Mischief

Today was the first day back at riding for disabled - first day for everyone, due to the weather snow had stopped play for two weeks and first day for me due to my back.

I had to stand out half way through both my classes as my back was starting to ache like toothache BUT I was very pleased with progress. It's far better than I hoped for. An hour on shredded rubber tyres in the indoor school was quite enough for me.

The children were awesome today it looked like they had all had private lessons over Christmas. They all LOVE the riding. They have improved so much it's incredible what it does for their balance and confidence.

When I came back to the tack room tiny buddy and Charlie looked thick as thieves. I think some mischief had occurred whilst class was taking place.

Sad news that we lost vanity over Christmas to collick. She had been an amazing pony. Fabulous for the children so gentle and patient. It's shocking that these days there is still no simple cure for such a simple thing.

We have a new replacement already. His name is Chico. He is very handsome. And so life goes on.

It's another reminder to me to go out and travel more. Life is very short and its criminal that I have been given a life in an able body that I am not taking advantage of to the max. In my VERY temporary paralysed back state I realised what it must be like to - well...be paralysed. I have an able body that someone else permanently in my temporary state would LOVE to have and is never going to have the chances that are right in front of me.

I have to be brave and get over my fear of travel and go out there and live it for them and be very very grateful for the life I have and what I can do with it. Although weirdly my phobias all seem to be holding off I'm not sure how long that will last - I think I have a new phobia - of being paralysed - and it is far outweighing my fear of travel.

I am very grateful my back is on the mend - big time - and I am going to do my best to conquer my fears.

as an aside. SINCE WHEN has it cost nearly eight quid for some tins of tuna!!!