Chips

I had to drive to Barnet today. On my way back, I stopped at Birchanger services and this made me smile. I loved how neatly they’d parked the bikes. Reminded me of watching ‘Chips’ as a kid. That was a fun TV show.

I bet it’s dated now. It’s funny how we remember things from our childhood. Good, bad and indifferent. Can you tell I listened to some training on healing your Inner Child?! 😝

Release

Auntie Sam came to see Buddy today. It’s the first time she’s been to see him since she’s been on some new training. She now does Myofascial Release too. Well Buddy sure released!!

It was fascinating watching him process everything and then releasing. He had a lot of tight spots. Weirdly exactly where I thought they’d be. So shows how in tune we’re getting.

I know how good I feel after a treatment. Hoping Buddy feels the same.

Cloud busting

Buddy and I got trapped today. I was planning on taking him out for a hack. But as I was tacking up, the heavens opened and it threw it down!!

And not just rain, hail stones, thunder and lightening. A proper Summer storm. It was so heavy, I didn’t want to leave his stable. In fact I could barely see the other side of the stable yard. Eventually it eased enough for us to make a break to the indoor arena.

As you can tell Buddy was thrilled by it all.

Stay in control

This was my office today. Back home after a flipping marvellous day. I was commentating the XC for the Area 14 & 8 Riding Club ODE at Poplar Park.

The XC Control dream team was in full force. Not a clue how many combinations there were, but the first horse went off at 10:20am and the last one came back at 5:40pm.

We had to deal with pretty much everything you could deal with on a XC course. Falls, eliminations, loose horses, the removal of a fence mid-class, missed fences, jumping the wrong course to name a few. But we had it covered from start to finish.

We’ve been asked back next year. And I managed to pronounce almost all of the horses names! Bonus!!

Awesome foursome

Today saw the return of the Awesome Foursome. My hacking partner has been on holiday and Buddy’s been out of action, so it’s been a while since we hacked out. But this was very good for the soul. Lots to catch up on as we wandered about.

We even faced the ’waterer of doom’ on the way back. It makes quite a noise as it clicks round. The boys were incredibly well behaved.

Oh and it’s good to know that my
Hi-Viz is super bright! You ain’t missing us!!

Nana

Every year when this passionflower explodes, it reminds me of my Nana. Why? Because it’s called ‘Constance Elliott’. My Nana was Constance. And spookily my other Grandmother was called Constance too. Would have made naming a daughter easy I guess.

Growing up, my Nana was the person who truly saw me for me. She encouraged me to be myself. She told me that I could achieve anything I put my mind to. She taught me to bake. We spent many an hour chatting (and watching the wrestling). Even though she was barely 5 foot tall, she was a massive influence on me.

I’d love the chance to sit and chat with her again. I hope she’d be proud of how I turned out. I am.

Pretty toes

Today I did something that I haven’t done for years. I painted my toenails. Not sure what came over me. But it made me very happy. OK, so they do look like a small child has done them. But who cares?!

Self-care comes in many guises. This was mine for today.

Pedals

Looks who’s got four pedals again!! It’s been a very long week and a bit of a struggle, mostly trying to keep a poultice on. Buddy really didn’t want it on. And there’s no sign of an abscess anyway.

Trotted up OK, so shoe back on and see how he goes. Fingers crossed for my boy.