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!
Buddy was a very happy little boy today. He’s moved to a different field and there’s lots of lovely long grass for him to graze on. He was so happy that he barely registered it when I drove past and said hello.
I love this field. It’s got the most amazing view towards Norwich. The sun sets behind it. So I’ve seen a few stunning sunsets. I miss sunsets. Please can we have them back? I’m done with grey clouds and rain. We’re not even getting the joy of a rainbow to balance out the drizzle.
It’s true what they say, you can’t control the weather. Whoever’s got the sunshine, I hope you’re enjoying.
Two exciting things happened today. This was one of them. It’s by far the best thing I’ve found for pulling ragwort and weeds. It can be a quite onerous job. But this makes it so much fun! I think I was having too much fun. Buddy was very interested and followed me round the field.
Definitely didn’t fire the ragwort into the barrow like I was loading a shotgun. Almost certainly didn’t do my own sound effects. And my horse most definitely didn’t canter round his field…
Might have got a bit carried away when I got home too. Let’s just say my ‘lawn’ looks more like Swiss cheese after my efforts.
Is it a measure of how dull my life is that this makes me very happy?! Good job I can laugh at myself.
The other exciting thing that happened was that I trotted Buddy under saddle for the first time. Just to see how he felt. He was a bit tense for the first few strides – as was I! We both soon relaxed into it. Now I know he’s feeling more level again, I can slowly increase it. Slow and steady wins the race!
We headed over to Easton College today for our last competition of 2023. It was a festive affair, so I thought I’d go the whole hog and break out my ‘dressage elf’ t-shirt.
Yes, you read that right. Buddy and I donned our dancing shoes and ventured between the boards. Not content with that, we tried something new. Our (and my) first long arena test. My god, 60m is a long way down the centreline! I thought it was never going to end.
Overall I’m so happy with Buddy today. He’s only ever been at the venue to jump, so was a tad confused when he went in and there weren’t any jumps. Being Buddy, he made his own of a fashion.
One of us (still unclear who) knocked one of the mini Christmas trees over. They were being used to mark the entrance at A. And of course, it fell into the Arena. Well Buddy wasn’t best pleased when we came towards it. Just as I was asking for canter. He jumped said Christmas tree, but by the time we’d got it back together we’d blown a lot of marks.
Still really chuffed with 69.13% and 5th place.
Then it was a VERY long wait till the fun stuff. Arena Eventing. I’m so grateful to have a horse who will quite happily stand on the lorry for over 4 hours munching away.
By the time, it was time to tack up, the heavens had opened. Again. Soaked by the time we’d warmed up. And yes, I see the irony of that statement.
I’d entered the 70cm and 80cm. But decided that if the 70cm went OK, we’d call it a day and go home. And the 70cm went more than OK. He flew round taking 3rd place as the fastest 4 faulter. Couple of sticky moments and one refusal (totally my fault as I over-rode it).
All in all a fantastic way to end our 2023 season. It’s been a pretty good one. And a lovely way to end my first year on the Carleton Riding Club Committee.
Today Buddy and I did our first competitive 90cm show jumping class. It wasn’t pretty, but we did it. I’ve been wanting to step him up a level for a while. Our last few 80cm rounds haven’t been clear, so wasn’t sure if I should.
I was obviously having a good day when I put the entries in. And feeling brave (or stupid). The last time I competed at 90cm was with Murphy. That was at least 8 years ago.
This morning I wasn’t feeling like leaving the house (not even my house), let alone pushing our comfort zone! Still as I headed to the yard, I made a deal with myself. Go and do 80cm class and see how I felt.
Buddy was rather pleased to be out jumping and warmed up like a dream. Optimism was high! That quickly dipped when he entered the ring and spooked at the timing equipment. Cause he’s never seen that before!!
Still we jumped round in a lovely rhythm. Even jumped our first competitive triple too. The 2 we had down were my fault as I pushed him out of his rhythm. It was a technical course, so I was really pleased with him.
The last time we jumped in competition was at Hickstead. So not like we’ve been out much.
Then it was onto the 90cm. It was definitely a case of ‘we came, we jumped’. We left most of them up. Still had 5 poles though. Haven’t had a cricket score for a while.
So imagine my surprise when I was told we came 3rd! Apparently, we weren’t the only cricket score.
I couldn’t have been happier with Buddy. He tried for me and I know we’ll be getting clear rounds soon. We’ll both sleep well tonight.
I was rudely awakened by the builders this morning. They’re doing my neighbour’s roof. He’s 99, so I greatly admire his optimism!
My roof could benefit for being redone too. It’s on the list. Along with many other things that need to be done around my little house. And garden. It’s never ending. But then it struck me today that I’ve lived here for a decade in October. Things are going to need to be looked at after that length of time.
It also struck me that apart from my childhood, this is the longest I’ve ever lived in one place. I’ve definitely put down roots here.
It still makes me smile when I drive round the corner of the close and see my little house. I’m not sure where a decade has gone. But I’m happy here.
Buddy is a big fan of foraging in the hedgerow. So after our lunge session, I took him for a wander. He LOVES blackberries. So much so that he looked like he was wearing purple lipstick.
Today I did something that I haven’t done for years. I painted my toenails. Not sure what came over me. But it made me very happy. OK, so they do look like a small child has done them. But who cares?!
Self-care comes in many guises. This was mine for today.
Thought I’d give Buddy a hose down after our ride today. It’s been so warm, he was a little sweaty (as was I as I got my layers totally wrong).
Walked him out to the fields to dry off in the sunshine and he rolled! 😂 I didn’t have my phone to capture his enthusiastic rolling efforts. But here is the aftermath.
Took ages to brush the wet mud off so that I could put his rug back on. Made me laugh as he looked so happy with himself.
Today Buddy and I got to do something rather special. We made two girls very happy indeed. In fact the words ‘best Christmas Eve ever’ might have been said a few times.
Buddy was so gentle with them. And walked round the indoor arena looking after them while they both had pony rides.
A few weeks ago one of gentlemen on my meal delivery route mentioned that he’d run out of books to read. So I took him a bag of books that I had in the garage. Tonight he handed me this. He’d found it in one of the books.
This was for the flight when I got married. For a long time afterwards, I couldn’t think about my wedding without being sad. It was the last time I saw my brother before his death.
NLP coaching really helped me to look back at the events in a different way. I’m grateful I found it. And very grateful I get to help others using it too.
Even though I’m no longer married, I smiled tonight when I saw this boarding pass. It brought back happy memories. All part of my life story.
Tales, Tails and Talus 