A good Friday

Yesterday was a brilliant day for me. Started off early, with Pearl walked and me out of the house by 6.20. Alex decided to accompany me, so we had some together time - leaving behind David very upset as he had missed the dog's walk.

We got to the stables and I was mounted and in my lesson by 7. I was on Mad Max again, who seems unaffected by the heat - even at this hour it was stifling out in the desert. I have special light weight riding gear - lycra jods, endurance helmet with vents, breathable chaps - but still have to wear gloves and heavy boots. Although, to quote my teacher, I was "horrible" at first, by the end of the lesson I had improved to the "not bad!" level, so was feeling fairly satisfied when I dismounted. Alex and I washed the horse down together - all three of us got soaked which was extremely welcome. By this time (8.30) we were pouring sweat.

Back at home I spent a quiet day with the family, then we had an early roast dinner supper before heading off to the swimming pool.

We swam until about 8.30, it was gorgeous lying in the pool with the lights underneath us and the stars above....

I wish I could have framed the evening.