Eklil Blog – June 2024
Hello readers. What a fine few weeks it has been. The weather marginally improved and I have been recuperating from my operation. That part of the process, when I am able to go out in the field and do some decent horse sort of stuff, but without the nuisance of being in full training, is pretty much an optimal time as far as I am concerned. Hesbehindyou did accuse me of malingering, which I let him get away with as whilst I am not malingering at the moment, the idea of future malingering does appeal a great deal. Frankly, there is no obvious downside for me, the risk is with everyone else. That sounds like the sort of thing Sherlock Holmes might have said.
However, there might be a downside. Several of my esteemed colleagues have been heading off to use a water treadmill on a regular basis and they all seem to really enjoy, apart from Stitch, who only likes getting into enclosed spaces when nobody is there to watch him. On that basis I would like to give it a bash, but the valid argument would be that if I can do the water treadmill, then I can do other things. And it is at Toad Hall. I did not realise that “The Wind In The Willows” was a biography, but suddenly it sounds like it is. The only danger is of being set upon by gangs of dangerous mustelids. That is one burden that I am happy to bear. Interesting aside. In the book why does Badger align himself with a headstrong talking toad, destined for prison (should I have said “spoiler alert” there?) rather than his fellow mustelids? Perhaps if I go to Toad Hall, I will find out.
The info from Monty this month is that all past differences with Finnegan’s Garden have been settled, and in combination they have ensured that the new yard is run entirely to their combined satisfaction. He hopes to head over to the Middle East soon, to see what he can contribute there.
This month’s question comes from a Mrs Batty, of Yorkshire. However, when people follow their name with “(ha ha!)” I do have the suspicion that it is made up, which then casts doubt that the entire letter might be mocking me. Horses are not great at detecting these sort of things. Anyway, Mrs Batty wondered what my opinion was on the Loch Ness Monster. This is difficult, because the question is not specific enough. Is she asking whether I think it exists? Whether it is of sound character, and might, for example, be trusted with a loan of fifty pounds? Is it bad for the environment? My predecessor seemed to have much more functional correspondence. So all I can do is summarise. Yes, the Loch Ness Monster does exist. No, it is not a dinosaur. It might be a dolphin or a sturgeon, or possibly a creature occasionally phasing into our reality from another dimension. I personally would not lend it any money, although I might trust it with simple tasks, such as delivering any package not containing fish. Whether or not it is good for the environment probably depends on whether you are below it in the food chain or not. Atalanta’s Boy claims to have recently spotted Nessie in the pond on the gallops, but he can be a touch excitable, and I am working on the assumption that it was actually a duck.