War Horse

Poor John was off sick from work for a few days last week.  But unlike other people, he doesn't 'do' ill.  So he helped me muck out, and I should be grateful, but it's hard work mucking out with military precision and being told how to do the things  you do every day of your life.  That's all I have to say about that!
The high point, though, was making it to the cinema to see War Horse.  Have you seen it yet?
Basically, all I can tell you is that I cried from start to finish.  Because I can't spoil it for you if you haven't seen it, I will tell you there are a couple of places where I cried like a babe and one scene that was quite harrowing.  I haven't cried like that since Schindler's List (also a Steven Spielberg production - coincidence?)  If I tell you it's Black Beauty + war, that should just about sum it up. 
The acting was a bit stilted at first, but the setting is stunning (part Dartmoor, part Dorset) and of course, the horse is beautiful. His name is Joey and it's all about his relationship with the boy he goes to live with.  Later he has a horsey friend called Topthorne, and the way they were together is exactly how Barnaby and Zak relate to one another, it was so sweet to see other horses doing it, especially as they probably didn't even knew each other before filming started.  They clearly had a bond.
Of course it was set during World War I and I kept wanting to shout, "Put a hat on!" but of course very few people bothered with that sort of thing in those days, did they?
And so I learned: We owe a massive debt of gratitude to all the horses that went to war during that time. Micheal Morpurgo wrote the book and during his research learned that a million horses died on the British side; he extrapolated an overall figure of 10 million horse deaths on all sides. Of the million horses that were sent abroad from the UK, only 62,000 returned, the rest dying in the war or slaughtered in France for meat.
When the film ended there was not a dry eye in the house.  We could hear sniffing sounds as the audience collectively tried to pull itself together.
John and I drove home and went straight into the stables, to hug our boys and bury our faces in their necks, sighing  with relief that they would never have to go through what those poor brave animals endured.
So yes, War Horse is a marvellous film, I can't recommend it enough.  Go and see it if you can.
Jane x

So Much To Do, So Little Time!

Goodness, it's been a busy week.  This is my favourite time of year, though, as it's Wimbledon fortnight.  It is absolute bliss to be at home and be able to watch it.  I am counting my blessings (and eating strawberries straight from the garden!)
Some good news and some bad news:  The goslings are now enormous.  When they stand up their bellies are higher than the ducks' backs.  They all live together in the duck house.  They seem terribly hungry all the time (who doesn't?!) so I am giving them extra feed.  I've no idea how big they'll end up.  Their feathers seemed to arrive in a day.
The sad part is that last week one of them injured his foot and was limping around.  We put him in a pen on his own as he was distressing the others because he couldn't follow them and they didn't want to leave him.  He has been feeling very sorry for himself, and to be honest, on Tuesday morning I thought he'd had enough and was dying.  He was just laying there, occasionally lifting his head up to look at me.  I was debating whether to put him out of his misery and decided to wait until Mr O got home from work, but when we went to look at him he was sitting up and looked fine.  It's driving me bonkers not knowing what to do.  He must be able to move around as he is in different places when I go and look at him, he did hiss at me and is definitely eating and drinking, so I'm in a quandary.  There has to be a downside to country life, I suppose and this is it.
Yesterday was Mr O's birthday.  He had a half-day from work and came home at 12.30.  We decided to go and see Transformers 3 at the cinema.  I can sum it up in one word, a word that I don't use very often.  It was, in fact

awesome!

I could quite easily have sat there and watched it all through again.  I was enthralled.  What on earth is a 44 year old woman doing watching and enjoying a film about some robots from outer space?  I couldn't stand the cartoon.  I couldn't stand tripping over little bits of car on the carpet when the children were small, and yet, I am transfixed by the movies.  I've always liked action films, but this one is exceptional.  There are some films you just have to see on the big screen and this is definitely one of them.  And Shia LeBeouf, for goodness sake, don't you know I'm old enough to be your mother?

