Where does the time go?

It has been a long time since I last put up any pictures. I have been rather busy, and as for taking photographs, this past month I have been put off taking any as it has rained nearly every day!

The above pictures of the Dartmoors were taken last night after they had finished eating. I really only get to see them and the horse in the dark these days, due only to the time of year. I can't wait until the days grow longer. Mind you, having said that I may just become more depressed when I can see the state my garden is in!

Today I noticed that the pupil of my left eye was larger than my right, so I booked an appointment with an optician to have it checked out. You can see from my last post, that my left eye was the one I landed on when I fell off the horse. I'm delighted to say that there is no long term damage done, just head trauma, which will hopeful heal in time. Although it was suggested that I also get checked out by the Doctor too.

Two weekends ago, Spike Multimedia went up to Perth to film the SFL Challenge Sup Final between St. Johnstone F.C. and Dunfermline Athletic F.C. This year it was really rather a good game. In the past these games tend to go into extra time and penalties, but this year it was goals a plenty and alot of misses. St. Johnstone won 3 - 2.

Last Sunday I went through to Edinburgh to the Scottish Horse Equine Event. This was a day of demonstrations by Ian Stark and Andrew Hamilton and others, who unfortunately I have forgotten their names! I stayed until after the second Ian Stark demo before going home. I think I learned something - not too sure just at the moment - but the man talking about what show judges look for in various breeds was most interesting. I'll come back and edit this section, putting in the names of the people giving the demos. There were plenty of good stalls at the show with some really good bargains. I came home with a purple "sparkly" head collar for Maud (see photo above) and a middle weight turnout rug for Corrie.

So I guess now it is time to concentrate on Christmas, but that will have to wait until next week or the week after when I will be able to make time for all the stuff I have to do and shopping - Oh, the list is endless...!

I'VE GOT A BLACK EYE - I fell off the horse.

Oh yes, I've got a corker of a black eye today! The photo above was taken last night, the bruising has now spread around my eye quite a bit and looks worse than it is. What happened? I fell off the horse of course, whist trying to jump and landed on my EYE! I also ended up holding the horse's bridle, while he just looked down at me - all very strange, but there you go. But I guess I was lucky not to have broken my nose.

The best remedy for a black eye I discovered was curling up on the couch, by the fire, with Imogen and a glass of red wine - bliss.

This morning my neck, shoulders, upper arms and lower back are a bit stiff, but that hasn't stopped my lugging camera kit and recording machines about. No sympathy offered and actually no sympathy asked for, after all falling off the horse was my own fault.

Ah well, get up and get on with it that's what I say ....

Bazil is now six months old

Here is a picture of my boy. He learned on Sunday how to use a hay net and so enjoyed himself that he stuffed his tumtum with so much hay he had no room for his tea! (a handful of finely chopped carrots.)

On Thursday the blacksmith is coming to shoe Corrie and Maud and trim Ruth and Bazil. After that the Vet is coming to "chip" the Dartmoors and give Bazil a 6 month check up and make up his registration papers.

I see it is over a month since I last wrote anything on my blog. There are a couple of reasons for this, one being work & working weekends, the other being the weather was not always too nice for pictures and I don't like having pages of text only - I like pictures too.

So in the past month, what have I been doing? Well I took Maud and Mum back to Ingleston House for another Riding Club dressage test. This time the event was indoors. This was Maud's first experience of being ridden indoors and took to it rather well. The only scary experience was someone running down stairs from the commentary box just as she was passing and the other was the two "poo" buckets sitting at either side of the arena. By the way, Mum and Bombay did not to bad a test, although Mum was still very uptight and so could have performed better if she could only loosen up a bit.

I had thought I would introduce Maud to the sport Le Trec, I don't remember if I have mentioned this before or not. Anyway, at the end of September, Chris, Mum and I travelled down to Biggar to a Le Trec demonstration day. We were the only people there not to have brought their horses. I thought by bringing Bombay & Maud to the event, they would hold everybody back, but none of the people there had done Le Trec before either! Anyway, the Le Trec people hold a Winter Series and it is open to anyone.

The Series is basically a collection of obstacles that you would come across in competition and allegedly out hacking too. The main aim is actually obedience with the obstacles, and I think Maud would enjoy using her brain and completing the tasks asked of her. The idea is to collect as many points as you can, but you have the choice to complete an obstacle or not and at whatever gait you are comfortable doing it at. So with Maud being very green, we will still be able to compete, but at her own pace and hopefully by the end of the series, she will have allot more confidence in her own abilities and improve in her points. I'm really looking forward to having a go. Unfortunately, the first event in November clashes with work.

