Finally coming up for air......

Wow, somehow Summer went by in a flash, and it has been 3 months since I posted here! Thank you so much to all the wonderful people who contacted me to check things were OK - it's so nice to know people are interested and care! I think I got back to you all personally, but "Thank you" again.

All is well here, it's just that life takes over in the long days of summer. From dawn to dusk I am juggling children and dogs and ponies and vegetable garden and work. It's a good life though :)

Now the weather is changing and the nights are drawing in there is finally time to get back to the computer and play catch-up. But where to start? The more time passes, the more daunting the task of updating the blog! So instead, for today, I'll answer the most often asked question : How is Captain getting on?

He is just the most wonderful addition to the family, and this summer has seen him take so much in his stride. My eldest, the Fey-daughter, after initial reluctance to hand over the reins on her beloved Matthew, has become smitten with Captain, and they have developed an amazing bond. She has worked so hard, and taken him from those first beginnings when he was barely able to walk up a hill, and was completely bemused by small jumps (though always kind and willing to try things) to a pony who she can take out all day across the moor, knowing he will cross rivers, jump small walls, race her friends across the wind blown ridges of the High Moor, and turn away to come home alone without worrying.

He has been to Pony Club Camp, jumped a clear round showjumping at 1' 6", taken the Fey-daughter through her Riding and Road Safety test, and 'C' test, and learnt to ignore sheep and llamas (although he is still wary of large fur ball cats - quite wisely - Kitty is a force to be reckoned with!). Yesterday, watching him jump, I saw him prick his ears, pick up canter, and take himself in to the jump. Such progress from the baby pony we had at the start of the summer! They are happy with each other, and ready to take on the world!

I, however, don't get a look in with Captain any more! Instead, I am sitting here with a sore knee from falling off Marlene last week. She has had a roller coaster of a summer, swinging from highs to lows, and back again. But that's a long story, and will have to wait for another post....