Afterwards we went for dinner at a pub/restaurant near us called The Nettle.  To be honest, we went there for lunch a while ago and I wasn't terribly impressed by the food, so when Mr O asked me to book a table I did so with a touch of reluctance and was prepared to say I'd really enjoyed it even if I hadn't.  But this time we were in the restaurant proper, and the food was outstanding.  We both had grouse to start and both had ribeye of beef on a haggis mash, for our main course, which was out of this world.  There are very few words to do it justice. 
We drove home happy and replete and found that all the haylage had been baled in our absense and the horses were happily stuffing their faces in the now cut top field.  And can I just say, "About time, too!"  The horses have been so desperate to get on it that we've been putting out bales of hay to keep them going.  I am not a procrastinator myself, so it does drive me mad to be at the mercy of someone who is.
Apparently there had been all the usual chaos of tractors breaking down, etc. but the job is done and I didn't have to do it, so I must try not to complain.
I'm off to pop round all your blogs and see what you've been up to.
More very soon
Mrs O.

The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader

We've just come back from seeing this fabulous film. Each one, in my humble opinion, is better than the last.
The trouble with this one is that The Dawntreader is one of my favourite books of all time, so I was hoping to goodness they'd do it 'properly.' The BBC did a series some years ago (I'd probably depress myself if I looked it up to see exactly how long ago!) but the little girl who played Lucy was all wrong. No offence to her, but she just wasn't how I'd pictured Lucy in my mind.
But the girl who plays Lucy in these films (Georgie Henley) is absolutely right. She's very, very good in this one too. The crucial bit in the book is when the character Eustace has become a dragon. He tries desperately to take the dragon skin off and can't do it. In the end Aslan slits the skin from top to bottom, and throws Eustace into a pool. I can't read that section without sobbing like a child, and sure enough, tears were pouring down my cheeks in the cinema. Good job it's dark, isn't it? I'm pretty sure Mr O was at it, too.
My prayer is that everyone who sees the film will grasp its true meaning, and that one day they will experience the Deep Magic for themselves. If you get time, go and see it, I highly recommend it. In fact, as it's December, it could still earn my vote for 'Film of the Year', couldn't it? We shall see...

Horses For Courses

It's all go here, as usual. Missis had her lesson with Nicky on Saturday morning. Hugo is a very spooky horse and the far side of the arena has trees along the length of it, which he doesn't like. But on the other side we have black wrapped haylage, which the cats sit on, which he also doesn't like. Add the duck pond at the short end, and you can see Missis is having fun and games with her new boy. She lunged him for quite a while before the lesson, and I got my camera so I could film her. You can tell Missis is nervous because she told Seven to go away and Pongo to take his hi-viz jacket off! Even Nicky said she wouldn't be able to do that on the day, but it is a sign of nerves. (I used to be like that with my old mare Penny, which is why I moved to my old yard, as they had an indoor school, so I could work her without distractions).
All was going swimmingly, when, like lightening Hugo shot backwards and Missis was thrown right over the top of him and landed with a crash on the floor. I think her leg may have hit the fence as she was so close to it. She stood up and was clearly in a lot of pain. I don't know why he did it, there was nothing there to spook at. I am not impressed. She did get back on and he tried a stunt in the corner and she told him off. I think if she hadn't have done, he would have got the better of her there and then.
When she went to try him out, the woman who owned him had had a lesson on him that morning. I would have said, "I'll come another day then, when he hasn't done any work," but Missis agreed to go. The only reason I can think of for doing that would be to take the edge of his energy (and therefore stupidity) before a buyer comes to see him.
The other thing that I think is utterly extraordinary is the way the vetting was conducted. Missis paid for a five-stage vetting. This means that as an extra, the horse is ridden to check his heart recovery rate, and a sample of blood is taken and stored in case any issues arise later (up to six months). The vet refused to take a blood sample, saying, "It would cost you six hundred pounds to run the blood tests and three thousand to sue me if anything came of it. I know this yard, and you'll be fine." I'd have got another vet. Surely that's breach of practise or something? Very, very strange. Having just sold Max recently, I would have found it very odd if my vet had done that.
So, as you can imagine, Missis was very apprehensive on Sunday, when she'd decided to hack him out. Pongo and I were going, too, but when Pongo got Lindy in, he immediately noticed one of Lindy's front shoes was missing, so that was that.
So Missis and I set off and Hugo was absolutely fine. He was good on Wednesday as well. Loads of cars went past and a motorbike, and he didn't flinch. So it's only work he doesn't like then. Hmmm. I was utterly thrilled with Barnaby, though, as I'd done exactly the same ride the day before and we'd gone like the clappers. On Sunday we did it nearly all in walk and he wasn't strong or tanky or anything. Thankyou my boy.