Now that Pavla is safe in Prague and Maud is back home with me, the only work we can do is road work on a Saturday. (I ride Bomabay on a Sunday). So no schooling, no circles for balance, no jumping just walk & trot on the roads. So I decided I had to do something about this. I had read in the Native Pony Magazine that a woman who produces Welsh section Cs was in the same position, but she took her animals to riding club for their schooling / learning sessions, so I joined Kilmacolm Riding Club to do the same.

On Sunday Maud and I attended our first Prelim session with Sue Melady, which was great fun. The hour passed in a flash. There were only four of us and two watchers, and the chitchat between everyone was entertaining. Little Maud was completely knackered after her session, in fact to be honest she gave up about 15 minutes to go by refusing to move a muscle! Although very tired and still had to hack back to the lorry about half a mile away, I think she really enjoyed herself. The next session is in two weeks time - I can't wait.

Well tonight is Puppy School. Yip, Imogen and I are still going on a Tuesday, trying to be more obedient etc - a loosing battle of course. But the puppy really enjoys the outings and it does help her socialise with other dogs as well as people.

Christmas is getting unbearably closer, and I can feel a slight panic inside. I have thought of an idea for this year's Christmas Card, but it is weather depending etc.. So they say there will be snow after Christmas which is good (if it is dry snow), and hopefully it will kill off the bugs in the soil etc - makes everyone healthy and happy.

Pavla and Peter's Leaving Party

It was a happy / sad night on Saturday when over 40 of us went to Houston Inn for dinner to celebrate Pavla and Peter's time working at Wardhouse. Dinner was very good and the band were awful, but we all had a great time. Peter was given a "Hey Jimmy" bunnet and Pavla received loads of presents. We will all miss them and wish them good luck in their new careers back home in Prague.

On Sunday, Pavla and I were up early as we were taking Bombay and Maud to the Kilmacolm Riding Club combined training day at Ingleston House. The usual jobs needed to be done - tail washing and mane plating etc, etc, they both looked very smart. Mum was riding Bombay and Pavla was having one last fling on Maud, riding HC in the show jumping element.

Mum was a total bag of nerves, but managed to ride the dressage test and jump a round of showjumping without letting herself down. And Maud was a star as usual, and only knocked one fence down whilst jumping the higher course.

Can I just say congratulations to Moira and Carol for plucking up the courage to compete in the dressage element of the competition and to Innes for a very good display of showjumping. Well done girls! A good day for everyone and a final hurrah to Pavla.

HAS AUTUMN HAS ARRIVED EARLY?

You can just see Corrie, Bazil, Ruth and MooMoo waiting by the fence for carrots last night. Look at the leaves on the ground, the trees are changing rapidly and the conkers are crashing to the ground. The nights are fair drawing in! With the rain, it is just miserable.

Last weekend was a bit of a washout, in fact Sunday the rain was heavy and relentless - I didn't ride Bombay on Sunday - my car had a puncture, so I spent the morning at Kwik Fit, and read the papers whilst waiting for my tyre to be repaired. No work done on the kennels, I'm now beginning to panic that I'll never get it finished.

This weekend is going to be busy. I have an appointment with the vet for both dogs on Saturday morning. They require more metacam and I can't get anymore with out this visit! Then I will ride Bombay for an hour, as he has a event on Sunday and Mum would like the stuffing knocked out of him before she competes. Maud is also going to this training day, but she is only going to do some showjumping with Pavla - so I'll have her tack to clean on Saturday night before I go to Pavla's leaving dinner. (Pavla and Peter are heading back home to Prague on Tuesday.)

Sunday will be just as busy, providing moral support for Mum and help Pavla with Maud. Chris will be working, which I should probably be doing too. I'm in a bit of a spin at the moment, what with work, horses, ponies the dogs and in two weeks time I'm in London for a few days to film a conference and so I feel I'm a little out of control.

Totally Horsed Out!

On Friday it was Chris's Birthday, and each year we do an "activity" day. Last year I took him mountain biking - which he absolutely hated, so this year I booked a picnic lunch trail ride at Brenfield, Lochgilphead. We had a wonderful day and Chris really enjoyed the outing. We rode up in the hills on and off the forestry tracks for three hours - brill - there was only one downside to the day and that was the weather - it was dull and threatened to rain all morning, so we couldn't really see the view! By 4pm it was pouring, but by then it was too late as we had had the horses swimming in the sea and were soaked anyway!

After our ride, we took the dogs to a forestry walk near Cairnban, and let them run about for an hour. By this time we were completely soaked to the skin and had two very wet dogs. So we packed up and went to stay with friends that live nearby and had a bottle of champagne to celebrate. Then when we had managed to dry off, Chris and I went for dinner at the local Inn, which was superb. (Our friends could not join us for dinner, as their daughter was having a Birthday Party that night too.)

