Easter weekend fun

When I come home for the big holidays, my family go mad with me because I launch into full-on 'let's-do-cute-family-fun-things-and-be-adorable' mode. I like making big deals out of occasions like Christmas and New Year, but more recently Halloween and Easter too. I started asking what Easter plans we had weeks ago and when I was faced with two parents who laughed and said they hadn't even thought about it yet, I challenged myself with the task of planning something. Starting with a long run early Sunday morning, we spent the bank holiday making the most of the weather (hello sunshine! we've missed you!) and taking advantage of the fact we were all together as a family.

Mum made the effort to do an Easter tree this year which was super sweet to arrive home to, and we bought some new decorations from Tesco too- the upside-down sheep and chicks in the photo that we couldn't get to hang properly! 

I actually did my first proper roast for our evening meal (took me long enough, I know). I was determined to make everything perfect and thought I'd nailed the timings, but typically it didn't go completely to plan. But, all things considered, and when it was finally all ready, I think I did a pretty awesome job! The roasted vegetables (carrots, potatoes, parsnips, broccoli and red onion) were delicious, and were by far my favourite part of the meal. The gammon was super tender and the honey glaze I added topped it off perfectly. Yumm. Oh, and of course it was followed by chocolate. Lots of chocolate. Mum even managed to find me a white chocolate Lindt bunny which seem to have been difficult to track down this year. If they ever stop selling these, my heart will break.

Our miniature pony, Rupert, was also subjected to the Easter fun. I didn't expect him to look this cute - my heart positively melted. Unfortunately, I think he pulls them off better than me.

Like the rest of the British population, Easter Monday was spent in the great outdoors enjoying the glorious sunshine that finally arrived in England. Yay! We went for a bike ride, even managing to drag my brother with us too! It was my first cycle ride in a long time, and definitely my first since I've been properly running and become a bit of an exercise enthusiast so it was a fantastic feeling to find cycling so much easier than I remember! And it was great to be able to get out into the beautiful countryside that surrounds our little village.

Easter is fast becoming equally as exciting as Christmas for me. I get far too carried away with all the potential family time, good food and fun things. How was your Easter? Did you have any special plans, or just get down with all the chocolate?!

16 signs you're a horsey person

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1. You put your hands into the pockets of your jacket to find bits of hay, pony nuts and treats.

2. You're outraged at the idea of getting up early for anyone else, but if it's to do the horses 6am then it's totally fine.

3. You say 'I'm going to do the poo pick' as if everyone understands, only to receive crazy looks from your friends.

4. You have jackets, lots of jackets. And lots of boots. And you'll probably buy some more at the next horse show you go to.

5. Your friends are disgusted by your black finger/toe nail which you got from when your horse bit/trod on it.

6. You buy the top brands for your horse, but you happily shop at Primark.

7. And on that note, your horse probably has more rugs than you do clothes.

8. Your arms are more tanned than the rest of you.

9. As a teenager, your friends' rooms were covered with posters of celebrities, and yours was covered with horses.

10. You get angry when people say horse riding isn't a sport, and that all riders do is 'sit there'. NO. Just no.

11. You have at least one album dedicated to horses on Facebook.

12. The words 'tack cleaning' make you grimace.

13. If you're upset, you'd rather see your horse and ride than talk out your problems with an actual person.

14. There is nothing that makes you happier than the thought of summer and galloping over an open field.

15. Or winning that red rosette.

16. And when it comes down to it, your best friend is probably more horse-shaped, than people-shaped. 

[EDIT- contributed by my very good friend, Sophie, who clearly knows me very well] 
17. You're looking for a car to buy, but end up browsing through horses for sale instead. Because, hey, who needs horse power when you can have the real thing?

Can you relate? Any I've missed? Comment below!

University Equestrian Competitions

Photo credit, left: Kiera

I wasn't meant to compete in the university Equestrian competitions this year, but I've ended up doing half of them anyway! My friend had a fall and her injury has meant that I've been called as a reserve (wear your body protectors riders! It saved her injury from being a whole lot worse...)

Anyway, maybe it's because I've gone along with a different, more relaxed attitude, maybe it's because I didn't particularly want to compete after I'd settled with reserve in my head, but regardless of the reason I'm actually doing well this year! 

We had our second competition on Wednesday and we came second as a team again which was a fantastic result. I also placed individually! I've done this before, but typically, it's been 8th which is just out of the rosette awards- but not this time! I got sixth which meant I got myself a new rosette to add to my now growing collection, yay! And what's more, it's pink- me, a girly girl? Never.

I was chuffed, the team was chuffed, and our A Team even came away with first at another competition. Faaaaab day.

