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!
After mucking out, I popped up to check Buddy’s leg. He had a moment yesterday during his constitutional when faced with two steam engines. He held it together rather well all things considered. They are really noisy. Lots of rattling and clanking. But he did have a little dance as they passed by.
On my way up the field, I spotted this rather tall tower of poop. It made me giggle as it looked like some sort of modern art. Do you think I could sell it to the Tate Modern?!
Head over to Easton College for Carleton’s May Show. I was there to steward the show jumping. Wasn’t expecting to herd everyone into the arena to shelter from a thunderstorm. The rain was biblical at times and the thunder echoed round the arena.
Thankfully it passed quickly and we could get back on with the jumping. It was lovely seeing everyone in action. Of course, I did wish I was jumping. We’ll be back to it when Buddy is all better again.
At least I get to spend time watching the action, supporting others and catching up with my horsey family.
Buddy Boy turned 14 today. Sadly it wasn’t the best weather for him. Rather damp as we headed out for our walk.
Usually we’d go for a long ride together. This year it’s a bit different. I wonder if Buddy minded. I definitely missed it. I didn’t miss Buddy acting like a 3 year old when he heard the steam rally. Cause he’s never heard that before!
Probably not my best plan. We didn’t go that close. And assumed that as he’s experienced it 7 years now, he’s be OK. That was my first mistake. Never assume with horses. Or it could have been the boy racer car backfiring. We had it all today. And we were only out 15 mins.
I did get back in the saddle today though as a friend let me ride her horse. Maybe that was Buddy’s birthday treat too? He looked quite surprised when spotted me.
Happy Birthday Buddy Boy. You really are My Absolute Diamond.
A while back, I got a letter to say that there was a safety recall on The Comedy Car. Apparently the hood striker could fail. Cause it’s not terrifying enough driving the Comedy Car at speed without the risk that the bonnet could fly open…?!?!
Finally got round to booking it in. Well after much discussion about whether the safety recall was on the original part or the replacement part that I had to buy in 2019 when the bonnet wouldn’t close properly. Airing on side of caution, the garage booked it in.
Being a rare breed, there was only one place I could take it locally. Thankfully it wasn’t too far from the chiro’s. So booked it in for a day I was working.
Could I leave it all day? Umm no. It took the chap 10 mins to do it last time. Well we could offer you a courtesy car for £15? Umm that’s not really a courtesy if I have to pay for it.
Finally agreed that I would come at my allocated time and wait while they did it. Hurrah! I arrived to find the paperwork said I was leaving it. Umm nope. I have another meeting to get to. OK you can wait….
An hour and 10 mins it took them!! Still at least it’s done. And this sign made me giggle. I was rather bored by this time I can tell you.
Buddy has his special shoe put on today. Just call him Cinderella! It’s called a spider plate apparently. My fab farrier made it for him after having a chat with the vet. Honestly, I’m not kidding when I say Buddy has a crack support squad!
To make sure he’s not wonky, he made a slightly different version for his other front hoof. Everything crossed it helps his recovery.
I love the green putty. Green is definitely Buddy’s colour. Well he is an Irish boy after all.
I’m grateful for my crack support squad today too. There have been lots of tears today. Things have been building up for a while. I know I’ve been drifting into the rumble strip of life. So today I let the tears flow. And took my oversized Labrador and his Cinderella shoes out for his constitutional. It helped.
One day we will go to the Ball Buddy Boy. Till then, walking it is. Let’s face it, he’s definitely my Prince Charming.
I treated myself to some new yard gloves. Well the ones I have been using have definitely seen better days. In fact, I didn’t realise how bad they were till I put the new ones on. And promptly stuck to the wheelbarrow handle.
Love the motto on the packaging. Not sure how much gloves are going to live, explore and discover?! One things for sure, they will discover a lot of poo!
Oh my days, I was one very pooped Pip this morning. I didn’t sleep that well as I couldn’t switch my brain off. The downside to an adrenaline high day yesterday. I’m not sure people get the concentration levels you need to commentate. Sounds so easy, it’s just talking right?! Nope. You need eye in the back of your head to see who’s starting and finishing. Ears everywhere listening the the jump judges and officials. And be able to know where up to 5 horses are at a time. Oh and keep everyone up-to-date and mildly amused at the same time.
I love doing it, so not complaining at all.
Thankfully caffeine was on the agenda for today as I met up with a friend for coffee and a catch up. That turned into coffee, tea cakes, 2 hours of chatting and yet more coffee.
Well we can’t meet for a hack at the moment, so we did the next best thing. A coffee date.
Another successful stint of commentating today. This time back at the Area 14 & 8 RC ODE at Poplar Park. The weather was perfect as was the going. The same can’t be said for my pronunciation of all of the horse and riders. I did my best as always.
Helen and I have a fab partnership now. Even thought we only do this together once a year, it’s like no time has passed. She even created her own version of the horse tracker to make sure things ran as smoothly as possible. It worked. Not a clue how many combinations we got round today. I know for sure that there were no fallers on XC today.
It was as inspiring as ever seeing so many happy faces come through the finish line – horses and riders. Till next year…
Think the reality of Buddy’s injury is starting to sink in. Six months feels like a long time. And it could be longer depending on how his rehab goes.
No camps, no lessons, no clinics, no competitions, no trips, no adventures. Well not for a while yet. These are the things that light me up and make us, well us.
Once again the goals that I set at the beginning of the year seem very far away again.
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m also very grateful that he will be OK. The relief is still very much there.
I know I’m not the only person who’s going through this or has been through it. But it’s the first time I’ve been through this with him. I didn’t have this much time off when I broke my ankle.
Covid did put pay to so many things so 2020 wasn’t a great year for us. It really is true that it’s quicker to heal a bone than a ligament.
I can reframe it till the cows come home. Right now I’m sad, frustrated and disappointed. Again. So taking time to work through those emotions. I’m sure there will be many more ups and downs to come.
Looks like I am going to have to up the cheerleader role again and help others shine. Starting tomorrow by commentating at Poplar Park at the RC ODE.
As you can see Buddy is clearly traumatised by the whole experience. My oversized Labrador is enjoying the snacks.
I did a good deed today. Ended up being a bit of an adventure too. I sold a jacket. The buyer wanted it for a showing show tomorrow. She was getting a bit stressed as she wasn’t sure how she could get to me to pick it up.
As she wasn’t too far away, I said I’d drop it off. Wasn’t expecting it to be one of those ‘round the houses’ kind of journeys. Still we finally met in a supermarket car park. And she was very pleased with the jacket. So all ended well.
Tales, Tails and Talus 