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!
Greetings from Wales! Yes I’m on my travels again. Flying visit to Celtic Manor for one of the very fun bit of my job – food and beverage choices for a conference I’m working on.
Anyone who knows me, knows I love anyone who feeds me (given my lack of ability to do it myself). So this is heaven. Today I’ve consumed 4 starters, 4 mains and 3 desserts.
As if that wasn’t enough there were 4 wines to choose from too. Finished the day with a cocktail and canapés.
Such fun! Sat with the chef chatting food options. Now I may be culinarily challenged, but I know a lot about food. I knew watching all those cooking programmes would come in handy. We’ve got a cracking menu for the two days.
Now retired to my room as my food-coma is setting in. And what a room.
It seems lots of things are benefitting from a bit of rain. Especially me. It was much clearer and cooler this morning after the downpour last night.
I could almost hear the plants rejoicing as I wandered round my garden. Amazing how one’s attitude to rain changes when you don’t get any! After weeks of bemoaning it, we’re back to craving it. We are so fickle…
The rose bush I was given to remember Tom and Nero was particularly happy today. So many blossoms and buds. It’s called hot chocolate as I wanted something to remind me of my beautiful black boys. As they both aged, they ended up being more brown and black. This rose has similar hues.
Both of the kittens have made nest either side of it in the border. I wonder if they know that it’s a cat’s rose.
After yesterday’s impromptu hack, today I took advantage of a withdrawal for a spot of impromptu show jumping at Carleton Riding Club’s show.
I was wondering if it would be too much for Buddy after camp. And with the very muggy weather today. But he handled the heat better than I did that’s for sure.
I made sure he was well watered. Me, not so much. I was too busy rushing around. Arrived early to help out the jumps out. Ended up stewarding for the first two classes before heading back to the lorry to get Buddy ready for our class.
I’d got him in the 70cm and 80cm. He’d jumped so well at camp, I wanted to test it in a competition environment.
My first challenge was getting my competition gear on. I was dripping from the humidity so had to peel my jeans off and my riding tights were sticking to me. Then my hair decided that it wasn’t going to go in a bun and kept escaping. So I scrapped the hairnet.
As it was hot, I decided to forgo Buddy’s SJ boots and ears. Mr Nappy Pants made a couple of appearances, but was dealt with quickly. For the most part, he flew round the 70cm. We had a fence at the beginning of the timed section, so I pushed him on for a fast 4-faults.
It was a good strategy, as we got the fastest 4-faults. So picked up 3rd place.
After a bucket of water for Buddy and a new course for me to walk and learn, it was time for the 80cm. Oh and I put on his ears and SJ boots for good measure. Not our best round as we had two down but another good time.
Overall, I was really happy with Buddy today. They were both twisty courses and he proved again he can handle the turns. And even though he had his little wobbles, he jumped everything I asked him to. Just need to work on keeping them all up now.
Buddy is so easy to take out. He stands on the lorry patiently waiting for his turn. He plays nicely with others in the warm up. There’s a lot to be said for that. He also acted like a brat waiting for his recovery mash and threw the bucket across the car park when it was empty.
Impromptu road trip over to Brampton to meet up with Katie and Tash for an afternoon hack.
It was one of my favourite kind of afternoons – catching up with friends, being outdoors and time with Buddy. 3 things that always put a smile on my face.
I slept really heavily last night. So of course, I woke up feeling even more tired. Why does that happen?!
Thankfully I didn’t have any meetings in my diary, so I took it easy. Well easy for me. Still got a lot done. Almost finished the camp laundry. It’s amazing how much washing Buddy and I can create in 3 days!
Tomorrow I’m going to tackle the cleaning. There’s a bit of that too!
It’s good to be home. Even if it means I have to fend for myself. I could get used to being catered for you know. It was lovely not to have to think what to eat. Just grab a plate and tuck in for the past few days.
Being back from camp, also means a mountain of washing, cleaning and tidying. Made a start on that. The glorious sunshine means the washing dries quickly.
While making one of many trips to the washing line, I stopped to admire this geranium. I love this one. Especially contrasting against the daisies. It was smothered in bees. So not only does it look good, it does good too.
My garden has exploded while I’ve been away. It was only 3 nights. Fingers crossed we get some rain soon as some bits are starting to look a bit sad. Looks like I will be getting the mower out this weekend. Cause I haven’t sweated enough this week…
Back home after another brilliant training camp. 3 nights away, 6 brilliant lessons, 2 great instructors, many wonderful friends, countless laughs and 2 very tired campers.
Well I definitely am. You’d like to think Buddy was too.
Today we finished off our lessons with more course jumping with jumps on angles. And a flat work lesson with no stirrups and counter-canter. It’s a wonder I could drive home!!
It was also a camp tinged with sadness as it could be the last camp for some wonderful horses and inspirational people.
This was my motto of the camp. And by Jove, I did just that! I couldn’t have asked more from Buddy. He tried his heart out for me. Even with my inept moments.
Thank you to everyone who made it such a special few days.
Less than a month till we’re back there for BIG camp. Eeek!! Best get the washing on….
Spotted these beautiful poppies across from the lorry this morning. What a glorious sight to bring start the day.
Two brilliant lessons today. First up a play on the XC course. Buddy was full of beans but jumped everything I asked of him. Really pleased with him.
After lunch, it was course jumping. Again, Buddy was up for it. He felt so balanced. We even got complemented on the quality of our canter. Something that rarely happens.
Buddy can be a bit of a mixed bag. When it’s good, my goodness it’s good. Today was very, very good.
This is the face of a rather sweaty Pip! And that was after I’d stuck my head under the tap. It’s been a tad toasty today. Not sure who sweated more – me or Buddy!
Two cracking lessons down. Lots of electrolytes and fluids down too. Buddy has found a new favourite snack: recover mash! Though he looked like he was wearing most of it by the time he’d slurped it up.
Finished the day by giving CPR to the shower plug hole to get it to drain. Thought for one moment I was going to flood the place. That wouldn’t have been a good look. Neither was the colour of the water when I’d finished in the shower.
I thought I’d try and take an arty photo of our boys in the forest. Ended up perfectly framing Katie between Buddy’s ears.
Couldn’t help smile. Well smile even more. It felt good to be back in the forest ready for another training camp.
Of course I might regret that statement after sweating my backside off tomorrow. I packed so many extra clothes. Unlike last time, it’ll be for sweating rather than shivering.
Tales, Tails and Talus 