It has been far too long (Day 3470)

My day off today started with the usual wander up the hill with Sigyn. A little later I headed across to Stromness and had a look at a job and measured up the bathroom. From there I made my way to the horses and got George saddled up and out for a ride.
It has been a long time since I rode and he was fairly keen to get out. He gave me a bit of a scare when some cattle spooked him and he suddenly turned to face the other direction. Looking back at the video footage, I am not quite sure how I managed to stay on him and not disappear over the edge of the big drop next to the path. It was definitely my fault as I should have anticipated him getting spooked. He couldn't see the cattle until one of them stuck its nose over the top of the wall. The rest of the ride was fine. He enjoyed a couple of canters and told me fairly firmly that an excursion to the beach was definitely off the cards because of slippery conditions on the approach to the beach. Sometimes, you have to listen to what your horse is telling you.
It was grand to see the world from behind his big hairy lugs again, and the ride didn't make my sciatica any worse.
Home for lunch and to collect Sigyn then back to Stromness to meet Mum to get the dogs out together for the first time. We chose a place Sigyn has been to lots and which is really safe for the dogs to be off lead. Birsay was very excited to be out with another dog, Sigyn not so much.
Back to Mum's for coffee before a visit to the horses as the light started to fade.
It seems my beautiful wife is doing well trimming south.