Tuesday 23 December 2008

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

One more day to go, then it's the holidays!

I've been looking forward to time off work for what feels like a long time, although I will come in after Christmas to do some admin stuff.

So far, most days of the holidays have been booked by friends and family to EAT!! So goodness knows when I'll get time to work on these pesky horses of mine - they definitely require work as their manners are just awful.

I had my Christmas Party on Saturday night, which I think went well - I enjoyed myself. Now the house just looks as if a bomb hit it. I have piles of glasses, plates and pots still to be washed. Sorry, I know that is disgusting, but I have been washing a small pile of dirty dishes at a time, as I'm knackered and to be honest I'm feeling a bit lazy, but it will all be finished by tomorrow night.

On Sunday, Chris and I, Caroline & Duncan were invited to Sunday brunch at Niall & Carla's. That was a fantastic afternoon. We were fed and watered with buck fizz in great style and the food was delicious. We all ate until we nearly popped! Then we went home without offering to do the washing up, we just gladly waved goodbye and disappeared! Back at home I did manege to find the energy to clear up the mess from my party and then I sat in front of the fire, watched an awful film which made me cry then went to bed!

We are out to dinner tonight, and delivering Christmas presents on the way. Tomorrow, we are taking the boys to lunch, then meeting friends at the newly opened Nardini's in Largs. Christmas day - lunch with family. Boxing day, dinner with more family. Just the thought of all that food is making me feel queasy!

Have a wonderful break. Enjoy yourselves. Take Care and lets hope that 2009 brings us all some relief from this global CRUNCH!

XXX




Tuesday 2 December 2008

OCTOBER + NOVEMBER - I'm trying to keep up to date!



I am trying to catch up on this diary / blog. I'll start with this past weekend and work backwards.

Well, what fabulous weather we had last weekend! Cold, dry and sunny, with beautiful hoar frost making our little part of the world look like a winter wonderland. But it is all down hill from then - the rain is back causing havoc on the roads and pavements due to black ice. All very nasty. Thankfully I rugged the Dartmoors last night.

On Saturday, Imogen re sat and passed her Kennel Club Good Citizen's Silver Test. I guess we will have to attempt the Gold test now. Fleur failed her Gold test and was beginning to be fed up with puppy school, so we stopped going to classes. So we'll see if Imogen can beat her on the obedience front! Highly unlikely ... but ... you never know.

What happened in November? Well, I'm driving a hire car. This is a story that actually starts at the beginning of October and has dragged on till now - December. I guess it has become quite a important thing in my dull life at the moment. Well that and the credit crunch.

At the end of September, my beautiful Italian import Alfa Romero 147, 2L T-spark decided that enough was enough, after 97,000 miles on the clock, the head gasket had "went" again. This meant that I had to continually fill the water bottle every few miles as the engine was constantly at boiling point. All rather scary.

Eventually I was persuaded to trade her in rather than have her repaired, which I duly did. I had to wait a week or should I say, seven working days for the cheque to clear and the garage do a mechanical check on the new 147 alfa 1.6 L car that I agreed to traded down to. It is red and has 3 doors. It is a 2004 model with only 35K on the clock. A good deal and it was. Of course, this meant that I had to hire a car for a week before I could take possession of the red alfa.

Two weeks to the day, driving home from Mum's, the car went bang! Well actually it sounded like phiss. And the engine was dead! The AA man thought that the timing belt had gone - and I thought, Oh No, not again! The car was towed away and I have not seen it since. The timing belt was part of the problem, but the valves had managed to put holes or a hole in the engine which means it is useless. So now I'm waiting to find out if the garage can find a reconditioned engine to put into this red car. The reconditioned engine was their suggestion, and now six weeks later I'm past caring any more.

So this car fiasco has been the major event in my life over the past few months. Of course I'm regretting not spending the money to fix the car I had. Ach, well. Life is full of regrets, and no doubt I'll find time to moan at a later date. So in the meantime, the garage has now given me a car to get around in.

Monday 24 November 2008

Christopher's 50th Birthday


I have been very amiss at keeping this blog up to date. In fact it almost three months since I last put up a post!
Christopher was 50 at the beginning of September - which gave us both a fright. I had no idea what to do for his Birthday. We usually do an away day, for example, last year we went trail riding near Lochgilphead and the year before we went to Peebles Mountain Biking. (which he hated!!)
This year however, Christopher chose to go to Liverpool for three days to watch La Machine's Spider make it's way through the city. The picture above shows just a very few photographs that we took, but most of them show that it rained.
We stayed in an superb apartment which had a fantastic view over the city, looking towards the Liver Buildings, and was situated a street away from the main thoroughfare of the City. I have to say, even though we were permanently soaked to the skin all weekend, we had a brilliant time. The people were friendly and the food was delicious and plenty, and I would thoroughly recommend a visit to Liverpool.
What else happened in September? I'm racking my brains to remember..... My beautiful foal Bazil, scratched away his fantastic main and a lot of his body coat as well, as he suddenly became Wheat and Barley intolerant. Now he looks like a scabby mongrel. I'm hoping that by next spring his main will have grown back and he will be a stunning looking pony once again.
I brought Ruth (Bazil's Mum) back from Devon also in September. She is incredibly fat and getting bigger by the day. Her new foal is due in April, but in the meantime, she is in good health and only slightly irritated by the foal moving about.

