Longhope Diary January 2016

If a book was written about the ‘comings and goings’ in the livery yard it would be seen as too dramatic and far-fetched.  Looking back at 2016 we have witnessed incidents, accidents, arguments, kindness & cooperation and sufficient drama (no I’m not going into details!) to make most soap operas/novels seem lightweight. Even Mike & I are not immune.  Last summer my dear darling eldest son and I had a ‘divergence of opinion’.  A song has since been uploaded to sound cloud that would appear is about my lack of understanding (not 100% sure but it would seem that way from the lyrics).  It’s called ‘You don’t know’ so judge for yourselves. Most songs are inspired by love and loss, not a mean old mother. Nye James Music.

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Charlotte’s business Armstrong Equine has gone from strength to strength and the holiday cottage from a terrifying start has exceeded expectations and is now booked up for Christmas 2016. We have had the loveliest on line reviews.  I never take it for granted and strive to keep up the standard.  Note Christmas tree in milk churn.

The one thing I wish is that I had more time, especially for family and friends.  Maybe this year I will take on some more help instead of doing my permanent ‘headless chicken impression’.  My problem is, apart from the office work, that I really enjoy just about everything. The office would require such a massive sort out before help could be arranged,  I would need to do the equivalent of ‘cleaning before the cleaner arrives’.  Plus the fact Rufus (youngest son) casually wandered into the kitchen the other day, poured a glass of milk and mentioned in passing that “the office ceiling has fallen in” makes any form of paid help impossible as it would involve ‘danger money’ and a hard hat. (I did hear a rumble but thought it came from the yard).  Who could be expected to work in such work conditions?

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​Our good old faithful 20 year old Landy has pulled its last trailer load of forage (for now) and in its place is a marginally younger vehicle which could hardly be described as in its first flush of youth.  Long gone are my days of company cars that were changed annually whether I liked it or not (I did like it).  I am now in the era of offering up prayers before, during and after each journey.  I thought as you matured you were supposed to get better vehicles? 

Not at all sure about this awful warm, wet weather.  The horse gateways (ones not on hard standing) resemble a mixture of the Somme and Glastonbury.  I had to let one horse go as I oozed through the mud.  Now this is what I love about this place: we are miles from a road, everything is chilled and the escaped horse just carried on grazing the side of the drive until I could get to him.  On a good point our flood defence work has done exactly that - ‘worked!’ The drive is no longer washed away and the pond is holding up well.  Regular dangling of youngest member of the team over filter for a clean keeps water flowing….well, according to the National Curriculum they all have to be able to swim a length of pool now before leaving primary school don’t they?  

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​We are very pleased and excited that James (Mike’s son who does not write songs about his mother’s lack of understanding) is moving back to Ledbury.  Yes, that’s right, Ledbury, the place once described as a ‘bit of a quiet backwater’ (polite version). Thus demonstrating how we all go full circle in the end.  The bright city lights have dulled and the green wellies, albeit ‘part time wear’ beckon.  Best news we’ve had in ages.

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I needed something to take the cream tea (usually scones with jam and cream) and muffins which today are Toblerone and chocolate, down the bumpy, lumpy, farm drive without it ending up resembling Eaton Mess at end of track.  I needed a box, large enough to take a lot, high enough sides to protect the cream, washable and not so big I couldn’t carry it.  I found the answer!  I am not going to say what it is, see if you can work it out from the picture.  The one thing I MUST ADD is that it is BRAND NEW….NEVER BEEN USED!  

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Loved having Dinny and Torney here as full boards while their family moved into area on 22nd December (yes you read that right!) moved house three days before Christmas!  To think when I moved to the farm I said I would do ANYTHING on the farm but I was not going near a horse.  Now I absolutely love these kind and gentle animals and will do anything that the owners ask.  My attitude it they know their own horses best, I so not consider myself an expert but I am learning new stuff every day.

My first guest found the hidden chocolate orange in the cottage.  He left a little note saying “thirty years in the police force were not wasted”.  (Cannot divulge where it is hidden).
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Lastly without wishing to sound too much like an Oscar winner I would like to thank all my lovely guests and helpers on the farm/cottage/livery. What a team, we are blessed.

Best of luck to all in 2016.