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Not quite dry…

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The first half of January was great – and it’s rare I say that… I’ve never been a big fan of the month. The White Rabbits contest was an absolute dead heat, another first. I survived a fantastic New Year’s Day lunch without a drop of what looked to be amazing wine passing my lips, the same can be said about an outing to the Gin Trap with the Jacksons and a very jolly dinner party.

I have returned to boot camp and to yoga, and even managed a trip to the dentist without going in to melt down – I was on a roll. Work was steady, we ‘inherited’ the most perfect custom built Honey HQ – converted cattle sheds, transformed for another local bee keeper who now sadly has alzheimer’s and can no longer work – everything was pretty perfect. OK so Growler and I had to give up an entire weekend to join Leigh scrubbing the place from top to bottom – but it will revolutionise production this season.

My annual gremlins did get to me in the second half of the month so dry January became a little damp, but it wasn’t all bad. A trip to BETA with Ros paid off – I think we have a couple more sponsors in the bag which, given her baby news is a result. All her sponsors have been so supportive of her taking time out this year.

She hasn’t quite stopped riding yet, and I spent an extremely chilly evening at Easton College with the girls from the yard watching Ros and Caroline‘s latest demo. Very interesting, but we all took the entire drive home to warm up.

So there it is, over for another year. And I am now working on Don’t Fk Up February on the alcohol free mission!

Pastures new

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The word is out about the first of my two new business ventures… I am now a shareholder in Leigh’s Bees honey company.

To get me in the mood I joined Leigh at the monthly Creake Abbey Farmers Market – I’ve not worked a trade stand since I was married (a million years ago) but it was surprisingly good fun. Later in the month I also did Holkham Christmas Market and Creake Abbey Christmas Market where I made friends with Father Christmas (on my birthday – there’s dedication!).

‘Normal’ work continued apace but was far from irksome, including Caroline Moore‘s 50th birthday party and celebration of Ros Canter & Allstar B’s double gold at WEG, followed the same weekend by Piggy French‘s annual owners party. There was also the BEWA (British Equestrian Writers Association) AGM and lunch in London, where Ros was presented with the Rider of the Year award.

Away from work, there were plenty of fun lunches and dinners, the month only spoilt by the dreaded lurgy in the run up to Christmas. Fortunately I was well enough by Christmas day to spend it with some of my favourite people in Norfolk.

That’s about it. My second new business venture isn’t far off launch date so my nose had to stay pretty close to the grindstone, and I am embarking on Dry January – with an early start… not a drop has passed my lips since 30th December. Watch this space!

Seriously social

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November was pretty social. It started with a lovely lunch at Soho Farmhouse, near Oxford, with Sarah Heseltine; normally our conversations are work-orientated so it was a treat to simply chat and put the world to rights.

I was en route to a weekend at the Oppermans, which was great fun. Charlotte took me round some of the nicest local villages so I could do some house-move homework, and had also organised a really fun dinner party for the Saturday night. On the Sunday I pootled off after breakfast and went exploring the Vale of Pewsey which is stunning. Now I’ve just got to find a house!

I spent another weekend in Kent with a different bunch of wonderful old friends, the following weekend the Jacksons all came here, and the weekend after that I went to London to see Raleigh, The Treason Trial at the Sam Wanamaker theatre – after another scrumptious supper at The Swan (definitely my favourite restaurant in London).

DAME, the amazing little plane I’ve had the keys to for the last six years, has been snapped up by a new owner – end of an era. It was very sad to see her fly off into the sunset.

Work-wise I spent a few hours brushing up on my social media skills thanks to the uber-talented Christina from Black Type. Sara and I met up with my accountant to discuss our new business venture, and the sponsor meetings at Ros Canter’s went really well. Astonishingly I also managed to get totally up to date with the press cuttings sections on all my client websites – a miracle!

The month was wrapped up by Simon & Louise coming to stay – which meant long, long beach walks and rather too much food. All in all a good month.

Lest we forget

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October was a month that I will never forget. First up was Henry Angel-James’ memorial service at St Martin in the Fields, London. I travelled down with Lulu, and the church was packed – over 700 people there, including literally dozens of friends I haven’t seen for 20 years or so.

