Club together

Day 162: club together. Back home after a fab weekend away at the BRC Arena Eventing Champs. Lots of driving, but the Buddymobile did me proud. And now has a new memento onboard.

First time that someone else has slept in the lorry with me. It was a little cramped but we made it work. The heater was needed to keep us warm during the night. Poor Sam had a hard night as the air mattress deflated.

Oh and I have a very cute snore. Whoops!

Buddy and the kittens were pleased to see me. And I will be pleased to see my bed tonight.

I love being part of a riding club. It’s so much fun doing stuff as a team. I also love being able to help a friend and support others. It makes me very happy indeed.

Support crew

What a fab day at the BRC Arena Eventing Championships in Aston Le Walls. I wasn’t sure how the day was going to go when I woke up to snow and ice!! Turned up at the yard to find the lock on the gate frozen and my lorry door frozen.

But I needn’t have worried, by the time we got onto the main roads it was smooth sailing all the way.

We arrived in time to watch the first two members of the team do their rounds. Vicky and Becca were awesome.

Then it was time for Samantha and Halo to go in. And in typical eventer-style, the heavens opened. They absolutely stormed round!

Big smiles all round. And the team came 15th.

Now snuggled up in the Buddymobile. Belly full of soup. Wine in hand. Little heater packing out some heat. What a good day.

Today has made me even more determined to get Buddy to another Championships. And goes to show that you can get as much from being the support crew as you can from being the rider.

Three Lions

I’m back home after a full on two days at St George’s Park. It’s been so much fun. I’m one of those special people who loves running around like an idiot making sure everything goes smoothly.

It was a great venue too. You can’t help but feel inspired when you’re surrounded by images of legends and so much memorabilia and trophies.

I left Burton-on-Trent later than I’d planned with another Burton on my mind. Today was the funeral of a friend’s partner, Steve Burton. Steve was a lovely bloke so I wanted to be there to show my respect. And support a family who’ve been a great support to me over the years.

Compassion

I’m back peopling at the chiro’s for another week. You could tell it was the 13th today as we got off to a bit of a shaky start with lots of things sent to try us.

Thankfully we had cause to smile when we were brought this yummy cherry and almond cake by a client. It was still warm from the oven (the best kind of cake in my eyes).

It also came in very handy when one of the patients collapsed with epilepsy. Good job I‘m calm in a crisis and have first aid training. I’ve also experienced people with seizures before so knew what to do.

She was very grateful for my support and compassion as I stayed with her while she recovered.

Compassion was a topic of conversation today as another patient saying she felt compassion had been replaced with self-righteousness. That really got me thinking…

My Nana used to tell me to treat people how you want to be treated. I’ve held onto that. And always try to do that. I really felt for the lady today. She needed compassion. And cake!

Resillience

This quote came up on my memories. It a yearly reminder I guess to look back and recognise the journey I’ve been on this far.

Things have been challenging. I’ve had to face many things in the past few years alone. Let alone my lifetime so far. They don’t define me. But it’s sure part of my story.

Things continue to be challenging for me. I know many people who are struggling in one way or another too.

My ear is there to listen. My shoulder is there cry on. And my arms are there for hugs…

I’m grateful to the wonderful people I have in my life who regularly do the same for me. Thank you.

Support local

I love getting texts telling me where my blood donation has gone. It’s been sent far and wide. Looks like I’m supporting local this time and it’s only gone down the road.

Seems quite appropriate as I’m a member of Buy Local Norfolk. And I spent two nights at JPH when I had Covid.