Today is World Mental Health Day. Sad that we have to have a day to raise awareness of something that we all have. Everyone struggles from time to time. Some are better at dealing with it, some are better at hiding it and some of us, like me, have made friends with our demons.

We all have good day. We all have bad days. We are all unique, incredible and human.

I have days where my demons get the upper hand, but I’ve learnt over the years how to quiet them. I’ve found the things that make me happy. Being outside, good friends, Buddy, Bert and the kittens to name a few.

Whatever you might be going through, remember you are loved, you are important and you are never alone…

Today I had two very different experiences with the Egyptian Geese out on the fields. First up was Bert, who thought they were magnificent fun! He was having a blast trying to catch them.

He failed miserably as they can fly. While he has Dumbo Ears and can jump high, he hasn’t taken off yet. The geese just moved on to another part of the field.

Buddy, on the other hand, thought they were evil winged creatures. Even though he has seen them every year since I bought him, we still have to go through this every year. The first encounter each year is usually a tense affair. He really doesn’t seem to get them. Fast forward a few days and he’ll get over himself.

Neither he nor Bert seem to understand that they are flapping because of them! Just goes to show the impact we have on others. Well if we stop to notice it. Bert was too busy yapping and Buddy was too busy moonwalking and throwing shapes…

This morning we headed over to Bath University for a tour of their sports facilities. It’s where world class athletes from many disciplines come together to train. It was fascinating watching the ways that the coaches and athletes interacted. We watched some judo, tennis and swimming training sessions. It was very inspiring to see.

Speaking of interacting, this afternoon was all about coaching conversations. Now this is definitely more in my comfort zone! We had a number of riders come in as guinea pigs so the coaches could practise their questioning. Now as this is something I do most days, I volunteered to be one of the riders. Very interesting to be on the other side of the questions.

I could see that some of the coaches were out of their comfort zones, so it was lovely to support them in something I find easy. I’m having some fascinating conversations, meeting some really interesting people and learning loads.

Last day tomorrow. Then home to Bert, Buddy and the kittens. It’s the first time I’ve left Bert. I can’t believe how much I’ve missed him. I know he’s being well looked after though…

Look who I found in the hotel. Seems I am being reminded of Norfolk. Apparently Nelson liked to holiday in Bath. Who knew?! Made me laugh when I walked in and saw him.

I feel like I need to come back here and explore properly. There is no time as the course is full on. But my goodness, I am loving it so far…

Today was all about self. I’ve only had a couple of imposter syndrome moments, I am the only non-riding coach in the cohort. There are some impressive coaches here! I guess I bring a different viewpoint to the conversations.

My Corporate background has put me in good stead for today’s psychometric testing. It was scarily accurate too. It’s interesting that my results have changed over the year as I have worked on my blind spots.

I’ve definitely softened over the years. But then you catch more flies with honey than vinegar as my Namna used to say… To think people used to be scared of me. I’m not the Rottweiler I used to be. Yes, people really did call me that!

Check out my home for the next few days. Lush huh?! I’m in Bath. First time I’ve ever been here and I get luxury for sure.

I’m here for a 3-day residential training course. It’s the first part of a 6 month programme I’m doing on Applied Psychology for Equestrian Coaches.

I did the Foundation level last year and loved it. This is the Advanced level. Bring on the learning! Though my brain is a bit mushed from the two podcasts I listened to on the way down. Both about our belief systems and how they might not actually be our beliefs after all. I won’t bore you with the details, but it was fascinating stuff. And made the journey go faster.

I arrived in good time, so headed down to have a wander round Bath. Gosh it’s stunning. Before heading back to the hotel. There are two things I enjoy about staying in a hotel. Room service is one (hake and chips in case you’re wondering). A bath is the other. As I don’t have one at home, I try to have one in a hotel.

Unfortunately my room only has a shower. So it’s no bath in Bath. I’ll see if I get time to pop to the Roman ones while I’m here…

Meet All Weather Bert! First outing in his new waterproof coat. Though like a good equestrian, I keep calling it a rug. It’s a bit big for him, but hoping he’ll fill out into it. He’s looking very svelte after his haircut. Who knew he had so much fluff?!

I took him out for a walk between meeting and between showers. It’s not been the best weather-wise..

