My Spotty Pony

A short update

2012-02-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

Many apologies for my lack of blog posts recently. I have also not had time to visit and comment on your own blogs, although I did have problems last week leaving comments for bloggers with word verification. Blogger is now asking for two words to be verified, one of them I can hardly make out at all (and I am NOT a robot.... what is that all about?!!). I have removed word verification from my own blog, so hope anyone trying to leave a comment will be able to do so.

My elderly mother has been ill, so I have had to spend more time helping her with shopping and housework. Poor Spotty is lame so he is needing more attention too, and of course most nights are spent rehearsing. The play is in two weeks time and it is only a short run, so I hopefully will have more time then to catch up.

I hope you are all keeping well, and when time allows I will come and visit your own blogs. And if I get past the blogger security sign in, then I shall leave a comment too! If anyone else is having the same problems, please let me know.

Love, Abby xx

There's No Business Like Show Business

2012-01-30T03:31:00.000-08:00

Thank you to the lovely followers who have kindly been asking me how the play rehearsals are coming along. I love being involved in theatre productions but they do tend to take over my life a bit!
The play I am currently involved in is a comedy. The story involves a property developer who wants to drive a lady out of her home so he can purchase the estate she lives in. My character is the very feisty lady who refuses to sell at any price. It all gets a bit 'Midsomer Murders' but the cast are having great fun at rehearsals. The play starts on March 9th so there are just under six weeks to go!
My husband always tells me that I turn into Norman Bates from 'Psycho' when I am rehearsing for a play as my character takes me over a bit (he nearly moved out when I played Lady Macbeth!).
My friend Cinzia is directing the play. She is creative producer and director of November Club

This is a clip from one of Cinzia's productions, Traces & Graces. I was delighted to have taken part in this outdoor performance and I wrote a post about it last year which you can look at here
The song is sung by the wonderful Katie Doherty who is an award winning musician and composer.

Katie's album Bridges

I studied dance and drama at school during the 60's and early 70's. In 1995 I met Delaval and Veronica Astley when my son started school with their children. They were both actors and he had just finished playing a character in 'The Archers' when they moved into our village. It was through them that I was encouraged to get involved in the performing arts again. I did start at the bottom.... literally. I was the rear end of a pantomime horse!
Don't expect to see me receiving an oscar anytime soon.....

I will leave collecting of awards to my husband's cousin!

Danny Boyle pictured with me after receiving an oscar for Best Director (Slumdog Millionaire)
apologies for the picture quality, I have no idea how to scan a photograph.

Last year Danny directed Frankenstein at the National Theatre...

Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller won joint 'Best Actor' awards for his production.
Cumberbatch and Miller alternated in the roles of Frankenstein and the Creature, so in deciding the best actor prize, the judges, made up of leading theatre critics, said it would have been "invidious" not to recognise both actors.

Danny is currently working as Artistic Director for the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.

Good luck Danny, we are very proud of you!

A big welcome to my new followers, and apologies for my lack of visits and comments to your own blogs. I will try and catch up with you all this week.
Keep warm.... winter is finally arriving in the UK today!
Abby xx

My Muddy Pony

2012-01-07T09:07:00.000-08:00

I arrived at the RDA centre yesterday morning to find only one other volunteer had turned up! All the children for the first lesson needed leaders and two of them required sidewalkers. Thankfully the three teachers that brought the children helped with mounting and two of the grooms had to down tools and lead ponies. It was a challenging session!
Spotty was not used, so when lessons had finished I went down to the field to see him.

I am sure I used to own a light grey pony!

Even his field companion has a dirty face.

This side is no better!

But I am sure that underneath his rug I will find some clean spots! :)

A big hello and welcome to my new followers, and thank you all for your kind comments on my previous post. The one thing I did not expect to gain from blogging was new friends, and it has been a real pleasure getting to know each and every one of you.

I look forward to following you all throughout 2012.
Abby xx

Thanking Mrs Exeter and other things.....

2011-12-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

Image from The Graphics Fairy

I hope you have all had an enjoyable Christmas. It has been a busy period for me as my father in law always comes to stay with us for two weeks over Christmas and New Year. And my son is back home from university for the holidays, bringing with him bags of washing and hungry friends!
Spotty is on holiday from RDA lessons, and he has been out every day in the field eating and enjoying the mild weather. He has rolled in the mud and looks like a rescue pony, so no picture until I can put him through the car wash! ;)

Before Christmas, the lovely Mrs Exeter kindly awarded me with the Liebster award.....
THANK YOU MRS E!

Liebster is a German word that means dearest. This award is given to people with blogs that have less than 200 followers and I should pass it on to five other blogs.
So, in no particular order, I would like to nominate....

Metscan Mette is from Finland, and writes about many things including fashion and interior design. Mette also owns horses, and has a beautiful flat-coated retriever called Morty.

