Spuds came into the yard a few weeks ago all white and trembling. I overheard him telling Carole (who runs the yard) what had happened to him. It seems that Spuds' daughter Mel was just going up to university in Manchester, and his wife Sandra was planning the removal exercise to take place the following weekend. Unfortunately this clashed with the annual Badminton fun ride, which was to be the first real event that we had done together.

"We could go up in two cars", said Sandra, "or we could just go up in yours and I'll catch a train back. I quite fancy that pleasant journey through the Welsh Border country. You can meet me when I get back to Bath".

"Well you realise, my love, that this isn't a very cost-effective thing to do. You're talking of about 15 pounds worth of petrol, or a train journey costing at least fifty."

Spuds immediately saw the danger he was in, but like a rabbit caught in car headlights he was unable to do anything but watch, transfixed, as his fate came rushing towards him.

"Now let me get this straight", began Sandra calmly. "Since last November you have spent L700 going hunting in Ireland, L60 more each time you went out with the Beaufort. You have just spent God-knows-what to buy that Branston, plus probably the equivalent of my month's salary on all of those new rugs, bridles and things. Furthermore you have just bought a share in a horse-box for L1250 AND you're going to subscribe to the Blankshire Hunt this year".

"Its only an old horse-box, and the rest of the stuff will last a lifetime. It's not as if I drink, smoke or even do the Lottery". Spuds tried weakly to defend his indefensible position.

"I AM OUTRAGED. I don't believe I'm hearing this. I don't believe you're for real. You spend all of that money on you and your damn horse, and you begrudge me fifty miserable bloody quid of MY OWN MONEY that I've earned to take a train journey for my own pleasure. Well I won't do it then if we can't afford it. We'll just rush up and down in one day and you can go riding with your friends."

"No love. I insist. I'll pay. You go First Class. Have a meal out. I'll arrange a taxi at this end. It's not a problem, honestly."

"I'm going to phone my sister. You'd better clear off to the stables if you want to survive the day".

They went in two cars; train journeys are no longer discussed. Spuds reckons he had a lucky escape that day.