Tag: wonderful

Evenfall

What a wonderful way to end a rather frustrating day. Customer Service is a dying art. Or maybe we’ve gone too far with the whole ‘keeping your account secure’ thing. I’ve been stuck in an email loop trying to prove who I am. Honestly, it made me laugh and almost cry at the same time.

I have to admit, they got off on the wrong foot by sending me an email addressed to ‘Valued Customer’. That’s rich when you hear where we went next…

Questions like ‘what’s the email address associated with the account?’ Umm that would be the email address you’ve emailed me on.

‘What’s the account number?’ Oh the one on the email I originally sent you?! That one?!

‘What’s the name on the account?’ The name I put in the original email? No, I’ll repeat it. It’s Philippa.

‘Sorry we can’t accept your answers as you signed your email Pip. Not Philippa…’

Give me strength!! So I called them. Ranted for a while. Still getting no further with answering the questions I had. Eventually the poor person on the phone said she’d raise a complaint for me. I did apologise to her as it wasn’t her fault.

Please tell me it’s not just me?! Then they had the cheek to send me a ‘customer satisfaction survey’. Lock and load people…!

At least my ride was much more pleasant. It was the perfect temperature. Perfect ponies. Perfect company. Just perfect.

Wonderful

What a difference a day makes huh? On Tuesday, I needed my layers as I rode round Blickling. Today, I needed less. It was wonderful to be back there. In the glorious sunshine.

I’ve had a wonderful day all round. One of those days where things line up and you seem to sail through things. Lots of wonderful things happened. Nothing earth shattering, but wonderful nonetheless.

Buddy had a wonderful day out with his friend Archie. Bert had a wonderful day when he discovered my yard owners dogs’ food. Little piggy!

The after effect of that aren’t quite so wonderful. His puppy farts are off the scale! He’s even spooked himself with them. I know I shouldn’t laugh, but I think he’s disgusted himself.

Assumptions

After days of hearing chainsaws from next door, it was a nice quiet day. Well till they started ripping the fences down to replace them. This involved clearing a lot of Ivy and such on my side of the fence line. More distraction.

So when I got a message from a friend asking if I was free for an arena hire with Buddy, I jumped at the chance to get out of the house.

The jumps were still out from Saturday’s clinic, so I foolishly assumed that Buddy would be happy to jump them. I was wrong. Again. Came into a fence he’d jumped beautifully on Saturday, only for him to slam on the brakes! He hasn’t done that for a long time. Bit of a regroup and he was soon jumping again nicely. Very odd. But not overthinking it. Well maybe a little bit.

Got back home to find 3/4 fence up. But a rather large gap between my fence and the new one that could leads onto the railway tracks. Not ideal with Bert and the kittens.

There was also a lot of debris and trampled plants. I needed to vent so wrote a long ranty message to another friend. Pressed send and then heard more fence ripping so went to investigate. The workmen were ripping out the two fence panels that are mine. I must have looked rather shocked and perplexed at this. They explained that the new owners had ask them to replace them as the same time. And they’d cover the cost. How wonderful is that?! Another job off my rather long list of house jobs.

Of course, I instantly felt bad for assuming, venting and complaining. The workmen offered to fix the gap too. I felt like a right arse. Well I guess that happens when you assume…

Bond

I was meant to be meeting up with a friend today. She was going to come to me, but hurt her knee skiing. She’s 72 and flipping amazing!

I had said I’d go to her (over an hours drive away). The Comedy Car is fixed. But still not quite right. About 2/10ths lame I’d say. So I was a little anxious about driving there.

We agreed to take a raincheck and decided to do a video call instead. We talked for nearly two hours!! It was wonderful to catch up.

I’m so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. I really am. So many of my friendships have been forged from chance meetings, a common bond or interesting circumstances. I love it when that happens…

Aunt Sally

I have had the most wonderful day. I met up with this glorious human being, my ‘aunt’ Sally. I first met her when I lived in Sweden. Not sure of the exact year, but we moved there in 1983. Her husband worked with my Dad. She’s been a part of my life ever since.

She now lives in New Zealand so we haven’t seen each other in the flesh for a few decades. But we are in touch by email. She’s back in the UK to support her youngest daughter who’s had her first baby before Christmas. As her daughter and husband live near Newmarket, we arranged to meet at Elveden for lunch.

It was so good to catch up with Sally. Growing up in a foreign country is an amazing experience, but can be a bit lonely. Sally became a surrogate aunt/mother to me. She was always there for me. Even when she had her own kids. I valued her wise words and advice over the years. She’s always seen me and accepted me for who I am. Something we all need. Especially during adolescence.

I remember when her youngest was born, now she’s a Mum herself. Makes me feel rather old in some ways. But meeting up today was like no time had passed at all. Just wonderful.

I’ve been saying for a long time that I want to go back to NZ again. And see her. Wonder if 2025 is the year I make that happen…

Freaky Friday

This was the best way to finish a rather freaky Friday. A lovely ride round Blickling in the evening sunshine.

My day didn’t get off to the best of starts. I was halfway to the Chiro’s when I realised I’d left my coffee on the counter. I’m going to let you into a secret. Part of the reason I’m so positive is my first coffee of the day. Without it, I’m in a bit uncoordinated. Even more than normal!!

I popped to the shop en route and bought a jar. But the dye was cast. Managed to set the alarm off when I did arrive at work. Not totally my fault as one of the keys on the keypad wasn’t working. First time I’d set it off. And boy was it loud!!

After that, it was one thing after another. By the end of the shift, the chiro and I were both laughing at the goings on. I checked the date – definitely not Friday 13th.

Given the way the day had been going, I wasn’t sure if a trip out in the Buddymobile was wise. Thankfully, the gods were back side and it was wonderful. We haven’t been to Blicking for such a long time. It was lovely to be back. We’ll be back again soon.

Lucky girl

Something very wonderful happened today. The wonderful Kim let me compete the equally wonderful Irish at our RC Show today. I took him for a spin round the 70cm, taking 6th place for the fastest 4 faults.

It’s wonderful for many reasons. Firstly, that someone would trust me with their precious horse. Secondly, the fact I’ve only ridden him once before and hasn’t jumped a course with him. Thirdly, it’s my first competition of 2024!

I didn’t ride as well as I know I can. I was too busy having a wonderful time – smiling and chatting away like a lunatic. I know the 4 faults were totally on me. I took an ‘eventing’ line to the last and he took it out.

I’m still beaming!! I’m such a lucky girl. I really am…