Michael and I have just returned from a trip to Devon and Cornwall, part business and part the sad business of the funeral of a dear old friend. We had a bit of time to spare when we were in Devon and went to have a look at the place where the charity more or less began.......now so many years ago.
Our old house is almost unrecognisable; the wing that was semi-derelict has now been done up, and all the old barns where I used to squeeze in any number of horses have now been converted into holiday cottages. We met an erstwhile neighbour after the funeral and she reminded me of her horror when she used to have to drive past our house. The narrow Devon road used to be full of goats, sheep, and hens...........
It did seem funny to remember those days, when horses used to copy the goats and clamber up the Devon banks to nibble on the ripe blackberries, and we used to herd the horses up the roads to get into the fields.
Our horses are doing well and now are covered in not only fly sheets but also Sue's unique fly spray concoction (which smells disgusting). The A&E wing is getting horribly full, Whiskey had a swelling on his hock and had to be brought in for box rest (which means that we had to bring in Georgina and Marshall) and then Seek the Faith tweaked his hock following a fit of exuberance after a shower of rain.
We took in a new horse Tua, he is a good sort, but has been lame so Richard our vet is coming in tomorrow to have a good look at him.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Friday, 19 June 2009
Greatwood Open Day
It's over!! and more or less without a hitch.
Dan & Coudy with TP and Forgery were remarkable, everyone really enjoyed their show, Dan as the wicked Knight Mordred was booed and there were great cheers when Coudy as Sir Galahad won the fight.
It was a bit nerve wracking at one stage because Forgery nearly boiled over and I was watching Robbie (Gaylord) to see if he was going to pull Forgery out, Dan did really well to sit on him particularly because it was such a hot day and the armour was so heavy. Mikey as Mincealot fought Mordred with great aplomb and all in all it was a raging success. It has been suggested that we should do something at Lambourn Open Day next year..........we'll see.
Bob Hogg was terrific with his dogs, although, sadly, I didn't get much of a chance to watch his show and the finale with our neighbour Graham just finished it all off brilliantly.
We were a bit fed up that perhaps it was not quite so busy as we had hoped, and I think it has made us all certain that we should have an Open Day every three years as opposed to every year. It is such alot of work and is totally exhausting! We loved seeing some of the old champions again, it was good of their owners to give up their time. Strong Flow won the Best Turned Out.
Ian, the carer of Beacon Flight came along to deliver the Best Turned out Prize and whilst he was here he remarked that he would really love another big horse, he spotted Maharbal and it was love at first sight.
Ian is just the most lovely man, and although Sue shed a tear when Marble left us on Monday, this lovely kind horse couldn't have a better home.
We have another horse coming in to day..........will write about him in the next post.
Dan & Coudy with TP and Forgery were remarkable, everyone really enjoyed their show, Dan as the wicked Knight Mordred was booed and there were great cheers when Coudy as Sir Galahad won the fight.
It was a bit nerve wracking at one stage because Forgery nearly boiled over and I was watching Robbie (Gaylord) to see if he was going to pull Forgery out, Dan did really well to sit on him particularly because it was such a hot day and the armour was so heavy. Mikey as Mincealot fought Mordred with great aplomb and all in all it was a raging success. It has been suggested that we should do something at Lambourn Open Day next year..........we'll see.
Bob Hogg was terrific with his dogs, although, sadly, I didn't get much of a chance to watch his show and the finale with our neighbour Graham just finished it all off brilliantly.
We were a bit fed up that perhaps it was not quite so busy as we had hoped, and I think it has made us all certain that we should have an Open Day every three years as opposed to every year. It is such alot of work and is totally exhausting! We loved seeing some of the old champions again, it was good of their owners to give up their time. Strong Flow won the Best Turned Out.
Ian, the carer of Beacon Flight came along to deliver the Best Turned out Prize and whilst he was here he remarked that he would really love another big horse, he spotted Maharbal and it was love at first sight.
Ian is just the most lovely man, and although Sue shed a tear when Marble left us on Monday, this lovely kind horse couldn't have a better home.
We have another horse coming in to day..........will write about him in the next post.
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Beer and Brooms
We are just entering the last day before the big day.....everything that has been stationary has been painted, every little crook and cranny has been cleaned, hairdressing has been in for the horses, and so we are nearly ready.