Helen Tilston Painter Helen, lives in USA, and is an artist who paints in oil en plein aire. Helen can be found painting at Indian Rocks Beach in winter, and during the summer months in Canada and Europe.

Simply-Chateau Shirley, lives in France, and finds the most amazing shabby chic treasures to sell on Ebay and in her Etsy store. She also writes very amusing posts :)

My Equestrian World Edward is from UK. He writes about his wonderful horses and ponies, and takes some brilliant pictures of them too.

Nomadic Mumblings Andrea, who lives in Spain, is currently training to be a dressage judge. Andrea also writes about many other interesting topics, and also takes beautiful pictures from her home which is just south of Madrid.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the holidays, and I would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Abby xx

Vintage tree decorations

2011-12-17T07:48:00.000-08:00

During the 1990's I had my own antiques business. When attending fairs and auctions, I would always keep an eye open for old Christmas decorations. After ten years, I had collected enough to cover a six foot tree. This year I purchased a smaller tree, so have ended up with a decoration on almost every branch!

Everyone has their own idea of what a perfect tree should look like. For me, I love the smell of pine, so always buy a real tree. Some of the decorations are worn and now shabby looking.....

.....just how I like them!

I love this bird...

and this old horn, acorn and spotty bauble...... just had to have something with spots on!

Some date from the 1930's and 40's....

....and many from the 50's and 60's.

And no tree would be complete without a santa.

And as for a vintage fairy to place on top of the tree.....

the search continues!!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend xx

Heroes on Horseback

2011-12-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

This year the Telegraph newspaper is making its 22nd annual Christmas Charity Appeal on behalf of three charities.
I am delighted that one of the chosen charities is Riding for Disabled. Some 30,000 people benefit each year from the 500 centres across UK with the help of 18,000 volunteers. But for every one person who takes part, there are four on a waiting list, the charity urgently needs to expand. As a volunteer, I have first hand experience of how beneficial horse riding is to the adults and children who come to the centre. Riding strengthens the spine and legs, but also develops overall muscle tone and has body wide benefits.

Captain Guy Disney, who lost his right leg below the knee in Afghanistan, has said that "RDA is a fantastic charity, it's holistic. Riding took my attention away from my injury. Hopefully those in the military will have greater contact with it and benefit from it".

Followers of my blog will of course know how much the children and adults have come on at the RDA centre during this year. For me the comment of one child sums up RDA.......
"On the ground I'm in a wheelchair. On a horse I can dance".

The phone-in day is tomorrow. Tel: 0800 117 118 10am - 6pm, and will be manned by the Telegraph journalists, or visit telegraph.co.uk/charity
If you are inclined to make a donation could I make a plea on behalf of the RDA.....
THANK YOU!!

A warm welcome to my new followers, and I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.
Abby xx

Late night blogging

2011-12-01T00:51:00.000-08:00

Lovely Elaine, who has a wonderful blog Ted and Bunny noticed I had left a comment on her post at 1.04am. I have been so busy lately, that I have slipped back to my old habits of late night blogging! The reason? Well....

Today I must....
Visit my friend who is in hospital
Visit my aunt who has just left hospital
Take my mother shopping
Buy food/drinks for the village Gardening Club Christmas party
Phone/email everyone to remind them about above, as date has changed!
Lunge Spotty
Help with RDA lesson
Read and respond to work emails
Clean house (this may have to wait until tomorrow as my vacuum cleaner has broken)
Purchase new vacuum cleaner!!
Wash a huge bag full of clothes left by son who has moved out!!
Make casserole
Learn lines for play.....

.... or maybe not!!
1.00am... blog, then fall asleep writing comments!!

If I have left you a comment that is full of spelling mistakes, or makes no sense at all, then I hope you will forgive me ;)

A very warm welcome to my new followers. I shall of course be visiting your own blogs.....
if I can stay awake long enough!

I hope you all enjoy the rest of the week, and have a lovely weekend too.
Abby xx

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:12:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to wish all of my lovely American friends and followers a very
Happy Thanksgiving!

This amazing card was sent to me from fabulous Anita who has a wonderful blog, Castles Crowns and Cottages and Etsy shop selling her beautiful hand painted cards, vintage style tags and the most charming little handmade poetry keepsake book called Bird Songs. Please take a look!
Anita drew Spotty all dressed up for the holiday season, and I think she has captured him perfectly! I love this card Anita.....

...and so does Spotty! Thank you so much! xxx

And the winners are.....

2011-11-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone for entering the giveaway, but most of all for your very kind comments which really meant so much to me.
If you read my last post you will know that I decided to bend rules. Instead of passing on awards, I thought I would have a giveaway with five different gifts. Of course I was then faced with the problem that only five people could win, but at least I did not have to choose who they were! Names were written on paper, choices of gift taken into account, and then folded paper put into my riding hat.

My husband picked out the following winners....