Monday 25 August 2008

WHY DO I DO IT? Showing my Dartmoor Ponies

I'm just a glutton for punishment! On Sunday I took Bazil to his second ever show. At one year and three months old, he was such a good boy, not really being phased by anything on the showground. Well a wee look at the generator at the back of the burger van and the rubber matting for the cars to drive on, other than that he was so laid back. I had entered him into the young stock class, for Mountain and Moorland ponies three years and under. He was the youngest in the class and was a bit mouthy, and impatient, but again, rather well behaved. In a class of nine, there was one New Forrest, one Shetland, Bazil and lots of Welsh Mountain Ponies. We came in last!

We had a good day regardless of what the judge thought and the pony learned a lot too, which is the most important thing for both of us. Taking my youngsters to small shows is a vital part of their education, and that is why I do it.

My gripe is that I just wish there were classes for Welsh Mountain Ponies only at every show and classes for all other Natives which are not Welsh Mountain Ponies. You just don't get a chance. However, this time the judge did look at the other native ponies entered into the class, but most of the time I have to say they don't bother!

I went down to Devon last weekend to collect Ruthie from stud. I have put her to the same stallion as before - Senruf Graduate. This time I'm hoping Ruth will have a filly, but I don't really care as long as it is healthy and survives that is all that matters. We had a lovely weekend away. We took my niece with us as she was very keen to see around the stud and have never been to Devon before. She could have been anywhere the night we arrived as it was pouring with rain, we couldn't see a thing! We stayed at the local Inn and had dinner with a small group of friends, which was great, as I don't know when I'll see them again.

Ruth travelled safely back up to Scotland and took a couple of days to settle back in with the herd at home, although she instantly hooked up with Bazil. Now everything is back to normal, and I just struggle to fit all the animals and work and Chris into my daily routine! Hey-ho!

Wednesday 23 July 2008

Horse Handler to the rescue!


Steve Thompson and his wife came to the rescue on Friday afternoon. I had asked their for help because Bazil would not load into the horse box or even a trailer, and his big outing is on Friday 25th July at Border Union Show.
To begin with Steve wanted to watch how Bazil and I interact, and he instantly saw that the foal was higher up the equine hierarchy and I was subordinate within the herd. So to start with we had to re establish my position within the herd, which was achieved by simple exercises. I don't want to give too much away!
After about half to three quarters of an hour, Bazil was beginning to submit, Steve then introduced him to the horse box. Meantime the weather deteriorated and it began to drizzle, and shortly afterwards the midges came out and we were all covered from head to foot in skin so soft. The place stank like a harlot's boudoir!
Poor Steve, after several hours of gently coaxing Bazil up onto the ramp, he just wouldn't do it. We are unsure if he didn't understand what we wanted from him or not. But Steve's journey was definitely not a waist of time. He taught me the tools I need to keep Bazil in his place, and for that I was very grateful.
On Saturday afternoon, I did half an hour ground work with Bazil, going through the exercises that Steve had explained to me. Then it was time to introduce the horse box again. It took me about two and a half hours, but in the end he walked into the horse box as if he does it every day of his life - which he subsequently does now.
Through out that time, he reared up and pulled away, lost his temper, refused to move, but I kept persevering, safe with the knowledge on how to react to these displays of frustration. The three hours that it took to get Bazil into the horse box just flew past and I was on a high all evening. (Getting Bazil to come out of the horse box was another episode, but with a few minutes of gentle coaxing and some polo mints, he gained the confidence to walk gently down the ramp.)
I have moved the horse box to other areas, and have asked Bazil to load from different ramp heights. All seems to be going well. Our trip to Border Union is still on the cards. However, tonight I am going to put the ramp up and take him for a short trip to the petrol station! Can't get more exciting than that ... eh?

Wednesday 16 July 2008

Hello, it's now mid July!



It has been a long time since I put up a blog. To update you, Imogen failed her Kennel Club Silver Test. Never mind, she is still as loving and faithful now as she was then.