We went to the cinema on Saturday night, just Missis and moi, to see 'Knight and Day', the new film with Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it, it had exactly what I was hoping for, action, comedy, romance, everything. Cruise and Diaz interact very well together. I would go again and will buy it when it comes out on DVD. I wasn't keen on Tom Cruise in his Top Gun/Days of Thunder era, but he is maturing very well indeed (why do men do that, and women just get old? It's not fair, is it?) Since I've seen Minority Report and The Last Samurai, a truly stupendous film, dear old Tom has gone up in my estimation a great deal. What say you?
I did feel sorry for Missis as she delicately lowered herself into the cinema seat, only to have the cinema rapidly fill up so she had to get up again to let some people come past us. Then, having sat there for an hour and a half, she had to gently prize herself up again so we could leave. I have done that so many times, crawling up the stairs at work to sink gratefully into my chair, knowing that if I needed the loo or a drink, the only place was all the way back down the stairs again.
And so to crafting. I am having a wonderful time, as usual. I have decided to tidy everything up this week, though. I have put lots of my papers into see-through pockets in a clip file so I can flip through without having to rummage. I've put all my stamps, templates and toppers into the same pockets, so I don't lose all the little tiny stamps that are in some of the sets. I've even used my cross stitch storage box to separate my ribbons out individually. It's so much easier to see everything I've got.
I went to the library on Monday and got some more brilliant books out. I'll list them on my sidebar. I am so inspired by them, but I've decided I need a sketch book, as I keep laying awake at night with ideas flowing through my head. If I wasn't married I'd probably come downstairs and start making them, but that wouldn't be fair on Mr O, so I've decided to buy a sketch book (or make one!) so I can draw out my ideas and then actually get some sleep.
I will show you some cards tomorrow, but think this post is quite long enough for today. If you want to share some ideas on how you store your stuff, it would be very interesting.
Enjoy the last rays of summer sunshine everyone.
Mrs O.

A Busy Weekend

Well, this weekend has been incredibly busy. We've hardly been in the house.

On Saturday we took 'Er Indoors to have her annual vaccination booster. It's open surgery on a Saturday morning, so you just come and register and take your place in the waiting room until you're called. 'Er Indoors hates the vet. It stems from the one and only time we put her in kennels and she had to have the kennel cough jab, which actually isn't an injection, it's puffed up the dog's nose. She absolutely hated it and has never wanted to go to the vets since.

We waited ages to be seen. We couldn't help hearing the receptionist's conversations on the phone. At one point she said, "Yes, Mrs De Ville, that would be fine. Certainly Mrs De Ville, just bring them in on Thursday, that's no problem." Mr O and I looked at each other and shuddered.

Finally, it was our turn to be seen. Mr O put 'Er Indoors on the examining table. 'Er Indoors took a flying leap off it. Mr O hoisted her back up and held on for all he was worth. (I knew all that playing rugby for the navy would come in handy one day). The vet examined her all over. She said, "She's carrying a little weight." I thought, 'Blimey, you should see my horse.' 'Er Indoors hardly even noticed the actual injection. All done for another year.

We dropped 'Er back home, then went off to do the more exciting thing we'd planned - to go and see the film 'Inception' with Leonardo DiCaprio. We've seen the trailer and really wanted to go and see it. It is extremely good, but slightly surreal (all 2hrs and 28 mins of it). I do think Leo has honed himself as an actor, and his recent films have shown his impressive maturity, but more than that, there aren't many men who look as spellbindingly gorgeous as he does in a well cut suit. That's all I have to say about that (before I incriminate myself in any way!)

