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!

Adventures begin

We have made it to our first destination on our next adventure. Tonight, we’re in the caravan at a yard near Biggleswade. Tomorrow we’re leaving for Scone Palace International Horse Trials! My friend’s horse is competing in the 4* Long there. She invited me to come with her. I am so excited!

I was very sad that I didn’t make it to Blair Castle. The stars aligned and I am going to the inaugural Scone. How amazing is that?!

It’ll be a long journey tomorrow. I’ve packed for every weather eventually. It is Scotland after all. This is going to be another wonderful adventure…

Deferring

The plan had been to take a friend and her horse with us for a ride in Thetford Forest today. Unfortunately she wasn’t feeling very well, so we deferred our outing in favour of a hack at home instead.

We were out for nearly 2 hours all told. It was fab. She’d even made lunch for us to take. So we when we got back, we had a picnic in the tack room. I did offer to unlock the lorry so we could sit in there. Lunch in the lorry has a lovely ring to it.

Sometimes plans work out. Sometimes you just make a new plan. This one worked out well after all. Happy Sunday everyone.

Model patient

Guess who aced their post-op vets trip? Bert happily dragged me across the car pak and was most perturbed that he wasn’t instantly greeted with cuddles and treats. Have you tried to explain to a 10 month old puppy that he has to be patient cause there’s a queue?!

He made everyone laugh with his enthusiasm. That and the way he crashed about with the cone of shame on (it was far too hot for the baby gro).

He made the vet nurse laugh too when he bounded into the consulting room. Her first words ‘well he’s fine then…’. He really is. He’s back to his normal Bertness. Bouncing around. Wanting to play. I’m not sure he’s really realised what’s happened.

All a huge relief for me. She gave him a quick check over and said he’s very fit and well.

Sadly his duck toy isn’t a case for surgery. Definitely gone too far. He’s definitely in the toy destroying phase. The Dark Destroyer is alive and well. And has now moved on to toys.

Holy stone

Someone is feeling much better!! Bert decided that my garden needed a bit of landscaping today. This is the sight that greeted me when I took a break from the laptop.

He has a new game that he likes to play while I’m working. He brings me a stone. It’s great for training his ‘drop’. Which is much improved. At least he’s not swallowing them!

Not sure what he was digging for, but he was rather pleased with himself. He was also covered in mud. He does make me laugh.

He’s off to the vets tomorrow for his post-op check up. Hoping we can start increasing his exercise again. It seems he’s as inpatient a patient as I am!

Evenfall

What a wonderful way to end a rather frustrating day. Customer Service is a dying art. Or maybe we’ve gone too far with the whole ‘keeping your account secure’ thing. I’ve been stuck in an email loop trying to prove who I am. Honestly, it made me laugh and almost cry at the same time.

I have to admit, they got off on the wrong foot by sending me an email addressed to ‘Valued Customer’. That’s rich when you hear where we went next…

Questions like ‘what’s the email address associated with the account?’ Umm that would be the email address you’ve emailed me on.

‘What’s the account number?’ Oh the one on the email I originally sent you?! That one?!

‘What’s the name on the account?’ The name I put in the original email? No, I’ll repeat it. It’s Philippa.

‘Sorry we can’t accept your answers as you signed your email Pip. Not Philippa…’

Give me strength!! So I called them. Ranted for a while. Still getting no further with answering the questions I had. Eventually the poor person on the phone said she’d raise a complaint for me. I did apologise to her as it wasn’t her fault.

Please tell me it’s not just me?! Then they had the cheek to send me a ‘customer satisfaction survey’. Lock and load people…!

At least my ride was much more pleasant. It was the perfect temperature. Perfect ponies. Perfect company. Just perfect.

Nettles

I think most people know that I love nature. I love being out in it. I love almost everything about it. I say almost, I’m not mad keen when nature fights back.

As it was a nice day, I thought I’d mow the lawns and have a bit of a tidy up of the borders. Great plan I hear you say…

This is me, so it wasn’t going to run smoothly. But even by my standards, I excelled myself. There were a few rather large nettles. No problem, I have protective gloves for them. Unfortunately, they don’t protect against ineptitude. I am now the proud owner of many stings. I peaked when I managed to pull one up and smack myself full in the face. I can confirm that flipping hurts!!