Saturday, after a wonderful breakfast, we headed home. I had to get Bombay and Maud ready for Strathendrick Riding Club open show on Sunday. This meant, schooling, brushing, cleaning, plating (Bombay only) and cleaning tack. A very busy and long day. I also had to try and wash out the salt sea water out of my leather riding boots and get them dry for Sunday! I'm happy to report that I did manage to get them clean and almost dry for the show.

My sister prepared a fabulous packed lunch for all the family on Sunday. Her two girls were riding Maud, and they did exceedingly well. Maud was placed 5th in the ridden M&M class, but unplaced in the pony club class. There were so many ponies in the pony club class and all of them very experienced, but our Maud held her own and did her best - she was getting very tired and her class ran for an hour! Bombay too won a 3rd and 5th place in the two classes he was entered in too.

So that's it for another year. I would jut like to take this opportunity to thank my sister and her husband for the fantastic packed lunches they have so generously supplied on each outing and for letting their children compete on Maud help to educate her; the girls for being enthusiastic; Mum and Dad for the use of the horse box and the horse - Bombay; and finally Chris for being there - even if he didn't watched the right classes! Also for looking after my dogs on these days.

Until next spring!

My Window Box

As promised, here is a picture taken the other night of the window box I knocked up at the weekend. I think it looks okay, for the time being anyway.

I will have more to say after the weekend, what with Chris's Birthday "activity day" and Strathendrick Riding Club show on Sunday, to which I'm taking Bombay and Maud.

Alfa still off the road & the footings for the kennels are progressing

I'd just like to thank James for emailing the pictures of Chris working on my car at the weekend & for my sister for taking them.

So whilst Chris & James were stripping the engine of the Alfa, I moved the last two tons of scalpings into the kennel site. A job well done I think! Just need to hire a whacking plate then order up the concrete then that will be it, the footings completed. Now I'm getting inpatient to finish the job, and looking forward to seeing the kennels up and the dogs sun bathing in the runs. I had to nip home to let them out for a pee this afternoon, and felt very sorry to have to lock them back in the house on such a beautiful day..... soon, soon.

I have had to extend the hire of the little rented car until Thursday. I am hoping that my car will be back on the road by then, but it depends on the availability of the parts still required. eg 8 x pistons, a new gasket etc. I have the 8 bent pistons sitting on my kitchen table. They are quite cute looking things, so I think I'll make up a wind chime.

Talking about making things. I have made a window box using the spare off cuts of wood I had left over from the kennel footings. I've stuffed the box with Lavenders and pink Dianthus to add some cheer to the roadside. Apart from moving two tons of stone, I had a busy weekend, what with riding the horses, making a window box, cutting the grass and cooking for Christopher, I'm exhausted and next weekend is going to be hectic, but I'll talk about that later.

Bazil now over 15 weeks old

These pictures of Bazil and Ruth were taken last night. I felt I hadn't talked about the foal for a while and he is growing taller every week. He is now 15 weeks old, 16 on Saturday. You can see the milky soft baby coat has nearly disappeared, leaving a very rory red colour underneath. He will be a bright bay Dartmoor soon.

Ruth is fat and happy. She still allows the foal to suckle, but I think it hurts now, as she does complain but does not deny him a feed.

Bazil has a ball in the field which he plays with - I think he could make a fabulous forward for the Scottish Rugby team, but as the picture shows, he is also most interested in the training cones I've put out in the paddock. Perhaps his future could be in construction?

Anyway, all the horses and ponies are well. I have to sign off now, got to do some work!

P.S. Ruth is the "Cover Girl" of the 2008 Dartmoor Pony Society Calendar which is available now from the Dartmoor Pony Society at £6.00 a copy plus P+P. They haven't printed many, so get your copy now!

Still Building the Kennels

What a lot of rain we had on Saturday, it was relentless. As you can see the hole where the foundations of the dog's kennels filled up with water which made digging very difficult and wet! Progress on the site is slowly taking shape, but I don't think the platform for the kennels will be ready at the end of this month.

On Saturday my car died a death. Luckily, I hadn't gone anywhere, I'd just started the car to go shopping when the engine cut out. I phoned the AA who sent a man out to fix the car and he told me that the timing belt had gone and I may have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage! That's the heating oil money gone... oh well, I guess I need the car more than the oil, I can just put another jumper or fleece on when it gets cold. After all, I survived last year after Christmas with no heating and I didn't have any in my last house. I'm just getting old and soft!

My brother in law just happened to phone Chris on Saturday night because I had canceled going to the Irvine Riding Club show on Sunday and he wanted to know what was wrong. Chris told him and the next thing I knew, he and J had arranged to try and repair the car. So on Sunday morning he came over with my sister and the girls and we had a breakfast party whilst my car was being stripped down. All good fun.