Second Hand Rose
Ida
Flowers on my Table
Haizi Daizi
All Horse Stuff

Congratulations to the five winners, and thank you again to everyone who entered.
Please contact me with your address so I can post off your gifts. My email is: abgboyle@aol.com

I was reminded when I received my blog awards that I should have written a few 'things about me'.... Hmmmm

Well, those of you who have read my blog for some time may remember that I am involved in the performing arts. Just recently I was asked if I would like to take part in a stage play, which I said yes to (in a moment of weakness or madness!). Having been to an audition for the various parts, I was offered the lead role, which will involve months of rehearsals and learning of lines. I would like to point out that this is a local play and not London's West End!
I was once so nervous before going on stage that I decided to drink a large gin and tonic beforehand. Big mistake... I forgot my lines!!
I left school and home when I was 16 and went off to work for an International show jumper.... my Mother was furious!
In the 1970's, I appeared in Jackie magazine. Some of you may remember the picture stories featuring teenagers acting out a type of soap drama. Text inside a bubble would be printed by each actors mouth.... oh I am cringing now thinking about this!!

I was on the pilot episode of Bargain Hunt (cringing again!).
I went to a convent school. Sister Pauline, the headmistress, once wrote on my school report: 'Abigail is very disruptive. Dancing on the library table is not acceptable behavior in a school for young ladies'.
The school was a bit like St. Trinians... I was not the only one dancing on the tables!

On that note....
I hope you all have a wonderful week!
Abby xx

Awards and Giveaways

2011-11-08T12:12:00.000-08:00

In June, the lovely Sophie from Fading Grace very kindly gave me The Versatile Blogger award.
Sophie has a wonderful blog. There is a saying 'you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear'.... well, Sophie can! If you have not seen Sophie's blog, then please pay her a visit :)

I was of course delighted to receive this award, but at the time could not decide who to pass it on to. Then I took a break from blogging, and it went out of my mind.
It was only recently, when I was amazed to be given another two awards, that I remembered about the one given to me by Sophie, and thought I should do something about it!
First, a big thank you to Juliette from Honeysuckle Faire for this award

Juliette is a painter and also owns the most wonderful horses. Please take a look at her blog and fabulous website www.julietteober.com
The day after Juliette gave me the One Lovely Blog Award, Di from Yonks gave me this award!

Di has a blog that really does deserve this award! I came across Di's blog and loved it so much that I started to read all her past posts. Di has an Etsy store, and has for sale some fantastic items. On one post was a selection of pewter hunting themed lapel pins that Di had purchased at auction, so I left a comment about how much I loved the fox pin. Di contacted me to say that she still had the pin and would love me to have it. A parcel arrived with not only the fox pin inside, but another charming pin with pheasants on, and all beautifully wrapped too. To receive a gift from someone who I had just left a comment for, shows what a generous and kind hearted person Di is.... and she is so much more too :)
I was genuinely surprised to receive these awards, but am very touched that Sophie, Juliette and Di included me in their choices. I understand with these awards there are rules, and that I should select five bloggers to pass them on to. The problem is I really love all the blogs that I follow, and would like to give you all an award, so how can I possibly choose? Well.....
I am not going to! I know many of you have also received these awards, and some of you do not wish to accept them, so I have decided to have a five prize giveaway instead!
For the chance to win, any of my lovely followers can enter, just leave me a comment saying which gift from the choice of five you would like. The winners will be drawn from a [riding!] hat on Sunday 20th November.

The first giveaway is:
For the flower lover.....

a wonderful book by Jane Packer.

The book is full of beautiful pictures with ideas for arranging flowers around the home.

The second giveaway, is a 2012 Landscapes of Britain calendar, and a copy of the December issue of Period Living, which includes a free CD. A 'Traditional Carol Collection' featuring 14 festive songs to celebrate Christmas, including Sleep Holy Babe, sung by The Choir of Magdalen college, Oxford.

The calender has a picture of Northumberland, where I live...

and also stunning pictures of the Peak District, Lake District, Norfolk Broads, Argyll, North York Moors, South Downs, Snowdonia, Dartmoor, Perthshire, Brecon Beacons and Buckinghamshire.

For the third giveaway, I have put together a vintage French tea towel with the initials RD (or RO?) stitched on it. A heart made with vintage French fabric and a good length of vintage French trim that could be used for a lampshade or other project. Also included are 51 vintage linen covered buttons on the original card.

The fourth giveaway is a Christmas pack containing an Emma Bridgewater gift bag with tag, pack of tissue paper and napkins. Also included are two tree decorations, and 12 angel pegs. These are great for displaying Christmas cards or for clipping tags onto parcels.

The last giveaway will appeal to my equine followers. There are four guides: Riding The Problem Horse, Practical Horse Whispering, and Bombproofing Tips, all written by Perry Wood. Poles and Gridwork is written by Jane Wallace. A copy of the Nov/Dec issue of the official magazine for The British Horse Society is also included. This has a Feed Guide in association with Spillers enclosed .

