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!

Mushu

I’ve had a bit of a frustrating day if I’m honest. One of those days where I feel I’ve gone round the houses and not really achieved much.

I picked up my new laptop on Monday. It’s super exciting. And super fast! My old laptop has served me well for 10 years so it owes me nothing. But I’ve been struggling recently so it was time to replace it.

I’ve started moving files over to my new laptop. It said it was going to take 4 days, so I closed the lid and went to ride.… I’ll have another crack tomorrow.

I’m hoping that my new laptop will mean I can work faster and more efficiently. As it’s Chinese, I’ve called it Mushu. Disney fans will get it.

Duran Duran

I got to meet this beauty tonight. He’s 10 weeks old and is called Rio. So of course, I’ve had the song playing in my head all evening.

I can’t say I was a huge Duran Duran fan. I liked some of their tracks. I was more of a rock chick than a new romantic.

But I’m definitely a fan of this Rio!

Tree pose

I was back at the chiropractor’s today for Day 2 of Super Sub. They’re running a balance challenge to see who can hold the tree pose for the longest. After spending 6 weeks on one leg, I think I might just win that one. 😉

It’s funny cause I really noticed how much that time on one leg has affected me structurally. So when I’m working behind the desk, I try to stand on the other leg. I’m pretty good at it now.

Of course, that goes out the window when I close my eyes…. 😂 Try it, it’s a lot harder!

Super sub

Only just recovered from the football yesterday. What a final and an achievement. Today I got to be a super sub myself. My chiro’s receptionist is poorly, so I went in to cover for her. It’s so much fun ‘peopling’ on a Monday. I’m back tomorrow too. I love talking to everyone.

After finishing, I head over to catch up with a friend for more chatting, considerably more eating and yet more chatting.

This was my view as I waited for her. It was so still and peaceful.

Golden day

What a golden day it’s been. I decided to watch some of the Commonwealth Games with my breakfast. Kinda got sucked in as next thing I knew it was lunchtime! Watched the men’s gymnastics and more gold medals for England.

Tearing myself away from the action, I took Buddy out for a long hack. Got caught in the rain. After weeks with little rain, I’m not complaining at all!! Buddy loved checking out the combine in the golden field.

Finally back home to watch the Lionesses win in the Euros. And find out that the Young Riders won gold in the European Eventing. Well done everyone! Proud to be English today.

Puddy pile

I got back from the yard today to find Hugo had found a new sleeping place. He was rather precariously balanced on my saddle pads and dressage saddle.

It reminded me of ‘The Princess and the Pea’. Not sure how comfortable it is, but he seems happy. Not sure he’s going to be happy when I take the saddle pads to the yard and someone buys the saddle. Of course, it might be dead to him by then. Cats tend to be a bit fickle with where they sleep.

War wounds

I started the day with a yoga class. And definitely felt quite a few tight bits. So feeling that right now. Also managed to hurt my hand. Only I could damage myself coming out of the toilet rather than the yoga class!

The door was designed for right handed people so when I opened it with my left hand I got it trapped between the door and the wall. Bad design but there you go. It is sore, but I’ll live. Still I’m sure I’ll feel the benefits of the yoga class…

Camp Amigos

Today the camp amigos got back together for a wonderful hack round Blickling. It’s not even been two weeks since we were last together but I’ve missed them. We walked and talked round the estate. And topped it off with a spot of lunch in the car park. Don’t say we don’t know how to live…!?

Four exceptional horses. Of course, we proved once again how hard it is to get a good photo of horses and riders. When selfies didn’t work, we asked a passing walker to help us out.

London 2012

This photo came up on my memories today. It was 10 years ago that London 2012 started. At the time, I was working at Aviva, running the internal celebrations campaigns for the Diamond Jubilee, Euro 2012 and London 2012. It was a huge challenge, but an incredible thing to be part of.

We had red, white and blue bunting in every location (including Belfast), office street parties and of course, office Olympics.

Little did I know that it would be my last year with Aviva. So much has changed in the last decade. Back then my biggest worries were would London 2012 be a success, would Team GB win any medals and our employees play on the Xbox.

I’m so proud of achievements I’ve had in my career. And the things I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of.

I‘m also incredibly proud of the way I’ve faced everything that I’ve been through in that decade. I’m a very different person to the one in this photo.