Chris and I have just come back from holiday. We rented a cottage at Boynton near Bridlington in East Riding, Yorkshire for a week. The countryside is beautiful, and quite different from home. To start with the farms are mostly arable, growing beans, peas, barley and wheat, and what is more, the fields were gigantic, 30 acres plus! But there were plenty of footpaths and bridleways to walk the dogs - and NO SHEEP!- that we were spoilt for choice.


We had one very hot day, so we packed up some water and goodies to eat in a rucksack and headed off to a deserted medieval village called Wharram Percy. English Heritage look after the site, so you can have a look yourselves. This was a really relaxing place to be in an the dogs enjoyed the fresh water in the mill pond burn.


We also visited Castle Howard. Our timing was perfect for the rose garden, the perfume was amazing. I took note of a few roses that I liked, and maybe in the autumn, I'll order a couple for my garden. I didn't really like the inside of the house. I'm not awfully keen in the mausoleum look and the feel of the place was not very homely. The house itself is suitably vulgar but dose sit in harmony with it's surroundings. The Four Winds Pavilion was strangely impressive and charming, and the decoration inside and out was tasteless but brilliant. The views were lovely - very English.


Whilst I was away on holiday, the man came and layed the concrete for my kennels, and on Monday the kennels were built! That's it, the kennel saga is over and there they are looking great. The dogs are not that impressed though. I still have to build steps up to the area, as I didn't fancy dragging the dogs up a muddy bank in the pouring rain in the middle of winter. I thought I could have a fight on my hands, trying to persuade the dogs to go into their runs for the day - and the mud would just cheese me off too. I also have to widen the path at the side. I actually thought there would be a door to the side of the first run not at the end of it. Never mind, I'm always happy to be digging another hole in the ground!


Off to Border Union show next Friday with Bazil. I will scratch Ruthie as she is still down in Devon. I have arranged for a chap called Steve Thompson to help me teach Bazil to load into the horsebox, as he and I have had a few disagreements, so it was time to get professional help before I do any lasting damage. I'll let you know how we get on, or even if we make it as far as Kelso ....












Wednesday 14 May 2008

MAY - busy, busy, busy, doing nothing inparticular!

Here we are in May 2008 and I've not written anything since March! I have been keeping busy, but nothing of any interest.

Bazil had his first Birthday on the 5th May and is now a yearling. He is a good boy, but can be a handful at times. He still annoys the other horses and ponies, and until recently, his new sport was to pull the rugs off the others - oh! what a laugh. Corrie and Maud now need new rugs for next winter as binder twine and scraps of material will not keep them warm in the Autumn.

On bank holiday Monday, my niece Rachael and I took Maud to Easterton Spring Show. She was entered into the M & M in-hand and M & M ridden classes, and came in second in each class. It was an incredibly hot day, Maud was sagging a bit in the heat as her winter coat was still quite thick, and Rachael & I burned or should I say cooked in the sun shine. But hey, we were not complaining!

This weekend past, Chris and I went down to Devon to Dumere Stud with Ruth to have her covered by Graduate again. I am hoping for a filly foal next spring, and that will be the last foal for a while as I will require more ground to run all these equines on and it is expensive when you add up all the fees that need to be paid. But it is such good fun breeding ponies if done properly.

My kennels are still not built! Quelle Surprise eh? I have done a lot of work to the ground round the site, and at last I am ready to replant all the plants I moved to dig the kennel footings - so that is quite exciting. At the moment I'm laying a new path so that the dogs can get to their kennel run without stomping through my plants or mud in the winter. Knowing dogs, they won't use the path anyway!

This Saturday, Imogen is sitting her Kennel Club Silver Test. Oh Dear, what a lot of practising we still have to do. I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not. I will let you know how she gets on. ... fingers crossed.

Monday 31 March 2008

The last day of March 2008




Great excitement at Tandlehill this month, for the first time since my pond has been in existence, frogs have spawned in it!
When I say pond, I really mean a big hole in the ground that I dug out by hand many years ago, but a layer of hard clay defeated me and I was forced to abandon the project, so I'm absolutely delighted that some wildlife other than boatmen beetles and bathing birds have moved in.
March has gone in so quickly. I confess I haven't really been doing much. Maud was entered into her first Dressage competition an did very well. Bombay, after a long period off work due to leg injuries is now back in work. The foal is becoming very rude and Ruth & Corrie keep bumbling along. I still have to finalise the arrangements for Ruth to visit Devon to be covered this April or May. The dogs are fine, they jut need wormed and the hens are still alive!!
Everyone one is happy - I hope!

