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 blew me a bubble tonight when I lunged him. How cute! Today’s been a catch up day. It’s been a busy few days (weeks/months) so there was a lot to catch up on.
The aftermath of the Champs needed sorting. As did the mountain of laundry. I was feeling rather pleased with myself for getting it almost dry on the line. When a thunderstorm hit (still not complaining about the rain).
I made a start on sorting the lorry too. I was too tired to do it on Saturday when I got back. Thankfully I don’t need to do a full clean as we’re off to a training camp on Saturday.
The Buddymobile failed its MOT last week so I’ve had a nervous few days while it’s been fixed. Picked it back up this morning after being sorted and retested. Such a relief. Though I will be eating bean on toast for a bit…
I’ve had my little lorry nearly 3 years now. And I bloody love it! I smile every time I take it for a spin.
It got a new admirer today as a woman stopped me at the petrol station to ask if it was for sale. She said it was just what she was looking for. We got talking about horses, as you do.
Typically I can’t go anywhere as it’s too hot to travel Buddy right now. He seems to have adapted to the hot weather much better than I have. Today I found I’d empty the recycling bin in to the garden waste bin. Not a clue when I actually emptied the recycling bin.
Roll on cooler days and my brain firing on all cylinders again.
I had to take a horse to Newmarket this afternoon. As it was getting late, I pulled over by the gallops for a pit stop. A sausage rolls, Pringles and a coffee in a lay-by is proper lorry fare.
While sat there I watched a man throwing a spanner into a tree to get a drone down. 😂
It’s amazing the things you get to see if you stop and admire the view.
Took Buddy back over to Weston today for another Newmarket Salt Treatment. He was fascinated by all the horses there. Especially the Shetland’s. Got complements on how lovely and well behaved he is.
He really does seem to enjoy the treatment. He wanders off and then comes back to the nozzle.
I get a treatment too. Makes my nose tingle and gives my sinuses a good clear out!
Lovely to catch up with Tamsin Conyers too! Another bonus!
On my way there, I got told off by a lorry driver for not indicating when I slowed to turn. I was indicating so checked the lorry and the bulb had blown. Took it down the road to my local garage. They changed the bulb for the princely sum of £3. Bargain!
Back home after another cracking training camp. After watching some of the Badminton XC yesterday I was inspired and intimidated in equal measure. As we headed out this morning, I’d decided that we’d stick to the 60/70s. Well we hadn’t been XC for 6 months. I wasn’t sure if Buddy would remember the drill.
I needn’t have worried in the slightest. He was clearly up for it! After warming up over a couple of 70s, we spent the rest of the time jumping the 80s and finished with a 90.
Couple of wobbles when I forgot to ride. And a terrifying ‘puddle of doom’ before the ditch. Mr Nappy Pants returned at one point, but I’m so much better at nipping it in the bud. Started with a smile and ended with a bigger one.
This afternoon it was grids. It was really hot and we were both flagging. Still we came, we saw, we jumped everything. And that’s no mean feat.
All in all, I’m so happy with my little boy. And I stayed in the saddle all weekend! No unscheduled dismounts for me. Not always the case. I must work out how many training camps we’ve done now…
Think we’ll definitely sleep well tonight. Buddy gets time in the field tomorrow. I have the lorry and my tack to clean. And a huge pile of laundry. Worth it though.
First day of camp and what a belter. Two brilliant lessons. It feels so good to be back at Blackwater Farm training again with T&N Equestrian.
First lesson this morning was poles. Finally something has clicked in my brain and I actually enjoyed a pole lesson rather than wondering if we’d get through them unscathed. It seems Buddy has had a similar revelation as we positively floated through them.
This afternoon it was course jumping. The hard works of the past few months is paying dividends. Buddy was on top form and flew round the course. Got lots of complements from the other campers. Always lovely.
Even got to watch some of the XC coverage from Badders. Gosh it was a very testing track. Lots of thrills and spills. Fingers crossed we have more thrills tomorrow when we go XC (mere twigs in comparison).
Now tucked up in my lorry. And Buddy is loving the haylage that comes with camp life. Today was a very good day indeed.
Took Buddy out for a hack this afternoon. The weather was beautiful. After we got back, he had a bath ready for camp tomorrow.
Then I packed the lorry all ready for the off. We’re only away one night but it still seems like a lot to take. The advantage of having a lorry is that lots of stuff lives on there so it does make it a bit easier. Still feel like I’ve forgotten something though…
Buddy and I are off for our first training camp this weekend. I was originally meant to be at Badminton. But that didn’t happen. So what’s better than watching Eventing? Training for Eventing, of course.
I needed to get some shavings and haylage before we head off on Saturday. It’s amazing how much I can get in The Comedy Car. It may be small, but it really is a Tardis inside. I also treated myself to a shavings fork. I know how to spoil myself!
I was giggling as I drove back. Luckily I have more space in The Buddymobile. We need to take a lot of stuff with us. I say we…… 😂
It’s always made me laugh when people say that the horse does all the work. And as riders, we just sit there. Today I’ve definitely disproved that.
We headed off for a lesson this morning over at Martham. We were put through our paces for sure.
After getting back and sorting Buddy out, I took the lorry home to give it a deep clean. We head off to our first training camp of 2022 this weekend. So I wanted it to be neat and tidy. 2.5 hours later!!! It doesn’t take me that long to clean my entire house.
Pretty sure it’ll needs another clean when I get back!
I saw this great sign today. I’ve often wondered what’s growing in the fields around me. It’s also a great reminder to everyone to respect the fields and stick to the footpaths.
I had to pick my lorry up as it was having done work done. It has sprung a leak. Not ideal as it was in the living. The roof has now been resealed so should be nice and water tight. Good job too as we’re off for our first training camp next weekend.
I’m grateful that I can walk over to get it. After 3 days away at a conference, it felt good to be outside and moving.
Tales, Tails and Talus 