The difference between last night and tonight.






Yes. the miserable weather is upon us for the Bank holiday weekend. But I don't care. Dave came home today after 8 days away. Yeah..........
We've once only seen each other for 8 days in the whole month of May.

Went up to Old Farm as Simon was shearing, and we're nosy.
Sadly he had finished by the time we got there. Typical English, already settling in for a cup of tea and it was only mid way through the afternoon. I suppose it was the weekend.

The Krugers are coming over tomorrow. Mid-afternoon pub crawl followed by Sunday Roast is planned. I hope to be able to serve up dinner before midnight this time.

Ok, so not the most inspiring picture in the world. But it's a picture. YYYYYeeeeeeaaaahhhhh, at last, I hear you all cry. She finally got it sorted.

Just in from a walk on an beautiful evening.

Only two more sleeps before Dave is back. Just in time for a predicted weekend of crap weather. Where, oh where is the wonderful weather of last summer?

Had to cancel all riding for the rest of the week due to the back. Bugger. Should be back into it on Monday. I hope.

Other than that, it's all quiet on the western front.

Overpriced Art, Anyone?

Well, I have tried again, in vain, to make it happen for you with the pictures. Sadly you are once again subjected to my drivel.

My waxing lyrical of Summer 06 appears to have deserted me. Although I probably could bang on for a good hour about the crazy prices for art in the lovely village just down the road, Stow.

Threw some drugs down my neck and went out, back muscles screaming in protest at the enforced exercise, when all they wanted to do was cuddle up with 'Ol stripey hot water bottle. Whom I hear-by rename Bess.

Anyway, Good God, what has happened to the decent artist? Abstract art has a lot to answer for. I'm convinced the place is taking the piss. It has to be. Thousands of pounds for absolute crap...........
I know the place is one of the centres for antiques in the UK, but come on...........

The US and Japanese tourists are like lambs to the slaughter. I almost feel sorry for them.

Oh Holy God........

Well, I've gone and mortified myself, in classic Yvonne style, right in front of Mr Phillpot.

Actually perhaps it's his fault........

Either way, he broke me.

I was flying along in a lovely canter when like an elastic band going Twang, my lower back gave out on me. Again.

Some of you will remember this happening to me a few years previously. Riding SS does put a lot of stress in that area.

Mr P, a very lovely man but a slave driver in the arena, thought it hilarious and proceeded to announce at the top of his voice to the entire yard that he'd broken me.

Prior to that we'd being going very well. Apparently my position is excellent, just need some work on riding effectively SS with the correct aids etc. He's also promised I can play dress up before I leave.

So for this evening I will have to retreat yet again to the sofa, with drugs and hot water bottle in hand.

Here's hoping it won't put me out of action for too long.

Bloody bloody blogger.

Twenty minutes of waiting for pictures to upload? Bollocks to that.

I've given up, retreated to the sofa and am sulking with a glass of wine. Bloody bloody blogger. Am I repeating myself?
I know there are a number out there whom only tune in for the pictures.........

So, what have I been doing with Dave away? Oh, just the usual domestic goddess duties and of course the compulsory fix of equine most days. Can't bring myself to look at a camera just yet, after the few months I've had. I'm still an interesting shade of blanched white. I might actually be blue.
And my poor nails.......... They've only just returned to white after the very attractive, 200 smokes a day shade of yellow, they were.

So, what's happening with the riding, I'm sure some would like to know?

Well, Fally is going this week for some "loving" with the Batsford Estate "teaser" 14 hand piebald stallion. That should be interesting.
Dave and I have bets on as to whether she kicks him into next week or not. Her wound from last year has recovered unbelievably well. Pictures later.

I get the sense Jill, instructor from last year, has become another Dave groupie.

She's fascinated by him and his job. It has to be the dimples.

First question every time from her is always "where's hubby?".

Every. Time.

To which the answer most of the time is "right behind you Jill". It will trip her out a bit when I tell her that he's been in the UK, Paris, Hong Kong, India, back to Paris and then UK this week.

When Dave is not being discussed, the riding is going well. She's offered me extra free riding, exercising some horseys. Yeah..........

Tomorrow, I have the great honour of having my 1st side saddle lesson since arriving, with Mr Phillpot. The only Fellow of the BHS side saddle instructor. He's in his mid seventies. Looking forward to it.

The hills are alive........

This evening out on my walk, I got licked by a cow. Not quite sure why. Perhaps she mistook me for one?

Either way, it was interesting and not an everyday occurrence.

I then had the fortune to have a short walk with an old fox. He must have been deaf as a post not to have heard me. What a treat. I disturbed another fox a little while later. He was sitting on a wall watching some very juicy lambs spring around.

The hedgerows were alive this evening with baby birds, pheasants, squirrels. I even spotted a doe on her own. Not long afterwards she disappeared off into the tall reeds behind her, barking, as she went, for her fawn.

Finally the weather has warmed up and I've thawed out. Yeah.

Can't upload pictures again. Bloody blogger.............