Not many words

Posted by Tania Kindersley.

Feeling very achy and old-ladyish today. If I were back in my old life, I should have taken, groaning, to my bed, with an official dose of post-book stress. The thing about having a horse is that you can’t be ill. You can’t have a hangover, either. I mean, I can, and sometimes do, but I still have to get up and go and see to her. I can’t ring her up and call in sick.

The other interesting thing is that whilst I was with her, the aches and pains were forgotten. I even went for a ride, and she was on her toes today, so I let her gallop to get the twinkles out of her toes. She went bloody fast. I’m amazed she was such a useless racehorse. She felt like an Oaks winner to me.

Then, she was so dopey and dear on the ground that I think I got a massive shot of endorphins. Once I got home, I was all grumpy and groany again.

I diverted myself by backing four winners at the afternoon races. This is my special finishing manuscript treat: I watch the ponies on William Hill TV. It is a quite absurd indulgence, and I adore it.

Anyway, long and short is: fingers too crabbed to type. So here are some pictures for you:

When I went up this evening, there was a ray of sunshine, and in its warmth, Red was dozing, gazing out calmly to the west:

I adore her evening face. She does not do this in the morning:

This is what she was staring at:

And the equally lovely Pigeon face:

The hill: