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!
This is the face of a horse who isn’t impressed with the fact that his Christmas holiday is over. He’s had over two weeks off. We’ve done a lot in 2023, so I thought he deserved a bit of a break.
I was expecting a few fireworks after his time off. Buddy had other ideas. He seemed most put out that he had to work.
He was very pleased to see me though. And I was very pleased to see him.
I’m back home after an emotionally exhausting few days with my parents. Mum isn’t doing well at all. And as we end 2023, it looks like there are more stormy seas to navigate for us as a family.
Quite apt as the view from the hospital earlier was of very stormy seas indeed. The pier was very low in the water. Or the sea was very high. I felt a bit seasick watching the waves.
I’d hoped to start 2024 with a clean slate. But that’s unrealistic I guess as you get older. The challenges seem to get tougher and last longer.
Normally I’d finish the year with a round up. But honestly, my brain is mush from all the driving, trying to stay up beat and not bursting into tears at any given moment. So forgive me, it’ll have to wait.
For now, I’m proud that I’ve navigated 2023 relatively unscathed. I’m hoping 2024 is kind to us all.
I saw this bin at the hospital today. Made me laugh. So many jokes to make. And so many questions! Who decides what waste is offensive? When did that even become the term?
Do we live in a world where everything and anything can be deemed offensive? Or is that’s just how it seems. We seem to have lost a lot of the joy and things are all very serious.
I’m saddened by so many things I see today. There are many sides to every story I know. Right now, there seems to be a lot of very loud voices drowning out the voices of reason. Common sense is dying. Or maybe I’m just getting older and fed up of all the bullshit.
Whatever the reason, this bin isn’t big enough for all the crap right now…
Another day visiting another hospital. It’s been a reoccurring thing over the past few years. I’ve come down to see my parents. Mum’s still in hospital in Brighton. It’s the first time I’ve visited her here. So another hospital to add to the list of hospitals I’ve visited one of my parents in. I have told her that she doesn’t get a prize if she ticks them all off!
I loved this mural on the car park wall. It’s captured the highlights of East Sussex. Brighton and Hove hold a special place in my heart. My Dad is Brighton born and bred. I spend many hours visiting my grandparents and Nanna there. And I lived in both for many years too.
I’ve often wondered why the railings, buses and taxis are all painted a shade of Aqua. I still haven’t found out. But I did find out that it’s called ‘Brighton Blue’ and changes shade slightly along the promenade to become ‘Hove Green’. Who knew?!
I saved a life today. Well I gave blood, so pretty close. Donation no. 63. While I was lying there, I realised I was under a disco ball. It reminded me of this quote.
So next time I’m feeling battered, I’m going to tell myself I’m a disco ball. I’m quite like the thought of being a magical ball of light.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without World’s Strongest Man. It’s such a tradition. I grew up watching Geoff Capes, Bill Kazmaier, Jon-Páll Sigmarsson and Magnús Ver Magnússon. Legends of the sport. And yes, it’s a sport.
Then we moved on to Mariusz Pudzianowski, Zydrunas Savickas and Brian Shaw. Giants indeed.
Now it’s the turn of Tom Stoltman and a new crop of athletes. The loads they carry are insane. The feats they perform, jaw-dropping. Tonight they were throwing a kettle bell that weighed more than me over a 15 foot bar!!
Puts my annual Christmas tree carry challenge to shame…
Back home after a lovely Christmas in Suffolk. Simon and Harry always make me feel so welcomed. It really is my home away from home. And they’re family for sure!
I was welcomed home by my family. The kittens haven’t left me since I got back. Maybe they missed me. Or maybe it was cause I came home with cat food.
Buddy was pleased to see me too. Maybe he missed me. Or maybe it was cause I came home with haylage.
You draw your own conclusions…
I got to spend a lot of time having cuddles with this rather cute baby today. Well Christmas is about baby Jesus. So kinda fitting.
Who am I kidding?! Christmas is about eating lots, presents and spending it with the people you love. I got to spend most of it with 11 dogs. Definitely got my puppy fix.
Merry Christmas one and all! I hope you’ve had a good one. I have a full belly and a full heart. And that’s not just the Christmas spirit talking.
And so it begins. The now traditional ‘eat my body weight in finger food’ has started in earnest.
I appreciate that my body weight isn’t that much in the grand scheme of things, but I do my best. I love finger food. Well I love anyone who feeds me. But that’s another story.
With the big day tomorrow, I hope you all enjoy the festivities. Whatever it means to you. Whatever your traditions are.
Christmas isn’t my favourite time of the year for so many reasons. But again, I do my best. So let’s raise a glass to doing your best!
I have a mouse in my lorry cab! I kid you not. Only me huh?! I’ve found some droppings. So it’s time for an eviction as I don’t want any cables gnawed.
Off I went to the local hardware shop and bought a humane mouse trap. Let’s face it, I can use all the karma points I can get right now. Two nights I’ve left it in the lorry. Two nights it’s been triggered but no mouse.
So new plan. I brought the lorry home to give it a good clean. While it was here, Hugo took one for the team and got to have a snooze in the cab. It was suggested that the smell of cat might deter a mouse. To be honest, my first plan was to put Dodo in the cab as he’s more of a killer than Hugo. Dodo had other ideas and didn’t want to play ball.
As you can see, Hugo was thrilled! I joined him in the cab for a coffee while I tried to get him to embrace the mouse hunt. He want playing ball either.
The irony is that I’ve saved 3 mice in the past week from the kittens. Maybe word has gotten round that I’m a soft touch.
Anyway, the trap is set for night 3. So fingers crossed the smell of peanut butter is enough to lure the little critter.
Makes me think of the poem: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.’
Tales, Tails and Talus 