The service was remarkable. Sally, Henry’s widow, spoke very eloquently, the choir was from Henry’s prep school, and the eulogy was brilliant. I have never been to a service where every ‘performance’ was applauded (this was instigated by Sally). The piece de resistance, however, was Henry’s 10-year-old son Harry relating a long list of ‘Fun facts about my dad’ – from ‘Julia Roberts was his fantasy woman, hotly followed by Meg Ryan’ to ‘He was brilliant at building sandcastles’, via ‘He didn’t understand what scatter cushions were for, neither do I’ and ‘He gave the best hugs’… all delivered with perfect timing and aplomb. Definitely his father’s son.

Shortly after this, I headed off to Ypres. Before getting to my destination I stopped off at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery – the second largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in Belgium, and the final resting place of the dead from four nearby Allied casualty clearing stations which together made up the biggest evacuation hospital in the Ypres Salient. It was a sobering start to my trip.

I stayed at the New Regina Hotel in Ypres, which I thoroughly recommend, not least because it is next door to a wonderful chocolate shop. My room looked out over the Cloth Hall and Grote Markt, and was just a few minutes walk from the Menin Gate.

The next couple of days were harrowing. Leaving Ypres early each morning via the Menin Road and Hellfire Corner I visited Sanctuary Wood, Hooge, The Bluff and Passchendaele, with countless stops in between.

I came across a non-censored and heart-wrenching collection of old glass slides taken at the front, a painful record of the scale of death and brutality. I twice witnessed the playing of the Last Post at the Menin Gate. I walked through original trenches, and along stretches of both the British and German front lines – which in places were less than 75 metres apart – and through No Mans Land, one of the most moving parts of my trip. There were craters and cemeteries everywhere. Nothing, however, prepared me for Tyne Cot, the largest cemetery for Commonwealth forces in the world, for any war.

I have always believed that everyone should visit the battlefields to begin to understand what actually happened between 1914 and 1918. If you haven’t been, go.

With my brain somewhat blown, I returned to Norfolk via a lovely weekend with friends in Kent, and life quietened down.

Work-wise I organised a very promising sponsorship meeting for Ros Canter. There is also a new website to build, and I’m exploring the opportunity of investing in a totally new business… more on that another time.

On top of the world

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The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials was great. Growler gave an entertaining and delicious dinner party on the first night – after which she and I were described as ‘more entertaining than the Morcambe & Wise Christmas Show’… I think that’s a compliment… Then there was the annual picnic with Brushy & Toons… food has been a bit of a theme this month.

I was working with Sue again, and all the usual suspects were there. Oliver Townend was indeed on a mission, and finished the dressage phase with his three horses in the top 7 – all of which went on to jump clear across country. Piggy French had a great competition too, as did Harry Meade riding my great friend Charlotte Opperman’s Away Cruising which caused much excitement in the Opperman camp. I was very entertained watching ‘the boys’ rushing around with buckets of water to cool the horse, as Harry instructed: ‘faster, faster’.

So all three of my favourite riders competing this year finished in the top 6; Oliver 2nd and 12th, Piggy 5th, and Harry 6th. There was even more cause for celebration on the basis that Burghley was my last horse trials of the year!

I was, however, glued to the television for the World Equestrian Games, in Tryon, North Carolina. For Ros Canter to not just lead Team GB to the gold medal, but take the individual title as well was incredible. She was cool as a cucumber and totally deserved the win.

The rest of September was mostly about sleeping, getting back to Boot Camp and taking up yoga. Lulu and I went to see the Merry Wives of Windsor, which was excellent, and Growler came to stay – we ate far too much, went to a rather random ‘festival’, indulged in some Norfolk Gin and put the world to rights.

That’s about it. I now need to do all those jobs which get put off during the season, start putting the garden to bed, and make the most of the autumn sunshine.

Honey trap to heather moor

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August disappeared in a blur of long walks, motorway miles and computer screens. The first half included a trip to London where Ed, a godson, was playing drums at the launch of his girlfriend’s first album, The Honey Trap by Pixie & The Gypsies. I haven’t been to a London jazz club for years and it was fabulous.

I then took the tourist trail in Norfolk, due to a friend coming to stay. In the 7 years I’ve lived here I had never been to Sandringham (100% recommend) or on the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway (significantly less recommended!). Add in trips to the beach, fish and chips, and chat = happy days.

Scotland beckoned once more and I headed up to Blair Castle Horse Trials, again via a night with my friends in the borders. I was a man down, so to speak, with Ellie’s year old daughter having broken a leg (falling off a pub table!) and keeping Ellie away, so thank goodness Sue is made of stern stuff. She delivered on every level, despite us being glued to our computers long into the night. Our daily entertainment came from Bogdan, a Romanian volunteer who, it’s safe to say, made a lasting impression on both of us.