We did a semi rehearsal of the tournament yesterday and the full blown one will take place this morning.
This will be an interesting exercise, Dan and Coudy will be wearing their Knight's armour for the first time, Janet is bringing in a couple of hessian dresses for Robbie and Mike, and Conan the Barbarian music will be blasting out, and I have got to try and remember my lines!
So far, the horses have taken all the activities in good heart, we have been practising with the megaphone all week so that the horses that are remaining out in the fields don't have a blue fit. Deano's and Paul are now so unenthusiastic about the whole affair that they were flat out snoring in the adjacent field.
Maddy has been dashing around dicing with certain death putting signs on the side of the road. Laura and Harriet scrubbed out Red's barn, which was a relief, John has completed erecting the poly tunnel, Robbie has weeded for England, Mikey has driven in enough posts to rope off areas, that he is just beginning to suspect that this is all life is about, Becky, Hettie and Sue have made up straw beds until they are seeing double and Coudy and Dan are rehearsing every waking hour. Danny has helped with the commentary and Janet is busy advertising the Open Day in just about everything.
We spent hours yesterday scrubbing all our acres of concrete, and at the end we rested our brooms and opened welcome bottles of beer.....the next time we reach for the opener will be after it is all over!
We did a semi rehearsal of the tournament yesterday and the full blown one will take place this morning.
This will be an interesting exercise, Dan and Coudy will be wearing their Knight's armour for the first time, Janet is bringing in a couple of hessian dresses for Robbie and Mike, and Conan the Barbarian music will be blasting out, and I have got to try and remember my lines!
So far, the horses have taken all the activities in good heart, we have been practising with the megaphone all week so that the horses that are remaining out in the fields don't have a blue fit. Deano's and Paul are now so unenthusiastic about the whole affair that they were flat out snoring in the adjacent field.
Maddy has been dashing around dicing with certain death putting signs on the side of the road. Laura and Harriet scrubbed out Red's barn, which was a relief, John has completed erecting the poly tunnel, Robbie has weeded for England, Mikey has driven in enough posts to rope off areas, that he is just beginning to suspect that this is all life is about, Becky, Hettie and Sue have made up straw beds until they are seeing double and Coudy and Dan are rehearsing every waking hour. Danny has helped with the commentary and Janet is busy advertising the Open Day in just about everything.
We spent hours yesterday scrubbing all our acres of concrete, and at the end we rested our brooms and opened welcome bottles of beer.....the next time we reach for the opener will be after it is all over!
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Making Hay While the Sun Shines
We have just finished hay making. The haylage bales are wrapped and the hay has been baled and is now safely under cover. What a relief!
It has been an uphill battle for the last couple of years to make enough good forage to last us for the winters because the weather has been so wet, so we are delighted that we don't have this particular headache.
We are all working hard towards the Open Day, Sue has taken off her Welfare Manager hat for the time being and is now sporting her Gardening Manager hat. The tubs are being transformed into artistic delights and even Mikey has become enthusiastic.
Last seen he had drilled a few holes in an unused water trough, filled it with compost and it is now overflowing with bedding plants.
Maddy has waited for years for a bit of software which will make her life easier when she needs to design programmes and leaflets, it has now arrived and now this year's Open Day programme will be her particular work of art.
Janet is working on the PR and contacting people to advertise the Open Day as widely as possible...do come if you can, if you are a friend you can come for a private viewing, and the public can arrive at noon.
It has been an uphill battle for the last couple of years to make enough good forage to last us for the winters because the weather has been so wet, so we are delighted that we don't have this particular headache.
We are all working hard towards the Open Day, Sue has taken off her Welfare Manager hat for the time being and is now sporting her Gardening Manager hat. The tubs are being transformed into artistic delights and even Mikey has become enthusiastic.
Last seen he had drilled a few holes in an unused water trough, filled it with compost and it is now overflowing with bedding plants.
Maddy has waited for years for a bit of software which will make her life easier when she needs to design programmes and leaflets, it has now arrived and now this year's Open Day programme will be her particular work of art.
Janet is working on the PR and contacting people to advertise the Open Day as widely as possible...do come if you can, if you are a friend you can come for a private viewing, and the public can arrive at noon.
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