Vet wrap

I am definitely embracing the ‘mend and make good’ vibes. The zip on my everyday riding boots got stuck yesterday. Tried putting some grease on it and that seemed to help.

I brought them home so I could try and fix them. Some WD-40 and a toothbrush later and I thought I had. When I got to the yard, it appeared I was mistaken in my efforts. It went completely.

I have another pair of boots – my competition boots. They live in the lorry. The only trouble was that the lorry was at home as I’d given it a good clean out today.

Ever the resourceful equestrian, I used some vet wrap to keep them together. It’s not my best look, but it did the trick.

I worked out that I’ve had these boots since 2013. I bought them with a tax rebate I got after being made redundant. They have served me very well. They are so comfortable.

I think it might be time to get some new ones though. Till then, off to the cobblers I go…

Bruiser

Buddy chose to show his appreciation to me for paying for his massage today in a rather unusual way. No, he didn’t shower me with love and affection. He threw his head about and smacked me on the bridge of my nose! Ouch!!

My poor nose has been battered a few times now. The first time was horse related, the second was NHS related and the third was cat related.

The NHS straightened my rather broken nose after I came off a horse and shattered the bridge of my nose. In fact it was straighter than before. You could say I got a free nose job.

The third time was more embarrassing as I accidentally head butted my cat Lister. It was one of those unrepeatable things. We just clashed! Unfortunately, I was in London the next day to meet my new boss. I guess turning up with two black eyes was a bit of an icebreaker!!

Let’s hope that I don’t have the same look tomorrow…

Disco ball

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.

Crash barrier

The kittens have been big fans of climbing over the fence in my garden. It needs replacing (it’s on the list) so has seen better days. Every time one of them has climbed over it, the panel wobbles. I was a bit worried they were going to take it down.

Seems they’ve decided that it’s safer to go through the fence! Noticed today that the bottom has been broken to make a rather large opening. Not sure if my neighbour did this or if it was the kittens. Let’s face it, Hugo can be a bit of a bulldozer at times.

Either way, they love running in and out of the garden and next door’s.

Flip flop fail

Today is a sad day. My favourite flip flops broke. I’ve had them so long that I can’t really remember where I bought them. It was on a holiday I’m sure. But since then they’ve been my chosen footwear round the house each Summer. They’ve been on holiday with me. They’ve been to camps too.

I might try and fix them but I fear I may have to bin them and break in some new ones.

I wonder how many miles they’ve covered. I’ve definitely got my money’s worth from them.

5 years

5 years ago, I made one of the best decisions ever. I bought Buddy.

I found him at a time when I was broken emotionally as I was grieving for Murphy and accepting it hasn’t worked with Phoenix. I was broken physically as I was recovering from a broken finger. My riding confidence was at an all time low. But he was the best cure for everything.

It’s not been an easy 5 years. There have been amazing highs, crashing lows, more broken bits, but I wouldn’t change a second. Winning a trophy at the Norfolk Show is still a high.

In the last year we’ve had lessons with not one, but two eventing legends. We’ve been to 4 training camps. Weve been to lessons and clinic. We’ve been to new places. We’ve met more people. We’ve made more memories together.

It hasn’t been the year we’d planned. Again. But again, who saw a global pandemic!!

I couldn’t love him more if I tried. He is now and always will be ‘My Absolute Diamond’.

Happy anniversary Buddy. Here’s to the next 5 years…