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!
Anyone else’s cat like marmite crisps?! The kittens go mad whenever I open a packet. I get mugged for them.
I’m a huge fan of all things marmite. I know it’s not everyone’s thing. But it’s very much mine. Nothing like marmite on toast to make the world feel a better place. And let’s face it, we can do with that right now.
It’s been a tough week with one thing and another. So I finished it with a bit of time with my best Buddy. He definitely makes my world better.
So today I did something significant. Something that I’ve been putting off for many years. Something that might sound small to some or insignificant to others. But to me, it was a moment worth recognising.
I bet you’re on the edge of your seats wondering what it was?! Well, I donated my wedding dress to The Big C Bridal Boutique. And I am very proud of me.
It was bought from a picture, shipped over from the States and thankfully I loved it. It made me feel elegant and was perfect for a beach wedding.
When my marriage ended 11 years ago, it moved with me. I couldn’t part with it then. And for the past 10 years it’s sat in a box under my spare bed.
I’ve been wanting to donate it for years, but time marched on and it never made it to the top of the list. Today was the day. For some reason, I thought it would be a difficult and onerous thing. But it took less than a minute to hand it over. And I felt weirdly lighter afterwards.
So it seems that today’s lesson is to stop putting things off cause they might be difficult. Just do it and move on.
One of the advantages to a sharp frost is that it makes poo picking so much easier. Love collecting all the frozen nuggets from Buddy’s fields.
They’re lighter as well so the barrow isn’t too heavy. The mud’s frozen, so no getting stuck or sliding about.
The downside – I can’t feel my face, hands or feet. And it takes hours to thaw out. Me, not the poo. As an equestrian in winter, I’ll take any little win I can.
Still feeling a tad crappy when I woke up. So stayed in bed and got more sleep. When I’m ill, sleep really is the best thing for me.
It was a lovely sunny day, so I once I’d gotten up, I sat in the conservatory soaking it up and recharging my batteries. It was still rather chilly so I broke out the blankets too. It does make me giggle as I feel like a 90 year old wrapped in a blanket with my cats. Still I was warm and the kittens appreciated it.
Being forced to slowdown has given me a chance to reflect on things. 2023 was a challenging year for me, but a successful one nonetheless. I haven’t really thought much about 2024 and what I want to achieve. So today I did just that. I’m starting to create my vision for the next year and beyond.
But mostly, I enjoyed the sunshine.
Woke up feeling a little hoarse. Typically I’d had two really good night’s sleep and was feeling excited about the new year. Then bang, my body decides it’s going to be ill on me.
So I took my cotton head to the laptop but gave up after a few hours and dragged my snotty nose to the sofa.
The kittens were thrilled to have an afternoon of snuggling on the sofa. Me? Not so much. Till I saw the sleet and snow outside. Then I was rather grateful I didn’t have to leave the house.
Fear not, normal service will be resumed soon. Nothing more sleep, good food and lots of lucozade won’t fix.
4 years ago I started this blog. So Happy Anniversary me!
I started it to chart my recovery from a broken talus. Little did I know it would cover Covid, highs, lows, tears, laugh, triumphs and disasters.
It might not have been the success that I’d hoped. But I’m not sure I started it for that. I started it for me. If others get something from it, that’s a bonus.
So if you’ve read any of my posts, thank you.
The Buddymobile had its first outing of 2024. Buddy and I headed over to Thetford Forest to meet up with Vicky Harris and her gorgeous baby boy, Roo.
Buddy can be quite the calming influence. Roo definitely seemed very chilled in his company. I think a new bromance has been formed.
It was lovely to take Buddy somewhere new too. I could have ridden round for hours. So lucky to be able to get out and about. And it was relatively dry under hoof! Though it seems Buddy brought a lot of mud with him as I failed to groom my horse properly. Epic groom fail there! Buddy was very happy to embrace his bog monster breeding.
Vicky brought some soup for lunch as well. Now I love anyone who feeds me. So Broccoli and Stilton soup went down a treat when we got back.
All in all a wonderful day.
So the saying for New Year is ‘out with the old and in with the new’. Well as I didn’t see the new year in, I thought I’d do something else instead. So out with my very old baking tray and in with my shiny new one. Not sure it has the same ring to it.
The old baking tray has served me well. To be honest, I’m not sure how old it is. That says something about my cookery skills.
A trip to B&M can be a bit dangerous. Today I was very restrained. I went for envelopes. Came out with a baking tray, air fryer liners, cat treats, doormat, 12 kitkats and some washing up liquid. Oh and the envelopes. So not only was today out and in, it was also in and out.
I entered a photo of Buddy into a competition last year. It won! It was of Buddy doing his best ‘Pat Butcher’ impression.
Today the prizes arrived. A new saddle pad for Buddy and a snood for me. I’m sure Buddy will be thrilled. I know I will be when I wear my snood. I’m a big fan of a snood.
In fact, I’m a big fan of the word snood. It’s so descriptive and vague all at the same time. Makes you wonder where it came from.
First hack of 2024 for Buddy and me. And the first time I’ve ridden for over 2 weeks. It felt so good to be back in the saddle. If a little weird to start off with.
We went for a lovely wander round the village with Carla and Missy. Now Missy and Buddy are firm friends. They’re so relaxed in each other’s company. Carla and I chatted the whole way round too.
Got to ride in my new Equidry coat as well. My gosh, it’s so comfy. I was very impressed indeed.
Tales, Tails and Talus 