A few days away for us this week, and a welcome bit of sunshine! Nice to do nothing for a couple of days, and to catch up with Harriet after her time away in Ireland. Good to get away occasionally, but better to be back!

The team holding the fort whilst we were away, and doing an excellent job. Charlie in as usual a couple of days and all went smoothly in our absence!

We are a man down for a couple of weeks as Toby has gone to Guillaume Macaire’s in France to gain some experience and practise his French. Harriet filling the gap before she goes off to uni shortly.

 The work load increasing gradually for the string now, and they all appear to be thriving on it. A couple on the long road to recovery after injury still round the roads otherwise everything cantering away now. After the rain at the weekend we were able to have a pop over the smaller obstacles on the grass today which everyone – human and equine - enjoyed immensely. Really interesting to see the new horses off the ground for the first time – all coping very well and looking like natural jumpers.

 Dontminddboys, Routine Procedure, Anti Cool, Under The Phone and Galactic Power – the new Irish contingent all pleasing, and all doing the job really well. Restless Harry, Thomas Crapper Garrahalish, Entertain Me, Dans Quest, Alfie (the new Witness Box gelding) and Point Of Attack all looking very professional. Lovely to see Robert Cockerall here with grandson Alfie (aged 1­) who is learning about the joys of racing early!

Other visitors this week included Bryan Daniels and Fiona who came to see Dontminddboys and Garrahalish with Fiona’s’ two daughters. Sorry to miss Doug and Marilyn Miles and Gareth

Conway and Lynne Tunnicliffe and Mel Waller  who came to see Point of Attack, and also Nick Watson a member of The Tricksters who came to see Under the Phone for the first time.

Plans for Open Day now well advanced – just hoping the order for good weather has arrived – do come and see the horses and meet the Team, and have a look at the fantastic facilities we have here at Alne Park.