The film is slightly 'The Matrix' in style, but much better and very clever. I was a bit confused half way through, but really enjoyed it. I came out into the daylight, blinking, not sure if this was a dream, or if this was reality...

And so to Sunday, which was hectic, to say the least. First stop was church, for a family service, which was lovely.

Then up to Worksop

to celebrate

this young lady's third birthday.

The thought first struck me at the wedding, but came back to me more strongly today: I wonder if this little girl has any idea how many people love her? Parents, aunts, uncles, friends, grandparents, everybody adores her, nobody bears her the slightest malice. Do you know, at that age, that you are adored? I wonder.

Then we drove to near Nottingham, to drop Son 1 at home (At this stage you may be wondering just how large my family is!)

And then, as arranged, we drove to the yard of Max's new owner, to go and see the boy himself. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, Mr O and I recognised the place. The woman who'd bought my old mare Penny from me years ago, also liveried here. How strange. I sell all my old horses to the same yard!

We drove past grazing fields, and there he was. I'd recognise him anywhere. His new owner went and got him and he came poddling up. Of course, he hasn't changed a bit. She tacked him up and rode him. He did look sweet, but small, now I've got used to Barnaby's bulk ('summering well' is an understatement!) and very hairy, considering they've clipped a lot of his leg hair off. He seemed very well in himself, and not the slightest bit interested in me until I produced an apple at the end. I am glad he is well and happy. I have to say, I never went to visit Crispin in his new home, when I sold him, because I knew I would sob and want to take him back with me, but I knew if I saw Max I would be all right. I knew I had Barnaby to rush home to, and I'm glad to say he more than makes up for my loss, which is good, isn't it? It made me realise how far I've come with The Bardy Lad and that he is the horse I've truly been waiting all my life for.

And so today I am going to relax and enjoy sitting here, reaquainting myself with the four walls I've hardly seen all weekend!

Have a good week, everyone.

Mrs O.

Robin Hood, Robin Hood...

It's been quite a relaxing weekend for us, but it's just as well because it's been so phenomenally hot that doing anything quickly would have been virtually impossible. It's been so hot that I've actually been seen wearing a skirt, a rare event indeed!
We felt it would be cruel to ride in the heat of the day, so we decided to go to the cinema in the afternoon and ride at night instead. So off we trolled to see the new Robin Hood film, with Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. What can I say? It was actually a really enjoyable film, and Cate Blanchett shines like a jewel in the sand. Her costuming is perfect. The downside, as you may have gathered if you've read any reviews, is that Russell Crowe's accent is dreadful. It swings between irish and scottish in the beginning, with a dash of a good scouse accent in between, but then becomes a bit Yorkshire when they turn up in Nottingham. It was truly dreadful and offputting, and totally unnecessary. His own accent is beautiful to listen to and wouldn't have made the slightest difference. It never did Sean Connery any harm, did it? We loved the horse, except at the very end where he blatantly dishes. I don't know where it was filmed yet (it looked like Wales) but it's a shame if that's the best horse you could find (I have a perfectly good one waiting in the wings!) It strikes me that it must be a director's dream to have actors that ride so well, so you don't need to employ stunt doubles and you can get good close up shots of the actors galloping along. Russell Crowe is an extremely accomplished rider, but I've never seen Cate Blanchett ride before, and she looked stunning.
Overall it was a very good film, not the usual Robin Hood story, and builds to an excellent climax. I can think of worse ways to spend a hot Saturday afternoon and so it gets a thumbs up from me.
Pongo and Missis put on a barbeque in the evening, which was wonderful, and then we got the horses in to ride. They were a teensy bit put out, but soon settled down. Mr O and I rode in the school together, and it was quite a giggle. It was very good training for Barnaby, to have Zak in front of him and let him trot off round the arena, and not to try to whizz off behind him. I need to practise this a lot before we go to the Ashover show in August.

