I've only gone and done it 'Rodney' ...

(Me & Spider, a true gent !)

Riding that is !
I haven't ridden properly for Ooh, about 18 years. Why did I leave it that long ? Oh yes, I have crappy ligaments (The professionals called me a baggy mess), and a back injury (from a bad fall about 23 years ago).
I've been umming and ah'ing about getting back in the saddle for ages but the fear of setting off my back, lack of confidence and not pulling my finger out all culminated in the likelihood being absolutely zilch. That is until ....

Boo's school held a family fun day and Wellington Riding brought along a horse simulator for the kids to have a go on. Well, I was straight over there, Boo desperate to have a go on a pretend horse.
The very lovely people from Wellington were trying to organise 'School Mums' riding sessions with Coffee and Cake afterwards. How perfect is that ?

(OH MY GOD !!! Look at those baggy jowels ! )
I'm so embarrassed. It's like looking down into a drawer and finding a mirror in there. In my defense I was at the point of the down in the rising trot so gravity is pulling my face down.

I registered interest and kept in touch and so this Friday saw me have a 1/2hr assessment. I'll be honest, I was a little bit nervous, more about my back and whether I'd kick off the mega mega pain I've had to suffer at times.
After talking to me about my riding history etc. they gave me 'Spider'. He's one of the centres Schoolmasters and showjumpers. He's very big but very much a gentleman. He put me at ease and I thoroughly enjoyed the session even though after about 15 minutes I was bloody knackered.

Roland (my instructor and why oh why didn't they give me a real minger to instruct me) had me trotting for the majority of the 1/2hr, transitions from walk to rising trot, sitting trot, 20m circles and going large round the menage. I tell you, I was puffing like a puffing thing. Well, I'm no spring chicken, my legs were weak, my core non-existent but I didn't fall off - I should bloody hope not just at a trot !!!!

I LOVED IT, GOING BACK ON THURSDAY ! I'll be having some 1/2hr lungeing lessons with no stirrups to strengthen my legs and core so watch this space as I'm sure I'll have some bruises to share ;-(


Myself and some lovely friends went out last night to celebrate my birthday. We went to a Blubeckers and had a real laugh. The waitresses brought me out some balloons and an ice-cream with a candle in it and sang me Happy Birthday.


Ju, Linda and Di caught unawares. Ju is smiling but don't be fooled, she rode yesterday too and was just starting to feel the effects of also not having ridden for about 18 years. We've been comparing aches and pains all day.
Linda is trying to be invisible cos she hates having her picture taken and Di who always looks perfect, I don't think I have ever seen her in her scruffs ???


Anne WITH HER EYES OPEN, Yay ... I can take a 100 pics of Anne and she'd normally have her eyes shut in 98 of them. Guaranteed. Anne is Boo's unofficial Godmother and is fantastic with her. She'll sit for about 5 hrs playing puzzles, hide and seek and games without one utterance of a moan.
Edyta is in the background looking lovely and glam as normal. She's just one of those people who would look fantastic in a bin bag. Grrrrrrrr ...........

Thank you dear lady friends, I had a ball and hope you did too. I just can't behave at times and I don't need a drink to be a bit naughty. I was crying with laughter at one point.
But I couldn't possible tell you the details of the conversation. However it did involve men pulling faces .... I dare one of you to make some suggestions.

I'll leave it with you then he! he!

OK, well I'm going to roll myself off the sofa now, I'm getting stiffer and stiffer by the hour. I can't cross my legs so what state will I be in by the morning ?
A small price to pay for having a lovely ride ...