I'm back! Having been incredibly 'scholarly' for the past week it is very nice to be back home, although it was in at the deep end with the dump of snow that we've had.

The past week has been spent in Newmarket doing the final module for my public training licence. Although some of the subjects were somewhat boring (Health and Safety, risk assessment etc) they managed to make it just about bearable and there was some interesting topics that will be useful in the future.

Doug and the team (Becky, Lucy, Fran and Will) did a brilliant job in my absence and all the horses were well exercised.

Harry's run at Plumpton was really encouraging bearing in mind that we thought he could only go on soft/heavy ground as he's not the brightest light on the Christmas tree and cannot jump at speed and nor is he terribly fast. During the day the ground really dried out and by the time it was Harry's turn it was much faster than we would have liked. However, Harry kept with the main group, mid-division and jumped really well. He got left a bit flat footed when the front group turned on the gas but then started to catch up again, just running out of puff before the last hurdle. he finished 7th out of 11. Will didn't touch him with the whip and he certainly wasn't disgraced. He is a different horse in the soft and we are rather looking forward to his next run as his fitness has come on from having a good blow.

It was minus twelve last night and is now beginning to become rather a problem. It was too dangerous to ride this morning as the fresh snow had settled on frozen ice and it just wasn't safe. If we get more snow tonight it may be OK to ride in the big flat field tomorrow. The gallop is closed. The snow from the horse walker was dug out and every horse had over an hour walking before being turned out. They have all got lovely warm rugs and don't mind roughing it outside but are quite happy to come inside in the evening.

The water freezes up and it is a full time job just getting water to them all. Almost as soon as it is in the bucket it freezes over. Their poo freezes like ice blocks in the stables(!) and when you put a head collar on it is frozen solid. We were supposed to have a feed delivery today before Christmas but the lorry can't make it so we will have to go and fetch it ourselves from the depot.

The whole country has just about come to a halt. None of the major airports are in operation. People have been having to sleep in their cars because of the gridlocked roads. It's so sad for the people who are trying to see their family over Christmas and are having to live like tramps sleeping rough on airport floors without knowing how much longer it is going to continue.

Oh well, at least I've got a good excuse for my Christmas cards being sent out late - I meant to be all organised before going to Newmarket but failed miserably and now am somewhat behind...