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!
11 years ago I moved into my little house. I can’t quite believe it’s been that long.
I still remember the stress of moving. The endless boxes to pack and unpack (still not unpacked them all). The fear of living on my own after so many years. The excitement of all the plans I had (still haven’t finished them). The chaos of building works. The financial worries. The joys. The highs. The lows. The losses. The new additions.
I love my little house. I’ve made so many memories here. I smile every time I drive round the close and see my home. It was meant to be, that’s for sure. It’s not perfect. It needs some TLC. But it’s perfect for me. And that’s what matters…
Today, I took the first step on an exciting new venture. I headed to the British Show Jumping National Training Centre in Leicestershire for an Officials Induction Day.
The weather was utterly foul. The windscreen wipers on The Comedy Car were going so fast, I feared one might fly off! Let’s face it, that’s not that far fetched! Still I arrived with a minute to spare for a very informative day.
They went through the pathways you can take to become a BSJA Official. You can do one, or them all depending on your areas of interest. I want to do the Judges one first. I’ll see about the rest.
I already judge, steward and commentate at unaffiliated level. This is formalising things I enjoy doing. As much as I love jumping. I know there will come a time when I don’t want to jump. Or can’t. So this is my way of paying it forward and giving back to a sport I love. That and it keeps me involved still.
I have no clue where it will take me. But every adventure starts with a first step…
They say that it’s lucky to bring a horseshoe for the bride. Well tonight, I brought four! They were of course still attached to Buddy. My friend Kirsty was having her wedding celebration party at the community hall near the yard. I know how much she loves Buddy, so I walked up to bring him down to see her.
He was such a good boy. Posing for the guests. A few more members of the Buddy fan club I’d say. In fact her brother-in-law said he’d been to many weddings, but had never seen someone turn up with a horse!
Kirsty said it was the cherry on top. I’m so happy that I could do that for her. May you and David have a long and happy marriage.
Well that’s another Olympics over. I love the Olympics. It’s so wonderful seeing different sports taking centre stage. Don’t get me wrong, I love football, rugby and golf, but there are so many other sports to enjoy.
This time I got really hooked on skeet shooting, kayak cross and sport climbing. Who knew they would be edge of the seat stuff!
Of course, my favourites are the equestrian disciplines. Ending the games with 2 Team Golds, a Team Bronze and 2 individual Bronzes shows how strong we are. Long may they continued to be celebrated at the games.
On reflection, I have a strange relationship with the Summer Olympics. In 2008 when the Bejing Games were on, I was signed off work with stress-related insomnia and severe anxiety. There was a lot of crying!
By 2012 and the London Games, I was Team GBs head cheerleader again as I led the internal campaign at Aviva to get everyone behind the games and Team GB. More cheering than crying this time.
On to 2016 and the Rio Games found me on the sofa again, this time with a broken finger. Yup you guessed it, back to lots of crying.
A global pandemic put pay to the 2020 Games! Can’t say I was in the best place in 2021 when the games actually took place. Back to struggling with anxiety and the new joy of depression! But at least I wasn’t injured eh?!?!
In fact, this is the first games in a very long time that I actually enjoyed. I’m in a good place mentally and physically. One thing is for sure, I will always Team GBs cheerleader. I’ve cried when people lost, I’ve cried when they won. I love hearing the back stories.
I will never get to the Olympics as a competitor. But I would love to go one day as a spectator. Might need to take lots of tissues with me though. So adieu Paris and the is for the memories…
While I was journaling today a memory stirred, so I took a moment to look at it. I remembered being criticised for my ‘child-like excitement’ of things. I was told in no uncertain terms that I shouldn’t be so overly-excited about things. At the time, I wasn’t sure how to respond. So I ended up toning down my reactions so I’d ‘fit in more’.
As I’ve got older, I realised that actually there’s nothing wrong with being excited about stuff. Big stuff, little stuff and everything in between. In fact, being excited about stuff shows it means something.