And so to Sunday, when the temperature was a ridiculous 28 degrees, and we had to load the horses into the lorry and drive down to Shipley Country Park. Poor Barnaby was dripping by the time we got there. We tacked up and decided to take it slowly. I had a cannister of water strapped to my saddle, for me to drink, but if it's ever as hot has this again, I'll take another cannister and pour it on Barnaby at regular intervals. As it was, they both did brilliantly, but I wouldn't say it was the most exciting ride I've ever been on, and considering it was ten miles, I think we were back in record time. We did find a huge grass area at the end, and decided to double back and do a flat out gallop on it. I found this rather stunning as it's the first time I've really let Barnaby open up. For a cob, he can't half shift, and had no problems keeping up with Zak. I am thrilled by this, because when we used to ride Max and Zak together, Max knew he didn't stand a chance and used to give up and go back to walk. It's lovely for me to be on the fearless horse, too and watch Mr O cope with a spooky one for a change. I took the decision to ride him in a pelham bit this time, and it was the right thing to do, as I held him when a group of riders overtook us, and he couldn't go trotting after them, so I was relieved I'd done it.
Before we knew it we were back at the start, and came in level with Pongo and Missis who had done the seven mile route. It turned out they'd had more canter places than we had. I may do the shorter route myself next year, then. I've seen the photos on the website this morning, but we are too far away in them, although we are side by side, so I may not bother buying them. It's only us on the flat, after all. We just doused the horses with buckets and buckets of water. As we scraped the water off them it was hot, so you can imagine what they were like. They obviously enjoyed it as they just stood there and let us get on with it without argueing.

The other totally exciting thing was the arrival of the quad bike. We've got it so that we can level the manege and buy a hoover attachment and poo pick the field. Tessa definitely gave it her seal of approval.

The Book Trail (and some films!)

I have been going on a bit of a connected journey with my reading and film viewing of late. It all started back last year when I read The Mitford Girls by Mary S Lovell, which connected my knowledge of the Duchess of Devonshire (now dowager) with Nancy Mitford. (They are sisters.)
Obviously they own Chatsworth House. One of their ancestors is Georgiana Cavendish, who is played by Keira Knightley in the film 'The Duchess', so I watched that earlier in the year, and loved it. I didn't have to go hunting for it, Missis lent it to me, that's been part of the fun and surprise, that so many of these things have just landed in my lap.
Then I watched 'Becoming Jane' with Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen, which was excellent, especially as James McAvoy was in it.
This was followed by a viewing of 'Pride and Prejudice' with Keira Knightley (again!) as Elizabeth Bennet, but the other connection is that some scenes are filmed at Chatsworth (the circle goes round and round) I thoroughly enjoyed the film, but felt that Matthew Macfadyan as Darcy wasn't a patch on Colin Firth in the BBC version. I thought Donald Sutherland was dreadful as Mr Bennett (what was all that pathetic 'laughing behind your hand' about?) but Judi Dench was brilliant, and so was Tom Hollander as Mr Collins. He plays Cutler Beckett in 'Pirates of the Carribbean', and if you can't stand him in that (the character, I mean) this will truly make you squirm, his portrayal is brilliant.
Then for my birthday in March I visited Hardwick Hall. And the connection? Bess of Hardwick was married to Sir William Cavendish, who owned Chatsworth. On the way out I saw a book called 'The Other Queen' by Philippa Gregory (writer of 'The Other Boleyn Girl' and one of my favourite authors) but decided not to buy it as we are rapidly running out of book space in the tiny cottage. Then, to my surprise, I found it in the library at the weekend and grabbed it quick. It is about Mary Queen of Scots, but more importantly to me, it features Bess of Hardwick, by then married to her fourth husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury. I have only read a few chapters but can hardly put it down.
I am so thrilled at the link between all of these things, and how one has flowed straight from the other. My next book on order from the library is set in Roman times, though, so that should change things a bit.




I am still busy card-making, so I thought I'd show you my latest efforts:



This is the first card I made from my new Jayne Netley Mayhew CDRom. I hope it's obvious from example why I don't need to worry about not having anything to make a 'Mancard' with any more, as there are hundreds of beautiful designs on the CD. Each topper comes with matching backing papers, and I had the gold card in my stash, and just got on with it. This one is for my son David whose birthday it is tomorrow.

