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Super tri!

Ugh, it might have been a 4 day week but it still seemed like hard work, and that's not just me talking. The kids found it tough to be back at school (unsurprisingly given they'd had a whole month off) , and everyone else said the same "5 days work into 4 isn't easy..." Jeremy Corburn can stick his extra 4 bank holidays with his other daft policies in my opinion!

Probably the hardest thing for me was that it's silly season at work as we crash towards the financial year end - always a guarantee of our already short term tunnel vision becoming microscopic in its micromanagement. I know it's necessary to make the numbers but it does make my heart sink when over half my back to work emails are internal ones. Such is ever the way though. My view at the moment given the level of uncertainty just about everywhere I turn in government and the economy is to sit tight, focus on what matters and see what comes. I think we are in for a tough few years economically speaking. I'm lucky that there is a substantial part of my day to day job I really enjoy - not everyone can say the same.

After the busyness of the last few weeks with Yorkshire and the wedding this has definitely been a home weekend. We spent yesterday morning trying out a new riding stables quite close to us and while it was only Izzy riding I was hoping Abi might find some good in it too, despite it. Not being Angie's. Izzy had a great lesson on Henry, an old but sprightly Exmoor pony. She had the biggest smile on her face when she cantered and was promptly told she should be in the next group up. I had a long chat with the lady who owns it (much better than the normal mad as a box of frogs horse person) and explored a possible option of Abi having a 'share pony'. It's a more suitable arrangement than a loan pony whereby the monthly payment (which isn't extortionate) gives her 3 riding sessions a week and she's welcome whenever she wants in the yard. Better still, unaccompanied if there are others around. There are a number of horses to choose from so now she's looking forward to some speed dating to make her selection. They are both booked in next week for a lesson to get to know the horses better, and both very excited. Izzy will stick to lessons for the moment but it maybe she can work up to this in time if she wants to.

I spent the afternoon indulging in a couple of hours on my bike in lovely sunshine - just beautiful, if a sharp reminder afterwards as I creaked and groaned that I've not ridden in a while!

Today was a silly early start for both Glenn and I, with Glenn leaving before 6am to go to a track day on his motorbike p, and me getting up at the same time to get the dogs out before making sandwiches and snacks for Izzy's Schools Triathlon. Originally both girls were due to compete, but Abi has had this horrible cough which she hasn't managed to shift and any bit of exertion floors her still. Izzy was supremely confident having done it last year, so was a bit taken aback when she struggled in the pool and swallowed a massive gulp of water. Once she'd recovered it was a good lesson that even if you've done something before a bit of practice doesn't go amiss. I'd like to say "I told you so" but I'm bigger than that....so I left it to Abi to say it! Actually Abi was very kind, gave her a hug and so Izzy was undeterred and pulled out a great bike ride and run. The sun came out just as we got outside and it was lovely to see them perform well as a team. Next time maybe some pool practice though...

Lazy afternoon and back to work - even the kids commented this weekend has flown by. Never mind, only full week to do, then a few days in work before we set off for NYC - I can't wait!

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