Researching

Well, for what started out as an ordinary sort of day it quickly developed into me doing lots of research on line and on the telephone.

It all started last night really, when Phil decided that he might like to buy a hornby live steam train to go with his existing set up, and after doing some research on the net he'd found one at 350 quid rather than the usual 500 that was being charged for them. We'd seen the one we wanted on sale many months ago in the train shop in Oxford, but at the time we didn't think it was a purchase we need to make and so skipped the idea. And, of course we didn't think it would still be on sale now and so the Internet one might be a good deal.

However on looking at the delivery charges for the site (we'd want it insured and next day) they were asking for a whopping amount of money which made the sale price not so appealing. So I suggested to Phil that perhaps today I'd ring up the shop where we'd seen the other train for sale and see if it still was, after all, whats the harm in asking?

Today then train hunting was my first task. And luck was on our side since the shop did indeed have the train we wanted on sale, so I made arrangements to have them put it to one side and I told them I'd be in to pick it up tomorrow.

Then, I get talking to one of my friends on messenger and we get around to talking about how we both miss riding horses. As it happens I'd been given a URL by another friend for a website forum for larger riders and had found on there a number of riding schools that would perhaps be happy to allow those of us with a bit more weight to have a lesson or 3 on their larger horses. What with that and the conversation I was having I thought it might be worth ringing a few and see what they had to say.

As you can probably imagine, most of the schools on hearing my weight decided I wasn't suitable for their horses but there was one who was willing to do it, but for only 30 mins and they were 40 odd miles away. I made a note of their details but decided to try a few more schools in my local area, because you just never know, and it paid off. I found a school which were willing to let me ride and so I've arrange to go visit them tomorrow so I can meet them, and they can see me in person to make their own minds up. I'm quite excited as you can imagine, I just hope they don't get the weigh bridge out when the see me coming :)

After all the ringing around and such like I'm late going to the gym, but go still and do the usual things. And then when I get home I decide on doing a bit of baking and make some pear bran muffins (from the ingredients I got yesterday) and also make Phil a slab of brownie to cheer him up since he's got to work at the weekend.

Let me tell ya, it ain't easy making chocolate brownie when it's 30 degrees outside and you don't have any grease proof paper.

Posted by Abi on the July 21, 2006 9:37 PM