Dwp Dw i.

Some sunshine and a lot of wintry showers today. The rain was heavy, icy and not pleasant at all.

I sat outside early in the morning tucked into a corner of the terrace and watched the seagulls battling the wind. A number of small groups stayed just above the height of the cliff as they flew southwards along the coast line. Presumably heading for town or at least the dump. Meanwhile vast numbers rose like pulsating black specks from a seething cauldron working their way higher and higher until eventually the whole flock wheeled and headed inland. 

The first thing I do when I get to the stables is go down and look at the day's list to see which horse I'm riding. Today it was Pacman who although jiggity jog on a hack is great to ride in the school. I couldn't see him tied up with the other horses in the stalls, looked around and saw two horses tied up in the yard. Pacman is a bay so I assumed the bay was him. I did check with my fellow riders and then with a one of the staff who all thought it was Pacman. It was only after I'd tacked up and we got into the school that I realised that I had helped myself to Meg. (The girl I asked has only been working at the stables for four weeks.)

Iola (the stables owner) was teaching and said I might as well ride Meg. Oh dear, Meg is lazy and hard work even though she is fitter than when she first came to the stables. My legs don't have a lot of strength so I had to keep using my schooling whip. Normally just touching the horse with the end of the whip as a reminder is enough but unless I put both reins in one hand so I could add a little sting to the tap Meg ignored me and carried on with a sedate trot. It was only when three of us were trotting on a 20m circle and Iola got the lunging whip did Meg and Hazel who was also being sluggish, suddenly double their speed. It was much better at the end but that was hard work. I won't make that mistake again. 

I'm glad I hadn't had Hazel as she was a real pain going up to the mounting block. New panels have been put up near that corner which made it another reason for her to spook. In the end the mounting block had to be dragged away from the corner so that Mark could practise walking Hazel up to it before getting on.

I took a few photos at the stables with my phone. That's May the new cob that Chloe rode in the lesson, and Meg behind.

A bit blurry but you can see from Meg's shape (still chunky) that she kind of has the proportions of a smaller horse. And yes she still loves her food.

Afterwards I did the shopping at Morrison's and Lidl also going into town to post a parcel and recycle a bag of empty blister packs at Boots. 

I got caught a few times in the rain which was very heavy and so cold. Time to make sure I have gloves in my coat pocket. At home as soon as I'd unpacked the shopping and thrown my clothes in the washing machine I settled down with a cup of tea to watch the sea and Riot Women. That's a very good series though I suspect that most men wouldn't enjoy it.

(Dwp dw i - I'm an idiot.)