Debbie obtained her D+ certificate today but was disappointed with her performance in the cross-country competition
Debbie obtained her D+ certificate today but was disappointed with her performance in the cross-country competition

I had an early start, suffering from a twinge in my back, to prepare Debbie for her horse riding this morning. Once at Offord, we cooked up Mr Smith’s horse trailer and safely loaded Sundance aboard, getting quite wet in the pouring rain in our old clothes accordingly. We arrived early at the Thorney venue, with time to spare for preparation after which Debbie had obtained a deeper certificate but was disappointed with her performance in the cross-country competition. We were joined by Alex Taylor and her pony for the return journey. A heart-to-heart with Daniel over his schoolwork and speedboat and news tonight is of the criticisms of the government’s NHS reforms. The local government dispute is settled with the new 8.8% wage offer, but now French air traffic engineers are disrupting holiday travel leading to more flight delays

It was an early start for me as I had to be prepared to get Debbie to her horse riding early this morning. A rather nervy start as well because I have now got a twinge in my back after trying to move Daniel speedboat last night. Eventually away and to the riding school in the pouring rain added to our troubles. We hooked up Mr Smith’s horse trailer and managed to get Sundance in okay and fed him there to reassure him.

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We got quite wet in our old clothes, but we got away and found the venue of Pode Hole Farm, Thorney, quite easily with the aid of a good large-scale Peterborough ordnance survey map. We were the 3rd to arrive and had plenty of time to tack Sundance up and be ready. The weather cleared up to an overcast day with some sun and showers but exhaustingly humid and warm. Debbie obtained her D+ certificate which was good but she was disappointed with her 6th out of 8 in her group’s cross-country competition but then she is only ridden twice in the last five weeks and was out of practice.

Then the effort to load the ponies and gear at the end of the day. Debbie was joined by Alex Naylor and her pony on our return journey but I got them both home safely. This evening, I just relaxed exhausted from the exertions and suffering with my back. I had my ‘meeting’ with Daniel and had a heart-to-heart over his schoolwork and speedboat. The house seems fine and the pets are healthy.

The news tonight is of the criticisms of the government’s NHS reforms. The local government authority dispute is settled with the new 8.8% wage offer, but now French air traffic engineers are disrupting holiday travel leading to more holiday flight delays. Rain is forecast for tomorrow at last.