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!
Got home today to find a grasshopper on my conservatory roof. As you do. It made me laugh and think of watching Kung Fu when I was a child. ‘Choose wisely Graasshopper’ was one of the sayings from the series. This grasshopper choose very wisely as he avoided the rain (and kittens).
Also made me think of one of my favourite animation films – Kung Fu Panda. There’s a theme there me thinks. The films make me laugh.
This little fella was released back into the garden where he hopped off into the grass.
Today has felt rather Autumnal and I was cold this evening. One of the things I love about the colder seasons is snuggling under a blanket. It seems Hugo is very pleased to see the return of the blanket too. He’s snoring already…
When I drive into the close, I admire these plants in one of my neighbours’ driveway. I’ve watched them grow over the years that I’ve lived here. They’ve gone from tiny plants to these beauties. I love the flowers each year too.
Not a clue what they are. But that doesn’t matter. These particular neighbours are on the move soon so I hope the new owners keep them. In fact, it looks like I’m going to be getting lots of new neighbours as I’ve heard on the grapevine that there are 4 bungalows going up for sale soon. Fingers crossed for lots more lovely neighbours.
I’m back peopling at the chiro’s for another week. You could tell it was the 13th today as we got off to a bit of a shaky start with lots of things sent to try us.
Thankfully we had cause to smile when we were brought this yummy cherry and almond cake by a client. It was still warm from the oven (the best kind of cake in my eyes).
It also came in very handy when one of the patients collapsed with epilepsy. Good job I‘m calm in a crisis and have first aid training. I’ve also experienced people with seizures before so knew what to do.
She was very grateful for my support and compassion as I stayed with her while she recovered.
Compassion was a topic of conversation today as another patient saying she felt compassion had been replaced with self-righteousness. That really got me thinking…
My Nana used to tell me to treat people how you want to be treated. I’ve held onto that. And always try to do that. I really felt for the lady today. She needed compassion. And cake!
This evening I did something a bit different. I was an extra in a real-life crime recreation programme. It was set in the early 90s and all I had to do was stand around chatting. As you can imagine, that was quite a stretch!!
In typical Pip-fashion, I ended up chatting with the leading lady and coached her as she was little nervous.
I’m home after the second day of camp. And what a fun day it’s been. Woke up to thick fog. A total whiteout. So wasn’t sure how our XC lesson would go. I needn’t have worried as the sun burnt through and I was soon wishing for the cool.
I have to admit, I was a little apprehensive about taking Buddy out on the course. It’s been a few months since we had a run. And the last ODE we did there, we had to withdraw. But I needn’t have worried. We were storming round the fences before I knew it.
There were lots of positives to take. Just one blip where Buddy obviously thought there were lions behind the fence as he really wasn’t happy. One thing I know about my boy is that he doesn’t over-react without good reason. Got him settled eventually. And we carried on.
Came back with a huge smile on my face! When I got back I heard that there had reports of a puma sighting nearby, so who knows?!
After lunch, we did a grids lesson. We were both tired, but still got a lot from it. It was a very different grid – working on straightness and adaptability. I’ll be setting that up at home.
We’ll both sleep well tonight, that’s for sure. I do love going to training camps. I’ve met so many fab people that way. We have such a laugh too. Here’s to more next year!
Someone is very relaxed being back at Blackwater for our last camp of the year. He looked like he was playing peekaboo behind his haynet.
He really does love a B&B. And so do I. I’m tucked up in my lorry. As I was away last weekend, I didn’t put the bed away! So one less job to sort out.
We had two lessons today. Poles this morning and course jumping this afternoon. Buddy was great in both. I managed to make both more complicated that it needed to be.
Buddy blew me a bubble tonight when I lunged him. How cute! Today’s been a catch up day. It’s been a busy few days (weeks/months) so there was a lot to catch up on.
The aftermath of the Champs needed sorting. As did the mountain of laundry. I was feeling rather pleased with myself for getting it almost dry on the line. When a thunderstorm hit (still not complaining about the rain).
I made a start on sorting the lorry too. I was too tired to do it on Saturday when I got back. Thankfully I don’t need to do a full clean as we’re off to a training camp on Saturday.
I’ve been covering the reception desk at my chiropractor’s this week as her receptionist is away on holiday. It’s been a lot of fun.
One of the other plus side is that I get to choose the music. Yesterday we had 80s hits. Today it was feel good songs. It’s proved quite the conversation starter. So many comments about the tracks. I even had a few people say they’d never noticed music was playing before.
Lots of toe tapping too. And I may have had a dance between clients. Music really is emotive. It was so interesting listening to peoples memories linked to the tracks.
Tales, Tails and Talus 