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!
I decided to give Buddy’s stable a bit of a Spring clean today. I used a leaf blower to clear away the cobwebs and cleaned the walls. The leaf blower was a little bit too effective as I ended up covered in cobwebs! Good job I’m not afraid of spiders.
Very pleased with the result though. It looks so much better and brighter again.
After going out for a ride, I decided to give Buddy a Spring clean too. A bit of a bath, then tidied up his tail and mane. He looks very smart too.
It was one of those days where I wanted to spend as much time outdoors as possible. It was such a lovely day. A very happy Easter Saturday indeed.
Today I slayed a dragon. Well not totally, but I made huge progress. You see I have a huge fear of brown envelopes. Particularly the ones from the tax man. I think it’s the way they’re written. Quite simply it puts the fear of god in me!
I’m very good with words. But not that good with numbers. Well I am. But not when it comes to taxes, finances or more technical numbers. I tend to have a toddler like response to them.
Now given I run my own business, a toddler tantrum doesn’t cut it with the tax man. Thankfully I have a wonderful friend who somehow manages to deal with my ineptitude, petulance and toddler tears. And makes me do the things that I really don’t want to.
After over an hour of listening to how important my call was and that I could find the answers on their website, I finally got to speak to a very helpful tax man who helped me understand what was going on and why I’d had a letter (that I really didn’t understand). I now need another letter before I can actually fix the issue. And when I say I, of course, I mean she.
To celebrate my courageous achievement, she bought me lunch. The downside was we ate it in a car park with a rather interesting view.
I’ve learn new stuff today. Fear not Accountants, your jobs are safe. I’ll stick to words and telling people’s stories. That’s where I’m at my best.
Had to improvise today as the indoor school was being harrowed when I went to lunge Buddy. So I took him out to his field. In the squally wind. That was interesting!
A couple of ‘wind up the tail’ moments. But for the most part he was his usual wonderful self.
I like to lunge him as it gives me a different view of him and his way of going. He’s looking really well at the moment. Good job too with his crack support team!
One of whom I met for breakfast. It was really good to chat without a horse in the way. Though there were rather large sausage baps involved. I’ll let you insert your own jokes there.
This made me giggle when I got to the yard today. Not a clue how Buddy managed to get so much hay in the manger. Now I appreciate that hay is usually put in a manger, but his hay is always on the other side of his stable.
Surprisingly, the rest of his stable was pretty good. Considering he’s a bit of a mucky pup normally. Looks like he put his efforts into spreading his hay instead.
Today has been a very odd day. One of those days where I’ve got a lot done and at the same time gone round in circles.
Literally as I got stuck in a loop with social services over a question about my Mum. After being passed around, I eventually found the right person to speak to. Everyone was really helpful. Just couldn’t answer the question. Rather frustrating.
Hopefully I’ll get an answer tomorrow. At least I got to top up my vitamin D with coffee and kitten cuddles in the sunshine.
Well when they weren’t tearing round the garden like loons! They were both rather manic too! They do make me laugh with their antics.
Today was the first ODE at Blackwater. I didn’t enter and I’m OK with that decision. My preparation hasn’t been right and I don’t like winging it when it comes to eventing.
I’ve felt rather thwarted recently. I understand it. The first quarter of 2024 has been challenging. First the back and forward to my parents, then getting floored by the flu, my saddle being reflocked, working long hours and finally the Buddymobile being off the road.
I’m not making excuses, I’m reflecting. Today I noticed I’d picked my BRC Combined Challenge hoodie. Last year I represented my Riding Club on many occasions. And even with similar challenges, we still achieved an awful lot.
So while the first quarter we haven’t done much, there are still three more quarters to go. I’m happy for people who are out there having fun with their horses. It makes me so happy to see people overcoming hurdles and achieving things.
It’s been us so many times. And I will be us again. But for now, I’ll just have to be content to cheer from the sidelines.
The Buddymobile will be fixed- hopefully quickly and cheaply (I’m running out of body parts to sell). Bring on Q2…
Pretty stunning huh?! A beautiful calm sunny day you say? Not for my jumping lesson. I had high winds, rain and hail.
You know the type of weather where you have to laugh as you’re question your life choices. Where you’re coming into a jump eyes closed in the rain praying one of you can see it.
Thankfully Buddy was on great form. He locked onto every jump. Lewis brought a couple of his jumps over for us to have a play with. Buddy ate them up.
He had us working on straightness and curving lines. It wasn’t long ago that Buddy would have had a meltdown at such technical tracks. Now he’s taking me into the jumps. It’s a wonderful feeling.
Typically the wind dropped and the sun came out after we finished. I did put in a complaint that I got the more challenging weather. I guess it was typical eventing weather. Time to break out the body protector and get back to it.
Buddy had a pony play date today. With a rather large pony. Becca and Star came to visit. Star is a lot bigger than Buddy, kinda makes him look like a pony. We were out for nearly 2 hours working our way round the roads and tracks. We hardly saw a soul. Sheer bliss.
We were meant to go over to see them, but the Buddymobile is in the sickbay. Again. So they came to us. I love being able to share our hacking with people.
Buddy clearly guessed we were going out for a long one as he tried to take snacks with him. He was a bit miffed I wouldn’t let him take a huge mouthful of hay out. Star was a bit surprised by our hills. Yes we have hills in Norfolk.
It was so funny cause Star clearly knew his way round. He strode off so confidently, you’d think he’d been there before. Buddy on the other hand acted like he’d never been down the routes we took. Talk about role reversal.
All in all two perfectly behaved ponies. The riders had a laugh too.
After a few aborted attempts, today I finally cut the back lawn. I say lawn, there’s a lot of moss too. It’s needed doing, but trying to find a time when it wasn’t raining has proven tricky. The nicest days I’ve either had plans, been working or quite frankly couldn’t be arsed.
But today I woke up with a weird determination. Good job too as it took bloody ages to do! It was still a bit damp, so not only did I have to keep emptying the mower, I had to clear the mower too as the grass kept getting clogged up around the blade.
Not totally sure it looks better. But it’s a start. Scarifier next. The kittens approve. Though I think they were enjoying hiding and playing in the long grass.
I even spent time doing the edges and made a start on clearing the borders. Of course, I’m now covered in bramble scratches and stinging nettle stings. Still I’m pleased with my efforts.
Next time, I’ll turn my attentions to the front garden.
We made it people! Today is the Spring Equinox. I must admit I wasn’t thrilled when I woke up to yet more rain. But it soon passed and turned into an OK day.
After working so many hours, it was a catch up day. Catching up on laundry, housework, admin, friends and most importantly, my Buddy Boy.
He certainly had a spring in his step today. And that puts a smile on my face.
Tales, Tails and Talus 