Author: langlep

So 2020 was going to be my year. The year I got my life sorted after being served redundancy notice from my job in November 2019. The year I ticked off more things from my horsey bucket list. The year I got my mental health back under control and reduced stress in my life. I had a plan. And it was a good one. Then the plan changed dramatically on 2 January. I came off my horse at speed and broke my ankle. Badly. Like all good equestrians, I got back on and rode back to the yard, sorted Buddy out and then drove myself to A&E. That’s where this journey really began... I was sent home from A&E and told to crack on, only to receive a phone call later to say they’d missed a fracture (and a rather serious one at that). Whoops! So fracture clinic on 3 January, surgery on 5 January and home to recover. I started this blog as a way to chart my recover back to the saddle. As I cleared clinics and competitions out of my diary and wondered what the next few months would bring, it's been a safe space for me to say how I'm feeling. The new plan was to get a new job, to keep Buddy is kept ticking over and recover from my injury. Another good plan! I didn't expect a global pandemic, lockdown and all that happened in 2020. This blog has changed over time but it's continued to be my safe space to share the things going on in my life, with Buddy and the cats. Enjoy!

Ice ice baby

Well I wasn’t expecting snow and ice this morning. It was a bit hairy getting off the close this morning I can tell you. Well once I’d a) got out of my front door that was frozen shut, b) opened the car doors that were frozen shut and c) defrosted the ice off the inside of the car!!!

The last one isn’t something I expected or really knew how to deal with. Needless to say, I got covered in ice! Good job I had lots of layers on.

Still when I did get to the yard, I had a brilliant flat lesson with Lewis. Buddy worked his little socks off. We were both glowing by the end! So grateful to have an indoor school to ride in on days like this.

Throw the towel in

There are many things I love about working at my Chiro’s. This is one of them. There’s something very satisfying about washing, drying and folding the towels. They smell so fresh and were warm fresh out of the dryer.

Don’t ask me what it is, cause if this was at home, they’re probably sit in the wash basket for days.…

caterwaul

I saw this and it made me smile. Buddy and I did that this morning on yet another wind-assisted hack. It’s a good job he’s not that bothered by the wind. Of course a piece of flapping plastic on the ground – terrifying!!

I was feeling slightly jaded after a weird night. Woken up by cat wails in the early hours. Jumped out of bed to find the big ginger cat in my conservatory fighting with a tabby. Assumed it was Dodo and tried to break it up. They both ran out the cat flap and carried on fighting on the lawn. 😱

Dodo is so small next to the ginger Tom, I honestly thought it would kill him. So rushed out there calling and calling as they both ran off.

Came back in the house to get treats to find Dodo sat on my office chair!

I know I was very bleary eyed but I’m still not sure who was fighting in my conservatory!! All I know is my heart rate went up and there was enough cat fur to fill a cushion!!

Why don’t people neuter their pets?! It’s usually caused by intact males. And yes, I’m going to get a trap set to catch the ginger one. Hopefully he’ll be microchipped.

Peek-a-boo

Buddy has a new favourite spot to shelter from the wind and the rain. He’s a very happy boy there.

Of course I had a minor heart attack when I couldn’t see him in his field. Then his little head popped up from behind the brambles.

He definitely had the right idea though. The weather was beyond weird. Still we managed to avoid the rain showers and pop a few jumps in the sunshine.

Blustery day

Well my plans were blown away today as it’s been a very blustery here.

Pretty sure Buddy was trying to convince me that the wind blew the wheelbarrow and tools over.

Pity I saw him knock them all over. He gave me a much needed laugh today. He’s such a curious little boy. Likes to check everything out.

Migration

The geese were circling the yard again today. They are so loud. Always makes me wonder if they’re having the same conversations as we do when we go on holiday?! You know the ones – ‘did you look the back door?’, ’have you got the passport?’, ‘are we there yet?!’ That sort of thing. Yes I have an active imagination.

I’ve been thinking about migration a lot today. And warmer climes. My wonderful niece Katie headed off to New Zealand today for an adventure. I’m so proud of the woman she’s grown into. She definitely inherited the Langley wanderlust gene. I’m getting twitchy. Definitely need to plan some more adventures.

Pleased to report that the vitamins and drugs are working. Feeling so much better today. Think the blustery day helped to blow the snot away!!

I can totally understand why birds migrate!!

Vitamin C

Today has been sponsored by the letter C. As in Vitamin. I’m not at my best. Last night my throat started to feel scratchy. As I was feeling grotty, I headed to bed early.

Woke up with full on snot and sore throat. Taken paracetamol and lots vitamin C. Lots and lots of vitamin C!

Wonder if it was cause I got drenched and cold yesterday. I didn’t warm up for ages afterwards. Even after a hot shower.

Or it could have been an allergic reaction to something as it happened so fast. Whatever it is, it needs to do one. Being ill is such a waste of time….

Waterproof

Today I found out that my waterproof coat isn’t as waterproof as I thought. But then it was having to deal with a LOT of rain!!

I thought my faithful waterproof trousers had let me down too as my jeans were wet underneath. Till I realised that they were wicking away the water from my base layer and fleece. Damn you science!

At least my feet were dry. My muck boots have a spilt in them. Thankfully I noticed so put different boots on.

Think it might be time to invest in a new waterproof coat….

Hidden beauty

I’ve been asked to cover the next few Monday’s at the Chiro’s. It was a rather busy day with lots of changes to deal with. But got to have lots of good chats.

The main topic of conversation was the weather. Well we are British. It was a very lazy wind today. With some bite to it. So different from the mild days we’ve been having.

The other topic of conversation was at what point do you stop asking people about their Christmas. And saying Happy New Year! The jury is very much out on those. Lots of views given.

Spotted this little flower when I was opening up this morning. No idea what it is. But it was a very pretty way to start the day.

New era

Great to be back at Carrow Road today for the FA Cup match against Blackburn.

New manager, same disappointing result. I guess he may need more than one training session to sort them out. 20 corners and not a sniff of a goal. Of well, at least I got to have a pie, hot chocolate and Twix brownie. There have to be some upsides.

And we stayed dry when the heaven’s opened. What’s the old adage? We can now focus on the league…