Bert tried to come to my rescue, but ended up taking me out with his cone. We’d been doing well with the body suit. Till he had an accident. I wasn’t quick enough with the fastenings (the clue is there). It needed to go in the wash. So we were back to the cone of shame. My legs are covered in scrapes and bruises from him bashing into me.

I managed to mow the back lawn after nearly falling over him several times. Then it was onto the front. Where a dog rose decided to attack me. Seriously?! They hurt too I can tell you.

Thankfully a full brown bin ended my gardening efforts and I headed to the yard. Buddy had excelled himself in the poo stakes. So that was fun!

Even though I covered him in fly spray, he spent the whole ride trying to get the flies off. There were so many today.

All in all, I’d say it was a draw between me and nature today. My face is really sore. Not as bruised as Bert’s Crown Jewels. He keeps rolling over to show me…

New season

Super sub was called into action early doors – first game of the season. I love the first game of a new season. So much hope, optimism and excitement. It lasted about 83 minutes…. We lost.

There’s a long way to go though. So let’s see what the rest of the season brings. Honestly you have to ride the emotional rollercoaster of being a football fan. Or any kind of sporting fan really. It’s rarely straightforward.

At least the half-time snacks were good. Least said about the coffee the better… Let’s hope that improves as the season goes on too.

Cone of shame

It’s been quite the day for Bert. He’s had his little boy operation, got lots of cuddles and now has to wear the cone of shame. The latter isn’t going well…

He’s taken my legs out several times, he’s bounced off the furniture and couldn’t work out how to get his food. Think he’s only just forgiven me for no breakfast! I got PROPER Spaniel eyes and threats of the RSPCA.

The vets said to keep him calm and limit his exercise. Ummm he’s a 10 month old Sprocker?! He’s had a sleep in his crate. Then came out for some food. At which point, he went to his toy basket and grabbed a ball. Nope, sorry Bert, it’s not happening.

So he’s back in the crate, dragging the cone across the bars like some 50s jailhouse film. It’s going to be a long evening. Thankfully, I’ve been offered a bodysuit for him, so I’ll go and get that tomorrow.

Now my next challenge is to keep him calm for the next few days. Wish me luck!!

My new mattress was delivered this morning. At first glance it looked like a dead body. 20 mins of huffing and puffing to unwrap it and get it on the frame. Why do I think I can do these things on my own?!

As if that wasn’t enough exercise for one day, I took Buddy for a jumping lesson.

Let’s hope we all sleep well tonight…

Shrunk

My spare bed has shrunk. Intentionally of course. I had a king-sized bed in there but it really was too big. So when I was offered a smaller version I jumped at the chance.

It was the Great Bed Swap Around today. My old big bed is now living across the close. My new little bed was put together. I’m still no nearer sorting out a replacement mattress for me though. But that seems to be a bit of a trend right now. It’ll get sorted I’m sure.

Grateful for the smaller bed. The room looks huge now! Forgive the amount of cushions, they’re still on restriction from Bert. He’s rather partial to running around with one in his mouth. Hence the fact they’re out of bounds. Not that there is anything wrong with a cushion or two. I have several to go in my new lorry.

Smaller bed means new bedding. I love new bedding. I need some for the new lorry too. So if you insist…

Appropriate clothing

My choice of t-shirt was absolutely on point today! Love it when that happens. I had a very lovely day planned. I was going to meet a friend for a lovely relaxed hack round Blickling…

First I overslept, then the weather forecast looks a bit suspect and it being school holidays all put pay to that. So we went for a very lovely lunch lunch instead. Just as enjoyable. We managed to sit out for some of it, but after being buffeted a little bit too much by the wind, we headed indoors.

Good job too as the heavens opened! That was a rather regular occurrence for the rest of the day. One minute sunshine, the next minute rain. I had to laugh as I ended up being stuck in a stable mid-muck out. Reminded me of the quote ‘there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing’. My t-shirt was may have been apt, but didn’t really help to keep me dry. Maybe not that appropriate after all…