Footprints in the snow on Monday morning
It snowed last Monday, so now I can officially consider it to be winter and hibernate accordingly. Which is of course, is the exact opposite of what actually happened when it snowed as I waltzed outside and excitedly took photos of the white stuff that floated around for a bit. Unfortunately after that bout of enthusiasm, the snow turned to rain and then we had a grey sort of slush stuff all over the yard.
Snow on the ground at Lavender Hill
However not to be deterred, on Thursday night it started snowing and it hasn’t stopped. So now we have a pretty white yard – which is somewhat impractical but very postcard-like. And once again, I am thanking my lucky stars that we have an indoor school.
Beautiful islands in Langkawi
I finished off 2012 in Malaysia with Mum and Dad at a little place called Tanjung Rhu on Langkawi Island. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a blissfully peaceful break from the real world with exceptionally good weather. I met Mum and Dad in Singapore and we spent a day there cruising around before flying to Langkawi that evening. It only took Dad about an hour to come out with ‘I’d forgotten how much you two talk’ quickly followed by ‘I’d forgotten how much diet coke you drink!’. Five days wasn’t really long enough to finish catching up on all the gossip but at least the phone bills got a bit of a break!
Christmas in Malaysia on a beach...a far cry from a very cold English winter
I found being on holiday exceptionally tough
I flew back to the UK on December 29th and distinguished myself by managing not only to cook a very passable New Year’s Eve meal for several people but also by falling asleep on the couch at 10.30pm. I would like to point out that I was severely jet lagged and I did wake up again at 11.45pm, stay awake long enough to watch the fireworks on television and then go to bed at 12.15am. Obviously my days of partying until 5am are well over.
Dinner time? My ever growing collection of horses. From left - Wesley, Gus, Baz and Dan
Just as well this year I have lots of eventing and limited partying planned. I now own more horses than my truck can carry so I will be doing some mix and match versions of going to events so all the horses fit. Late last year I sent ‘Agatha’, my wee truck, off to Empire Coachbuilders where she had a huge make-over; new dividers, back wall, rug racks, barn doors, reconfigured tack lockers and the list goes on. Sort of like having a brand new truck – thanks Kevin and James. Now she is back down there having some electrical work done and then we’ll be away laughing.
Wesley arrived in the UK the same day I left to go on holiday – not such good logistical planning – but he has grown up a huge amount in New Zealand and I’m really excited about getting him out and about. He is absolutely terrified of the snow, which makes getting him to and from the arena quite an exercise as he is utterly convinced that the white stuff will eat him. In fairness, Gus and Dan are no better and it’s up to Baz to lead the way – as the only UK born horse he couldn’t care less that the world has turned white.
Wesley is not so sure about the white stuff - this was the Monday before it snowed properly. Now he is really terrified!
My plans to spend a fortnight hacking the horses out to bring them back into work have been scotched by the weather, though when Ellie Rocca (from Bundanoon, NSW) visited a few weeks ago we ambitiously ventured out onto the road with Dan and Gus. After nearly being run over (three times), having a greyhound on a roof bark at us and send the horses galloping up the main road in Naunton and then encountering a pack of cyclists, we decided that the safety of the indoor school was much more appealing!
Gus and Dan happy hacking - prior to the cars, dogs and cyclists!
Until the snow stops I will mostly be trying to stay sane whilst trotting innumerable circles – Hamish Cargill you will proud that my ‘kiwi’ side is coming out and I’ve taken to working on the flat in a jump saddle! When the snow stops I will venture forth into the world of indoor jumping and dressage shows until the horses go off to their first events at Aston le Walls and Tweseldown.
Hoping that everyone has managed to stay as cool as possible during this scorching summer and I am more than happy to send some now your way if you so desire!
Wishing you all a fun-filled and successful 2013 in eventing,
Laura
