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 treated myself to some new yard gloves. Well the ones I have been using have definitely seen better days. In fact, I didn’t realise how bad they were till I put the new ones on. And promptly stuck to the wheelbarrow handle.
Love the motto on the packaging. Not sure how much gloves are going to live, explore and discover?! One things for sure, they will discover a lot of poo!
What a productive May Day bank holiday it’s been. Burned a few calories that’s for sure.
This morning I spent 2.5 hours at the yard. Wanted to poo pick and pull some ragwort that’s sprung up. It’s so satisfying!
Then this afternoon, it was cleaning out the greenhouse. Got a free sauna in the process. Possibly the hottest day so far this year, so I decide to spend it in a glass box.
It appears I’ve had guests in the greenhouse. Found next doors’ cat asleep in it. Not sure who got the biggest shock – me or him! I also found two tiny lizards. They were only about 5cm long. Super cute! Not a clue what kind they are.
It took a lot longer to sort out than I thought. But then it hasn’t been cleaned out for a few years. It’s looking nice and neat again now. Planted lots more veg too.
As there was still petrol in the tank, I spend another hour on the brambles. Bit of a glutton for punishment there. It looks so much better for it.
I do love an outdoors day. It’s very rewarding indeed. I shall sleep well tonight.
I woke up feeling very swirly today. Too many random thoughts going on in my head. So I did something I haven’t done for a while. I walked to the yard. Then grounded myself by shovelling horse poo and giving Buddy a good brush. Listened to a great podcast on the way. It was the perfect one for me to listen to today as really resonated. But also gave me food for thought. Better thoughts than I’d been having.
After doing maid duty, I decided to walk back a longer route. One I used to do in lockdown, but haven’t done for a while either. Made me giggle as I remembered one day when I’d walked up to check on Buddy when the yard was locked down. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to be there, so snuck up the footpath to see him. In my slightly unsure state thinking I might get told off or had broken some rule, I ended up hiding behind a rather large bush so as not to be seen. Trouble was I was wearing a pink gillet. Not sure I blended in that well. Had to have a stern word with myself at that point. I think I was starting to lose it at that point. Honestly lockdown brought out some very interesting behaviours all round.
Thankfully I can laugh at myself. That helped to calm the storm in my brain. So does walking. Today it was just what I needed. Came back feeling much lighter.
It was our yard Xmas dinner tonight. We headed to the village pub for a lovely meal. There was a special person missing. It’s the first Xmas meal without Martine. So we raised a glass to her and toasted her honour.
I really liked the festive centrepieces. We lit the candle and I said a prayer – peace on earth and joy to all. May your table be full, your heart be fuller and your belly even fuller still.
This might have made me laugh just a little bit too hard when I saw it.
There are lots of advantages to being a horse girl. We’re made of tough stuff. We rarely cry when a 600kg lump stands on our foot, bites us or barges us out the way. We’re stronger than we look as we manhandle straw, shavings and full wheelbarrows about. We also have the ability to switch from a whisper to a roar in a heart beat (usually when our dearly beloved horse is misbehaving).
We can spend hours outdoors at the yard. And literally pay people to judge us.
We seek each other out. We recognise each other (and not just by the smell or the random bits of hay in our hair).
I’m sure there are many more too. But one thing is for sure. We get shit done and don’t take any in return.
Today has been a day of two halves. Needed to drop the Comedy Car at the garage first thing. I realised that neither of my headlights were working.
Of course I realised this when I needed to drive half an hour home in the dark! That was interesting. I was able to get home using my sidelights and fog lights. Not my best look!
One bulb had gone. The other was out cause the wires had melted. Who knew that could happen?!
Still I now have two working headlights. And a road legal car again.
While I waited for it, I got a tad wet at the yard. But at least I got all the jobs done I wanted to. Including cleaning the lorry.
Came home feeling decidedly snotty. It was inevitable that the past few weeks caught up with me. So I took a raincheck this afternoon and flopped on the sofa watching a film.
Fingers crossed tomorrow is a better day. Let’s hope the sun shines and the rain (and snot) stays away.
Had to go out to buy more dry cat food. Came back with a new wheelbarrow. As you do!
To be fair, I’ve wanted to get a new barrow for a while now. Not for the garden, but for the yard / Buddymobile. It does make camps so much easier having a wheelbarrow. And will be a massive help mucking out.
Hugo instantly claimed it. Of course. The issue I now have is do I put it together at home and run the risk that I can’t get it in the Comedy Car…?! I suppose I‘m close enough that I could push it to the yard. That could be fun!
Thought I’d head to the yard earlier today and take Buddy out for a hack. It seemed every man and his dog had the same idea. Rarely seen that many walkers or dogs out.
Buddy was slightly distracted by the kids screaming in a nearby garden so it gave us a chance to do some schooling on the field.
Even though I’d got there early, I still managed to lose 5 hours! Yard time really is different to normal time. Still it was very productive. Gave Buddy a hot towel wash after our hack. Cleaned my tack. And tidied my stuff up.
I call that a good Sunday.
Tales, Tails and Talus 