only 4 weeks to go now

[dalesnfellfan]

until we move and very busy packing, I'm up to my eyes in boxes and trying to get the ponies things sorted and packed too, Mike insists on keeping adding to an already large amount of garden plants he has potted up to take with us. He keeps saying 'this is the last one' then I see him sneaking past the window with another couple of plants or cutting in hand.

We are hopefully moving 23rd May and it will be a 3 day move, the removal firm will pack most of our things into the lorry the day before and leave us just with the essentials overnight, then load the rest and travel to Lincoln on 23rd and unpack just the essentials for the night, then back again 24th to unload the rest.  Mike and I will each drive our cars up and one of the removal men will drive my lorry up (full of plants not ponies), then I will come back down in the lorry a week later to pick the ponies up.  My friend is looking after them and it will give me chance to get fencing organised and hay bought before they arrive.

I'm getting really excited now but also really frustrated as we seem to be in limbo, most of our possessions are packed and the house looks so bare, not a home any more, time seems to be going so slowly now.

[harveydales]

Sounds like you've got everything planned. Have to laugh at Mike sneaking plants past the window! I'm really excited too and can't wait to meet you and and the ponies.

[dalesnfellfan]

I can't wait to meet you and Harvey and all the other Dales people and ponies, I would have been excited about the move to have the ponies at home where ever we had moved to, but to be right in the middle of Dalesfans country and the prospect of lots of rides and activities to enjoy with the ponies makes it more special. I the one thing I shall miss is all the friends I've made through ADR, meeting up with them at rides, riding with them and then having lunch together before going home, or simply just chatting before and after rides.

I regret that I won't be able to ride with Mandy and musk again before we go or any of the other Area 9 DPS members but it feels like I already know people in Lincs and already have friends, even though we've never met.

I know Dalesfans has been dwindling, loosing a lot of people to FB and isn't what it was, but I've been very grateful for all the friendship and advice it's given me over the last 4 years, especially when I first got Emerald, and it was a real life line when I spent 3 weeks in hospital after coming off her a year later, Dales people really are lovely.

[Debbie]

Apparently I'm one of a dying breed, because I still feel like a forum format is way better than anything FB could offer. There's an open ness to a forum, and people come from all over to chat, not to get wedged into some tiny pigeon hole, and potentially censored. Anyway, I'm so glad you joined Dalesfans

As for your upcoming move ~ YAHHHOOOOOOOO!!!! it's getting so close now, isn't it? Four weeks will zip on by before you know it. I love how you've got it all planned already. And I had to laugh over Mike sneaking by with his cuttings and yet another plant *fingers crossed they all make the journey safely.

not that much longer now! I know you'll have a fabulous time with the Dalesfans and Dales pony peeps around Lincoln

[harveydales]

Yes, I too prefer this sort of format and community to Facebook any day. We Lincolnshire Dalesfans are still the same even though the majority don't post on here now. I understand how you will miss all the riding friends in your current area but hopefully you will soon meet up with us Lincolnshire gang and join in our pre-ride picnics and get-togethers.

[tinkerdorisalison]

You've picked a good area to move to, good network of riders. Exciting times 😀

[dalesnfellfan]

One week to go and although the sale and purchase have been very straight forward things are now starting to go tits up. My mother is dying and after a phone call from her nurses to say they thought the end was near, I dashed across to Coventry on Sunday morning only to find she had rallied and was not quite about to take her last breath, although she probably only has days or at best weeks now. She is very frail and only responsive for very short periods at a time now, she will probably choose the morning we move!!

Then I got home to find I had a puncture on one of the horsebox tyres so had to arrange to take it this morning to get a new tyre fitted.

I had left my friend looking after the ponies and after getting home yesterday and having a late lunch, about 3pm I turned on my computer to find she had left me a note on a birthday message on FB to say she was worried about Emerald, wouldn't you have thought she have rung or texted me rather than put a message on FB or even call the vet if she was that worried? I certainly would, I could have then got to her much sooner. I rushed to the field to find Emerald having difficulty breathing with her sides heaving, she also had a slight digital pulse, can't usually feel it at all. I rang the vet to be told if I'd phoned 20min earlier he'd just driven past my field, so had to wait 1 1/2 hrs for him to come. She has asthma caused by some pollen/allergen in the environment, feet OK though, and is on ventapullmin, vet said she should have no lasting effect which is good. The plan was to leave ponies for a week with the same friend, to get fences sorted and hay bought, but vet wants her moved asap to get her away from allergen which is likely to be local.

So will now try to unpack lorry, sort fences and buy hay on Thursday and come back down for her on the Friday, then home to Lincoln Saturday. I am worried about leaving her for 2/3 days with Julia so my very lovely vet is going to call in every day whilst passing to check on her.

On top of all that my dog has a very nasty skin infection all over his body and is on a months course of antibiotics and steroids which is making him drink loads and he is anxious about his home being packed up and has started to wee on the carpet in the lounge every night, he is a very large dog so does very large pees and despite using loads of disinfectant and air freshener the house is stinking. Have bought stuff from vets this morning especially for dog urine so hopefully we will soon smell sweeter.

So not a wonderful 65th birthday!! Hopefully be able to celebrate next week once we're moved in and have the ponies safely home.

Just wondering what will go wrong next!!

[harveydales]

Oh dear, why do things always go wrong all together and at the most inconvenient of times! I sympathise with you over your mother. It was the same with my mother.We kept being called to say she wouldn't last the day and then she would rally. This went on for a few weeks over the Christmas period.

I'm not overly surprised this has happened to Emerald. Last weekend was really bad for hay fever/asthma sufferers. I don't know whether it was the rape or something else. I'm still coughing and wheezing. Ali's eyes were streaming all through our pleasure ride on Sunday and I've heard of a few horses affected. Hopefully this time next month you will all be installed in your new home and everything settled down. If I can help in any way once you are up in Lincolnshire, do give me a shout.

[dalesnfellfan]

Emerald breathing much better now almost back to normal, such a relief, my vet said he'd been called out to loads of horses with the same problem, it's now rained here for 2 days so hopefully cleared the air a bit.

[Debbie]

Never rains but pours. I'm convinced a lot of 'stuff' like this happens because of the upheaval of home. I'm so sorry to hear of your Mom's difficulties. There's never an easy time.

As for the allergies for Em, oh my, I know! This spring has been so tough for a lot of the US, a lot of allergies/pollens/molds. I'm so sorry to hear of the added trauma/drama, but I'm sure you'll feel better having her safely settled in her new home sooner. What a gem of a vet to give you an update during this time

For dog urine, I use Bye Bye Odor by Spalding Labs to remove all kinds of smells. It works amazingly well, just be sure to test it on an inconspicous corner if you need to spray on a carpet/rug to test for colour fastness.

wishing you a belated, but Happy Birthday! Once your settled in your new home, you'll be able to laugh about all this in the months and years to come. Hang in there!