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!
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!
Hugo has gone to the vets for his ‘big boy’ operation today. He looked so tiny in the carrier. It needs to be done so lots of positive vibes for him today.
Dodo is missing her brother and hasn’t left me since I got back. It’s probably the first time they’ve been apart.
I’ve been trying to define my vision for Leave a trail. I’ve been struggling. Then it hit me. For 30 years I’ve worked towards someone else’s vision. Never mine. This is the first time I get to create my own. It’s exciting and a little daunting. So I’m been doing lots of thinking, plotting and planning.
It’s funny cause I have a very clear vision of what I want to achieve with Buddy. Popped a few jumps this evening. Such fun! And reminds me how far we’ve come together.
Exciting times ahead! H2 2020 is going to be a good one. I can feel it.
Buddy met his doppelgänger today. Boxed him up and took him up to Cantley for a hack out with my friend and her horse Hugo. Talk about Matchy Matchy horses.
Lovely to take him somewhere new and explore new routes. Both boys seemed to enjoy each other’s company. We chatted the whole way round. There was a lot for them to deal with including huge lorries on narrow roads (with air brakes). Buddy definitely had his brave pants on. And we didn’t get too wet.
Buddy also encountered his first chicken. Not sure he’s a fan judging by his reaction. Still he walked past it at the second attempt.
Unfortunately the twat award goes to me for trying to drive off with the ramp still down. Thankfully no damage done and I shall now revert to the 3 check system I had for the trailer!
This was earlier when I trusted the BBC Weather app when it said it would be dry all day. Thankfully it’s all dry now after the sun came out.
Good job too as I had to walk and get my car back. 4 shiny new tyres and its driving like a dream. Does feel tiny after driving around in my lorry for a few days.
Woke up feeling a bit off today. So went for a walk down to Buckenham Marshes to see the baby kestrel. He’s super cute and fluffy. I sat by the water for ages and had a good cry. I’m learning that tears are not a weakness, they’re pain leaving your body. Just wish I could remember to take tissues with me. It was really windy down there so I got a beaten up by the rushes too.
Then finished the day with a lovely long hack with Anni and Frankie. Buddy found it all very tiring as you can see.
Today has been a very good day (and the step count rather high).
Walked to the yard this morning to meet Maddy from Norfolk Equine Sports Massage for Buddy’s regular massage. I’m proud to be one of her sponsored riders.
Then I had to walk to the garage to get my lorry keys from my car. Bit of a fail there as I could have driven my lorry home last night rather than walking.
We headed off to Salhouse for a jumping lesson. Buddy travelled so much better so hoping that the lorry training is paying off. He was such a good boy in our lesson too. I had a few ‘crapbag’ moments as I rode like a muppet. But we’re definitely getting back to where we were.
Tired now. But then I’ve clocked up 26K steps today. And yes Buddy decided to poo the minute I tried to take a photo of him.