It's taught me that I need to change the way I think. I lack a bit of confidence. Okay, okay- a lot of confidence. Not because I've had some sort of horrendous childhood or anything. In fact, I honestly couldn't tell you why. I just know that I can never, ever accept that I've done well. I'll always put down anything good with something like, 'Oh yeah but I could have done this better...' or 'it could have been this grade...' 

Frankly, that's sad. And I've had enough. I'm not the best rider in the world but The result from the last competitions clearly proves that I should have more confidence in my abilities so that's exactly what I'm going to do! Even though it'll be ridiculously hard to break the habit of a lifetime (evidence above!), I feel that it will probably lead me to a better state of mental well-being... i.e make me chirpier in the long run. Who doesn't want that?

Confidence- what you feel on the inside, you wear on the outside right? Let's do thisssss.

A Perfect Sunday in the Country

Wasn't it just such a beautiful day yesterday? It's done wonders to my mood, which had quite frankly reached moody cow level recently. February is a really hard month- everyone is fed up with winter but there is little sign of Spring, and motivation is lacking all round. But all it takes is a day out in the countryside to help me appreciate that life is pretty damn awesome.

I started my day with a run this morning, hoping to do something half-decent because I've been lacking in motivation after my race last weekend. I managed just under 9k in 50 mins which I was pretty happy with. Plus, it was enough that it was such a beautiful morning and I got to see the sunrise so I wasn't too bothered about performance, just enjoyment!

I also finally rode Toffee. He's had a bit of a winter break, what with me being snowed under with work and the tracks around us being so wet and muddy. I almost wish I'd got back on sooner because we had such a lovely time. I forgot that there really is nothing like riding your own horse, and it's even better when we get to gallop over the fields (his choice, not mine- I told him he wasn't fit enough and needless to say we didn't get very far!). I've decided horse therapy is an actual thing.

Please excuse the blurriness of this photo- apparently riding and photography don't go together too well!

I tried to work, I really did try hard. Buuuut I quickly get distracted here, especially when the weather is nice. It's strange that this was only meant to be a little break during Reading Week and that I'm heading back to uni again on Tuesday but I think I'm in need of some proper routine back in my life. Going backwards and forwards all the time isn't doing me much good because I can't settle properly before I'm off again, and I really am a person who thrives on routine. It was such a great end to the weekend though and I feel all excited for Spring now. I'll be looking out for those new Spring buds!

Mud, glorious mud

Whoever said mud was glorious clearly hasn't been in the UK for the last few months, and most certainly does not own horses. But we finally seem to be coming to the end of the wettest period on record, and the ground is finally drying out.

Since being back home, it has been a complete nightmare outside. The first few days I was back, we were caught in the storms which battered Britain and flooded the garden and the fields. Although we were a thousand times luckier than others who were hit by the wind and rain, it was scary waiting to see the damage in the morning (which, thankfully, was minimal) and so frustrating hearing the rain fall, and knowing that there was no where for it to go. So the ground got wetter, the mud got muddier and we all got a little bit sadder.

Having a pony of my own means that the first thing I want to do when I return home is ride, and when I came back from France that was the last thing I was able to do. I couldn't properly work him because the ground was just too wet, and I couldn't go out because all of the bridle paths had turned into mud-skating rinks. Plus, doing anything else- like leading the horses in and out of the stables, or even just moving a wheelbarrow- was ten times more difficult. It could have been worse for us, but that doesn't lesson the frustration so I'm sure I'm not alone when I say BRING ON SPRING!

I hope everyone out there wasn't hit too badly, and if you were then I really hope the weather is kind enough to help you get back on track over the next few weeks. For now, let's just be glad that the rain has taken a break and the sun is trying to make an appearance! xoxo

My country boots have proved surprisingly mud and water proof!

Home Sweet Home

The phrase ‘home is where the heart is’ might be a sickening cliché but I have never felt this is more true than when I came home from France for the first time in six weeks. Everything, from my own bed and working internet, to the view of the countryside and my animals, is something I always try not to take advantage of, but is something I wholeheartedly appreciated after being away for a while.

The transformation since I’ve left is really quite dramatic. No more are the full green trees, the luscious grass, and the colourful flower beds; in fact it seems like the magic has gone a bit (NB: this has nothing to do with your beautiful gardening mum, I blame the weather entirely!). That is until I get inside, curl up next to the fire in a blanket on a real sofa as the nights draw in. And then suddenly I see everything with this warm glow as I appreciate just how lucky I am.

A rare moment of nice weather to see the sunset from my room

There was an abundance of home-cooked meals which were incredible, particularly the apple crumbles (with our own apples I might add), so thanks mum! And I was greeted with a gorgeous Victoria sponge that mum had baked for me as a welcome home munch. Needless to say, I’m eating less now I’m back in France to compensate for all of those goodies!

