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!
We made it! The last day of January. What a weird month it’s been. Not just for me. It was a reoccurring theme when I was peopling this morning. So many people seemed to have had an odd one.
But one of the clients reminded me of this quote – “Saying goodbye to January means welcoming the next chapter with open arms.” It made me smile.
So here’s to the next chapter. Let’s see what February has to bring…
I love the smell of pines. It’s such a comforting smell. Reminds me of living in Sweden. So walking through these woods was heaven. Bert and I stopped off for a wander on our way back from lunch. My goodness, it’s good for my senses to be around trees.
It’s also good for my stomach to have a lush lunch. I met up with a friend. He’s nearly 85, but we still have so much to talk about. Mostly horses. It’s fascinating listening to his stories of eventing and farming over the decades.
It’s one of the things I appreciate about the horse world. It’s very egalitarian. I have met so many people through horses. From all walks of life. In many age brackets. The common thread is a love of horses.
And horses are by far the best thing I’ve found for my heart and soul. But to be fair, being in nature comes a close second. Apparently you can ride in these woods. Now that would be a wonderful…
This is the face of a hacking rockstar. It’s a very handsome face too. Today Buddy had to overcome a lot of our hack. I hadn’t realised they were picking up the sugar beet. He put his brave pants on to walk under the dinosaur. Yes I’m sure it’s got a technical name. But it looks like a dinosaur hanging over the road. It also made a bit of a racket as it picked the beets up. It also made one hell of a racket as it dropped said beets into the massive lorry.
That made him jump, but still he held it together. Said massive lorry then came up behind him. Thankfully it turned right as we turned left.
Next we went past a fence being erected with banging and drilling. Lots of cars, dogs, prams and even a few cyclist. It seemed a rather popular time to go out.
Still he held it together. His undoing was a man walking round the corner. Fair enough, his little bucket was full.
After that spook, he didn’t break his stride with a cacophony of gunshots. Total hacking rockstar!
I have to say that there were some really lovely people out today. Who stopped, were patient and let us have space. It really does make all the difference. I’m also very grateful to have such a trusting and grounded horse. That makes all the difference too.
Buddy excelled himself in the mud stakes today. He clearly felt that he needed some sort of mudpack spa treatment. Because he’s worth it!
Lord only knows how he managed to cover himself like that. Can’t help laughing at his precision coverage.
And I know what you’re thinking. No I didn’t attempt to get it off as it was too wet still. Yes I rode like that. In the rain. Which cleaned my coat, but sadly not Buddy’s legs.
It’s that time of the year, when my thumbs splits. I have no idea how or why, but I do know that it blooming hurts!
Sometimes it’s both thumbs, sometimes just one. Sometimes both sides. It’s a very odd thing.
It makes you realise how often you use your thumbs…. I may have said ouch a lot today as I’ve caught it numerous times.
Bert met up with his two sisters today. He was meant to meet up with some of his brothers too, but sadly that didn’t happen. To be honest, three Sprockers was enough!
He met his match in Olive. It was so funny watching them roughhouse and tear round the dog field. Tilly was a bit more reserved to start off with. But soon came out of her shell and joined in the fun.
They were having a lot of fun going through the tunnels they have there. That’s where Olive met her match as she wasn’t a fan. Bert and Tilly were loving it!
Bert slept the whole way back. And again after his much needed shower. He was rather muddy! In fact, he’s spent most of evening asleep too! He was one tired puppy…
Bert learned a valuable life lesson today. Sometimes electric fencing hurts! We were walking past the sheep and he got a bit too close to the fencing. Next thing I knew he was howling like a banshee. Poor boy got a zap. Needless to say, he stayed further away from the fencing after that.
In fact, he learnt a lot today. It was week 3 of Puppy School and I’m seeing huge improvements each week. It’s lovely to hear the trainer comment that he’s changing and improving week on week too. She’s first met him as at 9 weeks. He’s now 16 weeks. Maybe Storm Bert is calming…
Today we worked on ‘settle’. He carried the good work when he got home, sitting happily in the conservatory while I had my lunch. Well until he turned into a guard dog. Still not a clue what he was growling and barking at. Whatever it was, he show it…
I took Bert out for his constitutional this morning. It was a very grey and gloomy affair that’s for sure.
I’m getting rather fed up of the gloom. I’m craving sunshine and moaning I’m too hot. Still there were glimmers of hope. I saw daffodils, crocuses and snowdrops starting to push through the soil. Spring is on its way.
Things do look quite green at the moment, but that’s cause there’s so much moss about! A byproduct of the damp conditions I’m guessing.
I’m really enjoying taking Bert out for his little walks. He’s 16 weeks old now, but still can’t do too much. He doesn’t seem to get he has a limit, so I’m being very careful with my baby boy.
I do look like a Michelin Man with all my layers, but at least I’m kinda warm. Most walks I come back and I can’t feel my face! Good job I’m used to spending a lot of time outdoors.
Bert did his bit for Carleton Riding Club today. He helped us sort out the jumps we have stored at a local venue. We marked them too so it’s clear which ones are ours.
He was very helpful and definitely didn’t get himself wrapped round them. Or round a table. Or chair. He started ‘free range’ but a pony came into the arena, so he went back on the long line. Then became a bit of a trip hazard…
We’re all volunteers on the club Committee. We give our time willingly to support the club we love. It supports many people to do the things they love as well. All we ask is that our members do a little bit of volunteering too. Think Bert is setting a very good example already.
I’m looking forward to our next clinic where Buddy will be the one jumping them.
This delivery today sent Bert into a bit of a frenzy. It also turned my stomach somewhat. I’m not the best with animal body parts. Bert’s delight outweighs my squeamishness.
I may have used tongs to pick up a chicken foot though. Bert made short work of it. His little happy chirrups would melt even the hardest of hearts.
Sometimes it’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing something new. But I’m still not ready to face rabbit ears…