I was very excited yesterday before and after jumping. It’s something I love doing. This week I’m excited about going to Hickstead, catching up with good friends and making more memories.
If that’s childish, then guilty as charged. I’m good with being young at heart. Life can be bloody serious sometimes. I know so many people facing serious stuff. If I can lighten the mood and make someone laugh with my enthusiasm for life, that’s gotta be a good thing.
I had the honour of jumping Irish today. Oh my goodness, what a dude. I’ve known him a few years and have always wanted to ride him. So when I got the chance, I eagerly agreed.
He’s an ISH like Buddy. But very different. We had a couple of steering issues. Mostly me forgetting that he’s not Buddy, so doesn’t turn on a sixpence.
Boy did it feel good to be jumping again. It’s true what they say that you don’t realise how much you miss something till you do it again.
Buddy and I will be back to it soon enough. In the meantime, I’m so grateful that people trust me with their horses. Thank you Kim, it means so much.
As if that wasn’t enough horsey excitement, this afternoon I headed over to have foal cuddles with Poppy. She’s a proper sassy pants. Absolutely stunning in the flesh. I’d seen photos of her, but they don’t do her justice. She is going to be a star in the show ring.
What a lovely horsey day indeed! I need a lie down after all the excitement. Oh wait, I’m about to watch England.
Another long day at the Showground. Another BRC Qualifier being run by Carleton Riding Club. This time Combined Training. Another day of stewarding – not only the dressage, but the showjumping too!
Thankfully the weather was kinder than yesterday. Good job too as my boots were still wet this morning. That wasn’t particularly pleasant. A bit like putting on a wet swimming costume. Only a few showers to contend with today.
We cracked through the dressage and even faster through the showjumping. Finishing early!!
This made me giggle when I’d finished. We talk about nature’s power, well this looked like the electric was coming from the tree. Got to witness nature’s true power when I got home as there was an almighty thunderstorm! So grateful that didn’t hit while I was standing in a big field!!
I ache from standing for two days, my face aches from smiling at everyone, but I’ve had a fantastic weekend. Volunteering, supporting and being part of equestrian events really does make me feel good about myself. I love helping. I love riding more, so fingers crossed we’ll be back to that too. And I’m sure my boots will dry out at some stage…
Buddy Boy turned 14 today. Sadly it wasn’t the best weather for him. Rather damp as we headed out for our walk.
Usually we’d go for a long ride together. This year it’s a bit different. I wonder if Buddy minded. I definitely missed it. I didn’t miss Buddy acting like a 3 year old when he heard the steam rally. Cause he’s never heard that before!
Probably not my best plan. We didn’t go that close. And assumed that as he’s experienced it 7 years now, he’s be OK. That was my first mistake. Never assume with horses. Or it could have been the boy racer car backfiring. We had it all today. And we were only out 15 mins.
I did get back in the saddle today though as a friend let me ride her horse. Maybe that was Buddy’s birthday treat too? He looked quite surprised when spotted me.
Happy Birthday Buddy Boy. You really are My Absolute Diamond.
I was given this pretty salvia today. I’ve done a little favour for a good friend. This was her way of saying thank you. She also fed me, which is definitely my love language.
We haven’t caught up for a while, not sure either of us was expecting to talk for 4 hours though! The time passed in no time. Love it when that happens. And I’m lucky that it happens a lot.
4 years go today these two adorable fluff balls arrived Chez Langley. I remembered how small the carrier was that they came in. I’d forgotten how small kittens are. These two were tiny!
They’ve grown into very handsome little boys indeed. Even if for the first few weeks I thought one was a girl. Soon became very obvious that she was a he.
They make me giggle with their antics. Shortly after taking this picture, Hugo pounced on Dodo. They then chased each other round the garden.
And yes, they will probably always be called the kittens.
Tales, Tails and Talus 