So this week I had planned to hire a small car. I got a lift into work from Dad, intending to hire a car this afternoon, but guess what? I'm such a pea brain, I forgot to bring my driving license with me!!

THE OFFICE COMPUTER DOWN

The office computer has been away since Monday 8th August being fixed because I added 1GB of memory and now it has issues with the system - or something like that - the blinking thing kept crashing.

The kennels are one tiny step closer to being built. I have 10 tons of type 1 stone sitting in my yard and 26 planks of wood, to to make the base. I did cut the wood to size yesterday - so that is the tiny step! Chris did try to help, but unfortunately his back gave out and that was the end of his contribution. The hole at the moment is like a large swimming pool, which was all too exciting for Imogen - paddle in the pond or in the footings ... decisions, decisions.

I rode Little Maud on Saturday. What would normally be a one hour hack on the horse took us two hours! My legs were very stiff and rather sore when I dismounted. I have to ride the pony with very short stirrup leathers because being 6 feet tall, my heels wouldn't make contact with her sides. On Sunday I did the same circuit on Bombay, but rode out with Jacqui and managed to catch up with all her chat.

The foal was 14 weeks old on Saturday. He is getting bigger and more independent. The battery for the electric fencing has gone flat and whilst it is being recharged, Bazil escapes into the big field and grazes quite happily with Corrie. Ruth seems quite cool with this set up and luckily stays in her fenced off paddock, if she didn't she would be the size of a house, and the foal pops backwards and forwards to visit his Mum for a drink and a cuddle!

A brilliant day at Border Union and a great weekend

What a weekend!

Friday morning I was up at 4am to walk and feed the dogs before heading off to groom Ruth & Bazil before loading them into the truck to take them to Border Union Show. My niece Stephanie was helping me, her job was to lead Ruth at the show, and I would lead Bazil.

We arrived at the showground with half an hour to get the ponies and ourselves ready for the ring. We didn't even have time to go to the loo!!

The foal had travelled lying down and his front legs had poo stains down them, which I didn't notice until we were in the collecting ring - I spent the time trying to pick the little bits of straw out of his mane after giving both Ruth and Bazil a final polish before entering the ring. Not very professional of me, but it was too late to do anything about the stains. I was embarrassed.

The class was for Mares (with or without a foal at foot) and Geldings over 4 years old. Seven ponies were entered in this class but only five turned up. Ruthie led by Stephanie did a good show. Although a bit overweight, she trotted with a decent amount of energy and tracked up quite nicely. Bazil behaved himself, that means he didn't jiggle about too much or rear up as he does at home when bored.

Ruth was initially placed 5th and last but after her individual show, she was moved up a place to 4th. I was delighted with her performance and over the moon with her final position.

So why do we have no photos of this big event? Christopher went off to buy a bacon roll and missed the class! All he saw was the ponies leaving the ring - can you believe it? So the photographs at the top of the page were taken last night - can you see Ruthie's smart green rosette?

On Saturday, I took Stephanie to ride Maud for a couple of hours before lunch. I rode out on Bombay. When we got back home, Stephanie was so exhausted that she lay down on the grass in the garden and fell asleep, and Fleur being Fleur took advantage of a warm pillow!

On Sunday, I promised Chris it would be a horse free day. So we packed the dogs into the car and headed off..... we drove south. We had no plans and eventually ended up on the Rinns of Galloway. The weather was fantastic although there was a coldish wind just enough to keep a jumper on, and the views across to Arran, Campbelltown and Ireland were superb as the air was so clear.

We had a lovely day and I had a fabulous weekend.

Practise for Border Union Show

I had arranged with my sister to help me "train" Bazil to walk and trot with his Mum in preparation for Border Union Show this Friday. Sunday was a glorious day and in the afternoon, we took Ruthie and Bazil for a walk up the road, before going into the paddock to do some serious work. To be honest, I have no idea what is expected of Ruth or Bazil on Friday, but any training is better than no training.

After the awful behaviour Bazil displayed the last time we all did a training session together, my sister brought with her a packet of water pistols, to teach Bazil not to bite me and rear and lunge at me. I only had to use the pistols 3 times and he learned not to be so cheeky. (the water pistols is a dog training aid, and it worked with the foal - so far!)

What we learned on Sunday is the foals don't do training at that time of the day! He was lethargic and just wanted to have a feed and go to sleep. So we gave up, although Ruth is walking out and trotting with more enthusiasm than the other week.

Rachael decided she would groom Ruth, so the poor pony was plated up, tail as well and flowers put in her mane. She didn't mind, she really is a very decent pony. Meanwhile Bazil lay sound asleep at his Mum's feet, whilst Rachael stepped over him to brush Ruthie's tail. All this training is just too, too exhausting for young chaps!