I hope you like the giveaway choices, and I think there is something that should appeal to everyone :) Abby xx

Dressage Competition at RDA

2011-10-31T04:43:00.000-07:00

On Friday there was a dressage competition at the Riding for Disabled centre where I help as a volunteer.
They had different classes for both adults and children. It was a sunny day, and all the riders had a great time.
This girl brought her own 5 year old Andalusian (also know as the Pure Spanish Horse) horse to the centre for the competition. She only has the use of one hand, and rode an almost perfect dressage test.

This is the traditional way to 'show' the mane of this breed....

....it was done beautifully with the help of her mother.

This lady's life fell apart five years ago when MS took over her body. She was forced to give up her job and also had to give up horse riding. But last year, friends finally persuaded her to climb back in the saddle. And she quickly realised that not only could she still control a horse, but she also had a real talent for Para Dressage, taking up the sport even though it was so painful that at first she could only manage five-minute training sessions. In April 2010, she entered her first national Para Dressage contest in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Riding Des, a horse lent to her by a local dressage rider, who is close to retiring from competitions, she stunned the judges and won with spectacular marks. The performance helped her and Des qualify for the British Para National Championships at Hickstead in Sussex , where she could become a contender for the British squad and ultimately qualify for the 2012 Paralympic games. She said: "I only did it because I was convinced I'd fall straight off and my friends would stop nagging me to ride again. I'm not doing this for any glory for myself, but I want to show what multiple sclerosis sufferers can achieve if they fight this terrible disease. You can still have a life and get out there and do stuff."

On Friday she rode Highlights, a horse from the RDA centre, and completed another wonderful test. She has just purchased her own horse, and it will be competing on it in the future.

Winston is another horse from the centre. He also went really well for his rider on the day...

....and he is also one of Spotty's field companions!

This is Domino, and is a new arrival. I have worked with this pony during a riding lesson with a boy on him that has cerebral palsy. He is the most wonderful pony, with a great temperament and is perfect for the RDA centre. The child in the picture won a rosette on him... well done!
Remember Kate? In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned that she had fallen off Spotty and hurt herself during a lesson.

Kate doing a dressage test in May on Spotty

Over the past few weeks I have been practicing the dressage test with her on a lovely fell pony called Dez.

On Friday, Kate did the dressage test without Dez being lead by a rope. Although I walked beside her, she rode the test without any help from me and won best in her class! Kate cried with joy when she was given her rosette, and when she put her arms out to me for a hug, I was moved to tears myself.

Thank you for all your comments about Spotty on my last post. He has arthritis in his hind legs, and my concerns with his recent stiffness was that it is getting worse. The exercises are helping and he is getting extra supplements with his feed to help. He is only 9 but pulled a cart or trap before he came to the centre. I suspect he was asked to pull a too heavy load and this could be why he has arthritis. As I own him now, I make sure that he receives the very best care and attention. He is one very loved pony!

Abby xx

A Spot of bother

2011-10-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

The cold weather has arrived, and due to the hard frost last week, Spotty was turned out in his winter rug to keep his body warm. His legs have now grown more hair, so they are protected from the elements too.

He is still looking rather like a barrel!

I have been concerned about Spotty as he has been walking very stiffIy recently. So last week the equine physiotherapist came to see him. She said he did seem stiff in his hind legs and advised that I should do some lunging exercises with him.
Some of you may not know that lunging is a very useful training tool. When lunging a horse, the horse moves around the handler in a circle. The handler controls the horse by using aids that ask him to move faster or slower, bend on a circle or move closer to or farther away from you. Aids include your voice and body language. By lunging your horse, you are given the ability to watch him from the ground, so you can monitor his movement, his soundness and his natural frame.

This is a lunging cavesson. It needs to be a snug fit so it won't pull over his eye on the other side.

Note the clean fur where his rug has been!

Spotty has a surcingle fastened around him. The saddle pad will stop it rubbing and adds extra comfort. A thick elastic band is attached on either side and put around the back of his hind legs. In this position the band will encourage Spotty to use his back muscles more.

After lunging Spotty in walk and trot, he seemed to have more movement in his hind legs. He is the type of pony that always wants to please, and he will do whatever I ask of him. However, I can tell by his expression in this picture that he was thinking "Can we stop now, I am bored with going around in circles!".
So with rug on, I took him back to the field.

I love spending time with Spotty and always make a fuss of him before I turn him out in the field. He usually stands at the gate watching me until I am out of sight....

but I can never resist turning back for one last kiss on the nose!

Thank you to everyone for all your comments on my last post. Apologies if I have forgotten to visit your own blog and leave a comment, I hope to catch up with you all this week!
Abby xx

Squirrel Update

2011-10-17T09:42:00.000-07:00

I thought you may like an update on the four baby squirrels that I posted about a few weeks ago.

