Editor’s Diary: Some (Very) Early Starts


editors diary

Regular readers of my Editor’s Diary will know I’ve always been one of nature’s larks.

I like getting up early and have never been one for long lies in bed.

Which is just as well, given what’s been going on lately!

For several weeks now, I have been nursing a sick horse.

That means rising well before the crack of dawn and driving bleary-eyed to the stables.

Then it’s a whirl of feeding, administering medication, mucking out and checking wound dressings before heading home.

Where it’s another whirl of have a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast and start work!

My pony Texa is usually a hardy soul who doesn’t require too much pampering. But she has been feeling very sorry for herself since stepping on a piece of metal and suffering a punctured hoof, which became infected.

I have become expert at applying a poultice and then bandaging a hoof.

No easy task, as it has to survive a massive amount of wear and tear. Copious quantities of duct tape and stretchy bandage are involved, as well as a supermarket bag for life.

As you can see in the photo, quite by chance I managed to arrange a Morrison’s carrier in such a way as to show a perfect Saltire! Particularly appropriate for a Highland pony . . .

I am very pleased to say that Texa is now well on the road to recovery.

Those early starts stood me in good stead at the weekend, though.

I didn’t bat an eyelid when BBC Radio Devon asked if they could interview me by telephone very first thing on Saturday morning. They wanted to talk about our brilliant Close-knit Friends campaign. And I was happy to oblige!


For more from Angela’s Editor’s Diary, click the tag below.

Angela Gilchrist

Angela is Former Editor-in-Chief of “The People’s Friend” magazine. Her passions include cats, Highland ponies, good books, vegetarian food and long walks in the Scottish countryside. Her favourite place to get away from it all is the magical Isle of Skye.