We have another training session tonight. Tack & kit cleaning on Wednesday night. On Thursday night, I plan to give Ruth a warm water rinse to remove the dirt from her back, and wash her tail. (I'm not a great believer in washing horses, elbow grease does not give them chills or arthritis, but the foal keeps "gunking" her and the trees have dropped sticky stuff on her back, so I'm making an exception to my rule.) And finally load the lorry because it is an early start in the morning.

DARYMPLE AGRICULTURAL SHOW 2007

On Saturday I took Ruth & Bazil to Dalrymple Show. Bazil's first show! He behaved so well, not too much jumping about and miss behaving, in fact he was the perfect gentleman - for a change! He really enjoyed his morning out and about and was very tired when he returned home, Oh.... the wee button.

There was only Mum around to help me show the pair, so there are no photos of the event, but the pictures above I took last night.

I entered Ruth into the Broodmare class and Bazil in the foal class. It was unfortunate that in the broodmare class there was only one other mare entered. Ruth refused to trot out in her show, the reason for this I'm unsure. She is a bit over weight which could have put her off running, which I doubt, I think it was just laziness. So for that reason she was placed second, but Bazil behaved himself, such a star!

Bazil was entered in the foal class, to be accompanied by the dam. Again and unfortunately he was the only entry in the class, but he put on a reasonable show for the judge. We have got an awful lot of practising before Border Union Show at the end of this month, but the judge was most helpful and gave me tips for showing the pair and what to practise in the meantime. The judge did notice that Bazil does move well and made nice comments to that effect.

So we came home with two rosettes - a second place for Ruth & a first place for Bazil. The object of the exercise was to find out how Bazil would behave at a show at such a young age. His behaviour was better than I could have dreamed. What a good boy - I'm so proud of him.

So now its practice, practise, practice until Friday 27th July - our big outing. I've ordered a filly slip and a leather lead rein for him as the foal slip that he has at the moment is rather scabby and not really suitable for this event. It has holes punched all over it so that will fit Bazil and also the nose band is chewed and that was caused by Ruth. I put it on Ruth after Bazil was born so that I could catch her, but she somehow managed to get it off her head.

Building the kennels - one step closer to completeion!

I took this photo of my garden last night. This is the area where the dog's kennels are going to be built - to the left of the pile of soil.

Last weekend, at vast expense I hired a mini digger to remove at least a foot of earth from the area I'm setting up the kennels. Where the soil is piled up at the moment will be a flower bed again, which means all the plants that I removed originally can at last be put back into that area.

The girl who walks my dogs suggested that I was just a little "jammy" on Saturday when the digger arrived, as I had to go to work and had enlisted the help of Dad, who then enlisted the help of James to dig out the hole! I did operate the digger for about an hour and showed Dad how to work the machine before rushing off to work. By the time I came back home, the job was done!

So all I have to do now is get stones for drainage, tamp them down, then some sand and membrane for damp proofing , define the area with wooden slats then pour in the cement. EASY!! After that, phone the kennel company and tell them they can at last come and erect the kennels.

But now I really have a deadline to get this project finished. The wonderful dog walker is going back to college in September! As she cheekily said "she will watch the garden with great interest". I'll get the job finished for September..... I'll show her!

ARNAMURCHAN 2007

A FEW HOLIDAY SNAPS OF ARDNAMURCHAN

We had a great time away in Ardnamurchan this year. As I suspected the weather was not at it's best, but we were only confined to barracks twice due to torrential rain. We were not to be put off having Bar - B - Ques in the wind and rain - we're Scottish after all! The true blessing was that there were NO MIDGES! Too cold windy & wet for them.

The dogs loved their time away from home, in fact I think Imogen is a bit depressed at the moment because she is back at home. Fleur on the other hand is exhausted.

The garden has grown wild in just one week, apart from that, all the other animals are doing fine. Bazil has grown and thickened out, become more muscular and head strong. I plan to take Ruth and Bazil to Dalrymple Agricultural Show next weekend to get some experience before going to the Border Union show at the end of the month. The BU show is an important show for both of them but especially the foal. So we need to do a lot of practise before then, and of course go for short runs in the lorry. Oh what a fun two weeks ahead I've got!

Better go and do some work now. Bye.

Holiday Heads

HOLIDAY HEADS

Great excitement - Chris and I are going up north for a week on holiday.

We are taking the dogs and I am looking forward to seeing Imogen's reaction when she sees the sea for the first time, as she has never been to the beach before due to her arthritis. She will be kept on a lead.

I have no doubt that the weather will be atrocious as forecast, but the lure of sitting in someone Else's house, while the rain tips down outside, watching beef cattle through the window ..... What am I saying, I can do that at home!!!