They were found after they had been blown from their nest in high winds. Since then they have been cared for at a local wildlife centre in Northumberland.
I am pleased to report that they are all making good progress.
When they arrived at the Wildlife Sanctuary they were only five weeks old and were fed goat's milk at three hour intervals....

and in between feeds....

there was time to sleep.....

and time to come out....

and play!

Images taken from The Wildlife Sanctuary

The four squirrels are now said to be “thriving” and have moved on to more solid foods such as Hawthorn berries, hazelnuts, pine nuts, mashed avocado and apple.
The Sanctuary plans to build a special enclosure and continue caring for them over the winter months, before releasing them back into the wild in May.

A very warm welcome to my new followers and thank you to everyone for all your lovely comments on my last post. Sorry I did not make it very clear that there was a link to show the advert on tellyads. If you missed it please take a look here
I hope you all have a good week.
Abby xx

Fuel Thief Pugs

2011-10-12T04:35:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! It has been over two weeks since I wrote a post as I have been SO busy lately. Many apologies for being slow to comment on your own blogs too.
I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey, and have been enjoying the latest series currently being shown on Sunday evening. The only problem is the amount of advertisements that run during the programme. However, the latest advert for Citroen shown during a break last Sunday did amuse me. We all have a different sense of humour, but this really did appeal to me. It shows a man pretending to know someone he meets at a fuel station so his dogs can steal the fuel behind his back....

click here for link

When I started my blog it was always my intention to make my posts light hearted and to make the reader smile....
I hope this gives you all something to smile about on a wet Wednesday (well, it is wet here anyway!)
Abby x

Woolly Jumpers

2011-09-27T04:44:00.000-07:00

My apologies to anyone who was expecting a knitting pattern on this post!
I thought you may like to see some pictures that were recently taken of an attraction which was held at our village show........
Sheep racing!

Sheep racing, which is thought to have originated in New Zealand, sees 16 sheep, in four heats of four, racing round a 100m track before a grand final between the winners.
The local vet, who is president of the Veterinary Sheep Society, said: "If the sheep don’t want to race, they won’t, so we’ve had a few practice runs to get them used to it. It is more a case of carrot than stick to get them running".

The racing sheep navigate a series of jumps and turns before crossing the finish line...

but sometimes need a bucket or two of food to tempt them off the starting block!
Four sheep ready to start the race...

.... and they're off !
Special jockeys were made to ride the sheep....

and small jumps were built for them to go over.

Sheep are very stubborn, but I was told that they make very good jumpers :)

The winner heads for his reward.....

but of course they all get a bucket of feed once they have past the winning post!
My bet was on Lady Ba Ba...... I think she came in last :)

I hope you all have a lovely week.
Abby xx

Calm after the Storm

2011-09-23T06:40:00.000-07:00

This picture appeared in the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday.

A litter of five week old red squirrels were blown from their nest in the aftermath of Hurricane Katia last week. They were discovered by a lady living near Alnwick in Northumberland. She took them to a vet, and they are now recovering at the Sanctuary Wildlife Care Centre near to where I live in Morpeth.
They are to be cared for over the winter as they only weigh between 70 and 80 grams. It is planned that they will be released back into the wild next spring.

Settled weather has been forecast for this weekend .....

.... I do hope so! :)

Have a lovely weekend whatever you are doing.
Abby xx

Harvest Festival

2011-09-19T03:36:00.000-07:00

I have had a very busy few days. Over the weekend we held our village show. One of the attractions is the harvest flower display held in the 12th century village church. I have to organise this, and started with cleaning up after the Swallows had left the building! The porch had to be scrubbed down and the mats washed, then two displays were put in place there.

The font was decorated with flowers, fruit and vegtables....

.....and a sack of corn with a little mouse peeping out!

My friend used flowers from her own garden for this display...

.... I had to purchase most of these flowers for the altar arrangement.

Hydrangeas in beautiful colours, are used for these displays.

Sunflowers for the window....

...and carrots in a basket add colour for a dark corner.

Every space is filled...

The school children were asked to make a cross each to place on the pews.

On the way out, by a stained glass window....

...an Irish Blessing.

It rained on the morning of the show, but in the afternoon the sun came out. I will write another post with more pictures of the day.
Thank you for your kind comments and well wishes for Spotty on my last post.
I hope you all have a good week. Abby x

Building Hedges

2011-09-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

On my last post I received three comments from the lovely Anita at Castles Crowns and Cottages

Please take a look at this wonderful blog. Anita is very talented and writes the most inspiring posts. Her pictures are beautiful, and carefully chosen to compliment her words.

Each time Anita leaves a comment on my post, Spotty always gets a special mention and a request for me to give him a big hug from her :)
This morning Anita asked me for an update on how Spotty was getting on. Kate, an RDA rider, had fallen off him recently, but thankfully was not hurt.
And so, for Anita, and to everyone who kindly left a comment on my last post with good wishes for Kate's next lesson on Spotty, this is what happened on Friday...............

