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!
Now I’m no farrier, but I’m pretty sure that’s supposed to be on your hoof Buddy. He pull this off doing his pre-lorry warm up, which included laps of his field and throwing some rather interesting shapes.
It did mean that we headed over to High Ash this morning with 3 shoes.
Thankfully it came off cleanly and my farrier was able to come and put it back on again this afternoon. So that was good.
Took my life in my own hands today. And that’s saying something as an equestrian.
I could hear a dripping when I was in my office. Never a good sound. After walking round the house trying to find it. I headed outside as I wondered if the gutter was blocked.
Yup! It’s not coped well with the volume of rain. Cue me up a ladder clearing moss from the gutter. Got rather wet, rather mucky and nearly fell off twice (the rungs were rather wet).
Adulting is so much fun sometimes. There’s still a lot of moss on the roof. So added that to the long list of things that need sorting. Fear not, I’ll get a professional for that!!
Well considering as I woke up feeling a bit pants, I ended up doing quite a lot today. I feel like I’m getting a cold. You know the thing – scratchy throat and feeling like you’ve been punched in the sinuses. Great!
Good job that I had an unexpected free day. So spent it pottering and ticking things off my ever growing to-do list.
Anyone else’s garden gone a bit bonkers?! My lawns have gone from crispy to overgrown in the space of a few weeks. So I got the mower out for the first time in what feels like ages.
Lots of my plants have had major growth spurts and are starting to reflower. They’re as confused as I am by the weather it seems.
My pumpkins are excelling! And spreading all over the driveway. So far I’ve counted 6 and lots of flowers. Pumpkins make me feel very Autumnal.
Another first for us today as we took a trip over to Ickworth Park for a XC lesson. My sat nav decided to take us on the most convoluted route possible and right through the middle of Bury Sy Edmunds. That got a few looks from passers-by I can tell you.
Arrived later than planned so had to do a speedy tack up and get on. Good job I can tack up fast!
Once onboard, we headed out to our lesson. Buddy was a bit eyes on stalks to start off with. But soon got into the swing of things. Thankfully he doesn’t have an issue with sheep. Cause they were everywhere!!
After a steady warm up, and a stirrup length adjustment, we headed out onto the course proper. Something clicked! And I don’t mean my back. The new strirrup length meant I could get my leg on and control the canter so much better.
There was lots to look at. And the sheep were another obstacle at times. But I really felt like we got our XC mojo back!
Came back with the biggest smile on my face!
Well this is a view I haven’t had for a while. I’ve been so busy recently that it feels like ages since we went out for a hack round Strumpshaw. It was much needed indeed.
We even had a cheeky canter as the ground is perfect at the moment. That’s something we haven’t been able to do for ages either as the ground has been too hard. If the rain continues, it’ll be too slippery.
Honestly, people wonder why us Brits are obsessed with the weather. It’s cause its so changeable. At this time of year, it feels like four seasons in one day. It’s definitely four outfits too as I feel like I’m layering on and off.
Check out this stunning location I went to today for a client meeting. It’s an old farm building that’s been turned into offices.
I’m so thankful that I get to go to different locations and do so many different things with my business. And my life.
The older I get, the more I crave experiences and memories rather than material stuff. I love the life I’ve created. Don’t get me wrong, I have my challenges, stresses and disappointments. But I’m grateful for every lesson, opportunity and challenge.
I brought the Buddymobile home last night so that I could clean it today. Hugo has claimed the bedding. He’s so happy there. Maybe he wants to be a lorry cat…
Back home after another fab BHS Clinic at Forest Edge. One night in the lorry, two lessons with Jo Winfield and lots of lightbulb moments.
It was blissfully quiet and relaxed. I’m so glad we decided to stay last night. Buddy had a very good night judging by the amount of shavings on his rug. I had a cozy night too. I love sleeping in my little lorry.
We both worked hard in our lessons today. Buddy had to work even harder in our jumping lesson with some bending lines. We were also working on the quality of his canter between jumps. He was ravenous afterwards. He burnt a lot of calories it seems.
Buddy and I headed over to Blickling Hall this morning to meet up with Katie and Archie for a lovely long hack. Buddy and Archie started thier bromance at Big Camp. When he reassured Archie that camp was an awesome place to be. They’ve been firm friends ever since. As have Katie and I.
It’s amazing how many wonderful people I’ve met through horses and camps.
They were so cute together I had to snap a photo. Here’s to many more horsey adventures.
Took Buddy over to World Horse Welfare today for a jumping lesson with Judith Barker. She’d set up a grid and a mix of show jumps and XC-style ones too.
Buddy was on very good form. And Judith said she could see improvements from our last lesson. So that’s good.
After a well-earned sausage roll and coffee (me not him), I went for a wander round to see some of the residents. These two cuties got lots of scratches. They’re so tiny compared to Buddy.
Winter is definitely on the way. I had to break out the ‘big dressing gown’ and over trousers earlier. And lit the fire tonight. The kittens and I are toasty on the sofa. It’s funny cause in the Summer I hardly see them.
Tales, Tails and Talus 