Lots of packing to do tomorrow, but first I will be riding Bombay & Maud, and doing the usual Saturday stuff. M&D will be keeping and eye on Corrie, Ruth & Bazil for me and Dad will be feeding my hens.

I'm not ready, but I'm all set to go .....

Yahoo... I'm on holiday .... Bye for now x

Maud is a STAR again!

I learned last night that Maud was placed fourth in her 50cm Jumping class on Sunday! Absolutely fantastic - I have to say, she did rattle round the course at some speed, and perhaps that is the reason she knocked one fence down, but she was up against horses, so she would be nimbler on the corners. I'm still so proud of her.

In preparation for the blacksmith on Thursday, after brushing Bazil I managed to pick out his hooves! He nearly behaved himself, but he did eventually just slide down my legs and lay on the ground in a big heap. This is a party trick he does if you rub his tummy, and always seems surprised to be lying on the ground. Everything is a new experience I guess.

After a quick brush and rub down, Bazil's mum Ruth looked fantastic. She at least didn't go for a roll in the dust, unlike Bazil!

That is enough chat about blinking horses. Today it is mild but wet, so once again I have resorted to slapping on the artificial tan cream. I think this year I will be going through many bottles of this magic stuff.

Wardhouse Charity Show

Sunday at Wardhouse was the annual charity show. I entered Maud in the Tack & Turnout class, to be ridden by Rachael this time, as Stephanie rode her at the last show. I also entered Maud into the "Wobbly" Jumping class and the 50cm class, to be ridden by Pavla, who schools her twice a week for me.

To our delight, Rachael and Maud were placed second in the tack & Turnout class. Maud was atrocious in the wobbly jumping class - another learning curve for her, as she napped and wanted to join the other horses in the collecting area. But Pavla sorted her out and Maud did jump every fence, but she argued with Pavla at each fence. I think the fences were just too low for her. However, when it came to the second jumping class, Maud showed us all what she can do, as she raced round the course, jumping each fence with enthusiasm, but knocked one fence down. (I'll find out at some point this week if she was placed at all in this class) But at the end of the day, I was thrilled to bits with her performance and more importantly, her behaviour. Impeccable.

Stephanie and Rachael spent the rest of the afternoon riding Maud through the long grass at the other end of the show field, cantering and trotting about, just having a blissful time. Mum was with us and it reminded her of her days as a child, when you could just ride about with that freedom - Ah, happy days!

Although completely knackered at the end of the day, I think little Maud really enjoyed herself.

First check up from the Vet

Can you see Bazil's teeth? I can assure you that when he grabs hold of you it is extremely sore and you are left with a very smart bruise!

The Vet arrived yesterday to give Bazil his one month check up. The results are that his is in rude health as you can see, but he will require some corrective pairing of his front hooves as the vet thinks he is too upright, especially on the front offside hoof. Also at the moment, only one testicle has descended, so I've got keep a lookout for the other one to descend, otherwise I could end up with a rig.

In these pictures you can see Bazil's baby coat is coming out round the muzzle and eyes. I still don't really know what colour he'll end up, but I'm hoping a dark bay like his mother, or he could be a bright bay - I'll just have to wait and see...

Maud also had a visit from the vet re: her broken tooth. It turns out that she has lost more!! Don't worry, she is rather late in maturing as far as her teeth are concerned. These teeth should have fallen out about a year and a half ago and she should have her adult front teeth by now. The loss of these incisors don't seem to be affecting her ridden work, so all is well.

On Sunday, Maud is going to a charity show and is entered in the "Tack & Turnout" class and the "Wobbly" jumping class. Apparently she really enjoys jumping, in fact all work other than flat work! (she is required to work in flat work!) So I'll let you know how she gets on.

Kennels, Gardening and Plants

On Sunday I thought it was high time I started to dig out the foundations for the dog run that I'm having built. This is the site, as you can see I removed the turf a while back, but due to work or the weather, I have not really progressed. To my delight I found a few more plants in the old flower bed & so dug them out and realised that there was no way I was going to dig out by hand 1 foot by 13 x 13 feet for footings.

Yesterday, I hired a mini digger for the middle of July to do the heavy work for me and also to save my back! Just got to order the scalping, sand & cement, a mixer and a whacker plate and the job will be finished, ready for the kennel people to erect the kennels. Sound so easy!!

Chris phoned on Sunday night saying that the angels have looked down onto his garden and given him a new plant to cover the rotting concrete path. The picture of the green plant which has sort of lilac coloured blue pompoms on it has spread to about a yard wide (it is not wild scabious). However, I do think it was a bird dropping and not the angles that planted it there!

