Retirement with No Problem

Moored Elton, River Nene

Changed my mind this morning and decided to go to the East of England Show today instead of going tomorrow.  Well it was a lovely day, and Lucy was still at the vet hospital in Peterborough.  I thought it might be better to be at home tomorrow with her.  The showground is just outside Peterborough about 4 miles or so from where we are moored.  I could get the bus later on into Peterborough to pick Lucy up after the show.

I have been to this showground before with daughter Wendie riding in a pony class when she was seven years old, some… errrrr well quiet a number of years ago now.. I don’t think I better say exactly how many or I will be receiving a few words from Wendie down the telephone no doubt!

Prince Edward was there today, we could have got a photo of him leaving in his car if we had waited around for ten minutes or so by the VIP entrance, but I thought that was a bit of a ‘sad’ thing to do, so wandered off instead and saw a magnificent display of birds of prey.  The peregrine falcon is the most wonderful bird to see in a controlled environment.. There was some good showjumping on offer too..

Here Michael Whitaker winning the ‘Area Trial’ and pocketing a nice £800 for the first prize…  But it wasn’t only showjumping, this was a very big show indeed, with vintage cars, tractors, steam engines, farming implements, gun dogs, well just about everything.. I even enjoyed watching the cows being judged.  What wonderful beasts these are…

The British Simmental cow.  There is great rivalry amongst the farmers for the top awards.  Yep a great day out.. oh I bought a hat, I just couldn’t resist it today.. I’ll get a pic over the weekend for you to see..

I caught the bus to Peterborough from the showground, while Vic caught the bus on the other side of the road back to Elton.  The vet showed me the xrays.. not a complete success unfortunately for Lucy.  The first xray showed the pin holding the bones together, but when the vet took the pin out the second xray showed that the bone was not holding in the centre of the hip socket.. sliding away from it.  It is still all holding together and may well be OK for the rest of her life, but again it is going to be time that is going to decide.. The vets want her back again in 10 days or so to take another look.. and are hoping that the hip holds and doesn’t dislocate in the mean time.

We are both feeling positive, and will give Lucy all the care necessary to give her a chance of that full recovery.. so more cage rest for her over the next three weeks.. Not sure what our plans are for the weekend, we will decide tomorrow.  It is difficult here at Elton to get on and off for Lucy during these next crucial days, so we might move..