Trevor & Lorna came to take pictures, and both Oliver Townend and Piggy French posted good wins – and with great STV coverage I hope I have kept my gold star from last year. The rumbles concerning team selection for the World Games continued – World number 1 Oliver has been left out, but it was good news for Piggy, Ros Canter and Bill Levett (AUS).

I managed to snatch 36 hours at home before re-packing and heading to Growler’s for Burghley – I think Oliver, with three horses to ride, will have a point to prove.

It’s a party and I’ll cry if I want to…

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July has been a really great month – helped by the most amazing weather…. although I did have to move my daily ride to 6.30am to avoid the pesky flies.

I’ve been super-social; lunches, suppers, theatre, a wedding, a narrow escape from drama at sea… and – I have to say, best of all – Dennis Kenyon‘s 85th ‘birthday/retirement from display-flying’ party (click on the link to see some of his final display). The man is a total legend, with 20,000 helicopter flying hours and goodness knows how many public displays and film credits to his name. Back in the early 1990s he taught me to fly (the photo is just after my first solo, 27th January 1992) and opened a whole new world to me, setting me off on my now well over 1000 hour flying ‘career’ (helicopters and planes).

The wedding was pretty special too, even better thanks to enabling an overnight stay with Christopher & Diana – and delightful godson George – who live in the Borders. My gorgeous nephew Will married Rosie in Perthshire, with my uber-beautiful niece Bee as one of the bridesmaids. Will is in the Rifles, so there were lots of men in uniform (always good, from a purely aesthetic point of view of course), and the speeches were so moving I cried. Whilst I didn’t stay at Monorgan, I stayed with the owner’s charming daughter (they took pity on my plight when the Golf Open meant that everything for miles around was booked solid) – so I can be pretty confident that anyone looking for a B&B near Perth should call Kirsty at Monorgan first.

There was a bit of work involved in my month – I was press officer for the inaugural London Capital & Finance Osborne Horse Trials on the Isle of Wight. What a spectacular venue, and partner-in-crime Fiona was the perfect supper companion. Even better, Oliver Townend bagged most of the prize money 😉

The month ended rather as it started – Huevos Rancheros at Shucks with first Jo & Suz, my ex-next-door-neighbours and latterly with Growler, followed by the Burnham Market Auction… for once I escaped with my wallet intact.

August looks like rather harder work –  and the excitement of who will be selected for the World Equestrian Games. I’m putting money on three, if not four, of Manners Media’s clients heading out to Tryon in the States this September… Fingers crossed.

Zip a dee doo dah

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June was extraordinary. I met some fascinating people and made new friends – but sadly lost one. Time will tell as to whether that is permanent or not.

The month kicked off with a trip to Assisi. Growler and I went on a ‘retreat’ – which was a first for both of us, and I am now a convert to meditation. Fortunately we weren’t expected to live on tofu and wombat poo, but instead tucked into plenty of delicious Italian food and wine.

Talk about an eclectic group. A guy from US naval intelligence with his astoundingly erudite daughter, who live in Arizona; also from the States a ‘Minister of the Inter-Faith’ from Salt Lake City – no, I don’t really know either…; a newly married man from Tokyo; and class favourite – certainly for us – a heavenly Swiss Berliner who G and I both developed something of a crush on.

Assisi is a truly beautiful town, and on a late evening walk with G and ‘Salt Lake City’ I did have something of a life-changing realisation. Not for publication, but transformative. To round off a fabulous 5 days, we were on the same train back to Rome as ‘Berlin’ – never has a journey gone so fast. It’s testament to our friendship that G & I didn’t sharpen our nails and fight over the spoils 😉

Fortunately I was not abroad for Noel Linge’s funeral. It was absolutely standing room only, you couldn’t have squeezed another body in to Brancaster church. Rather wonderfully, a horseman who knew Noel brought his percherons over and Noel (a very reputable Suffolk Punch breeder back in the day) had his wish; to leave his home of something like 60 years and travel first to the church and then to the graveside by proper horse-power.

A few days later I had my first go at commentating, at the Norfolk Super Hero, joining Henry Symington in the box. Lots of fun, perhaps a bit too much gin, and certainly more appealing than actually taking part in the race (it’s been so long since I was last able to go to boot camp I think I’d still be out on the course now).

