hope. I saw daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops starting to push through the soil. Spring is on its way.

Things do look quite green at the moment, but that’s cause there’s so much moss about! A byproduct of the damp conditions I’m guessing.

I’m really enjoying taking Bert out for his little walks. He’s 16 weeks old now, but still can’t do too much. He doesn’t seem to get he has a limit, so I’m being very careful with my baby boy.

I do look like a Michelin Man with all my layers, but at least I’m kinda warm. Most walks I come back and I can’t feel my face! Good job I’m used to spending a lot of time outdoors.

Humble by nature

This was one of my Christmas presents. I’ve been looking forward to reading it. Today was the day I started it. I took my turn to bask in the sunshine in the conservatory. Just me and the kittens while Bert had a nap after our lovely walk this morning.

It makes me smile whenever I walk out on to Braydeston Hills. I’d lived in the close for over 7 years before I found out there was a footpath at the bottom. It leads out onto the most beautiful countryside. One of the more positive things that came from lockdown!

Taking Bert out there this morning was so lovely. He was such a good boy on the long line. He even sat and waited while a rather nervous dog walked by.

Sitting in the sunshine reading about Kate’s move from London to Wales really struck a chord. I can totally understand why she wanted to move to countryside. I’m definitely a country girl too…

Ancient woods

I took Bert for a walk through some ancient woods this morning. I’d forgotten how beautiful they are. Even more beautiful in the winter sunshine.

After the grey skies, clouds and fog of the past few weeks, this made a wonderful change.

These woods used to be privately owned, but were bought with donations and put in trust to preserve them. That makes me heart swell. So much of our beautiful woodlands and countryside are being lost. Knowing this will be kept for future generations is great.

These woods were on one of my lockdown walks. It seems such a long time ago that I used to walk miles to keep my head from imploding with it all. Now I have Bert, I can see I will need to rediscover some of the routes again.

Think I might need to invest in some decent walking boots…

Big coat

In preparation for the ‘big freeze’, I broke out Buddy’s ‘big coat’. Of course, it will now be much milder than they’re forecasting.

My ‘big coat’ was called into action too. First to take Bert for a walk. I did wait till the sleet had stopped. Then again to lunge Buddy over some raised poles. I say over, he nearly fell over them! Poles on the ground or raised are definitely something we need to work on. And when I say we…

Centre Paws

Bert and I headed over to Centre Paws today for coffee and cake with Michaela. First we went for a little walk. Bert got to meet lots of new dogs as they have a huge dog field. He also had his first ‘pupochino’. One of the other dogs didn’t like it. Bert definitely did!

Then I headed back to pop Buddy over a few jumps. All in all a good last day of 2024.

Christmas Cheer

This little face has brought some much needed Christmas Cheer to Chez Langley. He was very excited about going to the yard to muck out first thing.

Then he went for a lovely walk. Before heading home to open presents. Can’t say he’s totally got the hang of presents. Like a small child, he was more interested in the wrapping paper than the gifts. But he loved the toys and treats he was given. He was spoilt that’s for sure.

Buddy and the kittens got their fair share of gifts too. Buddy got carrots and parsnips. The kittens got Sheba. And I had my non-conventional Christmas dinner.

Whatever you’ve been up to today, I hope you’ve had a wonderful time. Merry Christmas one and all.

First walkies

Another big day in Bert’s World. He went for his first walkies. Having been round the garden a few times on the lead, he was really easy to walk. He wasn’t phased by the cars. Or the train when it went past. But then he’s not bothered by that in the garden.

He was very keen to get out and about. He really is a confident little chap. Gold Star for Bert!

Two stepping

Second day of camp and our second lesson. This time flat work. Now we all know that it’s not our favourite thing. But the more I learn, the more I’m beginning understand the benefits. We had many a conversation about it while watching the lessons. There was also a lot of running about picking up poos and moving poles.

If your horse has a good walk, you can get a good trot. A good trot leads to a good canter. And a good canter leads to a good jump. Hardly rocket science, but something that’s worth keeping in mind.

Today’s lesson was on zig zag and turning using your legs rather than too much rein. Really made my brain hurt. Especially when we changed rein. I have to say, Buddy feels so much softer and improved in his flatwork since his rehab. He’s new and improved. Sadly his Mother wasn’t as improved. I seemed to have lost the ability to ride his canter, resulting in a few wall of death moments.

Then the lightbulb went on in my head and I muscle memory kicked in. Once I actually sat into him and went with him, it was a very different picture. Just shows that I have had time out too.

Last day tomorrow. This really is my happy place. And I’m very happy with my little boy today. As Ed Sheeran would say I was two stepping with the one love. Maybe it’s time to dust off the dancing shoes after all.