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!

Manual labour

Woke up feeling a bit rubbish and with a lot of my mind so decided to do some manual labour. That’s always a good distraction for me.

I hadn’t realised how much my lawn had grown into my border so several hours of clearing and I’ve reclaimed quite a few inches back! I feel the need for a few new plants!

Keep learning

Another brilliant lesson today. This time back over to Brampton for a jumping lesson with Nick Turner.

First time we’ve had a jumping lesson with him for a very long time. He set up a very technical exercise with 2 turn backs to jumps. I’ve now found out they’re call ‘Demi Vaults’. Check us out!!

Then on to course jumping. Really felt like we’re back to where we were before my ankle. The time out has definitely done us good.

Garden yoga

Today I did my first yoga class of 2020! And I wasn’t as stiff as I expected. Managed to go most of the moves with incident or embarrassing myself. Even remembered to breath!

Lovely alfresco class in Pippa from Giggle Fit’s garden. And I got to meet her gorgeous pooch Alfie.

Wearing black leggings and a black top probably wasn’t my best choice as I was a tad warm in the final relaxation.

Keep planning

I found this while having a clear out. I love roses and there are some beauties in here. I can feel a trip to Attleborough coming on. But first I need to clear a space (or several) in my borders.

This year has been very good for my garden. I’ve had a lot of time to look at it and replan it (many times). Got a clear vision of what I want to do. Just need to start earning some money so I can pay for it. 😉

Fresh air

It seems that fresh air is very tiring for kittens too. They’ve been passed out for hours!

They spent a lot longer outside today. They both had lots of fun chasing butterflies and each other round the grass.

Dodo also learnt a valuable life lesson – the pond is wet! Hugo already knows this after the toilet incident. So hopefully they’ll both be wary of water now.

Two bridges

After a very productive day, ticking lots of my list, Buddy and I went for a long hack in the late afternoon sun.

Two bridges is one of my favourite hacks. Aptly names as you cross two bridges that go over the train tracks. The same track that runs at the bottom of my garden so I get to see a little bit of my house. Always makes me smile.

We even saw a train go past as we headed for home. Thankfully it didn’t go under the bridge when we were on it. We’d already had one spook on the first bridge so didn’t need one on the second.

It was a lovely way to end a pretty lovely weekend.