Prediction: heavy head tomorrow

Today turned into an absolutely glorious winter day, a sign that weather predictions were indeed on the money. Warm weather on its way!! While I wasn't sure in the cool of the morning, when the sky held an eerie half raincloud/half suncloud appearance, the sun was soon victorious and the snow began to melt.

Things went even quicker today, with L getting the hang of how things work and me adapting my down-pat routine to work her in. We set ourselves to work, crossing off item after item on the "to do" list as we knew tomorrow would be a no go zone - tonight will be the first night out I've had since the local "ball" about a month ago. I am scaling the walls.

We managed to squeeze in a turbo-sauna before joining G's mum for dinner again, our heads spinning from the recent blasts of heat as we graced the table to make polite and simple English conversation with the 89 year old sweetie.

Now it's all about getting back to my room and slapping on some makeup to disguise my hippiness, and then it's off to the pub with some younger friends (younger as in less than 50) I made at the ball last time. I am just glad G isn't here because tomorrow morning we will be worse for wear. Just a feeling...

The dinner that never materialised

All I had was one night in London, so I had to make it worthwhile. Told some mates I was in town, didn't really have time to broadcast it but at the same time it was an interesting test to see who gave a shit or not!

I started drinking at lunchtime. 2 thirds of my DC girls made sure of it. Then there was another friend's house. More drinks. And a quick hi to a stressed friend taking time out from work. More drinks. Then meeting up with a lovely lil geezer I missed out on seeing last trip to London for dinner. Although we never ended up eating anything.

A pre-drink at the pub turned into an all-night booze session, highly expected from said geezer plus the other rogues that turned up to join the party. All as bad an influence on each other. Not that I needed much to tip over the edge. Of the spotty memory towards the end of the night, I'm pretty sure I confessed my undying love for a particular someone (to their face) and made a complete, utter fool out of my emo self. Sigh.

Luckily, the person in question had the decency to be a downright sweetheart back and make me feel like less of a douche. But fuck me, someone needs to remind me to pack some gaffer tape in my bag before I go out drinking.

Penny-pinching goes to a new level

After a decent day's progress with Gina and her foal, me and the boys decided to go to the pub for a few post-dinner drinks. Now I say 'pub' but it's really only inhabited by the same few people day in, day out and when the boys come they stay open longer because they're some of the only business. And it's got a pool table. So that's something.

I went in and after sitting to the side with the boys drinking 2-3 litre bottles of beer between us, the inevitable happened and we integrated ourselves into the pool games while the boys took turns in flirting with me, the only new girl they'd seen in quite some time. I could've been hunchbacked and haggard, they still would've given it a go I reckon. But it was entertaining, me trying to speak my lame version of Romanian, them trying to do the same with English. We played several games of pool, me always partnered with one of the boys vying for some conversation with me even though I sucked ass and balls at pool, and eventually looked at the clock and called it a night at 3am.

Needless to say, the next day I was a little foggy but still got up early and worked a little bit with the horse and A. All was good except the initial catching of Gina, who decided it was more fun to turn around and double barrel kick me than have a rope attached to her halter. Little shit. She only got my hands slightly though so I wasn't hurt but it surprised me - she hasn't pulled a stunt like that again so hopefully I handled it the right way.

Afterwards, I volunteered to accompany the couple to the shops as A needed some help getting a new horse brush etc. Bad move. It was, suffice to say, the WORST shopping trip I have ever been on. I would've gladly changed places with either of the boys had I known what was going to happen.

Firstly, we visited no less than 3 supermarkets to get the cheapest of certain products, even to save literally 4 ban (which is the currency smaller than lei, under a dollar's worth in Oz equivalent). I understand if you're a little tight on the budget but this was ridiculous - I think the petrol burned in the old Truvant would've cost what they saved shop by shop. But hey, it's their life.

But, when they continually bicker in the car, on the street and in the shops, it gets awkward. I wish they'd do it in Romanian so I could just block it out. Especially when G refuses to give A money to go to the shop because he doesn't trust her to make an economical decision, and she gets back into the car to drive back without him, it's awkward. Talk about dominance issues. Again, I do not know how she puts up with it, she must love him a lot. I can tell she's quite an independent, free-thinking person and he can be so suffocating with her.

Today, when we worked with Gina, we got the 12 year old from next door to jump on her and walk around. She was fine with that. The old, cheeky neighbour (grandpa of the boy) tried to push me on her but I resisted. Still not 100% about her leg strength and size. Also got the beautiful, new harness made especially for their vintage carriage on her and she was fine, even when the old neighbour was behind with the reins. I think we can get a tyre behind her tomorrow and then try to get another neighbour's old, small cart to use out the back so she gets used to it.

I also jumped on the massive heavy that the neighbour uses to pull his carts of trees, but only with a halter and shoddy rope for reins, so I just trotted. But would like to ride again with the bridle, it's a bloody big mare though but I do need practise riding bareback. You wouldn't think I would, would you haha