Up Date on Bazil

Here is a photo of Bazil, taken this morning.

He is now one month and 4 days old, and getting taller, braver and cheekier every day. My legs are covered in bruises where he has nipped me - rather sore at the time, but he has a laugh.

As you can see from the other picture, Ruthie is in good nick and feeding both herself and Bazil with no problems.

They are both due a visit from the vet and the blacksmith for their first monthly visit - just to double check everything is okay. Ruth requires her hooves to be paired and Corrie lost a hind shoe a few weeks back and if I can catch her, I'll get it replaced.

The Equine dentist has suggested that I get the vet out to check Maudie's broken tooth, as it may need to extracted, which will mean a trip to the vet hospital!! £££££!

St. Lillius Day

Today i am the guest blogger, Rachael McCabe. I am here for take your child to work day, instead of school ! It's great fun !

Well on Saturday 2nd of June, We all had a family outing to the St.Lilluis Day Parade and after that entered the dogs into a dog show!

I, took in Diesel the Dobermann (the kangaroo) and Stephanie took in Mrs. F. Dog (Fleur). We took them into the show - Best Junior Handeler and unfortunatly Stephaine and Fluer didnt get placed, but i think the judge was blind then. But, great news, Diesel (the kangarooo) won, he got 1st place! wow . (i must have handeled him well!) he walked correctly, stood well and he did as he was told, like a good wee man !

Sunday 3rd of June, i went out with Carol on a hack, i went on the Maud Machine - with the broken front tooth, and Carol went out on the Bombay Mix ! They both (Maud and Bombay) had a fantastic time galloping away with the wind in their mane with the sun beaming down on them ! .. I WISH !

No it poared with rain and we WALKED through bridge of weir ! .. but other than that , it was a good ol' hack ! .. and maud wanted to go round it AGAIN ! :O ..

After we had gone home and dried off, Carol, Chris and I went into largs and went to the Mud Hook restaurant for lunch ,, Very Nice Very nice !!

Then we were going to go to Kelburn park and see the graffitie but Chris didnt want to go because he couldnt see anything and it was pouring with rain. so instead we went and walked along the "beach" with the golden sand and the clear blue sea and again the sun beaming hot ! .. No wait , we arent in the bahammas ! (unfortuatly) But it was wet and my feet got soaked because the tide came in tpoo far and went over my shoes ! but we were trying to skim pebbles, but the most i got was 2 1/2, Chris go 2 and Carol just gave up and chucked a big rock in., (i think she was entered into the compition to see how big a spash you cou;ld make, not the pebble skimming one !) Any way ,, all in all it was a fabby day and days !

and now i'm here at work ,, Spike Media to be exact!

Have a fun time, fellow bloggers ! ;)

*i bet you never have as much fun as we do ! haa .. beat that !*

Bank Holiday Weekend

On Friday, after shelling out a disgusting amount of money, my car passed it's MOT.

Well, I didn't do very much over the bank holiday weekend. The weather wasn't that good, heavy showers of rain and sleet on Saturday morning and some sunshine in the afternoon. I did manage to cut the grass on Saturday - so that was a minor achievement.

On Sunday early morning I rode little Maud, who I discovered has managed to break a front incisor tooth! I am trying to get a dentist to check it out and tell me whether she will need a vet to extract the remaining stump or what to do?

Later in the morning, Jude and her kids came to see Bazil. It was lovely to see the girls and Jude again, having not seen them for months.

On Monday, Chris was very tired, so all we did was take the dogs for a walk round a reservoir close to Tandlehill. There were still carpets of bluebells and young fronds of bracken coming through, and plenty of swifts flying all around us - most entertaining, they are such acrobats, a joy to watch. In the evening, I did some house work, which was NOT joyous!

My beautiful car failed it's MOT today

I've just got back from the MOT place with a red FAILED certificate for KLOD's MOT! She needs 4 new tyres!! I thought I had enough tred - you know the penny test - and the two front tyres were brand new in September - What's going on? Also the front suspension is loose, which of course means a new front suspension thingy, and just my luck, the friendly mechanic next door decided to go on holiday today for a week, so I'm having to pay over the odds for the suspension bits!!! I'm SO cheesed off!!!!!

I seem to have thrown so much money at this car already this year, that it may be time to get rid of her. The only problem is that I like her. I like driving her and she is the right size for me, the dogs, and the weekly shopping of horse feed and bails of hay. Also, she holds the road extremely well.

So what car to choose. The Alfa's CO2 banding is horridly high, making the road tax a little excessive, but what is there that is similar to the Alfa? The BMW Series 1 (what ever model) is over priced, so that car is out of the equation- and they are not as good looking. The Italians do know how to design good looking cars, the Germans did a strange copy, as did some other manufacturers after the 147 came out. Oh Dear!

