Dobbin

I had a one sided conversation with this horse on Braid Hills Road early this morning on my cycle ride round the marches of the castle.

I have to say it turned out to be a very one sided interaction: I spoke, he listened.
In what I hoped was a reassuring voice I asked if he was lonely and why he was a billy-no-friends when the rest of his mates were at the other end of the field. He for his part failed to return my gaze although he did prick up his ears and didn't canter off, which was a bonus when I asked if it was alright to blip him. I took the fact of his remaining stationary to be a yes.

I would like to be familiar and comfortable around horses but the fact of the matter is that their huge yellow teeth and their prowess with their back legs if thwarted scares me quite a lot. I have only once been on a horse but have actually spent longer on a camel. They also have huge yellow teeth and bad breath...... I reckon it's better on a bicycle.

Your advice on what to do with the Crumpler bag which was delivered in the wrong colour, helped me in deciding to wrap it all back up and send it back for a replacement. I'll be interested to find out if the firm in question refund the postage, since it was their mistake. Watch this space.