I would always encourage a rider to get back on a pony after a fall. And Kate was happy to get back on a pony, just NOT Spotty! So it was decided that she should ride Bramling, a 14.2 Highland cross pony.

The lesson went well, Kate was very happy, and most of all she got her confidence back.
After the lesson, I went to get Spotty from the top field where some of the horses have been moved to.
In the distance I could see him standing still, head up, not eating. As I got closer I called to him and he looked at me but stayed put. There are two fields next to each other and they are separated by a wire fence on one side and a hedge behind it. I have no picture, but it is similar to this...

As I got to the field I saw that Spotty was trapped between the wire fence and the hedge! He somehow had managed to get through a gap in the hedge further down the field, then walked along between the wire fence and the hedge to the top. And there he was... well and truly stuck!! As the space between fence and hedge was narrow, he could not turn around and had no way out. I knew that making him walk backwards nearly the length of the field was out of the question, so help was needed.

The hedge has been laid by hand and looks like this...

We decided the best thing to do was remove part of the hedge. Thankfully, Spotty stood still and was not distressed at all while we did this. Eventually a space was made that was big enough for him to get through. I gave him an apple and made a fuss of him. Although he was not injured, I decided he had been through enough excitement for one day, so moved him to another field. He happily started to eat the grass while I set about building the hedge back up!
So the update is, Kate is happy on Bramling. Spotty has now escaped from three different fields, four times (the staff at the centre are now calling him Houdini). He is still frightened of poles and bean bags. But....

I would not change him for the world!

I am going away for a few days to Scotland with a friend. I will not be taking my laptop and as the signal will be poor for my phone, I won't be able to comment on posts.
I shall look forward to catching up with you all on Tuesday :)
I hope you all have a great weekend, whatever you are doing.
Abby xx

A Horsey Post

2011-09-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

My friend has gone away on holiday so I am looking after her horses. They are kept outside at night until the first frost of winter arrives. All that is required is a small feed morning and evening, and simply checking them over to see they have not picked up an injury in the field overnight.
There are two fields behind the house. The top field now has more grass in it, so my friend has left the gate open into this field so they can gain access to it. My friend owns two horses and a pony. Milligan, the pony, is 24 and now retired and Licorice is 21, and used only to do a bit of light hacking.
A few months ago my friend purchased Ben, a 9 year old Cleveland Bay.
The Cleveland Bay originated in Yorkshire. This versatile breed is best known for jumping, dressage and driving. They are often crossed with other breeds, generally thoroughbreds, and make exceptional sports horses. The temperament is outstanding and they have a wonderful ground covering airy movement. Unfortunately, this breed is still fighting for survival with less than 700 worldwide. They are listed as critical on the endangered species list. I have taken Ben out on a hack, and he is one of the best horses I have every ridden. He does everything asked of him, and most of all will not look twice at the biggest agricultural vehicle coming towards him. He also loves jumping, but.... he is very bossy to Licorice and Milligan!
They are always in the top field when I arrive, but will come when called.

Ben comes first to get his food...

not the best place to eat as it is always muddy by the gate! Licorice gets his food next....

and last but not least, sweet little Milligan.

After Ben has finished eating, he chases the others away so he can see if any food is left in their buckets.

Fortunately Licorice and Milligan are fast eaters, so the buckets are empty!

Now the schools are back, Spotty will be working again as an RDA pony.
Earlier this year, a helper at the centre was not paying attention when she turned Spotty around too close to the electric fence. He got a shock and bolted.
During the summer holidays, Kate an RDA rider, has been coming to the centre every week for a lesson. She always likes to ride Spotty. Unfortunately, I was not there a few weeks ago when she fell off him, but thankfully she escaped with only a few bruises. Apparently, Kate was playing a bean bag game (putting bags into pots on poles) in the lesson, and she caught her stirrup on the pole. As Spotty walked forward the pole fell and hit him on the back. He bolted again.

Kate doing a dressage test on Spotty in May

Horses never forget.... anything. I will have to desensitize him, which is not going to be easy. Kate is coming back for a lesson on Friday and hopefully with me leading him he will be ok. I will give you an update to let you know how we get on.... fingers crossed!

A very warm welcome to my new followers. I am looking forward to following your own blogs and reading all your posts too.
It seems you all liked the photo that should not have been taken on my last post. My husband has decided not to give me any advice on photography from now on. So to all of you..... THANK YOU! ;) Abby x

The Walled Garden

2011-08-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

The sun made a brief appearance last week, so I went for a walk around the walled garden at Wallington Hall, a National Trust property in Northumberland.
In March this year I wrote a post about Wallington Hall. If you would like to read about it you can do so here
The walled garden looked like this back then.

