November

Time does fly and I've just realised how long it has been since I last wrote a post. I don't even know if anyone is still reading my blog after all this time! My time seems to be taken up mainly with hunting out vintage treasures, keeping my unit at Gloucester Antique Centre stocked, organising the V&H Fairs with Michele and looking after animals. The garden has been tidied up for winter, the chickens are moulting so we don't have any eggs, I have made chutney for Christmas with the last of my tomatoes and my neighbours excess apples.

 I thought I'd share some photos to highlight what has been going on in my life instead of writing reams of text for you to read as there is a bit of catching up to do!

I surprised myself by winning a cup at the village show for my flower arrangement (a vintage cup of course!).

Dylan had a bath...yes, that is newsworthy!

I bought a new car - another Mini (my third so far!)

The Boy started university in Wales ....when did he grow up??

We held our V&H Textile & Fashion Fair in October.

We have had a wonderful feature about the Christmas Fair in the December issue of Homes & Antiques Magazine - out now!

The Girl & I made some new cushions for the winter.

 

We had a fun family trip to Gifford Circus in Bath.

Toby hurt his paw....don't worry, he is fine now!

The Girl & Balli have had lots of fun.

And Dylan got new pyjamas!

Vintage Horsepower

Balli & Dylan wondering how many horses are under the bonnet!

THEY KNOW....

He knows when you're happy
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always knows when you have carrots.
~Author Unknown

REMIND YOU OF ANYONE?

 Had to buy this little fella - he reminded me of Dylan in this pose!

CHEERY THINGS ON A SUNNY DAY

 New strawberry bed made from a pallet that the horse bedding came on - the idea is that the fruit will grow on top of the wood & keep it nice & clean.

Morning cuddles...

Treacle tart...

Car boot buy...

Snoozing in the sunshine...

New shoes...

...and a nice cup of tea!

Hope you are all enjoying a lovely day.

SIT!

I'm sure Dylan thinks he is a comedian!

Two weeks ago we moved the horses home - it makes life so much easier & we see a lot more of them & the amusing & cute things they do too! This was Dylan getting up from having a nap - he sat like this for quite a while. He pulls faces too & I swear he knows that he is being funny.

SNOW DAY

  
Well, I had to join in & post a few snowy photos! The horses loved it, frolicking & rolling & eating the snow before making snow circles with their noses to get at the grass beneath - the field looked as if we'd had little alien spacecraft landing all over it.

They were as snug as bugs in their rugs & the prize for the longest tail went to Dylan...yes, he has two rugs on - molly coddled cob!

Kisses from Balli.

The hens were not quite as pleased & refused to leave their cosy new house even though it did look terribly pretty in the snow.

Toby & the cats much prefer to stay inside by the fire or the Aga, thank you very much!

Lots of mysterious footprints including birds, rabbits & badgers going their merry way.

It is snowing again but I do hope it stops before I have to go & feed the horses this afternoon - their field is uphill & the snow is deep so it's quite a slog!

Stay safe & warm!

Gogogo!

Dylan & I are very excited to watch the second phase of the Olympic equestrian eventing. After the dressage phase yesterday Team GB are starting in 3rd place for the cross country today. Cross country & show jumping are their strengths, so let's hope they move up the ranking.

Dylan will be willing them on & telling them how it should be done....

Which sport is your favourite to watch?

There is something...

Sitting behind two pricked ears & a long mane, gazing across the Severn to Wales on a misty spring morning makes all that early mucking out worthwhile.

As Winston Churchill once said:

'No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.'
and
'There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.'

(And a woman too of course!)

Full Of The Joys Of Spring!

Balli took full advantage of being turned out without his rug for the first time by having a good roll. As you can see, Dylan was more interested in the serious business of eating....

Beautiful Balli

We have had lovely Balli for about 6 weeks now & he has settled in very well. He is a real character - as you can see from the first photo he is very inquisitive & will investigate anything left within reach. Buckets are thrown over the stable door, our hair & ears are nibbled, he will even grab the waistband of my jodhpurs while I am picking out his hooves & gives them a pull before letting go with a ping! Brushes are flung about with abandon & puddles are splashed in.


