we were lucky enough to be invited to Hartpury recently to watch Rebecca represent Great Britain in the dressage – absolutely amazing riding, spectacular, so beautiful and elegant to watch.

We spent quite a while watching the less abled riders starting their journey to Dressage fame in the indoor arenas and I was inspired, really moved. Literally marvellous dedication and determination, we met several riders in wheelchairs before they rode and the lump in my throat in admiration for them was there all day. It was definitely not just the dust in my eyes from the raking of the arena!

But –  that is a very big horse you have there Geoffrey!

In life there are many sayings and the one I favour is “count your blessings” which was my Grandmothers favourite. Sometimes people make it very difficult to do this and it causes immense stress.

As we approach another whirlwind of stressful times ahead – literally with the weather, sometimes it is time to get “off the treadmill” and take a break to look at the beauty around you…

and before you ask – NO she does not go on the treadmill, she just likes lying on it occasionally!

well we sometimes break out of our mold on our places to eat when celebrating. We ventured into the Fleece in Cirencester – and look what we found…

well this time it was a four legged visitor and our giant had never seen something that small

cute though!

well when we are quiet it is always busy and with heat, rain, heat, we have been using the 4 x 4’s endlessly and everyone has had fun…

massive thanks to the boys at Lister Wilder for fixing the Massey! Lister Wilder are a fantastic company from whom we have purchased all our Kubota and who have serviced our machines since our old farm in 2007 – well done boys – lets keep it local!

well, I am sure those are not Geoff’s words or mine and the dates are wrong too but CHAT magazine caused a riot in this house!

and some girls don’t! – we all remember the song but mating at Kensmyth always brings tears of laughter to most of our eyes –

even if it is usually dawn or dusk…

indoors…

or outdoors

some need reassurance…

and some just don’t care…

as you will see – we have tried to “break out of the mold” this year with a few daring choices of matings.

well regular readers will know it was a spectacular Diamond “bit of a do” for my parents recently…

a Queens telegram

a stunning cake – that she made with her own fair hands … and

the boys!

an official photographer!