And now, in late summer, it looks like this.

My husband reminded me that you should never take a photograph while directing the camera straight at the sun, but....

...rain was forcast for the weekend so I just took the picture anyway!

A better view with the sun behind me (yes Mr SP, you are right of course!)

Pictures taken from a wood outside the garden.....

....the stunning Edwardian conservatory which is within the walled garden.

Just outside the garden is an art installation...

....a single bed, floating on the lake!
To see more of the participating artists work at Wallington Hall, take a look here

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my last post (I know I always write this at the end of my post, but I really do mean it!).

I will always try and visit your own blogs and leave a comment on your current post. However, if I have been asked a question, I will usually reply to it on my own post.

A special note to Ida: You do not appear to have a blog that I can follow, so will leave a comment for you on my own post. Thank you for always reading my posts and leaving a comment, I really do appreciate it and always love to hear from you :)

I hope you all have a lovely week.
Abby xx

A Catch Up

2011-08-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

Hello! Last week I was sent a few emails and also received recent comments on my July post from several very kind and thoughtful bloggers who were wondering how I was getting on.
I was also very touched by all the lovely comments left after I wrote my last post, so a very big THANK YOU to you all!
I would also like to say welcome to my new followers. I hope to be back to normal (well.... normal for me anyway) blogging very soon.

I have really missed following all your own posts in the past six weeks, but life has been very hectic and I have only just come up for air!
We had a problem with the lease on the new premises, which meant extending the lease on the old practice. This has delayed the shop fit, so it has taken much longer than we had anticipated. Anyway, thankfully it is all sorted now so we are full steam ahead at last!

I have not had much time to ride Spotty.

Last week I called across the field to him from the gate. He usually comes over straight away....

.... but not this day. It did occur to me that he was so stuffed with grass that he could not move or maybe he was thinking "You have not been to see me for weeks, so I am going to ignore you". I must make time to exercise him more or I shall have to rename my blog "My Fatty Pony"!

Towards the end of July, the farmers set to work in their fields.

Picture taken from my garden on one of the few warm and sunny days in July.

They come through the village on the way to the grain dryers and unfortunately one evening I had left my car parked on the road. The next morning I discovered my car badly scratched and dented. Black rubber tyre marks were along the door, and the wing, side light and side mirror were also damaged. A Subaru is very well built but is no match for these huge agricultural vehicles so unfortunately it came off worse. My neighbours car was also badly damaged, so we are very frustrated that whoever did it drove off and was not seen.... grrrrrr!!

Hmmmm, maybe I will not be so thankful at Harvest Festival this year!!

I have had time to make a few purchases......

Wonderful little 19th century glass domes from the fabulous Shirley at Simply Chateau

they are a perfect size to put over my jewelry.

Beautiful old French linen monogrammed sheets from The Nest

I purchased three sheets, all with my initials on.

Sam has a lovely blog and sells fabulous items in her Etsy shop, please take a look.

I now intend to open a bottle of wine and find out what you have all been up to. It will probably take several hours to get through all your blogs and read your past and current posts, but I will try and leave a comment.
If you do not receive a comment from me, it may simply be that too many glasses of wine have been consumed and I have fallen asleep on my laptop (an imprint of keys on my face will not be a good look)!

I hope you have had a lovely summer and look forward to catching up with you all.
Abby x

On the move

2011-07-04T15:29:00.000-07:00

My husband is moving his business premises. Although I do the company accounts, I offered to help and have now become "moving manager". This basically means I am going to be up to my eyes in boxes over the coming weeks! I shall therefore be having a short break from blogging.
Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my last post, and welcome to my lovely new followers. I look forward to catching up with you all soon.
In the meantime, take care, and enjoy the sunshine. Abby x

The Queen, the Duchess, two Dukes and a footballer

2011-06-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who left such lovely comments on my last post:
An invitation from The Duchess
I set off in the car early on Wednesday morning to drive to Alnwick, and collected two other RDA volunteers on the way. The good news is I managed to stay within the speed limit, the bad news was it was absolutely pouring with rain! On arrival we were directed to park in a field near Alnwick Castle where buses were transporting people up the hill to the entrance. The queue for the bus made us decide to walk as it was still raining heavily and we felt it was best to keep moving. Although each of us had an umbrella, we still got thoroughly soaked through by the time we reached the castle gates. Three different parts of the castle and gardens were used for the party. We were in the area of the castle that was used for the setting of the Quidditch game in the Harry Potter film. So the first people to greet us, were Hagrid and Dumbledore!

Getting very wet, were The Northumberland Pipe Band.....

....and the Northumbrian Fusiliers, who signaled the arrival of the Queen with a trumpet fanfare.

A combination of wind and rain made it difficult to hold my umbrella and take pictures, but I think you can get some idea of what a typical British summer garden party looks like!

Thankfully, it had stopped raining when the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrived. Everyone had to line up, but due to the amount of people, not everyone got an opportunity to meet her.....

