November
Horses dominated the
month. After seeing two or three more
unsuitable ponies elsewhere in the county, we heard that one of the ponies at
our local stables was for sale: it was
one Jay liked riding and was recommended by her instructor as suitable for her
– forward going but bomb-proof. Our
search was over.
Clyde, a 21 year old
gelding, was already kept at the stables on working livery, which is what we
wanted, so he probably didn’t notice the difference when we took him over. Jay was delighted.
Jay with Clyde
She could now ride on her own at times other than her formal lessons. On Wednesdays, for example, she leaves school at lunchtime, as riding counts as an acceptable alternative to sport at school.
Although she has cut back a fair bit on music to accommodate the equestrian enthusiasm, Jay has joined a new orchestra, a bit smaller, but also a bit more advanced, than her last one. She has quite enjoyed it so far. The downside is that it rehearses in Gloucester on a Friday evening, which means a lot of driving and/or hanging around in the dark for Roger and Teresa.
Helen paid a quick visit, but we had time for an expedition to Evesham and a Chinese meal.
Roger and Teresa had various appointments with doctor and nurse. Both were given clear bills of health, though Roger’s chest still sore from the operation.
Finally, we had our usual autumn plumbing problem. This year it was a steady loss of pressure in the central heating system, which reached the point where it needed re-pressurising daily; we associated the problem, rightly or wrongly, with a damp patch at the bottom of a cupboard, indicating a leak of some sort, but it was quite inaccessible so we could not see from what. As usual, the plumber went away scratching his head, so we waited for another.
This always reminds me about the excellent joke about Soviet Russia: an excited worker finally saved enough roubles to buy a new car, though he was disappointed, but not surprised, when the salesman told him there was a long waiting list. ‘I’m afraid you won’t be able to take delivery until some time next year,’ he said, ‘how about Tuesday 23 October?’ – ‘Oh,’ said the man, ‘will that be morning or afternoon?’ – ‘Afternoon,’ said the salesman. ‘That’s okay then,’ said the man, ‘only I’ve got the plumber coming in the morning.’