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!
Today was my last shift covering at the Chiro’s. It’s been great fun peopling over the past few weeks. I’ve caught up with so many people. Met so many new ones too.
This cartoon made me giggle. Don’t get me wrong, technology is amazing. I spend a lot of time using it. But I still prefer a good old fashioned chat. And I’ve done a lot of chatting. Hard to believe I know, I’m such a reserved sort…
This is such a welcome sign to me. Spring is on the way when my camellia starts to pop. Always makes me smile. It’s smothered in buds, so hoping for a good show.
It’s funny how we use flowers as indicators of the seasons. The minute the snowdrops arrive, I know we’ve broken the back of winter.
Not that I’m wishing my life away of course. There was lots of holiday talk at the Chiro’s today. I joked that others are jetting off to exotic climes and I get to look at the National Geographic magazines.
My turn will come again I’m sure. I’ve been very fortunate to have travelled a lot in my life. I can feel the Wanderlust stirring.
At least I know I’ve got a few horsey holidays in the diary. They’re like a relaxing holiday, only with more sweating. And I’m not just talking about Buddy.
I thank my lucky stars every day that I found Buddy. I couldn’t love my Irish Boy more if I tried.
While we were hacking today, I reflected back on when I bought him. And how he came to be mine. I found him when I was emotionally battered from losing Murphy and having to admit defeat with Phoenix. I was also a bit physically broken as I was recovering from a broken finger (a lasting legacy from Phoenix). I was mentally drained as I didn’t know if I had it in me to conquer my confidence demons.
Buddy was exactly the horse I needed. He’s not the easiest horse but I’ve risen to his challenge. He’s kept me safe many a time. Of course, he’s completely forgotten that we’re meant to start together and finish together too. I’ve had my fair share of flying lessons from him. But when it clicks, we are definitely flying without wings.
We’ve achieved so much together and I know we have many more achievements to come. He’s very much my glass of the black stuff.
So Happy St Patrick’s Day Buddy Boy. After doing my DNA, I know I don’t have any Irish blood. But I have the luck of the Irish in him.
Dodo has decided that this is his new favourite place to sleep. Technically it’s a magazine holder, but he loves it in there.
Hugo used to sleep in there when he was a tiny kitten. They’re both a bit bigger now though. He kinda fits still.
He crawled in while I was listening to a podcast in the conservatory. It’s becoming a lovely Saturday afternoon habit now. A nice way to relax after a busy day running errands and at the yard. I even managed to pop Buddy over a few jumps – in the sun!!
My meditation wasn’t quite as successful as the kittens decided to have a play fight during it. Bit hard to relax when you’ve got squeaking and wailing going on. Can’t win them all…
This has been making me giggle today. Well last week, it was weirding me out if I’m honest. For some reason, it’s started randomly bubbling. So much so that I joked it was possessed.
I get it bubbles when someone uses it, but when it starts bubbling when no-one’s been near it, it’s a bit odd.
This week, the volume of the bubbling had gone up and up. It’s been making us laugh as it’s not only loud, it goes on for a long time. Definitely overplaying it’s part. It’s been a talking point for sure.
Poor Buddy was very confused today. I rocked up at the yard early and headed to the lorry. He clocked this right away. He watched as I filled a haynet. He did his pre-lorry warm up with a couple of laps of his field.
So imagine his confusion when I walked past him and brought a different horse in. If a horse could looked shocked, it was Buddy.
I was taking a friend’s horse to the vets. This was Buddy’s face as I put said horse back in his stable. He was not impressed.
He got lots of cuddles and soon forgave me.
Well someone was very pleased to see me when I got back from work. It’s week two of covering at the chiro’s. I’m there four days this week.
Unlike my other cats, the kittens haven’t known me go off to work every day. Sure they’re used to me coming and going, being away and are quite happy to entertain themselves while I’m not here. I know this judging by the amount of fluff and toys on the lounge floor when I get back.
But for most of their lives, I’ve been with them. They’re lovely company. Of course, they have their moment. Like tearing through my office when I’m on a call. Or like tonight having a scrap while I was on a webinar. They do make me laugh.
Today isn’t one of my favourites. Mother’s Day is a bit of a weird one for me. For many reasons. But we all have our stuff, right?! Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful that my Mum is still here. I know so many people who’ve lost theirs. It’s just tough.
Mum is now in a nursing home. It’s sad, but totally the right thing for her. It’s a massive change for my parents. They’ve been together since 1966. That’s a long old time.
I haven’t had a chance to go and see her yet. I will. Hopefully she’ll be in good spirits.
It’s been a weird week. I feel like I’ve fallen into an episode of EastEnders (or should that be PipEnders) with the twists and turns. Nothing I can’t handle of course.
As we were out for a hack, I saw my first lamb of 2024. It was all legs! Another Mum to be celebrated.
So tonight I raise a glass to all the amazing Mum’s – past, present or future. You’re amazing.
The weather finally got its act together and it felt like Spring is on the way. Buddy and I headed over to Blickling to meet Katie and Archie. For the first time this year!!
It was so wonderful to be back at Blickling. The sun shone for the whole of our 1.5 hour ride. We didn’t stop chatting the whole way round either. Just wonderful.
After my stint commentating at the Area Festival, a friend suggested I take my post and send it to Horse and Hound letters editor. So I did. And they’ve published it!
I’ve always wanted to be in Horse and Hound. So I guess I can tick that equestrian goal. Next time, I hope it’s on a horse rather than writing about horses. But who knows. It’s still an achievement.
Tales, Tails and Talus 