Later the same day…

I detached myself from The Lovely S and hurled myself out of bed in an unexpectedly sudden burst of energy.

Brushed teeth, dressed and left the house; headed straight for the cross country course at Lincomb – to inspect the condition of the groun dand make a ‘go/no go’ following the heavy overnight snowfall.

I walked the upper and lower tracks; the upper looked OK but the lower didn’t fill me with the desire to sit on Vin and hurl ourselves over the fences at 30mph.

I drove to the yard and reported my feelings to little Karen.

She was a little dubious too so we went back to Lincomb to re-inspect the track.

When we’d tramped the upper and lower sections and inspected the take-off and landings of all the likely fences, she pronounced herself happy with the going so we returned to the yard.

I was still undecided as Karen went to fetch Whisper from his field, but a final glance at the darkening horizon made me turn the corner.

No go.

I said I’d accompany Karen (because no-one should jump cross country fences without someone in attendance).

So off the three of us (Karen, Whisper and me) went, back to Lincomb.

And as we arrived the sky delivered yet more snow, loads of it!

I did her admin and signing-in while she tacked up, then the three of us set off for the cross country fences.

Which Whisper jumped like a star.

Then it was back to the yard where I got Vin in (it was tea-time by then), picked out his feet, changed his rug and then – with Vin noshing on his hay – turned and headed for home.

Where I picked up The Lovely S and we went out for lunch (if one can eat lunch at 17.00) to the Pub of Chavs in the centre of Bromsgrove.

After food and drink we came back home.

I showered, shaved and made my way downstairs.

Where The Lovely S had made me a mug of hot chocolate and had started the ironing.

I am knackered beyond description.

I have walked three cross country courses today (or the same one three times), and hadn’t eaten between breakfast and the 17.00 lunch.

It’s snowing outside.

There’s a weird film on the television (Millions)   which is set at Christmastime but it looks far too summery.

Perhaps we’ve got all their snow?

Two boys in this film; one I quite like, one I want to slap.

I am full of vegetarian chilli with rice (and a side portion of chips) and sponge pudding and diet coke and Latte and hot chocolate.

And lust.

And tiredness.

I wonder which will win out?

I also wonder why the podcast has been downloaded 14 times today by – as near as I can make out – different IP addresses in Australia.

Weird.

B.