Riding Alone: When I push the boundaries

The day before I was due to join the others on their multi-day horse trek, I took out this grey who hasn't been ridden much cos she has a cough when she runs a bit. But I thought I'd give her a go and decided that that day, of all days, in the wind, by myself, I should go up through the backyard to try and find or create a new path into the bush from H's house. Dear god was that a mistake. I found a path alright, but it was steep steep steep - not normally a challenge for me but when the horse is neighing to kingdom come for her friends downstairs and its wet n slippery and there's not much room for error... well, I got halfway up and she balked, started refusing to move, neighing etc and i could just see her placing 1 feet outta line and BAM down i go with her tumbling after. No thanks.

So I got off and tried to lead her up. A couple of steps in and i'm stumbling myself, she tried to turn back and slips onto her ass and literally slides down the hill in a upright sitting position (bit funny but also scary considering I could've been stuck in a stirrup underneath her). So she ran. And I let her. Then I had to slowly make my own way down with Bertus and ended up coming out in someone's backyard, and walking around to the house. The gypsies just stared at me in confusion - it was too hard to explain in charades that I hadn't fallen off so I just laughed and shrugged at them. When I got back, the horse was at the trough eating hay. Bless.

I untangled her (amazingly unbroken) reins, jumped back on and went for a ride around the village. She's a goey little thing, didn't cough too much and I was able to get her moving easily and get some exercise into her. The villagers must've thought I was crazy, bolting up and down the streets around town. haha... but it was all under control. Fun times tho! I must ride her again..

Rain, rain and more rain... and mice.

Today it rained. And rained. And rained. I rode good ol' Vivke this morning, foal in tow (it's gorgeous, getting all high n mighty with the dogs now and chasing them for a change), and it was quite pleasant. I was equipped with a rain jacket so it was OK. Welcome change to the sun. The afternoon ride, however, not so well prepared. Momentary sun poking out from the clouds fooled me into thinking the rain was over - fool I be, as I rode back DRENCHED in the torrential rain. Poor old Bombyana.

Now I've just stuffed myself way too full (what a change) with the leftovers and am sitting in the living room making myself paranoid about mice crawling over my feet, falling from the ceiling, jumping out from cupboards. I don't know why I am so scared, I used to own one of the damn things, but there's just something about the wild ones. And I know the cat is useless. I just located the source of the dead mouse smell, and it was indeed a dead mouse. In the corner. I ain't cleaning it up. Hideous. I can at least thank my time at TMN for giving me such a keen sense of dead mouse smell. Now that's a skill to pass down the generations.

Second day in and I'm by myself with the gypsies. They kinda treat me like the temporary boss, which is quite funny since I don't really know what they're saying. But hey, I guess it's a compliment! Ha! It's also funny, I guess because I'm older and louder, I'm kinda the leader in the threesome of me and the 2 Swedish girls. They're perfectly capable but I think they don't mind just taking orders. Not that I order them around but I seem to find myself organising meals (even cooking them, shock horror!) and whose riding who etc. I'm sure the gloss will fade soon enuf.

I have been here for just shy of two weeks and it already feels so homey. Another couple emailed me from the same Help Exchange website crying for help with their horses on a property a couple of hours drive from here, still in Transylvania. I think I'll go and see if I can save any of the beasts from becoming dog meat, but I still want to stay here for a little bit. Was thinking perhaps late Aug/early Sept I could head there, the couple are English I think and sound nice. Also sound like they don't mind a pint or two, how very unusual for the British, so I'll fit in fine.

Eww, this smell is only gonna get worse. Grrr. I wish I didn't have to sit here with the internet cable.

Sasha and Bertus slept on the landing of my room last night, it was very nice to have some company and feel a bit more secure. Nice dogs, they are. Tonight I'll bring them in again then tomorrow I meet the others to camp out somewhere. Can't wait, the weather looks a treat.

I got an email response from one of the South African properties I enquired to, and they're keen to have me whenever I want to come. So I've been busying myself researching and researching, as I do, about vaccinations, flights, dates etc... I don't think I will work in Cyprus, I'll just have time to visit P for a little bit and then head to South Africa via London perhaps. It's not that cheap to fly there unfortunately. We'll see what happens.

Never teach an old stallion new tricks

OK, well I learnt a valuable lesson today. Luckily not with my face this time. If you are a young girl of reasonable strength, perhaps a little lower than normal, do not attempt to try and teach an old stallion new tricks. Ai ai ai... My hands, I can confidently say, are now red raw from pulling back from the almighty beast and I am pretty sure when I wake tomorrow I am going to be sore in places I didn't even know I had muscles. And that was just from trying to walk him down the st.

The guests and girls left with H today for their multi-day trek and I was left minding the farm. And trying to train a stallion. Silly me. Luckily the gypos helped me get him in the right stable, there was NO way I was gettin him to move. I swear I have never met a more powerful or stubborn animal. And I know some stubborn men.

So I rested my hands for a couple of hours (by typing on my computer, go figure) and then waited a little longer for one of the gypos to take some oats to the pension the guys were staying in tonight. Turns out it's a helluva nice place and as they turned up to eat dinner, I was yearning for a taste. Not to be, however, as me and the gypo were bid farewell and drove back in language barrier silence. Except for the times he spoke and just said 'da, da' like I was totally on the same page. I'm getting good at that.

Now I'm back at the homestead, all by my lonesome besides the dogs, and not really looking fwd to sleeping alone at the guest house across the st. But I am taking dogs, oh yes I am. Tomorrow there is meant to be a French girl coming to ride but I don't think she's confirmed so I'm not expecting anything. I'll just have breakfast and then head out by myself. Some peace and quiet, twill be nice.