What has been the best was the Butternut Squash soup I made in my soup maker! It’s my best batch yet. I put some mild chilli powder in it. I could have eaten the lot, but I restrained myself. 3 more portions are in the freezer. Who knew I would be good at making soup? And before you say it, I know the soup maker does all the hard work. As someone culinarily challenged, I’m impressing myself!

I needed the calories as I was giving blood tonight. Donation no. 66 done and dusted.

Oh and I paid the balance for Naples.

Lovely ending the week with a few more positives in the bank.

I’m a big fan of alternative therapies. I love a spot of reiki, a sound bath, energy healing or a crystal or two. I’ve had chiropractic treatment for years. I meditate (that’s very much a work in progress). I’m a firm believer that your body knows how to heal itself. So when a friend suggested I go for Bowen Technique, I thought I’d give it a whirl. I figured it would help with my ribs.

Bright and early, I headed for my 8:30am appointment. Slightly trepidatious, but with an open mind. It was weird and super cool. She instantly spotted I’m a wonky donkey. So worked on straightening me up, evening my leg length and giving my rib cage more space. I definitely felt the benefits of it. Well once my body had processed it all and settled into it. To start off with, I felt most peculiar.

As I was leaving, I spotted this bumper sticker. It made me laugh. I think we should all adopt it as a motto. I’m hoping that all of the mindfulness and holistic treatments will prevent dementia. The numberous concussions and bashes to the head might counteract that. Worth a shot though, right?!

In a way, this is part of my mindfulness. My little daily post gives me a creative outlet to share my highs and lows, my woes and wins, my laughs and tears. It’s been quite the rollercoaster ride since I started in 2020. I’ve always done this is for me as much as anyone. If my musings help brighten someone’s day, that’s a bonus.

When I’m struggling, I go back to the beginning to read the post. Boy have I come a long way since then… If you’ve joined along the journey, and need a giggle, feel free to go back to the start too.

Check out my new wellies! It’s taken me this long to get a pair of Joules wellies. I’m fully embracing the country girl and dog vibe.

I didn’t do a full winter with Bert as he was too little. I thought I’d get ahead. My walking boots aren’t designed for wet or mud.

But these will keep my feet warm and dry. Or that’s the theory…

Now I am not one to moan, but whatever I have done to my ribs is seriously painful right now. I took Bert out for his constitutional this morning and wasn’t too bad. Till I bent down to pick up his poo…. That’s when the rather loud audible movements really kicked in!

Thank god there was no one around cause I was literally doubled over in pain moaning. That seems to be the most painful movement. Bending down to pick something up. Poor Bert was most concerned as I was stuck in a rather odd position not trying to cry.

He wasn’t happy that I couldn’t throw his toy for him as I couldn’t get down to pick it up. So we improvise with a game of ‘find it’ as he carried it about the fields.

He got a gold star today when a hare popped up about a foot way from him and ran off. I held my breath thinking he would be following after it. He was too busy playing with his toy.

I’m grateful to his training for that one. I’m also very grateful to a few wonderful liveries who’ve been mucking out Buddy for me. I’d got him covered over the weekend. And was just girding my loins to head there today when I got a photo saying he was done for me.

Then this gorgeous photo of my handsome little boy. I am very blessed to have such wonderful people in my corner.

I’ve got an appointment on Wednesday with a body worker to try and relieve whatever I’ve done. This is a new one on me! I wish I could tell you how I did it, but I’m honestly drawing a blank. Other than I’m a rather violent sneezer…

Some of you may remember that last year I signed up to be a BSJA Trainee Judge. That was before my Mum died and Storm Bert arrived. Those two things, amongst a host of other things, meant I never actually started the training.

Today I did! I did my first full day shadowing in the judges box at Forest Edge. I got to observe from the clear round all the way up to 140cm! Flipping heck that looks massive, even from such an elevated height. There was some very stylish riding. There were also some very green horses. Even at the higher levels. Makes you realise that everyone can have a bad day.

My brain is mush, I learnt so much about the rules, the etiquette, course design and so much more. It’s really one of those ‘the more you know, the more you realise you know nothing’ kinda situations.

Overall I really enjoyed it though. So that’s good.

I’m still not feeling 100% and now I’ve done something to my ribs too. I sneezed on the drive back and the pain was intense! Is it possible to pull a muscle in your rib cage?! As if that wasn’t bad enough, I now have hiccups… Honestly, you couldn’t make it up. More volterol for me.