Flying solo

Now we all know I love a montage. And this is some montage!!

I guess it serves me right for wearing a Christmas Jumper with reindeers on it. Buddy obviously felt I needed a flying lesson.

I wasn’t kidding when I said the photographer captured my fall. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Even by my standards, it’s pretty impressive.

Battle scars

Well today’s show jumping was definitely a tale of two halves. We headed to Easton for Carlton Riding Club’s show. It was more like an eventer trail today and quite a testing track. Buddy seemed up for it in the warm up so I thought we were in for a good round. I’d entered the 70 and 80 as he’s been jumping so well recently.

He was flying till we reached number 8. When suddenly I was flying solo. Landed on the wing and got myself a bit tangled in the poles.

It’s never good when you have to walk out of the arena. But still we were both OK. It’s also never good when the photographer tells you she got a great sequence of my fall. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Quick regroup in the warm up where he felt OK. Decided to drop the 80 and ask if I could go round the 70 again HC instead.

After some pointers from Lewis, we entered the ring again. And this time made it round with 8 faults (4 of which were definitely my fault). 👏🏻

He jumped everything. Including a triple, a house and lots of XC style jumps.

Overall, I’m looking at the positives. I guess I just need to think HC every time. I know I get a bit competitive sometimes.

Bruises and grazes heal. One day I know it will all come together again. Till then, we’ll just have to keep trying.

Always remember

A few years ago, a very wise woman suggested that I hang a bauble on my tree for my brother. This is the bauble I chose.

I know so many people who have lost a loved one in the past year, it feels right that it be not only for my brother, but for them too. So this is for those who aren’t here this Christmas. 😊

Box heaven

What’s better than a box to a cat? A box full of boxes of food of course!

Dodo was a very happy boy I can tell you. Until I removed the food. Then he went off the box. Hugo on the other hand thought it was amazing and has set up camp in it.

Cat logic huh?! They do make me laugh.

Walking blindly

Today has been a very weird day. Nothing’s happened. It’s just felt weird. Like I’ve drifted onto the rumble strip. Went for a walk to clear my head.

It was cold, so I put my hood up. Then realised I can’t actually see where I was going. I was literally walking blind.

It’s quite a good metaphor for how the world feels to me right now. The past 2 years have been a bit challenging for me and everyone in their own way. Yesterday’s announcement seems to have stirred things up again.

I feel like I’m walking blindly through life. I’ve followed the rules, I’ve done my best but quite frankly I am sick of it all now. The thought of more restrictions and talk of yet another lockdown have made me wobble a bit. The non-Covid toll is just too great.

I’ve spent the past decade or so learning how to understand my mindset and how essential it is for success. I know I’m having an emotional reaction and that all I can control is my reaction. So I’m learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. It’s hard.

I want to enjoy my life, doing the things I love, with the people I love. It’s hard to think things could be put on hold. Again.

I will be OK. I am OK. I’ve been through so much already, I know the drill. But right now, I want to stop the world and get off for a bit. I want all the silliness to stop. I want to live my life to the fullest. Not this half-hearted effort.

But my mindset is strong , I am still positive and I will make the best of whatever is thrown at me next. We’ve got this…

Wandering

Today I met up with an ex- work collegue for a rather blustery walk. She took me round Salhouse and I got to see Salhouse Hall. Goodness me, I had no idea it was so big or old. We saw a huge red stag and deers too.

Worth the hike through mud, floods and biting winds. So glad I wrapped up warm. We were walking for 2 hours. It’s good to walk and talk.