Ok so this is not a weather Channel! However it may as well be. After jinxing things with the last blog, by daring to mention how kind the Weather Gods had been to us so far in The Top Barn Challenge, they threw their toys out of the pram and sent us Storm Dudley, and Storm Eunace ....and Storm Franklin. Thanks!
So week 7 of The Challenge started with Storm Dudley.... It was a bit blowy, but we are used to wind here on the East Coast. This coincided with my Nurse duties being upped as my Mum had hospital and hairdressing appointments. That was 3 days written off. As the well publicised Storm Eunace was do in on Friday I decided to take my Rollover Week ( still saving Holiday week for the Snow!!!). Having banked 2.5 hours, I snuck in the needed half hour on Thursday, filming Rhi's Random, in between storms. A Lunging task....Lunging is Charlies Nemesis. However we have been working on it, and he completed the task.
And so Friday dawned. Remembering the Non Hurricane of '87, I half thought the Weather Boffins were just covering their arses. The other half was slightly excited at the thought of a mighty wind. Yup it blew a Hoolie. I had to ride the hay trailer, to hold it down, standing upright was a bit of a problem, but it wasn't hurricane force. The horses couldn't have cared less. Bringing them in from the Summer Grazing to their Night Field, I got caught by a gust and the field gate. As I sailed past Charlie, like a Galleon under full sail, I grabbed a handful of his mane. He immediately anchored up and stood firm as if to say "I got you Mum". He's got Brownie Points for at least 3 weeks!
The wind got up, so I went for a walk down the Beach with Freya Dog, and Other Half. I say walk! They went for a walk while I filmed the sea. And got pushed nearer and nearer to the waves. Eventually I grabbed the anchor rope of a beached boat and pulled myself away from the Sea. As soon as I let go I was blown over. My Other Half (Mark The Mechanic and Part Time Horse Whisperer) said it was like watching a rag doll being shaken by an angry Bear! Freya Dog who is 20kg lighter than me, had no trouble staying on her feet, although she is slightly lower to the ground and all muscle.
And so Week 8 began. With Storm Franklin, who was never mentioned until it started. Not quite as blowy, but very wet. Poo Picking was like having a power shower. If I'd known I would have brought shampoo, and saved some time!
But this is the Top Barn Challenge, so to hell with the weather!! I seem to have entered The Hub In-hand Dressage Comp. It involves running....I mean who am I kidding??? Charlie and I set about practicing, in the 'School'. Heaving for breath I measured the 'School' knowing it wasn't 20 x 40, but hoping it wasn't far off. it was! In fact its 35m x about 14m. So I set about making a 'Dressage Arena' in the flattest part of the Summer Grazing. The sun shone, the birds sang, spring was in the air. I grabbed Charlie and we started practicing. Suddenly all Hail broke loose. The 'Arena' was white within seconds. But this is the Top Barn Challenge...so we carried on!
Friday we had a Round Pen Session working on sharper transitions, and some standing at the mounting block. Of course I was up on the mounting block with my coffee. Charlie moved, so I asked him to reposition himself. He kicked the (flimsy) block, my coffee flew skywards and landed all over his ears. he curled his lips and that finished me off. We may have to rework this!!
Today was warm (9c) and I was able to have my fleece surgically removed to soak up some Vitamin D. Charlie and i spent a glorious hour playing at Liberty, starting Spanish Walk and generally having fun. And so I have not got on him yet (again) as we have been pushed back a week......But next weeks looking good!
No comments:
Post a Comment