Obviously being at home again meant I basically jumped on Toffee, who was barely able to give me the ‘who are you?’ look this time. I feel so bad, I’m not a horse and I’m under no impression that he thinks like that really. But I do know that being away like this is not doing my bond with him any good, and he is a pony who really does benefit from a horse-rider bond. Worse still, as soon as he gets remotely used to me again, I’ll be jetting off back to Paris. Heartbreaking. But I took him out for a hack by myself in the second week, and I have never felt so happy galloping across the fields on him. It was utterly fantastic and he is a super pony.

Welcome Home!

I managed to get up north to see my grandparents as well. They haven’t seen me for quite a long time, and I haven’t been able to get their calls in France so I haven’t spoken to them either. We have written several letters but it is still difficult because I do miss them a lot. Living so far away from them really sucks too. I would love to be that granddaughter who could just pop over to their house for a cup of tea, I wouldn’t even mind if it was an hour away; but it’s three and that’s rubbish. I am so grateful that we were able to see them before I returned to France.

This post wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that I also met up with my lovely friends. It was as if we had never been apart and after we had a brief catch up about work and our placements, we proceeded to catch up on all of the gossip and drama in our lives. It was over too quickly, and I miss them all already.

There really is nothing like home, and nothing like the things you know, the life you know. But I suppose what I have to remember is that things which are unknown to me now, could actually be some of the best things in my life one day. So whilst I don’t want to go back to France, and I don’t want to leave home, I must remember the opportunities and experiences which present themselves and for which I will probably be as thankful for in the future as I am thankful for the life I already have. 

Puss in Boots eyes as I have never seen them before- she saw me packing

Post-Birthday and Italian Travels

I'm two decades old... And halfway to 40. But I do feel a certain sense of maturity since turning 20, absent in turning 18 and 19, and something I'm sure will solidify itself in turning 21... Next year (!). 

Having a canter along one of our bridleways

I had a wonderful birthday. We had a lovely birthday ride in the morning in the sun across the countryside, and Toffee was, uncharacteristically, an angel! After opening some lovely presents, I was then whisked off to my favourite little nearby pub for some lunch, finishing off with my new addiction- their malteaser cheesecake. Yum. A really lovely day.

But the excitement didn't stop there. Five days later, I jetted off to Italy with my two lovely girls, and did a crazy-fast tour of Rome before heading into the beautiful Italian countryside to stay at my friend's relatives'. It was genuinely one of my best holidays yet, second only to one with my family (because I feel guilty saying that all family holidays were topped by this one crazy trip). In fact, I remember saying to my friends while we were out there, looking over at the incredible view, that it was exactly what I wanted, and that was the sort of life I wanted to work towards. In the middle of the countryside, in a beautiful country, with gorgeous weather and scenery. That's my destination. Now I just need to fill in the journey...

So we started out in Rome, visiting all the major tourist sites, naturally. But we ended up getting lost due to a slightly unreliable map of the city, and for lunch found this cute little café on a side street we happened to wander down. It was the best way to experience a big city, just to stroll down tiny streets, away from the hoards of tourists and find the little gelato shops too, where I tucked into mango and chocolate flavours... YUM.

Proper Italian pasta and pesto

Clearly enjoying gelato

The Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Vatican, you name it, we went there. All in a day (thanks to the impeccable organisation of my friends!). And then it absolutely poured down on us and we got drenched... Probably after getting too cocky about being English and therefore being able to handle a bit of rain- we were soon proved wrong by the storm which went over Rome! Otherwise though, the weather was gorgeous and we had clear blue skies the rest of the trip!

Coming through a park to the Colosseum

Our accommodation for our two nights in Rome was a lovely little hostel in the centre, literally two minutes from the train station. If you're considering going to Rome, I would absolutely recommend you stay here: Rome Accommodation B&B. It was nothing like we expected from a hostel! Seriously reasonable pricing, a lovely, clean room (with ensuite), small and friendly, and a gorgeous little breakfast delivered to your room in the morning made staying in the centre of Rome an absolute delight. 

We soon moved on, however, and arrived in a tiny little village in the middle of the Italian countryside with this view from our bedroom window... Bliss.

We took a trip to the nearest town and it was a though we had literally stepped onto a film set, I've never seen anything so genuinely beautiful as the tiny little side streets of this Italian town. We sat and ate lunch at one of its petite cafés, drinking Prosecco and wine. 

One of the things I miss the most is the food: everything was so fresh! From the perfectly red, sweet tomatoes on the bruschetta, to the herbs the café owner picked from the windowsill behind us with which he would cook our meal, it all tasted so good! It makes you realise how much packaged food we eat in the UK, which is such a shame. 