I so enjoyed making that one, I decided to make another one. I've printed the picture of the leopard onto photographic paper, and the print quality is incredibly good. I could easily get carried away making these.

On Saturday I bought a guillotine, as I want to cut neater straight lines, and also bought a craft mat and craft knife, as I got stuck on one project as I didn't have the correct tools for the job, so I will get those finished and show you as soon as I can. I also need to make a Thankyou card for Jolly Farmer for letting me use his manege for nearly a year. I need to take him a pressie as well, so I'd better get cracking.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Sunny Days

It is traditional that the British always talk about the weather. All I can say is, if you've ever wondered why, come and live here for a while, and the reason will become obvious. Yesterday it snowed every hour, on the hour. In between it was brilliant sunshine. I got the horses in at 1pm as it was blizzarding. But today was the first really sunny day since I-don't-know-when. Spring is in the air, and not a moment too soon.
Yesterday I had Seven and Nine before school, so Pongo could take Missis to the station. Because of that I was late doing the horses, and it seemed to take me forever to muck out. It always does on the first day Missis is away, I wonder why that is? (Answers on a post card!)
I also had the boys after school and in the evening so Pongo could go and play tennis, so I ended up babysitting until ten o'clock.
I did get to do some sewing, though, and started a new cross stitch, which is quite cute. Plus I managed to watch 'Becoming Jane'. Somebody should have told me James McAvoy is in it. If I'd known that I'd have watched it ages ago. Anne Hathaway is very good as Jane Austen. Her accent is quite good. But the real scene stealer has got to be Julie Walters as Jane's mother. You can see if her mother was really like that, that she would be her inspiration for Mrs Bennett. But James McAvoy...
I managed to be a lot quicker today, largely due to the fact that Mr O fed round before he went to work, so I just had to swap rugs and put all the horses out. I was, in fact, so much quicker that I decided to do some 'work' with Max in the afternoon. I set out the obstacles in the lunge pen and took him in (after a good groom, and general smooching around). He had one look at the sacks-on-sticks and went, 'Oh yes, I remember those,' and put his head down for some serious eating. I had him on the lunge line and picked his head up and we started weaving in and out of the sacks. Last time I just made him walk past them, this time we walked in between. He had a little look, but didn't really hesitate. It was a bit windier today than it was last time, which was handy, as it flapped the sacks about, but Max didn't care at all, and stood eating the grass about four inches away from them. Not too stressed, then?
I put two buckets in front of the rubber matting (buckets are very contrary - on the surface terrifying, but could contain food) and walked Max in between. He didn't hesitate. We went round and round, pausing every so often to snatch some grass. Horses are said to be 'trickle feeders'. Max thinks this is a highly overrated concept, and prefers scoffing as much as possible, in the shortest possible time, so he did.
In the end I asked him to walk onto the rubber matting, which he did. Then I halted him, and asked him to step backwards off it, which he also promptly did. I was thrilled. It was such a sunny afternoon, I decided to go for a walk with him, so we set off up the road. We passed a big lorry with a hi-ab on the back, parked on the lane. Max walked past without a hint of spookiness whatsoever. Don't forget this is the horse that passed two fire engines, an ambulance and an over-turned car a couple of weeks ago, not to mention the helicopter. You never can tell with horses.
We walked up to Terrifying Rock. I gradually moved him closer. He didn't take any notice of the rock. I nudged his head towards it. He was inches away. I said, "Look Max, Terrifying Rock!" He said, "Yes mum, very nice, but it's right next to Delicious Grass!" He ate grass. We strolled home. I still love him.