Despite his cheeky character he is very sensible & isn't fazed by cars, cows, lorries, tractors, sheep, dogs, bins, chickens or children. The only thing he isn't keen on is cyclists whizzing up from behind. Look at him sticking his tongue out in the next photo!


He is only 5 & has a lot to learn but has the most fabulous paces & jumps like a flea so he has a lot to give in the future. We are taking him to participate in his first dressage test this Sunday so that should be interesting!


He & Dylan are still the best of friends.....

Where Have I Been?

This is why I have been absent from Blogland recently - Balli arrived last Sunday & as Tamzin is away at university the care of both Balli & Dylan falls to me. As I have told you previously, Dylan has had problems with a ligament in his front leg & has been on rest for the past 6 months. He seems to be sound now & we will start bringing him back into work next month after a vet check up, but we have decided that as this is the second time it has happened that we are going to keep him in light work so he will no longer be competing in show jumping or cross country.

So, the plan was to look for another horse next year once Tamzin has finished uni. However, as they say - the best laid plans.....

Balli is owned by someone who has lessons with Tamzin's riding instructor & has decided to sell him as she (the owner!) is pregnant. Tamzin's instructor felt that she & Balli would be a good match. He is like Dylan but with a V8 engine! He is bigger than Dylan at 15.2hh & younger too as he is 5 years old. We have him on trial for a few weeks & if he passes his vetting we will be buying him. He is the sweetest natured horse I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body & makes even easy going Dylan look grumpy! He & Dylan are sharing a field & they are like long lost brothers - grazing next to each other, lots of mutual grooming & Balli follows Dylan everywhere he goes - so sweet to see! So, keep your fingers crossed that all goes well with the vetting in a few weeks time.


In the meantime, I really needed to get my stock organised & priced for the V&H Christmas Fair which is THIS Saturday! At the rate I was going I would be trying to get everything ready on Friday night, so yesterday I decided to spend the day sorting out my stock, so here are a few photos of some of the goodies I will be bringing along. I do hope to see lots of you there as it will be a fabulous day as always! I am looking forward to doing some Christmas shopping myself!

Big Ben

It looks as if poor Dylan is going to be out of action for the next few months with his ligament problem but will hopefully be able to start doing a little bit of exercise after another month of box rest but nothing strenuous.
In the meantime Tamzin has been fortunate enough to be asked to have a horse on loan for the summer - his owner has had a back operation so won't be able to ride for about 3 months or so as she recovers.

Introducing Ben, or Big Ben as we call him - he is 16.2hh & looks huge - he makes Dylan look like a Shetland pony! I was a bit worried that he would be too big for Tamzin but she does look fine on him & he is such a gentle giant - everybody loves him already. He is so easy, calm & quiet, affectionate & comes when you call him. He has settled down amazingly quickly too.


The only one who doesn't love him is Dylan as his nose is out of joint as he stands in his stable watching Tamzin with Ben....but he is still getting lots of attention, stable toys & extra carrots!

Vintage Finds: One Eared Pony

When I saw this poor pony at the auction I had to leave a bid....he has one ear, half a mane & tail & is somewhat 'pre-loved' but adorable nonetheless.
As luck would have it I was the high bidder (probably nobody else wanted a One Eared Pony) so I collected him & brought him home today.
Despite his advanced years he still has a lovely 'outline' & stands nice & square - Dylan could take a few tips from him!
Click on the photo for a larger view.


Speaking of Dylan...he has pulled a ligament (we think it is from cavorting in the field with the other horses) so is currently on anti inflammatory medication & on box rest - also known as Happily Standing In Your Stable All Day Eating Hay.
Hopefully he should be OK in a couple of weeks time.

As promised...drum roll please...the winner of our caption competition is Sue at Dollytub Cottage - Sue please let me know your address & your (little) prize will be on it's way!

The Cat In The Pot - Caption Competition

This little scene really amused me - both Dylan & Dolly (the stable dog) were fascinated by the cat sitting in the plant pot....any suggestions for a caption?
Best caption will win a little prize!
Dylan is very fond of small creatures, whether they be dogs, cats, chickens or little children.


Here he is in working mode last Sunday with Tamzin doing a bit of jumping.