Running on Empty - Until the Week Surprised Me | EDS, Cross Country & Coming Home
Simon's been away all week, and by Friday I was running on fumes. But somehow a weekend that started with me wanting to curl up in bed with a cup of tea turned into one of those stretches of time I'll look back on and smile - girls' nights, the point-to-point in the rain, Coco's first horse competition of the season, a day in Soho with Gus, and one very shattered phone screen.
I also talk about something I don't share nearly enough: EDS. All three of my children have inherited Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome from me, and taking Gus to see my specialist osteopath Sasha this week felt like a good moment to be honest about what living with it actually looks like, how I went from steroid injections and stints in a wheelchair to outplanking Rob on camera, and why keeping strong has been absolutely everything.
The weekend brought the point-to-point (beautiful, freezing, thoroughly English), and then Coco's first event of the season - dressage, show jumping and cross country with a very fresh Fifi, and Lucinda Green doing the commentary. I was so proud I could have burst. There's also a little tutorial on how to iron a frilly shirt, a white bean and sundried tomato dip that came together beautifully for girls' night, and a rather lovely haul from Edenmoor.
And London on Tuesday - Soho with Gus, sushi, Bishop's Park skatepark, and a gorgeous popup from Lexi London on the King's Road where I found the most beautiful spring dress. By Tuesday evening my phone was in pieces, Simon was finally home, and I was ready for an early night. What a week!
Love Charlie x
MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO
Lexi London (gifted) — popup at 340 King's Road until 17th April:
ShopMy- https://go.shopmy.us/p-50579102
ShopMy- https://go.shopmy.us/p-50579277
ShopMy-https://go.shopmy.us/p-50579015
Edenmoor (gifted): https://www.edenmoor.com/
Rosie Dalia table linen (gifted): https://www.rosiedalia.com/
Website: https://www.askcharlie.how
Order Through the Seasons: https://www.askcharlie.how/shop/p/through-the-seasons (Ad/Own Brand)
2026 Wall Calendar: https://www.askcharlie.how/shop/p/ask-charlie-2026-calendar (Ad/Own Brand)
Ask Charlie Loves: https://www.askcharlie.how/ask-charlie-loves
Podcast — Busy House, Happy Home: search wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube
My Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/askcharliehow (Ad/Aff)
Join me on Substack: https://substack.com/@askcharliehow
Online courses: https://www.askcharlie.how
ShopMy Recommendations: https://shopmy.us/askcharliehow (Ad/Aff)
Ask Charlie is a love letter to home, nature and the quiet rhythms of the year. I'm Charlie Gray, a mother of three living in the English countryside, sharing practical skills, seasonal recipes, homemaking, and real life behind the scenes. New videos every week. Subscribe to join the community.
weekly vlog, lifestyle vlog, country life, English countryside, EDS (Ehlers-Danlos) Syndrome, hypermobility, horse competition, point to point, solo parenting, spring vlog, Lexi London, ironing tutorial, seasonal living, homemaking