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 had to take a horse to Newmarket today. Not Buddy thankfully. When I got back I was skipping out the lorry and noticed just how worn my lorry broom is. I think it may be time to get a new one.
This one has lasted me nearly 12 years, so not bad really. Makes me think of Trigger from Only Fools and Horses. Showing my ages I know…
Today my little lorry had delusions of grandeur parked in the HGV car park. The Buddymobile looked tiny next to the huge rigs. It’s a rarity to find a space big enough usually – no problem here! 😝
Another miserable day today. Took the lorry out to pick up a wardrobe for a friend this morning. That was a bit hairy at times. So decided to hunker down for the rest of the day and catch up on the curling finals.
Blimey, what incredible matches. It seems harsh to say I’m disappointed for the men. They still got silver in the Olympics. But so close to a gold. As for the ladies, what a match!
Curling is one of those weirdly addictive sports. I can’t say I totally understand it. But the kittens and I enjoyed it. Well I’m sure they would have had they not been snoring. At least it drowned out the sound of the rain and wind.
Roll on Summer and complaining about being too hot and biting things. We Brits love the weather!
The Buddymobile is back and all fixed. 👏🏻 Such a relief to know it was something simple. Diesel starvation apparently so a non-return valve later, it was all sorted.
All ready for our next clinic on Saturday.
Lorries seem to be a bit of a theme this week. Today we came across 3 huge lorries out on our hack.
Faced with huge HGVs that rattle and clank (the empty ones make more noise than the full ones), even the best horses can have a wobble. Today, we had hacking rockstars. Helped by the drivers. They were exceptional.
They stopped when asked so we had time to get onto the bank and settle the horses. They drove past us as slowly as they could. They checked to make sure our horses were calm. Then drove away with care and consideration.
It doesn’t always happen, so I sent an email to the company to thank you.
As if that wasn’t enough, we then had to deal with a tractor cutting hedges on the way back. Jeez that made a racket. Even though Buddy wasn’t sure, he donned his brave pants and walked past.
So this wasn’t how my day was meant to go. The Buddymobile wouldn’t start this morning. We tried jumpstarting it, we tried banging it, we tried cleaning bits, all to no avail.
A lovely man from the local garage came out too. But he couldn’t get it to start either. His best guess, something electrical. So we’re grounded for now. Well until I can get it fixed.
Any advice or tame mechanics gratefully received. 🤞🏻
I’ve been pondering stuff today. I took a friend and her horse out for a saddle fitting. As I sat in the lorry waiting, I had another chance to reflect on this journey so far. Sometimes we need to look back to see just how far we’ve come. And bloody hell have I come a long way! I’m still here. I’m still smiling. And I’m still doing my best.
And just like that, we’re back at camp. This time with T&N Equestrian at Blackwater Farm.
Decided to do an extra night so I could take Buddy to Weston Equestrian Centre for a Newmarket Salt treatment. He wasn’t sure to start off with, but think he enjoyed it.
He was obviously feeling well as we’ve had our first camp fall. 🤦🏻♀️ Someone took exception to the pink portaloo. The same one he’s seem several times before. Oh well, camp doesn’t officially start till tomorrow so I’m not counting it. 🤪
My little lorry passed it’s MOT today. Needed a new tyre and a light bulb but apart from that we’re all good.
Honestly it’s so tense waiting to hear from the garage. It really is.
As you can see, Buddy was happy with the news too.
After our best day at camp, this wasn’t quite the way I planned to finish it. Sadly my little lorry broke down on the way back. Thankfully was able to limp to a garage and didn’t breakdown in the contraflow on the A47.
A wonderful friend came to rescue Buddy. My main concern was that he was OK. Bless him he was such a good boy walking off my lorry and onto hers in the middle of the busy forecourt.
I can’t fault NFU Mutual. They were brilliant. Kept me informed every step of the way and checked that we were both OK.
The BP staff were the same. Even giving me a free hot drink while I waited for the recovery lorry.
The same can’t be said a few of the next door McDonalds customers who made their feelings known about choice of parking spot. It wasn’t like I had much choice?!
Buddy and I are both home safely and that’s what matters. The lorry can be fixed. And we had a brilliant time away.
Tales, Tails and Talus 