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!
They say things come in threes, but today mine were all good.
First, I got laundry on the line. With the sunshine and high winds, it was dry rather quickly.
Second, Buddy had a naked day in the field. He was very pleased to see me
And finally, the Buddymobile is fixed. More on that tomorrow.
All in all a good day.
Greetings from Arena UK, Grantham. Last night at the Carleton RC Committee meeting, I found out that one of the members was heading to a Champs the next day solo. So I offered to stowaway in her lorry and come with her.
Ended up volunteering for a few hours. It’s been ages since I was away for a horsey adventure. It’s good to be back out. Even if I’m not here with Buddy.
Sat in the lorry, cider in one hand, waiting for a posh fish finger sandwich. Living the dream. Sometimes you just have to say yes to things.
Today was the first ODE at Blackwater. I didn’t enter and I’m OK with that decision. My preparation hasn’t been right and I don’t like winging it when it comes to eventing.
I’ve felt rather thwarted recently. I understand it. The first quarter of 2024 has been challenging. First the back and forward to my parents, then getting floored by the flu, my saddle being reflocked, working long hours and finally the Buddymobile being off the road.
I’m not making excuses, I’m reflecting. Today I noticed I’d picked my BRC Combined Challenge hoodie. Last year I represented my Riding Club on many occasions. And even with similar challenges, we still achieved an awful lot.
So while the first quarter we haven’t done much, there are still three more quarters to go. I’m happy for people who are out there having fun with their horses. It makes me so happy to see people overcoming hurdles and achieving things.
It’s been us so many times. And I will be us again. But for now, I’ll just have to be content to cheer from the sidelines.
The Buddymobile will be fixed- hopefully quickly and cheaply (I’m running out of body parts to sell). Bring on Q2…
Buddy had a pony play date today. With a rather large pony. Becca and Star came to visit. Star is a lot bigger than Buddy, kinda makes him look like a pony. We were out for nearly 2 hours working our way round the roads and tracks. We hardly saw a soul. Sheer bliss.
We were meant to go over to see them, but the Buddymobile is in the sickbay. Again. So they came to us. I love being able to share our hacking with people.
Buddy clearly guessed we were going out for a long one as he tried to take snacks with him. He was a bit miffed I wouldn’t let him take a huge mouthful of hay out. Star was a bit surprised by our hills. Yes we have hills in Norfolk.
It was so funny cause Star clearly knew his way round. He strode off so confidently, you’d think he’d been there before. Buddy on the other hand acted like he’d never been down the routes we took. Talk about role reversal.
All in all two perfectly behaved ponies. The riders had a laugh too.
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.
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.
Well it’s taken me till the age of 53 (and a half) to be the proud owner of a pair of jump leads.
The Buddymobile needs a little boost when it’s been sat for a while. Or it cold. I mean, who doesn’t?! I’ve been borrowing some when needed, but yesterday when I was driving back from the woods, I decided to go and get some of my own.
I have a phrase when I’m grooming for someone – ‘Better to have them and not need them, than need them and not have them’. This is the same.
Typically I needed them today. The Buddymobile hasn’t been out for a while. What with parent drama, flu and no saddle, it’s only had one outing this year. Thought I’d take it out for a spin. It felt good to be back behind the wheel.
Next time I’m going to take Buddy with me…. Time for some more horsey adventures.
I had quite the adventure today. With the freezing temperatures overnight, I was worried the lorry wouldn’t start. And if I did get it started, I wouldn’t be able to park it safely in the city. Thankfully Victoria came to my rescue and gave me a lift in to work.
Of course, that left the conundrum of how to get home. Decided to bus it back. My god, what a faff!
First I had to find the bus stop (easier said than done). Then I nearly missed it as it stopped at a different stop. Luckily someone spotted it, so we all trotted up the road to get it. Finally we ended up going round the houses, including a 3-point turn due to a closed road.
All in all it took an hour and 15 mins to do a journey that takes a max of 20 mins in the car. Still it only cost me £2 (and a little bit more body fat keeping warm while I waited in the freezing temperatures).
Got back to some good news! The Comedy Car was fixed. And the bill wasn’t as much as expected. Good job too as I had to ask one of my neighbours if I could jumpstart the Buddymobile off his car. Seems my worries were well founded after all.
So my joyous 2024 continues. Driving back last night from my Riding Club Committee meeting, the Comedy Car started feeling odd and drinking petrol. And I mean drinking!!
Took it to the garage this morning and one of the brakes was jammed on. Just very grateful that it didn’t do that when I was coming back from my parents.
It needs new brake pads, discs and at least one calliper, maybe two. So another car bill coming my way. Plus I’ve got the car tax for the lorry to pay this month.
Thank goodness I have the Buddymobile though. At least I’m kinda mobile. Well once I got it started. Had to jump start it off a friend’s car (normally I’d use the Comedy Car….).
We had a fluttering of snow here today. I inadvertently wheel spun the Buddymobile trying to get off the close earlier. That was fun!
I’m working at the chiro’s tomorrow so wish me luck finding a space for it in Norwich. You have to laugh. Honest you do.
The Buddymobile had its first outing of 2024. Buddy and I headed over to Thetford Forest to meet up with Vicky Harris and her gorgeous baby boy, Roo.
Buddy can be quite the calming influence. Roo definitely seemed very chilled in his company. I think a new bromance has been formed.
It was lovely to take Buddy somewhere new too. I could have ridden round for hours. So lucky to be able to get out and about. And it was relatively dry under hoof! Though it seems Buddy brought a lot of mud with him as I failed to groom my horse properly. Epic groom fail there! Buddy was very happy to embrace his bog monster breeding.
Vicky brought some soup for lunch as well. Now I love anyone who feeds me. So Broccoli and Stilton soup went down a treat when we got back.
All in all a wonderful day.
Tales, Tails and Talus 