I’ve just had a good chat with Peter at Morgan Jones Coachbuilder. I’m going up there on Thursday to discuss specifications. It’s quite an exciting prospect especially as I am planning for this lorry to be my main place of residence. My mobile abode. I’m looking forward to being of NFA to becoming a raggle taggle gypsy…. Out riding on the Gower yesterday I became aware of a number of small caravan sites tucked away, off the road, in wonderful locations with awesome sea views and spent some time considering what it would be like to park up there – to go to sleep with sounds of owls hooting, snipe drumming, foxes barking and to wake up to the dawn chorus and the most awesome views. Some of these sites are quite close to the yard where i keep my horses, others have stabling of their own – particularly one’s like the place I stayed in Forest of Dean – where Frank came from. I have friends there with a lovely yard and campsite close by – the possibilities for travel with my horse for training, hunting, trail riding, competition are endless. Also, I wouldn’t have the stress of packing to go places because it would all be there – in one place all ready to go.
I had a trip to the charity shop again yesterday to deposit yet more of the clutter I have accumulated over the years. I have, over the last 20 years moved from a large house in Sheffield, to a slightly smaller house in Swansea, to an even smaller house (without stairs) in Sandy Lane, Pennard, to a smaller flat in Lunnon to where I am now – just one room in a friends lovely house in Upper Killay. I am more than happy living in this much smaller space. This is because my life is lived outside. I spend much of the day and most evenings, riding (hacking out, schooling), mucking out or just bumbling around the yard. There’s always something there that needs doing, sweeping, fixing, tidying, cleaning. There are courses of jumps to put up and take down, dressage markers to set out and there’s are friends that need help with their horses – it’s pretty much non-stop. So I come home – to write and sleep – and I can do this from one room and that room does not have to be bricks and mortar – or stationary. I don’t bother much with cooking – I haven’t the time. There were days when I had a home that was full of people, friends come to stay for holidays, friends around for parties, dinner parties, garden parties, after parties (even before parties!). Now friends invite me round for dinner – or we eat out – or its just beans on toast. I love my new life. In some ways it has contracted but in other ways it has expanded in ways I never would have imagined. Who would’ve thought just three years ago, even, that I’d be competing at British Eventing (BE90) and regional showjumping – travelling all over the South West and up to Lincoln to compete. I have Frank to thank for this. Frank has changed my life. Frank actually has saved my life.
I have decided also to take early retirement. Just a few days left now and the prospect of no more lecturing is a massive relief. Downsizing has enabled me to do this and the lump sum that is part of my pension, will come in handy for buying a nice horsebox that is big enough and luxurious enough for me to live in.
Some of my friends think I’m crazy. Most are green with envy.
Discuss.
Only Joolz and Horses 