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!
Today my Dad joined my Mum in turning 80! Unlike my Mum’s big day, the Comedy Car and I made it to be with him. As did my niece Amy from Manchester. It was her turn to have car trouble this week. So we were all very grateful to be together.
We headed over to see Mum. Sadly she was having a bad day. But we did our best to make sure Dad had a lovely day. A wonderful pub dinner and birthday cake.
Happy birthday Dad!
Today’s been a bit of an odd day. I’ve been really productive, but haven’t necessarily achieved anything.
I took time to sit in the conservatory listening to the birds sing and drinking my coffee. There’s so much to be grateful for in my life. It’s really easy to focus on all the things that aren’t where they could be or need to be sorted. There are a million and one of those!
There are also a million and one things to be enjoyed, appreciated and loved. They say it’s the simple things in life. Well today that was very true. Strong coffee, a bit of sunshine and a choir of songbirds.
One of my aims for 2024 is to get better at eating. Now I know for many people that might seem like a weird aim. Honestly, I forget to eat. Food is the first thing to go with me. I’ve been fasting accidently for years.
So tonight I made something nutritious and very yummy.
It wasn’t just my insides who were given a nutritious treat today. I had a lush facial this morning.
Not to be outdone, my mind and spirit were also treated. I spent the afternoon listening to informative podcasts and programmes.
Pretty sure that’s called a balanced day. I shall sleep well tonight.
My saddle has had to go to the workshop to have the flocking sorted. It’s gone soft at the back. Well I have had it 6 years now. No saddle meant no riding. And before you suggest I go bareback, you’ve met Buddy?!
I’ve been offered a saddle to try, but thought I’d take Buddy out for walkies instead. He’s very much like an oversized Labrador.
Funnily, as I was heading out, we bumped into a lady walking her black Lab. She laughed when I said mine was bigger than hers.
Buddy and I covered nearly 2 miles on shanks’ pony. He’s such a dude. He just wandered along with me. We definitely got our steps in.
I saw this and it resonated. Today has been a bit of a reflective day. Once more I’ve been touched by people’s compassion and support. It really is the little things that can make a big difference.
A message to check in, an invite for dinner, a smile, a hug, a kind word. They all count. And make me feel seen.
How stunning does this tree look?! It seems to have exploded almost overnight. Spring is definitely in the air. It was so mild today that I didn’t need a coat or gillet. And even then I was a bit warm.
After feeling utterly fed up yesterday, today I felt much more level. A good night sleep, a good pep talk and a good day really helped. Seems Positive Pip is coming back after Negative Nancy reared her head yesterday. Hopefully she’s back in her box again.
The things that I was fed up with yesterday haven’t changed. But my perspective has I guess. Sometimes you just have to accept what’s going on, sit with it and hope the answers will present themselves.
I haven’t been at my best today. I woke up feeling grotty again. And fed up. Ended up having a good cry over nothing.
I’m fed up of feeling poorly. Fed up of the constant ups and downs in my life right now. Fed up of feeling useless. Fed up of feeling overwhelmed, lost and frustrated.
I hate feeling like that. I know it’s a reaction to being ill. Being tired. And being stressed.
So I did what I know works to lift my mood. I took Buddy out for a hack. Fresh air, nature and the smell of horse is the best medicine. Buddy is also my Valentine so definitely right to see him today.
It was so mild today that I overlayered when I got to the yard. Found a hi-viz gillet in the back of the Comedy Car. Forgotten just how bright it is. It lifted my mood that’s for sure. How can you be blue when you’re dazzling!
OK so I may have overdone it this weekend. Today I felt grotty again. So tried to have a gentle day. Managed a short ride on Buddy. Typically I picked it when it was raining. Thank goodness for my Equidry. It’s really been a great purchase.
I even wore it to the football tonight. I was slightly worried that I might be a tad pungent, but all good. And I stayed dry and warm.
A rather odd match, but a win is a win. Even odder getting home. First the bridge was closed, so I had to walk round the houses to the next bridge. Then yomped back up the hill. I knew I needed petrol, but wasn’t expecting to have to go to 4 petrol stations before I could get some. Kinda assumed that petrol stations in the city centre would be open. But the first 3 shut at 10pm.
The petrol light was on by the time I arrived at the 4th petrol station. You can imagine my relief. Little bit of a metaphor for my life right now. I do feel a little like I’m running on fumes.
Right now, I’d happily take a week in the Caribbean… A girl can dream huh?!
I was definitely in the doghouse with Buddy. He made it very clear indeed that my absence had been noted. I guess that’s fair seeing as I hadn’t seen him since last Saturday!
He didn’t stay grumpy with me for long. He was soon grooming me and letting me cuddle him.
First time mucking out since Saturday too. That took a bit more out of me that I expected. But I guess I’m still recovering from the flu.
There’s a comfort to the mundane sometimes.
Well that’s a wrap! 3 long days of commentating at the Petplan Area Festival at Forest Edge. Not a clue how many combinations I introduced over the 3 days. There were some very challenging names to get my tongue around. Only had to apologise a few times for the appalling pronunciation. If you ever have to write a bio for a show and you have a complex name (or your horse does), do a girl a favour and give some notes. It really helps!
There were some beautifully, heartfelt bios to read out too. It was so clear the amount of love and joy these horses bring.
Once more I was amazed at the feats these creatures can perform. The trust they have in their riders. And it was wonderful to see so many riders and horses smiling over the days. It was clear that so many of the partnerships on display loved dancing together.
Dressage training has been very much under the spotlight recently. And there are some abhorrent practises out there. Over the past 3 days, I’ve seen the result that effective, sympathetic and consistent training can deliver. Without fail, every rider patted their horse at the end of the test. Regardless of how the test had gone.
I came away feeling very enlightened. I now understand so much more behind the judge’s comments on my dressage sheets. I also came away rather inspired. So I’ve set myself a goal. To do a Novice dressage test in 2024. I might come last, but for me it’s definitely about the journey, pushing my comfort zone and making memories with Buddy Boy.
Well if he’s still speaking to me after not seeing him for a whole week!! Might need to wait a little bit before I tell him we’re in dressage training. He probably thinks he’s retired…
Tales, Tails and Talus 