As this is the one hundredth blog I thought that I would, for the benefit of newbies (where have you been ?) re-introduce the major characters who have appeared in the last 6 months;
First off, the titular character Kavi
Long faced and, let's be honest, pretty doleful ex-racehorse. His major interests are; eating and err eating. He has a way of letting you know by means of a huge sigh, if he thinks he is being forced to do too much. This is usually when out on a hack if we turn further away from home. He still wishes he was in the company of thoroughbreds, who he can bore with tales of his wins on the racecourse, rather than with a load of Arabs.
Next up, Rooster
Busybody who feels that he should be in charge of the herd but is only the Health and Safety representative. If he catches anybody either enjoying themselves or doing anything that he feels has the potential to be dangerous he bustles over in an important Capt. Mainwaring way to ensure that everything is safe (and no fun). He is the only member who actually works for a living as he is H's endurance horse which involves him covering hundreds of miles a year over various terrain so he is allowed a bit of slack.
One who certainly does very little to earn his keep is Carly
To be honest Carly finds being a horse very limiting, he has so much more to offer. Apart from being the world's greatest lover, an opinion not universally shared it has to be said, he wants to be an explorer. He likes to be able to have a wander around poking into things, even when out on hacks, he is sure that complete strangers really want to meet him (and feed him polos) and has no hesitation in heading off down private driveways if not forcibly dissuaded.
I cannot think why I like this guy.
If he had his way, this view of Ari would be the last thing anyone not from the proletariat would see. Ari barks at every conceivable opportunity, he is disobedient and worst of all will bite anyone who crosses his path. He is universally loathed by gamekeepers and members of the Ludlow hunt alike, some of whom he has cornered and was about to chow down on before I intervened. That said he has a personality and I'm sure that you would like him if you met him (provided you kept your distance and he had his muzzle on).
Talking of mad old women;
This strange, matted bundle of fur is DJ. I love her, she is completely barking (see what I did there). Any creature that lives to her own agenda has to be cherished. OK she smells, is half blind and, despite the huge ears, is fairly deaf but you gotta love her. You could not spend long enough tickling her tummy but as H said, you need to have the breath holding skills of a pearl diver to stay in her company for any length of time.
Lovers of all things rodentine should look away now
This is Sharkey, a sleek, black killing machine. She ensures that we are not infested with rats, mice, shrews and almost any type of wildlife. Sadly there are times when there are more creatures alive in the Antarctic than there are in the yard. Along with her brother, the louche Lothario of Hopton Cangeford, Furrgall they have taken to living on the haybales where they stare superciliously down at all comers, especially Ari who loathes them with a passion he normally reserves for members of the House of Lords.
Other minor characters are the author, H and Housemate who all merely exist to service these characters. The Nice Lady Next Door and the Up and Coming Trainer also pop up from time to time the latter is hoping that Freshy can win the Foxhunters chase at Aintree next Thursday (worth an each way punt apparently).
Well that appears to be all, what ? who ? Oh yes the undoubted star of the blog, the Lord Fauntleroy and thoroughly spoilt Darcy.
Basically all I really need to do to retain the readership is publish regular pictures of him in various costumes. he is the undisputed boss of the premises and bon (io) vivante. He has the pick of seats, sleeps with whom he likes, usually Housemate, but if she is away he is quick to commandeer my bed.
Here's to the next hundred blogs....sigh
The title ? It's what cricketers do with their helmets when they reach three figures