Then it was time for another holiday – June and July are much quieter for me on the work front, so when I was invited glamping in Wales it would have been rude to say no (had it been ‘camping’ I would unquestionably have been busy). I have friends involved in the Llechwedd slate mine and caverns on the edge of Snowdonia, and with new glamping tents to test drive, four of us pitched up… well, someone had to do it 😉 Touring the mines was both fascinating and humbling – I will never complain about working conditions again, those miners were a breed apart.

The weather was glorious, the tents astonishingly luxurious (I hesitate to call them tents, to be honest), and the walking was great. We even fitted in a trip to Portmeirion and…. after two of our party had departed, Katie and I took to the zip wires. SO much fun (even for Katie, who had undergone hypnotherapy to overcome her vertigo!).

On my return I was immediately thrown in to Blaston Show, my only proper work-gig in June. I stayed with friends on the Saturday night – wonderful fun, definitely too much alcohol, and great company. Alas, when I climbed in to the car to head to the show on Sunday morning I had a flat and bulging tyre (too close an encounter with a pothole on the way down).

Saint Julia, as she has been renamed, not only deposited me at the show but, after the RAC had got the car just about driveable, she took it off and sorted a new tyre ready for the drive back to Norfolk. A total star. The show was perhaps the best yet in the three years I have been press officer. Gate numbers were up, the sun beat down, and everyone was happy.

So, another month over. Mixed emotions with a lot running through my head. I don’t think I’m alone, I seem to know plenty of people reviewing what they want to do with their lives. I just wish I was slightly better at decision-making!

Highs and lows

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May already seems a blur – I really must look at my work/life balance! Badminton was a hoot, Ellie was back and it all went swimmingly (Media team, left). The only sad part was watching the retirement of one of my favourite horses of all time, last year’s winner Nereo.

Oliver Townend was named the new World number 1 following his Kentucky win and he increased his points lead with 2nd and 5th places at Badminton, but no Grand Slam. The pressure must have been immense.

Rockingham and Houghton Internationals followed in quick succession, the sun shone and every press officer’s dream – I got live TV coverage at both. BBC Look East came to Rockingham to film its Friday night sports programme, where Piggy French and Andrew Nicholson were wonderful interviewees, while it was ITV Anglia venturing to Houghton, chatting to Emily Lochore and filming the weekend weather forecast.

Growler also came to Houghton, to help Henry Symington and me judge the Best Dressed at the trot up which was exceedingly entertaining – fortunately Henry remembered to switch off his microphone at all the crucial moments.

I finally got my act together, and on the Sunday Catherine Austen and I found the best place from which to watch the Nations Cup cross country – it was extraordinary how many of the photographers papped us…

Sadly, yet again, a month concluded with bad news. Noel Linge, a true countryman, Norfolk man and gentleman died on 29th, at the age of 89. You couldn’t meet a more charming, twinkly person – super kind (he welcomed George – my horse – to stay when I first moved to Norfolk), he had time for everyone and nothing was ever too much trouble. I will miss him.

Photos © Julian Portch & Adam Fanthorpe

Two down, eight to go

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With the premature demise of Burnham Market International, what better way to cheer up than lunch with the Jacksons. Is it possible to adopt an entire family? I must look in to it. I also decided that I had ‘earnt’ a visit from the magic fingered Annette – what’s not to love about a near-two hour massage all in the comfort of home.

Life still revolved around writing features for impending events, but I got a couple of flights in and Growler came to stay. The weather was mostly pretty grim still, though it meant that we had Holkham beach (left) almost to ourselves. Having said that, a trip to Holme beach (right) with Henry & Jenny a couple of weeks later, when spring had finally sprung, was hardly a scrum.

Belton International was the next ‘big’ thing on my calendar, with the added advantage of spending the two nights away with two different sets of old friends. The sun came out to play and it was a thoroughly enjoyable 3 days – although I was a little surprised when a BBC Sports Online ‘camera woman’ turned up to get some footage of Piggy French, and used an iPhone to do so. Call me old fashioned…

We got Oliver Townend‘s new website up and running, just in time for him to head to the States and win the 4* in Kentucky. Seriously classy riding on both Cooley Master Class (the winner) and MHS King Joules (who finished 8th). Two legs of the Grand Slam in the bag – and my nerves shot to pieces!

And that’s about it for April… Next stop Badminton – oh and I have a lodger for the summer. No having to live in the porch for the cats when I’m away!