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 entered a photo of Buddy into a competition last year. It won! It was of Buddy doing his best ‘Pat Butcher’ impression.
Today the prizes arrived. A new saddle pad for Buddy and a snood for me. I’m sure Buddy will be thrilled. I know I will be when I wear my snood. I’m a big fan of a snood.
In fact, I’m a big fan of the word snood. It’s so descriptive and vague all at the same time. Makes you wonder where it came from.
First hack of 2024 for Buddy and me. And the first time I’ve ridden for over 2 weeks. It felt so good to be back in the saddle. If a little weird to start off with.
We went for a lovely wander round the village with Carla and Missy. Now Missy and Buddy are firm friends. They’re so relaxed in each other’s company. Carla and I chatted the whole way round too.
Got to ride in my new Equidry coat as well. My gosh, it’s so comfy. I was very impressed indeed.
Merry Christmas me! I was feeling rather smug in my new coat this afternoon. I bought it when we were at the London International Horse Show. In the torrential rain today, I was jolly glad I did!
Not only was I toasty warm, I was dry as a bone. Hurrah! This was the first time I’d really tested it in the rain. It put a smile on my face.
Very different from this morning when I couldn’t stop crying. Everything was tumbling out of my face. It’s been an emotional few months for me. It was bound to catch up with me eventually.
I couldn’t get going either. So I cut myself some slack and sat in the conservatory listening to the rain.
Hopefully the rain (and the tears) will stop soon. If not, at least I’ll be dry.
This is the face of a horse who isn’t impressed with the fact that his Christmas holiday is over. He’s had over two weeks off. We’ve done a lot in 2023, so I thought he deserved a bit of a break.
I was expecting a few fireworks after his time off. Buddy had other ideas. He seemed most put out that he had to work.
He was very pleased to see me though. And I was very pleased to see him.
I’m back home after an emotionally exhausting few days with my parents. Mum isn’t doing well at all. And as we end 2023, it looks like there are more stormy seas to navigate for us as a family.
Quite apt as the view from the hospital earlier was of very stormy seas indeed. The pier was very low in the water. Or the sea was very high. I felt a bit seasick watching the waves.
I’d hoped to start 2024 with a clean slate. But that’s unrealistic I guess as you get older. The challenges seem to get tougher and last longer.
Normally I’d finish the year with a round up. But honestly, my brain is mush from all the driving, trying to stay up beat and not bursting into tears at any given moment. So forgive me, it’ll have to wait.
For now, I’m proud that I’ve navigated 2023 relatively unscathed. I’m hoping 2024 is kind to us all.
I saw this bin at the hospital today. Made me laugh. So many jokes to make. And so many questions! Who decides what waste is offensive? When did that even become the term?
Do we live in a world where everything and anything can be deemed offensive? Or is that’s just how it seems. We seem to have lost a lot of the joy and things are all very serious.
I’m saddened by so many things I see today. There are many sides to every story I know. Right now, there seems to be a lot of very loud voices drowning out the voices of reason. Common sense is dying. Or maybe I’m just getting older and fed up of all the bullshit.
Whatever the reason, this bin isn’t big enough for all the crap right now…
Another day visiting another hospital. It’s been a reoccurring thing over the past few years. I’ve come down to see my parents. Mum’s still in hospital in Brighton. It’s the first time I’ve visited her here. So another hospital to add to the list of hospitals I’ve visited one of my parents in. I have told her that she doesn’t get a prize if she ticks them all off!
I loved this mural on the car park wall. It’s captured the highlights of East Sussex. Brighton and Hove hold a special place in my heart. My Dad is Brighton born and bred. I spend many hours visiting my grandparents and Nanna there. And I lived in both for many years too.
I’ve often wondered why the railings, buses and taxis are all painted a shade of Aqua. I still haven’t found out. But I did find out that it’s called ‘Brighton Blue’ and changes shade slightly along the promenade to become ‘Hove Green’. Who knew?!
I saved a life today. Well I gave blood, so pretty close. Donation no. 63. While I was lying there, I realised I was under a disco ball. It reminded me of this quote.
So next time I’m feeling battered, I’m going to tell myself I’m a disco ball. I’m quite like the thought of being a magical ball of light.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without World’s Strongest Man. It’s such a tradition. I grew up watching Geoff Capes, Bill Kazmaier, Jon-Páll Sigmarsson and Magnús Ver Magnússon. Legends of the sport. And yes, it’s a sport.
Then we moved on to Mariusz Pudzianowski, Zydrunas Savickas and Brian Shaw. Giants indeed.
Now it’s the turn of Tom Stoltman and a new crop of athletes. The loads they carry are insane. The feats they perform, jaw-dropping. Tonight they were throwing a kettle bell that weighed more than me over a 15 foot bar!!
Puts my annual Christmas tree carry challenge to shame…
Back home after a lovely Christmas in Suffolk. Simon and Harry always make me feel so welcomed. It really is my home away from home. And they’re family for sure!
I was welcomed home by my family. The kittens haven’t left me since I got back. Maybe they missed me. Or maybe it was cause I came home with cat food.
Buddy was pleased to see me too. Maybe he missed me. Or maybe it was cause I came home with haylage.
You draw your own conclusions…
Tales, Tails and Talus 