.... so Her Majesty walked right past me, with the Duchess of Northumberland and....

.....Alan Shearer, who is football Royalty in the North East! He was appointed by the Queen as a Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland in 2009. By the look on his (very tanned) face, he is very pleased with his title.

The Duke of Edinburgh and Duke of Northumberland, with his son Earl Percy, followed behind.
With damp clothes, numb feet, and the queue for refreshments huge, we decided to collect our souvenir bags and find warmth in a cafe close to the castle.
The bag contained a certificate....

.....and various items from companies who had given help and support with the event. Included were these postcards from Barbour which I thought were very apt!

Now why did I not think to wear my Barbour mac and wellies?

An invitation from The Duchess

2011-06-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

When I receive mail, it usually consists of a credit card/bank statement, or a utility bill. Last month, I received a letter from Northumbria Police advising me on a speeding offence that I had committed. I was caught on camera doing 34mph in a 30mph limit. So with 3 points on my driving licence and £60 lighter in my purse, I have now taken to looking at my speed dial more than the road when driving the car. This is probably far more dangerous than travelling at 4mph over the speed limit! My mother has always said "nice things happen to nice people". I reminded her of this when I told her that I was on my way to help at the Riding for Disabled centre when I was caught on camera!
However, a very nice thing has indeed happened. Last week, when I opened my post, this was inside the envelope....

an invitation from The Duchess of Northumberland, to attend a carers and volunteers party in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.
I was so surprised, that I could not take it in at first, my mind raced with thoughts of: what will I wear, will I get caught speeding on the A1 again, will there be a huge queue for the toilets and will I have to curtsy?
It is of course wonderful to be invited, and I am now very much looking forward to next Wednesday when I shall arrive here...

the magnificent Alnwick Castle, home of The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland.
Ten years ago, The Alnwick Garden opened for visitors to watch the creation of Europe's most ambitious new garden. It is now a vibrant place, with beautifully landscaped gardens, magnificent architecture and unique features, all brought to life with water.

When passing through the archway into The Alnwick Garden, the view leads immediately to The Garden’s centrepiece; the Grand Cascade. A magnificent tumbling mass of water with spellbinding displays, the Grand Cascade is the largest water feature of its kind in the country. It is built into two listed earth banks from the 1850s, which create The Garden’s slope.

Through the Venetian gates at the top of the Grand Cascade, is the Ornamental Garden; a structured garden brimming with plants. Here, an intricate planting pattern is created with a play of light and shade, grey and green foliage, flowers, fruit and aerial lacework created by pleached crab apples. Follow inviting pathways bordered by lavender and fruit trees, and discover quiet places to sit and catch the sun.

The Poison Garden: The Garden features many plants grown unwittingly in back gardens, and those that grow in the British countryside, as well as many more unusual varieties. Flame-shaped beds contain belladonna, tobacco and mandrake. The Alnwick Garden has a Home Office licence to grow some very special plants; the cannabis and coca which are found behind bars in giant cages.

The enormous and beautifully crafted Treehouse is built from Canadian cedar, Scandinavian redwood and English and Scots pine, from sustainable resources. It’s high in the treetops in a copse of mature lime trees, and looks as if it’s been there forever.

So, I shall definitely be needing something smart to wear. I will allow extra time for my journey, so no speeding will be necessary. Many people will be attending, so there is sure to be a queue for the toilets. And if I happen to meet The Queen....... is it left or right leg that goes behind for a curtsy?!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to visit my blog and leave a comment on my last post. As always, it is very much appreciated. Abby x

A fabulous find!

2011-06-12T07:23:00.000-07:00

I met my dear friend Julie from The Cloth Shed many years ago when I was in the antiques trade. We would often have our stands next to each other at a fair, which meant I got to see her lovely finds before the dealers came in.
I have purchased some wonderful things from her over the years, and received the most beautiful birthday and Christmas gifts too.
I love this sampler, made in 1878.

Framed behind glass, it is still in wonderful condition.

Gifts have included this pretty set, a small glass jug and dish...

and this lovely jug, hand painted with spring flowers.

I purchased this beauty after seeing it on Julie's last post.

Beautifully made toile de jouy fabric cushions have been given to me as gifts over the years.

But it is Julie's latest find that has given me the most pleasure. Last weekend, I received a text message from Julie which read "I have found something at a fair that will make you squeal with delight".
One evening last week, Julie arrived at my door holding something large inside a black plastic bag.
I caught a glimpse of this...

and inside the bag was this....

a Spotty Pony! Almost as big as my aga, he is how I imagine my pony Spotty would have looked as a foal.

Thank you Julie, this has to be the best find you have ever spotted!

I received such lovely comments on my last post, and appreciate all of them so much.
I will always visit your own blogs and leave a reply on your own posts too.

I hope you all have a good week.
Abby x