Welcome to blog! I started it in 2020 to chart my recovery from breaking my ankle (hence the name). I guess no-one saw a global pandemic coming. It's turned into a place where I can talk about the things happening in my life, my horse and my cats. Enjoy!
Today is a sad day. My favourite flip flops broke. I’ve had them so long that I can’t really remember where I bought them. It was on a holiday I’m sure. But since then they’ve been my chosen footwear round the house each Summer. They’ve been on holiday with me. They’ve been to camps too.
I might try and fix them but I fear I may have to bin them and break in some new ones.
I wonder how many miles they’ve covered. I’ve definitely got my money’s worth from them.
You know it’s been hot when your tub of hoof dressing looks more like soup! It’s a tad melted. Still works though, even if it was running down Buddy’s hooves.
He had the farrier tonight. Since he had to have his shoe off for a bit a few weeks back, he’s lost a big chunk out of his hoof. It looks a bit of a mess. But Buddy doesn’t seem bothered by it. And he’d kept the shoe on without issue.
Given the problems he’s had with that hoof, my farrier asked me to trot him up after he’d shod him. Poor Buddy was uncomfortable on that hoof again. So off the shoe came and after a few adjustments and nailed it was back on differently, Buddy was good again. So glad we checked.
When it’s trying to rain and you want to feel it on your skin….
I think I’m adapting to the heat slightly better than the kittens. After taking Buddy out for an early morning ride, I got home to find Hugo wailing round the house.
He spend most of the day in the office with me in front of the fan. Dodo has been hiding in the borders. There’s definitely been a cooling breeze out here.
My laptop seemed to be hotter than I was today. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been hot, but not unbearable. Or maybe I’ve just found a way to keep my office cooler.
Hugo has discovered the joys of the shade lounger. As soon as it was in shade, he staked his claim and isn’t moving.
Bring on cooler weather and hopefully a big thunderstorm to clear the air.
In the saddle by 8:15am to beat the heat. I even rode BC (before coffee). Now in the shade with a coffee and toast. It’s gonna be another scorcher! 🥵
Without stating the bleeding obvious, it’s been REALLY hot today. I’ve been melting over my laptop. I could feel the heat pouring in from the conservatory. Which was where the kittens slept today. Nutters!
Curtains closed, fan on and lots of fluids. It definitely helped. Finished the day sat in the shade listening to an interview with one of the founders of Brewdog. Really interesting guy.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Wall to wall blue skies today in Costa Del Brundall.
Today was my camp clean up day. Or the start of it. It usually takes me less time that I’m actually away, so that’s something. 4 loads of washing later and I’m almost there. Probably another 2 or 3 to go though.
Thankfully it’s all drying really quickly in the hot weather we’re having. Got my tack and the lorry to clean once the washing is done. It’s amazing how dirty everything gets.
While I was hanging one load of washing out, I spotted this fuchsia in the border. It’s stunning. So vibrant! Made me smile. My garden is fairing OK in the heat. But we all need to start a rain dance soon…
This was my office today. Another early start as I was on the 6:30am train to London. I was part of the events’ team running an AGM. The venue was in Smithfield Market. The windows were stunning. One of the sun’s was missing. Apparently it was blown out in WWII.
The day was very successful and ran very smoothly. I also got to go on the new Elizabeth line. Super cool. Literally, as it’s all air conditioned. Good job too as it was rather hot today.
I love being back in London. Having worked there for many years, it’s so familiar and comfortable.
Now on the way home.
Well that’s another BHS Camp done! And another brilliant one. Buddy was an absolute superstar! He tried his hardest and did everything asked.
He was also a complete piggy and hoovered up food like it was going out of fashion. As a result, he had by far the most disgusting stable. Shame there wasn’t a prize for that as he’d definitely win!!
Still we did come home with more rosettes to add to our collection. A 7th place for show jumping. And 8th place in dressage.
The latter was quite a shock as I was the first one in and I went wrong. I’d never been the first rider in, ever, and didn’t realise how much I watch the rider in front. Totally brain fart. Still there was a lot to like apparently, so that’s good.
The frustrating thing is that I’d ran the test in my lesson this morning. That was just over an hour before. Doh!
Oh well, placings were the cherry on the cake after a brilliant camp! We will both sleep well tonight!!
Third day of camp and another two lessons done. Started the day with grids. Now we all know, I bloody love grids! And so does Buddy. He was rather keen to get on with it. So the focus of the lesson was about getting his canter established and listening before we attempted the grid. He flew through it though!!
Then this afternoon, it was another flat work lesson. The focus of this was to try and micromanage Buddy less and help him be softer. Much harder than I seems as I‘m not always a ‘less is more’ kinda rider. Definitely making progress though. So that’s good.
The Spillers weight bridge was back for Buddy’s annual weight in. He scored a perfect body condition and has dropped weight from last year. He’s now 637kg.
Another successful camp day done. We’ll both sleep well tonight.
