Catching Flights

Dear Gorgeous Reader,

As I write, I’m sitting in Johannesburg airport waiting for my connection to Pietermaritzburg.

I’m on my way to see a dear friend I haven’t laid eyes on since we were 17… and now I’m

40!

Bronwyn and I grew up riding together. These days she’s a well-known show jumper, and I

can’t wait to catch up. With any luck, I might even squeeze in a jump lesson on one of her

horses. Fingers crossed!

The past two weeks in the Western Cape, where I was born and raised, have been nothing

short of wonderful. I’ve had endless catch-ups with Hillary (who first taught me to ride) and

her husband Willem. Not long after arriving in South Africa, I drove to Caledon to apply for

my passport and ID book (the official purpose of this trip). The day before, I’d had to get an

affidavit from the police confirming the loss of my old passport. Having been away for so

many years, I’ll admit I felt a touch nervous, and I was so grateful to friends who held my

hand through the process.

And now it’s official: yesterday I collected my brand-new South African passport! 

Which means I can campaign for South Africa for the Olympics. 

This is huge, huge news for me personally, and a real ‘pinch me’ moment. The wheels are in

motion, and I am so excited to see what life has in store for me next. 

On that note, this has made me very reflective about where I am and how I got here

...because I’m still marvelling at how this trip unfolded, especially as I was meant to be in

China right now. I’d been booked to support one of my riders with her new horse, visa and

all. But when her horse needed an operation, the whole trip was cancelled. At first, I asked

myself, why has this happened? Within 24 hours, the answer arrived. I suddenly knew

exactly how to use the three weeks I had already cleared in my diary.

I truly believe that when we stay open, opportunities present themselves. It’s then up to us to

grab them with both hands and move.

Which is exactly what I’m trying to do here. 

I have a dream, a vision, a purpose ...and I am on my way towards it.

I don’t need to know exactly what the path looks like, and I also know that’s not what

matters.

What matters is that I know, without doubt, that I will get there.

Onwards & Upwards

Until soon. xx