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 was meant to be meeting up with a friend today. She was going to come to me, but hurt her knee skiing. She’s 72 and flipping amazing!
I had said I’d go to her (over an hours drive away). The Comedy Car is fixed. But still not quite right. About 2/10ths lame I’d say. So I was a little anxious about driving there.
We agreed to take a raincheck and decided to do a video call instead. We talked for nearly two hours!! It was wonderful to catch up.
I’m so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. I really am. So many of my friendships have been forged from chance meetings, a common bond or interesting circumstances. I love it when that happens…
I have had the most wonderful day. I met up with this glorious human being, my ‘aunt’ Sally. I first met her when I lived in Sweden. Not sure of the exact year, but we moved there in 1983. Her husband worked with my Dad. She’s been a part of my life ever since.
She now lives in New Zealand so we haven’t seen each other in the flesh for a few decades. But we are in touch by email. She’s back in the UK to support her youngest daughter who’s had her first baby before Christmas. As her daughter and husband live near Newmarket, we arranged to meet at Elveden for lunch.
It was so good to catch up with Sally. Growing up in a foreign country is an amazing experience, but can be a bit lonely. Sally became a surrogate aunt/mother to me. She was always there for me. Even when she had her own kids. I valued her wise words and advice over the years. She’s always seen me and accepted me for who I am. Something we all need. Especially during adolescence.
I remember when her youngest was born, now she’s a Mum herself. Makes me feel rather old in some ways. But meeting up today was like no time had passed at all. Just wonderful.
I’ve been saying for a long time that I want to go back to NZ again. And see her. Wonder if 2025 is the year I make that happen…
Today has been a bit of a taxing day. In a few ways. Not just cause I completed my tax return and paid for it too. I’m poorer as a result. But it took an age to do!
I was heading over to my amazing friend who seems to be able to explain what I need in a way I can get. She also ignores my huffing, puffing and toddler-like tantrums and makes me do it!
It should have been a 30 mins max journey. Today it took well over an hour as there was an accident on the road I needed. Luckily I spotted that before I went that way. So I decided on an alternative route. Along with every man and his dog. It wasn’t just the volume of traffic, there were road closures, diversions and road works. I was seriously losing the will at times. It’s a good job Bert is so good in the car. He crashes out mostly.
Once I’d arrived, and everyone had had puppy cuddles, we cracked on. After several hours, it was all done. Honestly, I don’t think people realise the amount of ‘admin’ and ‘processes’ you have to do when you run your own business. There’s so much that needs to be done behind the scenes!
My tax return was a lot easier than my Corporation Tax return. Still makes me laugh. My little business is so far away from a Corporation!
I’m definitely getting less panicky when faced with brown envelopes. Well till I found one on my doorstep. Then I realised it was the Buddymobile’s road tax renewal. Very taxing indeed!
Bert had a busy day today. After meeting the yard dog, he had a quick trip back to see his Mum, Dad and Brother. It was so touching seeing his Mum’s reaction. She was very happy to see him. But put him in his place too when he needed it. He had lots of zoomies with his brother too.
Tonight he had even more zoomies with his new friend Jester at his first Christmas Party. I wish I’d taken some video of them chasing each other round the dining room table. Hours of fun! He will sleep well tonight, that’s for sure.
He’s brought so much joy to my life already. And everyone else’s given the impact me made at the party tonight. It seems he’s quite the Party Animal.
This week I’ve been hit by more waves of emotions. The tears have definitely been flowing. So I did something I rarely do. I took time for me. I rearranged plans, I stepped back from commitments and allowed myself time to cry, process and heal.
I’m along way from done, I know that. There’s a lot to grieve for right now. But I’m proud of myself for making myself a priority. Little Bert has massively helped there. He’s made me slow things down.
I was meant to peopling today. My lovely Chiro understood when I explained I wasn’t in the best place. So instead, I took my No. 1 boy, aka Mr Fluffy Ears, out for a lovely ride with a good friend.
We talked. We laughed (mostly at our horses antics). But most of all we were appreciative of the joy horses bring us and how being in the great outdoors lifts one’s spirits.
I have no doubt there will be many more tears to come. Grief is very messy…
It’s been way too long since I caught up with this beauty. She’s one of my ‘wise women’. I love chatting to her. We met at the Assembly House for lunch. Both of us having major flashbacks to events there. We both worked at Aviva, but didn’t know each other then. We mixed in the same circles, but it was only after we both left, we met through horses.
We have so much in common. We’re both Sussex girls and used to work for London & Edinburgh in Worthing many moons ago. Funny how life goes like that. You have chances to meet and don’t. But then when the stars align, it’s magical.
Even though we have caught up for ages, it was like no time had passed at all. I love it when that happens. Thank you Anna, you were definitely good for my soul today.
Today saw a spontaneous pony party when I got a call this morning. A friend was having a tough time. So I suggested she came over with her horse for a ride & talk. It was such a lovely day, so good for the soul.
We were out for nearly 2 hours wandering round, putting the world to rights. Even saw a beautiful rainbow as we dodged the showers.
We had a slight issue when we got to a bridleway that runs across a field. The field had been freshly ploughed so it was really hard to see where the path actually ran.
I thought I’d worked it out as I’ve used the bridleway many times. All was going well till we hit a rather deep bit and poor Buddy started to sink!
I honestly thought he was going to fall over. Thankfully he saved himself and we made it across. Guess I didn’t quite get the path right. Who knows?! Even when we looked at the bridleway path marker, it was hard to see where it was.
By the end of the ride, we were all smiling. Sometimes, you just need to talk it out. Maybe I should add ‘ride & talk’ to my rider confidence coaching offerings.
Took Buddy over for a pony playdate with Blake. After all of the rain, there were lots of puddles. Buddy is a proper water baby. He loves stomping through them. Blake, on the other hand, isn’t a fan. But after watching Buddy splash through them, he took the plunge himself!
He was so pleased with himself afterwards he had a proper swagger on. Buddy wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about. He was too busy trying apple bobbing in the puddle and hoover the verge.
Today Buddy got to show his friend round one of his favourite rides. Kimberley Fulcher and Irish came over to ride out with us.
It was a beautiful day for it too. Kim and I chatted the whole way round. Irish was very taken with the view from the top too. I love getting to share the beauty of where I live with someone new. I never take for granted how lucky we are to have the hacking we have.
Two gorgeous Irish boys out together. What a wonderful way to start the week.
Tales, Tails and Talus 