Monday 18 February 2008

SEBA Seminar on Saturday 16.02.08



On Saturday I attended the Scottish Equine Breeders Association Seminar at Oatridge College. I can't believe that it was a year ago since the last seminar, but there you go, time flies by.
Once again, an interesting selcetion of Verterinary speakers, scaring us all to death, and making us wonder how our foals ever manage to survive conception, birth and adulthood! The odds are certainly against any foal survivng - nature is a strange and wonderful beast.
Something that I learned at the seminar, which I think may be of interest and I have tried to illustrate with the photos of Maud taken yesterday, is that horses cannot see the colour red. It is not in their visible colour range, and what they can see has is slightly washed out when comparing our own colour vision.
I shan't bore you with anymore information about the seminar.
So the weekend after next, I have entered Maud into her first Riding Club Dressage Competition. Not really my "scene", but I have to educate her, and dressage is an important part of that. I'll let you know how she does, but first I have to learn the test - not too difficult, Prelim 1, for those in the know.
P.S. The spell check isn't working agian!

Thursday 7 February 2008

Spring



Has Spring arrived early this year? I don't know, but imagine my surprise at the beginning of last week when I noticed these two purple iris flowering in my garden by the french doors - I didn't notice them coming up. (I planted them years ago, so I forgotten they were there!)
Unfortunatley, they were completely distroyed by the snow and sleet we had on Saturday, but they gave me a few days pleasure while they lasted.
The Dafodills are bravely coming through, and the snowdrops have been up and flowering for several weeks now. I took the snowdrop picture yesterday, there are carpets of them around Tandlehill, and it was a lovley sight to see them in the sunshine! Sunshine: a rare commodity these day!
I hope to ride Bombay at the weekend. He had a very nasty puncture wound in his off fore two weeks ago and has been on medication etc to bring the pain and the swelling down. So now I will bring him gentley back into work. A short hack through the village I think will be enough for him to start with. Poor Boy!
Maud is off to Riding Club on Sunday, if it is not cancilled again due to the weather! She has not been ridden since January, so could be rather fresh or cheesed off, one or the other!
Yesterday, I got around to removing the Christmas decoration from my everyday riding hat and have replaced it with somthing a little more seasonal - I'll post pictures of it soon. Just a little cheesy, but it should raise a smile from the kids in the village.
The Forg toy was a complete disaster as far as Imogen was concerned - just not really interested in it at all. I think she must be one of the few Labradors who does not like picking up. On the other hand, Fleur was terribly excited by it. Yes she nearly killed it, but I managed to get the toy off her and it is hidden away - but she can smell it and therefore knows where it is!
P.S. I can't get spell check to work today, so if there are any spelling mistakes - tough!

Thursday 24 January 2008

A new Pick Up toy for Imogen


I don't have very much to say at the moment. The weather is awful - very wet - so nothing new there!
At puppy school Imogen is learning to pick up, however she refuses to carry any of the toys or dummies provided, yet at home she will carry and play with her rubber bones and dumbbell and sticks - the bigger the better - when she is out walking.
So look what I found in Tescos for a £1.00 - a frog for cats! I don't know why they thinks this is a cat's toy, it is too big and hard & any cat would probably be terrified of it. I bought it because it has a hard body which should prevent Fleur from killing it as soon as she gets hold of it, although it will only take her a few minutes to pull off the arms, legs and eyes. Imogen will get to play with it after Fleur has got bored of it. I am hoping with the material covering, that Imogen might want to pick it up and carry it - well that's the plan.

Wednesday 9 January 2008

OH NO. Look What the storm has done!


I said in my last post which I updated yesterday that I would put up another post if I had anything interesting to say. I didn't think I'd be posting another picture so soon.
Last night we had gale force winds of up to 80 to 90 miles an hour! I have lost a few slates off the roof and branches from some of the trees, but the most damage has been done to my hen shed. I did panic in case my old birds were dead or had been blown away, but thankfully, they were there at the fence waiting for breakfast and seem just a little bewildered.
The shed looks as if has been blown up from the inside, and requires a lot of rebuilding. I am taking the rest of the day off to go home and try and rebuild the shed so that my hens have somewhere to shelter tonight as the hailstones are chucking it down as I'm writing this.

Thursday 3 January 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR & BEST WISHES FOR 2008!


Happy New Year, and best wishes for 2008.
Well the New Year started with rain, but by the third day we had a smattering of snow - all very festive and embracing. This is not the most flattering image of Imogen, but whizzing in the snow is such fun - you can tell what Fleur thinks! This is the morning the holidays ended and going back to the humdrum of everyday life started again, so the snow cheered me up while it lasted.
We really enjoyed the time off during the holidays. We were out for lunch or dinner every night bar one and met up with friends and relatives. It is great to catch up with people, especially if you only see them once a year. I was truly spoiled with the number of presents I received over Christmas and my Birthday. Some were absolutely fantastic and some were bazaar, for example a plastic arm! (which really upset Fleur) Ah well, I know I'm loved!
I'm not going to bore you with "what I did in my holidays", so I'll sign off now, and put up another post when something interesting and worth writing about happens. Ah, Ah!