Nettles

I think most people know that I love nature. I love being out in it. I love almost everything about it. I say almost, I’m not mad keen when nature fights back.

As it was a nice day, I thought I’d mow the lawns and have a bit of a tidy up of the borders. Great plan I hear you say…

This is me, so it wasn’t going to run smoothly. But even by my standards, I excelled myself. There were a few rather large nettles. No problem, I have protective gloves for them. Unfortunately, they don’t protect against ineptitude. I am now the proud owner of many stings. I peaked when I managed to pull one up and smack myself full in the face. I can confirm that flipping hurts!!

Bert tried to come to my rescue, but ended up taking me out with his cone. We’d been doing well with the body suit. Till he had an accident. I wasn’t quick enough with the fastenings (the clue is there). It needed to go in the wash. So we were back to the cone of shame. My legs are covered in scrapes and bruises from him bashing into me.

I managed to mow the back lawn after nearly falling over him several times. Then it was onto the front. Where a dog rose decided to attack me. Seriously?! They hurt too I can tell you.

Thankfully a full brown bin ended my gardening efforts and I headed to the yard. Buddy had excelled himself in the poo stakes. So that was fun!

Even though I covered him in fly spray, he spent the whole ride trying to get the flies off. There were so many today.

All in all, I’d say it was a draw between me and nature today. My face is really sore. Not as bruised as Bert’s Crown Jewels. He keeps rolling over to show me…

Sole comfort

I broke out my new yard boots today. I bought them when I was at Badminton, but they’ve sat in the box. The reason? Well the old ones were still doing OK. Sure they have holes in them, but it’s been so dry it hasn’t been an issue. I did end up with rather dusty socks though.

Today was a different weather day, so I didn’t want squelchy feet. They are slightly different from my old ones. Still Ariats. Still super comfortable. They’re almost too good to get covered in muck and mud…

Thumper

Bert loves a carrot. He found one on the yard and happily ate it up.

It seems that he might have been channeling his inner rabbit a bit too much though. He’s going through a hormone burst and has become something of a humper.

He’s tried humping me, but that didn’t work. Tonight, we went over to a friend’s for dinner. And to meet her two dogs. One of whom, Bert took quite a shine to. Well judging from the fact he tried him to mount her several times. This was after a rather vigorous play session. Thankfully, Bert hasn’t got a clue what he’s doing (I’ve had a few dates like that).

He was trying to hump her head… At least I got dinner first.

Solar powered

Day 157: solar powered. When the phone rang early this morning, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully it was a friend asking us out for a puppy play date. We took the dogs over a local dog park. Bert had a blast. We had coffee and a good catch up.

I am clearly solar powered! Bit of sun and I’m back to boundless energy. So when I got back, the horse hoover was deployed and cleaned out my lorry. I’d brought it home yesterday after Newmarket.

Then Bert had Puppy College. He was a little tired from his morning exertions. No bad thing for Storm Bert. He was definitely ready for his afternoon nap. So I left him home while I went to the yard to muck out and popped Buddy over a couple of jumps.

What a lovely day!

Timing

They say trust the timing of your life. Well I’m having trust issues with mine today.

This morning, I went to sit on the sofa arm. Totally mistimed it and ended up on falling backwards onto the floor. Landed on my hand and jarred myself. Bert was most concerned.

Then we went out for our walk. Mistimed it so ended up getting caught in a shower. Was resigning myself to yet another soaking, when I remembered there is one of those emergency hoods on my coat.

Except it was too big for my head as it’s designed to go over a riding hat. So kept blowing off. Have you ever tried to pick up dog poo while holding a lead, stopping your hood blowing down and trying not to slide over in the mud. Thankfully I ended up laughing at my situation. And didn’t faceplant.

Then I headed to the yard, just as the heaven’s opened again. So got my timing wrong there.

Finally I forgot to put the timer on for my dinner so managed to burnt it.

Let’s hope my timing is better tomorrow…

Po

You know when you see something and you think ‘there’s a story there….’ Well this was one of those moments.

Ironically, it wasn’t on ‘Teletubby Hill’ – the nickname we have for one of the lanes near the yard. It was further on. Made me laugh as it’s not what I was expecting to see on a Sunday afternoon.

Buddy and I had a lovely ride out. Apart from a bit of a wardrobe malfunction. His hi-viz sheet somehow flew over his tail and was flapping round in the strong winds. I couldn’t get it back in place while onboard, so I rode back sitting on it. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but at least it stopped it acting like a sail.

As Po would say ‘uh oh!’

Runaround

After lunging Buddy this afternoon, I thought I’d let Bert have a runaround in the indoor school too.

One of the yard dogs, Thor, came to join the fun too. There’s a considerable size difference between then and I’m not sure Thor totally knew what to make of Bert.

Bert was submissive when needed. He also jumped all over Thor. But they were so cute together. It’s a very good start to Bert’s yard induction.

When I take him out on the long line, it’s a bit like lunging a horse. He’s getting the hang of it. But Buddy is definitely easier to lunge. He doesn’t randomly change direction when he gets a good sniff…

Poor Santa

This is what happens when you try to take a photo of your horse standing next to Santa. Buddy knocked him over.

We had a lot of fun at the yard today with a spot of ‘pony club games / Le Trec’. Buddy aced the obstacles. He’s a pro at it now. He even acted as ‘emotional support pony’ for some of the newer liveries who haven’t experienced our yard games before.

Anything to make winter a little bit more fun..

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.

Red sky

The sky was on fire when I got back from the yard. It was so radiant that it gave the whole garden a pinky hue. It was very pretty indeed! As are the flowers that have blossomed. Again. I have things in bloom that should be out in Spring!!

I woke up feeling quite disconnected today. So I pottered before taking Buddy out for a lovely long ride out. Best way to ground myself. The last week has been an emotional rollercoaster. It will take time to come to terms with it all.

If the saying is anything to go by, tomorrow will be a nice date. But never mind shepherd’s delight. A red sky at night was Pip’s delight too.