Still Snowing

I think it started snowing here on December 17th. So we've had snow for 22 days. I've never known anything like it. Even when I was a child we didn't have snow for this long, although we certainly had more of it. I can remember going for walks round Dean as a child (my grandparents' village) and falling off the verge into the ditch, and the snow being up over my head. And for some reason Raine and I have never understood, my mother never bought us wellies. What other more essential item of country attire is there? So my poor grandmother would put plastic bags over our shoes, and strap them up our legs, as we begged her to let us out to play. She must have been torn between the desire for five minutes peace, and the risk of us coming in with frostbite, and she certainly wouldn't want to face the wrath of my mother, the very one who hadn't provided suitable footwear in the first place, but who would not place the blame at her own front door. Imagine if the holidays were over and we'd been too ill to go back to school!
Talking of which, school has been closed all week. The boys are having an extended Christmas holiday, but were in fact looking forward to meeting up with all their friends, even if play was interrupted by bouts of spellings and learning times tables. They are bored rigid. What are you supposed to do if you're a working mum? Not everyone has parents who can stay off work at the drop of a hat, have they? Or grannies readily available to step into the breach.
And today, I've been weighed down with worry about the elderly, as I am wearing a hat indoors to keep warm, and I am forty-two. How do you cope if you are eighty, and your meals on wheels can't get through? And what on earth happens to the homeless? There aren't enough shelters, are there? In Scotland it's been -18 at night. That's the same temperature as in Moscow. How is anyone supposed to sleep rough in that?
Apparently people are panic buying, things like bread and milk. And farmers are throwing milk away because the milk lorries can't get through the snow to come and collect it. The postman hasn't been here all week. I am annoyed because my parcel from Raine hasn't arrived, and neither has my next DVD from Tesco. It's a shambles, isn't it? A friend of mine, who used to live in Norway, says this is bikini weather to them. How do they cope? What do they wear?
Not that I'm cold, of course, because I'm ill, and only have to muck out for five minutes and I'm sweating like someone with malaria. For some reason I am actually colder indoors than I am outside.
I turned the horses out this morning. They are quite happy with their routine of being turned out from eight til twelve, with hay in the field, then back in at lunch time for a good gossip round a haynet. I can't leave them out longer as there's nothing for them to drink. If I put water in the trough it freezes within half an hour. I have noticed them tasting and licking the snow, though. To them it must be like discovering the most enormous slush puppie in the world.
Max stayed with me at the gate, staring at my pocket, which means, "You've got mints in there, mum, how's about dishing a few out?" I never have mints on me. I am notorious for being mean with mints. I groped in my pocket and found... a penknife. Max leant forward and nearly swallowed it in his haste. In the nick of time he realised he has plenty of iron in his diet and doesn't require any more. He shuffled off, baffled, 'I could have sworn...'
When I got in, I turned my pockets out: penknife, phone, keys, hoofpick, oh, and a packet of Extra Strong Mints, well, who'd have thought it?
So at lunch time, I sidled up to him, and whispered, "You know the mints? Turns out you were right," and surreptitiously slipped him the goods. His day improved considerably after that, 'Told you I was right!'
I have been busy in the afternoons. Yesterday I managed to bake cakes without sneezing all over them. We are going to need cakes and biscuits to see us through, I think. But today I didn't have the energy to do anything, so I got a sleeping bag out, put the fire on and lay in front of the television, as I decided today was as good a day as any to watch The Duchess. Tigger came and curled up next to me. He does love me, but I can't help feeling the warmth of the hot water bottle was more of an attraction than the warmth of my personality.
I have been meaning to watch The Duchess for ages, but needed Mr O to be out of the way, as I didn't think it would be his sort of film, and I needed to concentrate. I wanted to see it, as Georgiana is an ancestor of the Duchess of Devonshire and Princess Diana, and of course Kiera Knightley stars in it. It turned out to be a beautiful and extraordinary film. Georgiana marries William, the 5th Duke of Devonshire, who then has an affair with her best friend, Lady Elizabeth Foster, and moves her in as his mistress, but won't let Georgiana go. I am amazed on two counts: 1: that it was even allowed to happen, it must have been considered outrageous, in those days and 2: that the current Devonshires were happy for the film to be made. I don't know if I'd like my historical linen to be 'aired in public' in quite such a way! The sets and costumes are breathtaking, Keira Knightley is extremely good in it, as is Ralph Fiennes as the Duke, and yes, I do see the similarities between Georgiana and Princess Diana, obviously. I might suggest Mr O watches it after all.