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!

Dancing in the rain

We headed down to Halesworth this afternoon for a lesson with Jo Winfield. She’s one of my favourite instructors. I love my lessons with her at BHS camp. She’s so insightful, knowledgeable and an amazing coach.

So I jumped at the chance to have a private lesson with her. I may have been slightly regretting my sense of adventure when the sat nav took me down some rather narrow roads. But The Buddymobile got us there safely.

I was slightly regretting my decision as well after leaving the yard in beautiful sunshine, to arrive at the venue in rain. Reminded me of that quote about learning to dance in the rain. Well Buddy definitely had his dancing shoes on today!!

Jo was incredibly complementary about our progress. She said she could see that we’ve been working hard on our flat work since she last saw us. And thought Buddy looked very fit and well.

Helps that I’ve finally found a snaffle bit that Buddy seems to like. Long may that continue.

Didn’t care that I got soaked. I came away beaming.

Jack of all trades

I went to a networking event this morning. It was lovely being back meeting people in person again.

I got chatting to a lovely lady. And we both confessed to being a jack of all trades.

This is something that has definitely strengthened my career. It’s given me lots of opportunities to try new things and learn new skills.

I must admit, I had always been made to feel like it was a bad thing. That I should stick to one thing. Then I heard the full quote. Boy that was a lightbulb moment!! It was for her when I told her too.

So here’s to all the generalists, the multi-skilled and the jacks of all trades.

I love the variety of my working day. And my life in general. I’d be very bored if it was the same every day.

Recharge

I’ve been feeling a little out of sorts recently so I went to get a ‘hug from the Universe’ from Liz Gilmour Therapies.

It always helps to recharge my batteries, clear out any energetic crud and give me a different perspective on things.

I felt about 2 stone lighter leaving. Metaphorically of course, I can’t afford to lose any more weight.

Shiver me timbers

Today I did something I haven’t done for a very long time. I went to play adventure golf. It’s been so long, it’s been rebranded as I knew it as crazy golf.

My golf skills are very rusty so I didn’t do that well. But it was a laugh. And something different to do on a Monday afternoon.

Blathering

Fab day at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials. Bumped into so many people, it was lovely catching up with everyone.

Made some new friends too. One of those random moments where you get chatting to someone at a fence. Next thing you know you’ve spent several hours chatting. Then they pop home and bring a bottle of wine to share with everyone.

The eventing at inspiring too. So many top riders to geek over. And top horses to dribble over. I came away rather rosey cheeked (sunburn not the wine), very inspired and with a new show jacket. We will definitely look the part if nothing else.

Today has been a very good day.

Striding

Well my day went sideward this morning. I had planned to be inspired at Burnham Market Horse Trails, but sadly the competitions were abandoned. Something made me check before I left. Grateful I did. But given I was woken up at 3am by torrential rain, it was hardly a surprise.

With a totally free day, I decided to have a house / garden day instead. I got two loads of washing out on the line. And spend a few very productive hours in the garden. I need a good few more out there though.

Finally I took Buddy out for a long hack in the sunshine. Someone was striding out today. He’s obviously feeling very well at the moment. Best view in the world.

I’m now going to Burnham Market tomorrow instead. So I will get my eventing inspiration after all.

Dust in the wind

A very windy ride round Blickling this morning. Made me think of the song ‘Dust in the wind’. Though it was a bit more like ‘dust in my eyes’.

Given it’s the Easter holidays, I’d expected it to be rather busy. Thankfully it wasn’t bad when we arrived. Much busier by the time we got back to the lorry. Lots of twists and turns around the estate today. And lots of off-roading. Still not sure I’ve seen all of it yet! I’ll just have to keep going back.

So vane

Spotted this weather vane on my way to collect The Comedy Car. It’s so cool. I’ve always wanted a weather vane, but not had a house that would suit one. It took a while to get the photo as the wind was whipping it about. Got there in the end. It was rather windy.

The Comedy Car has a new shiny tyre. And I took advantage of having The Buddymobile at home to give the living and the cab a good clean out. It’s amazing how dusty and dirty it gets.

Guess I’ll have to clean the inside of The Comedy Car. And the outside of The Buddymobile. Then both my vehicles will be shiny. And yes, those jobs are on the list…