Saturday 6th March 2021

Went to Salisbury cathedral for my jab at 11.40 today, I joined the q which stretched along the cloisters. I was shaking in my boots, but it's not all that bad.

Now the nurses may go on strike because they want a pay rise from our crap government. I hope this doesn't interfere with the vaccination programme, I intend to have my 2nd jab before I go away in June. 

A bit chilly in the wind, Jackie from Newquay called last night, hopefully, I've sorted something out for September. It'll be strange without parents, but I'll have to get used to it someday.

Dews Road

Sometimes I think about all the things my and dad used to do at Wilton Riding for the disabled.  Sometimes I can't believe Pat is gone, seems a long time ago but I'll see her again when it's my turn to leave this world.  But the most heartbreaking thing is that I will have to say goodbye to my lovely parents first, and it tears at me.  I'm not ready to say goodbye yet and it upsets me, but the spirit will take them whether I like it or not; I have no choice there.

The magic wood as we called it is so peaceful in the summer, it overlooks the valley and you can see the cathedral in the distance.  I keep meaning to return and photograph it, so many people have gone into the light since I've been there.  We've lost a few horses to the light as well, Paddy was black and white and would be known as a cob.  Then there's Smartie, he was so special to me, frightened of men he seemed to like dad; took a while to gain his trust through.  The sweet itch got him in the end, the stupid virus made his coat look rough and curled.  Dad was cycling past the shed at the hunting stables when he heard the gun go off, how awful is that.  Even now tears are coursing down my face, but if I don't write about it then I can't release my feelings.  I'm going to miss that pony.

Cornet used to belong to Lord Pembroke, he was sandy coloured.  He was the first shetland I met when I first got to the RDA, very popular with many school children.

Tally was a character, bronze-brown he used to nip people because he was very cheeky like most teenagers.

Hutch, was a white pony but he didn't like being at the RDA, used to look depressed and I sympathised with him sometimes.  Got bad-tempered when taking him back to his field.im miss them all.