One of the little streets in nearby town, Panicale

Watching the sunset from a beautiful little restaurant, nestled in the backstreets of Chuisi

We then travelled for a day to Florence, a beautiful city I really didn't know much about. The girls and I couldn't put our finger on it, but we all agreed it was very different to Rome. There was a different vibe, still very touristy, in fact possible more touristy because there were very little chances to escape down quieter side streets. Nevertheless, it was still home to beautiful sights, most notably the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. 

Basilica di Santa Maria de Fiore in the centre of Florence

 We did manage to find a little ristorante off the Piazza della Signoria where I had the nicest salami pizza, and we could escape the tourists and sun for a while. Florence was just different. I still can't put my finger on it but I think it's because it's more manicured that Rome, which has that rugged historical element, whereas Florence is very structured and linear. I could still appreciated it but I think I did prefer Rome by a small margin.

Ponte Vecchio in Florence

I went to Italy because it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit, and when the opportunity arose to complete one of the ten things on my bucket list, I jumped at it. I'm so glad I did. It's currently knocked France from my most favourite countries, and I have to say, I can't see it budging any time soon. There's something seriously enchanting about Italy, particularly about its untouched, idyllic countryside, and I feel like it's a place I could never tire of. I would return there in a second given the chance. Ciao xoxo

Pre-Birthday Post

Yep, it's that time of year again when the last day of June signifies that I'm another year older. It's true what they say- birthdays really do get so much less exciting the older you get. Boo.

We pretty much have no plans and I failed to give anybody any clues as to what I wanted/needed (money? Poor student here...) so I'm not sure tomorrow is going to blow my socks off. I can barely be bothered to get myself into a birthday outfit to give myself the excuse of getting all dressed up. BUT, trying to be ever the optimist, I thought I would look not at the day itself, which after all only marks the year passing, and instead look at what I've achieved this year and what my aims are for next year (before the big 2-1... Eeeeek!).

There are three huge landmarks this year which immediately jump out at me as some of my proudest moments to date:
1. Finally getting Toffee to our first show. Sure, I fell off. Twice. In front of everyone. But we've come so far since then and just being able to get there after such a turmoil surrounding my riding life was an achievement in itself. Plus, we did get round... Eventually. And today I had the most wonderful hack on him as we cantered over the countryside. So overall, job well done. Nutty pony cured. Just kidding, that's wishful thinking but we're getting there.

2. News Editor of The Stag newspaper at uni. At the time, it was an incredible honour to be voted in and I seized the chance with both hands, throwing myself into research and emailing and generating fresh ideas. Little did I know that it probably wasn't as important as I had originally thought and it didn't bring me the university-wide fame I had envisaged. But hindsight is a beautiful thing, and also a really pessimistic thing. So whilst I can now say that I no longer I want to be a journalist and I often ended up loathing the time I had to take to complete my section, I wouldn't change it. It added to already massively high stress levels but taught me to better manage my time and balance work/commitments/me time. 

3. President of the Equestrian Club. Especially with the thank you I received at the end, I have to say that this has been the highlight of this year at university. I never, ever thought this would happen. I was pushing my luck for Vice or Treasurer at the AGM, but through a change in circumstance, it kind of landed in my lap in what I can only put down to fate. To say that I have been President of the Equestrian Club is so important to me after everything I have been through with horses. It's as though it all paid off. I actually felt needed and important, and I guess I was. Best decision I ever made.

And to think at the beginning of this academic year, I was in floods of tears thinking that I couldn't juggle my degree with my other commitments, horse and all, and now I have finished with some of my best coursework marks to date, despite all the odds against me. I am capable!! This, of course, is ignoring the upcoming exam results- kill me now before I find out. But to top it all off, in the last couple of months the University of Surrey has been named eighth best university in the country by The Guardian's uni guide. It is mind blowing to think that when I was choosing universities, I told myself I couldn't even get into one of the top 20, let alone the top 10. And now I can proudly say that I go to a top 10 university. I'd say that's pretty damn good.

Of course, there's the little things too: I'm finally becoming a better, confident rider; I've cultivated seriously special friendships which I know will last for years and years to come (you know who you are girls!); I've met Lawson (still holding out for one of them to propose to me, I know they'll come back for me soon); I experienced the best Colours Ball yet; and there are so many more, I'm not going to list them. But how can I complain about one day when really that day is just a celebration of the amazing year that I've had?

So, to round off this now positive pre-birthday post, here are my five goals for this coming year:
1. Be fluent in French after my year abroad
2. Take Toffee to another clear round jumping
3. Be at a decent level on the drums (to be defined at a later date, possibly along with an uploaded video)
4. Go to Italy and have a photo at all of the most famous sites (granted this will probably be very shortly fulfilled with my dream to go to Italy coming true in 6 days! So I might replace it with another soon)
5. And finally one I cannot unveil to the wider public for fear of airing my laundry.

Small goals, I know. Nothing major here but... From little acorns mighty oaks do grow. Goodbye to 19 year old me. xoxo