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!
All seems right in the world when I’m behind these ears. That’s for sure. It also helps to have great company, interesting conversations and sunshine!!
It’s been a bit of an odd week all told. Not my best. But far from my worst. I saw a display of Mother’s Day cards in the shop. It suddenly hit me that I will never have to buy another Mother’s Day card. Such an odd feeling…
Grief really is a strange process. So unpacking things slowly and kindly. The sunshine definitely helps…
This is the face of someone who can’t feel their face! Made the mistake of assuming that cause I got rather warm mucking out that I wouldn’t need my ‘big coat’ on our ride.
I was very, very wrong…
I fear I got a bit carried away, cause there was little bit of sunshine today. I couldn’t feel my extremities by the time I got back. The ‘big coat’ was back on for Bert’s walk I can tell you. I’ve just about thawed out.
It was a glorious morning so I took my mid-morning coffee outside to enjoy the sunshine. Hugo decided to join me. He was purring away next to me. He was definitely giving the birds a run for their money in the sound stakes.
As I sat soaking up the rays and admiring the snowdrops, I felt very blessed indeed. In recent days, I’ve been feeling a bit frustrated and down about a few things. Today I took stock of things. There are definitely more things to be grateful for. More pros than cons.
Snowdrops are a wonderful sight for me. They are a real indicator that Spring is on the way. My favourite season. It’s a season of hope, new beginnings and starting over.
Amazing how a bit of sunshine, nature and coffee can boost one’s mood. The company was pretty good too.
This was one of my Christmas presents. I’ve been looking forward to reading it. Today was the day I started it. I took my turn to bask in the sunshine in the conservatory. Just me and the kittens while Bert had a nap after our lovely walk this morning.
It makes me smile whenever I walk out on to Braydeston Hills. I’d lived in the close for over 7 years before I found out there was a footpath at the bottom. It leads out onto the most beautiful countryside. One of the more positive things that came from lockdown!
Taking Bert out there this morning was so lovely. He was such a good boy on the long line. He even sat and waited while a rather nervous dog walked by.
Sitting in the sunshine reading about Kate’s move from London to Wales really struck a chord. I can totally understand why she wanted to move to countryside. I’m definitely a country girl too…
I took Bert for a walk through some ancient woods this morning. I’d forgotten how beautiful they are. Even more beautiful in the winter sunshine.
After the grey skies, clouds and fog of the past few weeks, this made a wonderful change.
These woods used to be privately owned, but were bought with donations and put in trust to preserve them. That makes me heart swell. So much of our beautiful woodlands and countryside are being lost. Knowing this will be kept for future generations is great.
These woods were on one of my lockdown walks. It seems such a long time ago that I used to walk miles to keep my head from imploding with it all. Now I have Bert, I can see I will need to rediscover some of the routes again.
Think I might need to invest in some decent walking boots…
The trio became a duo today. We’d arranged to do another arena hire this afternoon, but Sam was poorly. So Carla and I went together as a duo.
After a lovely session we walked the horses off round the tracks. It was a tad warmer than last time as the strange orange thing in the sky had returned. Not complaining! We were careful not to scare it off…
Thought I’d take Buddy out for a lovely ride round the village today. It was a sunny day, so why not. The only downside to this time of year is that the sun is very low in the sky. I had a couple of moments where drivers couldn’t see us till the last minute as they were blinded (and for once it wasn’t by my hi-viz!).
Buddy decided to add to the adventure with a freestyle move I like to call ‘the teleport’. Let’s just say we changed lanes very quickly. Thank god I’ve got a good lower leg, the road came towards my face at speed.
And what caused this freestyle move – why a white charity donation bag. Clearly Buddy doesn’t believe in charity…
Got home to these beautiful flowers. They’re to say thank you for my help. And being ‘a ray of sunshine and a good friend’.
It’s wonderful to be appreciated. Even if it’s just for being you…
My get up and go, clearly got up without me this morning. By the time I crawled out of bed, I was feeling rather unmotivated. Cut myself some slack. After all, it is the ‘day of rest’. Whatever that is!!
I found the warm spot in the conservatory and sat roasting myself there for a few hours. Catching up on some online learning.
Then headed to the yard to take Buddy out for a leg stretch. It was a very sedate affair. Even if the wind was swirling about a bit.
I’ve got a busy few weeks coming up. So made the most of the day. Even though it feels like I wasted the day in some ways. I need to take a leaf out of my animals books. The kittens are pros at self-care. So is Buddy in his own way. One day I’ll crack it… till then, I’m being kind to myself.
Today was one of those days where I felt torn between doing and being. So I did a mix of both.
I sat on the patio in the glorious sunshine. Having breakfast, journaling and topping up my Vitamin D. It felt so good to just be. To fill my lungs with air and empty my head onto the pages. I even practiced observing my garden, without making a mental note of the things that need to be done. That is very hard for me.
As I was on a writing roll, I drafted the latest newsletter for Carleton Riding Club. An easy bit of doing.
Even easier was taking Buddy out for another long hack. We did the same ride as yesterday – but in reverse. Well you’d think Buddy had never been out before! He was very confused by it all.
As I rode along, I remembered this saying. We are human beings not human doings.
I’ve got a busy period coming up, with lots of doing. So glad I took the change to focus on being. For a change.
Tales, Tails and Talus 