My last blog post was written just after christmas (I forgot to publish it until now) so I thought I would do another post to update on how our first winter as full time mummys to Viv has gone!
It has been AMAZING! We have loved the jobs and the snuggles on a night under the lights. The MUD? Maybe not so much haha!! We got off lightly weather wise right up until January. But then BOY did the snow come! And it stayed for a very long time! It was not only cold and wet. But Icy and dangerous. Viv didn't get out hacking much for a couple of weeks as it was just two icy most days to risk it.
BUT we have been blessed with a nice warm snap this last week. It has been into double figures at times. Still cold on a night but much warmer during the day. PLUS SUNSHINE! Oh how we all love a bit of sunshine! The only problem with that is MUD and layers on, then layers off! But the hacking has been AMAZING :)
Here are some pictures of our adventures!
The end of our third lockdown is almost HOPEFULLY OVER!! And we are looking forward to some DRESSAGE (ME) LESSONS (US BOTH) and lots of ADVENTURES WITH FRIENDS . . . Staying safe, of course. I think social distancing will be around for a long time yet! BUT we can at least breathe now knowing there is a breather in sight. Time for a 'LITTLE' bit of normality in a very NOT THAT NORMAL WORLD!!
It has been an awful year with Covid. The beginning of LAST year was MAYHEM and HYSTERIA. People panicking. Shelves cleared. Nobody with any clue as to when or what was to come. Media fed the fear, panic ran through society quicker than the virus itself! We were told to stay in. But could also go out. Nobody knew what they were supposed to be doing?!
The year has continued in waves. Right into this year. We were lucky that we were blessed a good spring. The weather was glorious so we could be out in the garden, also having to go and look after Viv on our days. And when we were given the go ahead to be able to ride again we enjoyed some lovely hacks.
This Summer we have been on picnic rides to the woods and the river (My friends have been letting me take their horses out sometimes. It saves my legs and meant we could go further and have more fun).
I also entered my first Dressage competition this Summer. We did Prelim 2 and got 60% which i was over the moon with as it was such a wet and windy day and the arena had a SPOOKY puddle at the bottom of it! Haha!
It was a dressage and go event due to the covid restrictions. IT POURED DOWN and it was really windy! The outdoor arena had a fetlock eating monster hidden in the puddle right at C!! We had a few hairy moments the first few times round haha! Luckily they were before the horn went and after that she scrambled through it changing her rhythm though. (She hates getting her feet wet!)
I was over the moon with 60% though. THANKYOU JUDGE! Viv tried her litte heart out for me. The judges comments were really positive.
Also this year I have seen a massive increase in Z's confidence. She has been practicing really hard on her flatwork and her jumping and she has come on leaps and bounds! She especially LOVES polework. And so does Viv it seems!
NOVEMBER BROUGHT A SPECIAL OCCASION
CAN YOU GUESS WHO JOINED OUR FAMILY?
Vivienne! OMG we couldnt be happier! We have taken Viv on full loan and it has been AMAZING SO FAR! The daily trips to look after her. Watching the sun go down after school and finishing the yard under the lights in the darkness. SO COZY!
Z Has been brilliant and proves she can be a fantastic horse owner.
WE HAVE SO MANY ADVENTURES AHEAD OF US. CANT WAIT!!
Not hot mind, but warmer days mixed with FROSTY mornings.
And OMG.
Do I LOVE a FROSTY MORNING!! :)
Monday while the kids were at school i decided i would do the school run and then housework as QUICK as possible. Quick meaning fly hoover over, dust what is visible, do any stray away dishes (OMG a pre-teen room makes for a sink full!!) Washing on, Dryer run, Last nights Washing AWAY. . . Bugger the ironing hahaha!! So whats left? OH YES . . . sneak in a nice hack. Needed obviously!
I have been literally KICKING MY ASS from Monday and all this week as I feel I have lost my mojo with riding. I decided that to sort this i would start the week making myself ride EVERY DAY, And just BE HORSEY EVERYDAY!! Apart from Wednesday as I had something on! Im not kidding, some days it was hard to motivate myself, but I knew it was in my best interests to lift one's mood! SO I WENT!!
I have loved it. Once there I am internally 'HAPPY' I am able to feel truelly 'LIKE ME' the hours pass quick because they are AMAZING!!
I have decided to KEEP THIS GOING. I am going to try hard to ride most days and just enjoy spending time with Viv. Because she is . . . well amazing for the soul!!
Hi guys, sorry i haven't updated this blog in a long time.
But I have missed it so I cannot wait to get back to my weekly blogs.
I love keeping a record of our adventures! And of course sharing it with you!
