Here comes the sun! Lunch break in the sunshine.

Buddy and I left the ground for the first time in 2021. We tackled an exercise by Tina Fletcher. One good thing about being ill, it’s given me a chance to find some new training exercises and focus on my learning again. I’m back to webinars of an evening.

We were a little bit rusty, but it was a really fun exercise. I’m not sure who had the bigger smile?!

I also did my first Pilates class of the year too. I’m going to be feeling both tomorrow me thinks.

It’s amazing how inspiration can be found everywhere. What Captain Tom Moore achieved last year was incredible. He definitely left a legacy. I hope others will follow in his footsteps.

Lovely day catching up with friends. First a walk with my friend Colette and her dog Bonnie. Talk about brain freeze as it was so cold.

Then a relaxed hack out with our hacking friends.

Sadly there was a number of fly tipping around our route. It makes me so sad and angry. Such a lack of respect for our beautiful countryside. As well as causing issues for the flora and fauna. Thankfully it wasn’t an issue for our boys today.

Pretty sure everyone missed me. Nero especially as he’s been glued to my side. Every time I sit down, he’s there.

I’m surrounded at the moment as I have kittens on either side.

Buddy was pleased to see me too. I’m very lucky to have such loving animals.

Popped to M&S to get these bad boys today. So looking forward to trying these tomorrow.

I love Marmite! I know but everyone does. But I’m a big fan. Hope they’re good.

I had a good journey home and an now flopped on the sofa. The boys were very happy to see me. It’s good to be home.

Another job off the list for my parents. The ice in their freezer was starting to take over a bit. So my Dad and I attacked it. Bless him he ran out of puff so took on a supervisory role.

It was about halfway through that I realised I should have done a before and after photo.

Doing things like this give me such a feeling of satisfaction and I know it’ll help my Dad.

And yes, I was singing the songs in my head as I chiselled through the ice and frost. 😉

5 years ago I said my final goodbye to Murphy. Today I sat in my parents’ dining room looking at the pictures they have of him. I love this photo as he looks huge! He was in full on stallion mode.

It was the hardest and easiest decision I’ve had to make. I gave him his wings so he could soar to thank him for the times he helped me fly. I took away his pain even though it broke my heart. I thank him every day for the lessons he taught me and for the bruises, scars and tears along the way. He helped shape me as the rider I am today. My life was richer for him. I met so many people as a result of being his partner. He saved me from myself. He prepared me for Buddy. He will always be etched in my heart.

He was then and will always be my Smurfles. 🐴😍

This came up on my memories today. It made me giggle. But it also made me miss competing, lessons and clinics.

I’m also missing celebrating with people for their achievements. Not just my horsey friends. My running friends who get a PB. My dog agility friends. In fact anyone who pushes themselves to achieve something different. I’ve always enjoyed the Sunday evening reports.

My FB feed isn’t as rich as it once was. I’m missing planning what we’re going to do and where we’re going to go.

I miss those pre-competition nerves. I miss checking the lorry (even when I know everything’s onboard). I miss the exhilaration when it’s all done.

Some days lockdown is harder than others…