FOR SALE: F.A.F ALFA ROMEO 147 2.00T offers - 5K

13 days old, and another sunny morning for Bazil

Since the arrival of the wee man, it has rained almost every day, I thought he may grow water wings it had been so wet, so he has been enjoying the few nice days that we have had recently.

After turning Ruth & Bazil out this morning, the foal came back over to me without his Mum and started chewing my fingers, wellies and trousers - so brave - and I can report that his milk teeth are coming through - poor Ruthie.

He is becoming more and more confident and as you can see in this mornings pictures of him, he decided to leave Mum and chew her feed bucket which he managed to pull over giving himself a big fright.

Cut the grass in my garden on Sunday, which took several hours, but I'm still no closer to finishing the footings for the dog kennels due to rain and work, but I'll have to get a move on. (my plants are suffering.)

Imogen gets Bronze!

Last Saturday, Imogen managed to pass her Kennel Club Good Citizens Bronze Test! This was amazing, because although she is fairly obedient, I cannot get her to walk to heal. We were asked to do that exercise twice!! But phew, she passed. Little Fleur, has Bronze and Silver but failed her Gold three years ago and I haven't tried to resit it with her, to be honest, she became totally bored with puppy school. It happens.

Imogen on the other hand is a bit of a dafty and really enjoys puppy school, but next week is the last class for the summer. Anne is running field trail training which I think I'll enroll Imogen for. She really enjoys the classes and is stimulated by them, so much so that she comes home on a complete high, buzzing for about an hour, jumping over the furniture, whizzing round the dinning room table etc, etc. Fleur & I just keep well out of the way until she drops from exhaustion!

That's the plan ....

Maud's First Show

I think Maud thoroughly enjoyed her outing to Easterton Show. I had entered her in the Mountain & Moorland In Hand class first before the M & M Ridden class to see how she would behave. And Maud being Maud, she was a dolly as usual, although just a little sparky in the first class which is only to be expected. The good new being she was brought in third behind two colts and finally placed fifth.

My niece Stephanie rode her in the ridden class and once again Maud was in the ribbons, coming in sixth! Well done to both Maud & Steph.

Rain on Bank Holiday Monday

With all the excitement of Bazil arriving last Saturday and work, I didn't have the time to write about my equine escapades on Bank Holiday Monday.

In true bank holiday style, the weather was awful! That is it poured with rain and was very cold. Actually the day before when I was out riding Bombay, we got caught in a hail storm - rather nasty!

Monday was my first show of the season, and I had decided to take Bombay and little Maud to the Spring Show at Easterton Sables, which gave me an awful lot of work to do in one night - plating and grooming and cleaning tack for two animals. But I got it done.

This was Maud's first show ever, ......

OOPs, I have to go to work now down at Ibrox. Chris is making a programme on Dado Prso, so I'd better go and I'll finish this note soon.

YIPEE - THE FOAL HAS ARRIVED!!

Early Saturday morning, Ruth gave birth to Basil. I checked Ruth on Friday night to see if there were any signs of the foal, and she looked, behaved and felt the same as she did that morning and the night before! So as you can imagine I got a big surprise, but Ruth's surprise was bigger - she was completely stunned if not a little bewildered by this little fellow, but very protective.

So my weekend plans changed. I didn't go to the one day seminar on the welfare of the Native Pony, as I had my own Native to worry about. I phoned to cancel my place, then phoned the vet to do a "check" on both Ruth and the foal. All is well with Ruth, and the placenta was intact, but the foal had a bit of a weepy eye which was looked at carefully to see if there was any scratch or other damage. Nothing was visible, I was just to keep an eye on it. I was greatly concerned early on Saturday morning, because I didn't think he was getting any milk when he was trying to suckle, but today is day 4 and he is getting enough milk at the moment and his eye is getting better.

However on Sunday I phoned for the vet again because he hadn't passed anything and appeared frustrated, so the vet gave him a mild enema and Basil is bouncing around for fun.

Ruth is very protective of her foal as I've said, but she is aggressively so, which is upsetting me, however I'll contact the stallion owner for advice. And so my troubles begin .. a Colt foal ... I will have to be very strict with him to ensure good manners. At the moment his head is so small that the smallest foal slip we found will just fall off him, so that is not such a good start.

Anyway, must rush home to let the dogs out, and bring Ruth & Basil in for the night as they have been out all day.

Bank holiday Monday was another action packed equine day, but I write about that tomorrow.


The top picture shows Basil last night and the second picture was taken on Sunday night. I did take pictures of him on Saturday morning, but I used my telephone camera so not to disturb Ruth or the foal. (Thanks to James for taking the top picture & sending it to me.)