The winter has been easy on us. Easy meaning DRY and this has meant we haven't had the big issues with mud that we usually do through the winter months. The gateways are still muddy but the majority of the winter paddocks have stayed dry. However Springtime things could change, we are not quite out of the mud season yet!
Viv has stayed in tip top condition all winter. Her coat has gleamed even with all that fluff! Where she is clipped she's like a new penny!
We are coming into spring again now, and i cant wait for the warmer weather and hopefully LOTS OF SUNSHINE!! We had a few mild days last week and it really lifted our spirits and got us excited. I picked Z up from school one day last week with Viv and it was glorious! Z loved it so much, as did her class mates when they seen there was a horse outside of school!!
It is back to frost and a bitter cold day today. Winter needs to hurry up and go now!
We have been blessed with some stunning sunny days where the sun shines through the trees and the yellow and orange tones light up like flames. The beautiful carpet below our feet. Crinkles as we walk. Natures music. The song - Winter is on it's way!
The horses are also getting VERY VERY VERY Fluffy. Each day I'm sure they grow an extra half inch of hair! Viv is like a teddy bear. I love her FLUFFY COAT.
She is getting clipped this week. I love it when they get their first clip of the season. She needs it! Every ride she comes back soaked bless her. Imagine trying to run in a thick coat?!
We having being making the most of the dry weather and riding when we can. I have been without a camera for some time (My phone fell into water, it never regained consciousness) Ans as my ownly other camera is a DSLR (Certainly not made for riding one handed capturing canters) I have unfortunatly not been able to capture any phtos of our hacks.
UNTIL NOW!!
Meet 'OLD SAMMY' as i used to call it - Samsung PL170
(New Sammy is my samsung DSLR NX2000) I LOVE IT . . . I wont take it hacking!!
Old Sammy died, about three years ago. When it died I was lucky to be gifted my DSLR from my beloved other half. OMG I was over the moon. But the only problem with DLSR is it's not something you wanna just take everywhere. ESPECIALLY HACKING.
SO . . . Desperate for ANY camera that would fit in my pocket and go for hacks until I can get a new camera phone. My very patient other half took it all to pieces and rebuilt it. WOOHOO. IT WORKED. It's working. I cant use Zoom or it turns off. BUT IT IS WORKING WOOOHOO!
The best thing is it is small enough to fit in my pocket, or hand when holding reins. It has a wrist strap so i dont drop it. And I havent used it yet but i just re-discovered it has a front view camera which will be ideal for selfies in the saddle and vlogging! Let the photography fun begin again!
So where did 'old sammy' go for it's first adventure??
CHOPWELL WOODS! OMG. The Autumn colours were AMAZING. Like fire above our heads and beneath us. On top of that we were blessed to have two Red Kites fly above us. Swooping and gliding so gracefully as we rode below them. I feel privalaged to live so close to such natural beauty. The Derwent valley is incredable!!
We had some lovely long canters and navigated our way around some lovely walkways up and down hills and between trees. I had an amazing time and I'm sure the horses did too.
And here is a video of our ride ~
I hope now to be able to keep my blog updated with our adventures. I cannot live without my camera!! Pop back to see some poodle ponies when they get clipped!
The weather has been on our side right up until recently.
This has meant LOT'S of fun,
heaps of adventures and MANY precious memories!
There is just too many things to list, but there are a few that are so AMAZING I would love to share them with you.
TRIP TO THE BEACH
OMG !!! I was over the moon when i received the call asking if I would like to go to the beach with Viv. I jumped at the chance and couldn't wait to get out in that fresh sea air on horse back.
ALSO ~ Fun with the kids! Oh what fun we had this summer!! (L) came to play, he hasn't ridden since we sold our first pony. He was put off by Vivs size in comparison to Sparky who was only 12hh. But once he was on and realised Viv was the best teacher ever and so gentle with him. He loved it. After practicing a little off the leadrein he sharp gained enough confidence to pop a couple of small jumps! Super proud. And Viv was a diamond as always!
And the pets have had fun too!!
We even got a SECOND TRIP TO THE BEACH!!! After (S) owner had fun on the cross country little (Z) got to ride on the beach and I had a ride on appoloosa 'B' all 17.2hh of her!! She is very forward going but comfy. Its only the 3rd time riding her and I am nervous when on her i think because of her size and also she is very forward going. BUT I am getting more confident on her and one day i hope to take her on a nice hack to really show my nerves I am made of stronger stuff!! (Z) LOVED the beach, she paddled in the water with Viv and enjoyed a hack along the beach off the leadrein with B and Dekota. Such a good day :)
Autumn is in full swing now. The horses are getting FLUFFY Awwwwww!! And soon it will be clipping time! The leaves are beautiful, all the different colours and tones. Walking to school kicking the leaves . . . PERFECT END TO A PERFECT SUMMER!!
