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!
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!
Headed over to Blickling Estate NT this morning to meet up with camp mates Katie Hall and Vicky Mary (and her daughter Jasmine). It was only last week that we were together at camp, but felt like longer. So great to catch up.
After an hour plus stroll round the estate, I introduced Jasmine to the now famous National Trust Hot Chocolate. Let’s just say she’s an even bigger fan of Blickling after that!
Her pony got a lot of attention too. He was very happy to say hello to the other children we met on our route. And we met another Buddy. This time a dog. He was a very good boy on his first time meeting the horses.
My Buddy’s ears pricked up when everyone said ‘good boy Buddy’. Which of course he was. In fact they all were. And so we’re us girls.
Spent a rather pleasant evening at Carleton Riding Club’s social night.
I’ve met so many people through horses. Some have become my horsey family. It’s lovely to spend time with likeminded people. And we don’t just talk horses…
Horses are the commonality that brings us together. The friendships are built from there. I have people in my life that I’d have never met if it wasn’t for horses.
My life would be very different without them, that’s for sure. In fact I was very miserable without a horse. Very thankful to have Buddy and the horsey people I have around me.
I ended up in Themelthorpe for lunch today. At Junction 21 Tea Room. What a wonderful find that was! Stunning views out across the fields. Made me very happy indeed. I do love it when I can’t see another house. Just nature.
It’s on the Marriotts Way. Somewhere that I’ve realised I’ve not explored yet. So I must rectify that. You can ride along it too I’ve heard. So I’ll have to bring Buddy next time.
Though it might make lunch a bit more of a challenge. Thankfully the owner is horsey, so you never know.
I had a rude awakening this morning when the front door went at 8am. It was the gardeners for next door. My lovely neighbour had popped round on Monday to ask if I wanted them to do my garden while they were doing his. He’s 98 and flipping amazing.
The front garden has been annoying me for a while now. It gone very wild. So took it as a sign that I needed to get it sorted.
He told me they were coming on Thursday. Seems he got the day wrong. So there’s me walking round the front garden in my dressing gown with the bloke talking about what needed trimming. Not really my forte, so left them to it.
Of course, then I had to listen to hedge trimmers, choppers and all manner of garden equipment. It was slightly distracting and a tad hard to concentrate.
The kittens were less than impressed. Especially when one of the blokes’ dog came through the ‘cat hole’ and ran round the garden. He was having so much fun, he didn’t want to go back.
After they’d left, I thought I’d best go and do a bit of weeding now I could actually see what’s there. Well till the rain came again.
Oh well, at least I have neatly trimmed bushes (insert your own jokes here).
What is it with cats and horse stuff?! Hugo has decided all of Buddy’s stinky stuff is his favourite new sleep place. He spent most of the day there!
He was most disgruntled when I moved him to start washing it. Till he saw the pile of clean stuff and curled up on that instead.
The camp clean up is getting there. As is the inbox wrangling I did today. All 5 of them! The joys of multiple clients.
I also got some surprise visitors when Martine and her sister popped round with some flowers to say thank you for everything I did for the fundraising and show. The mark of her as a person that even though she’s poorly, she still goes out of her way to recognise people. What a woman!
The big camp clear up began in ernest. Four loads of laundry done, several still to go. Managed to get some dry before the heavens opened. Now my conservatory looks a bit like a Chinese laundry.
It’s amazing how much stuff I get through being away. And don’t get me started on Buddy’s stuff…!
In between loads, I tried to rest. It’s been an intense few weeks and I’m feeling it a bit. Thankfully I had a lay in this morning. Only cause my alarm clock isn’t working. Looks like we had a power cut last night and now it won’t turn on. So that’s been added to the ever growing to do list.
This afternoon, my conservatory doubled up as the counting house as I bagged up the donations from yesterday’s show. Incredible generosity show at both events we’ve had collecting tins.
Tomorrow I’ll tackle more on my lists. And it’s back to the laptop for me.
Well we did it! Today’s show at Carleton Riding Club was in honour of this amazing woman – Martine Holden.
I’ve know Martine for a long time now. She’s one of the few people I actively seek out for advice with Buddy. She’s the reason I wanted to go to BHS camp. Now I’ve lost count of how many I’ve been to. She’s the reason I joined Carleton Riding Club. Now I’m on the committee.
So when we decide to do a fundraiser for the charity of her choice, I jumped at the chance to be play a part. Not sure I realised I would have to walk 6.5 miles though!
It’s been a fabulous day indeed. Seeing everyone in their hi-viz competing was just brilliant. People really embraced the cause and the chance to honour Martine.
There was a lot of love shown for her. I haven’t done the final count yet, but we’re heading towards £2,000 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Martine, you’ll never know how much you’ve done for me. So I will pay it forward and be more Martine…
On the train home from a brilliant day in London helping to run the AGM for one of my clients.
I wasn’t feeling so brilliant when the alarm went off this morning. I’m not sure I’ll ever join the 5am club. It isn’t my best time! I can do it. I’m just not at my most scintillating.
Thankfully after a few coffees and a croissant normal service had been resumed. The whole day ran to plan. Even with a couple of shuffles in the agenda. We had a hybrid meeting. So people in the room as well as on zoom. I was there to make sure both ran smoothly.
Another good day in the office. Virtually and physically.
Back home after another great camp. It was an emotional week for many reason. Camp is such a happy place for me. Time away from it all with good mates and Buddy.
So many more memories to add to the camp collection. And another camper rosette too. We came 4th in the jumping competition. I know I’ve ridden better but we went clear and it was a meaty course.
We won’t mention the utter car crash that was our dressage test. Good to know that even though we’re making progress in so many areas, we still make an absolute horlicks of pretty trotting.
Still there were definitely more pros than cons to my camp experience.
Talking of experiences, the journey back was certainly one.
The fan belt went on the Buddymobile not long after I’d left Swaffham. Managed to limp it to the garage at Necton. Fun times with no power steering!!
My knight in Hi-Viz then drove to Dereham to get a replacemen fan belt and fitted it in the pouring rain. Buddy was as cool as a cucumber on the lorry while we waited. I was definitely not. I was rocking the drowned rat, overly tired and slightly emotional look.
Still we were soon on our way again. Then got stuck on A47 and my diesel went from 1/4 tank to light on. Cue minor freak out!! But as soon as we started moving, it went back up to 1/4 tank. Bizzare.
Stopped at the next petrol station to get more, just in case.
It took us nearly 3 hours to get back. A journey that normally takes just over an hour. I’ll have to sort the lorry out on Sunday. For now, it’s bed for me ready for my 5:15am alarm call tomorrow as I’m working in London for the day. No rest for me!!
Another fab day at camp. This morning it was a play on the XC field. Many moons ago, Buddy and I had an issue with tyre jumps. So I’ve done the classic ‘let’s not do them’.
Today I faced that particular demon and not only that, we jumped the big tyres for good measure. Buddy was loving it! And I had the biggest smile.
Oh and the best bit?! I’ve got another cracking photo for the collection. I can feel a camp montage coming on.
Tales, Tails and Talus 