Wet.

It's been a grey, wet day today. Lightly falling rain forced me to sit inside the open terrace door this morning for my dawn watch. Even so it was good to feel the fresh air and hear the birds swirling above the waves.

Driving to the stables along the main road I looked in the mirror and there was a police car right behind me. Luckily I do keep to the speed limit though it's only been a few months since that section of road changed from 60mph to 40mph. Of course they weren't interested in me though they stayed behind me most of the way until I turned off the main road. (Because of the mountains it is the only road that goes west out of the area.)

I had my lovely Tex again. I'd remembered that I had the correct brush for manes (a plastic curry comb) at home so I brought it along and at least gave his mane a good brush. His tail will have to wait for another day though possibly not until the mud has been washed out. (Don't ask me why I'd forgotten to run that stirrup up but I did it later.)

We had a good lesson with plenty of cantering. This time I got Tex to canter straight off (almost) each time though sometimes he didn't maintain the canter. We got there in the end. Before all the fun stuff we worked on sitting trot to improve our seats. To the question When is it important to have a secure seat? my answer of When you're about to fall off, was technically correct but not quite what Iola was looking for.

Afterwards I did the usual shopping and got another freebee at Morrisons. I'd gone to the checkouts which were chaotic with lines of trolleys queuing for the only three open checkouts. As I didn't have too much in my trolley I went to the self-service where there was still a queue but not as long. I scanned my shopping but a box of reduced onion bhajis wouldn't scan. I called the supervisor who put in a very long number which still didn't register so she said no charge. Fine by me. 

A few days ago I decided that my scarecrow for the village competition would be Paddington Bear. Something children would recognise. Today I was browsing the charity shops looking for something blue to make his iconic duffle coat. Imagine my surprise when I came across this coat for £1. If I roll the sleeves up the coat may even survive enough to be handed back to a charity shop after the competition. The bag, label and some marmalade sandwiches should be easy enough.  All I have to do is to think about is how to make his hat.

Driving home along the back road I stopped to take some photos of the snowdrops planted in the verge.

It is so much nicer to drive along the narrow country lane than go down the main road with houses on either side and a 20mph limit.