And we’re there...

[Jessey]

We got out last night for a quick 50 minutes, it was a speedy one with lots of trot and a few canters on the few softer tracks.

And today L&L came over, Monkey was tired and happy to have a long ploddy ride.

We investigated a digger, Monkey likes the game of touch when he gets treats!

 

[Jessey]

We got out for a lovely chilled hour and a half tonight, had a couple of nice canters and I realised it’s been some time since he did the silly hoppy bouncing nonsense going into canter, I definitely think it was the last saddle and it just took a while for him to get out of the habit!

Going out there were 2 cats lazing on the drove and Monkey was terrified, head up, eyes on stalks, trying to turn back, but as we crept closer they left and all was well

We enjoyed the sunshine and stopped when we found some green grass for him to snack


On the way back on a very narrow track, overgrown with chest deep ferns, I could smell smoke, came around a corner to a big burnt area that was smouldering and smoking a lot. The track was along the edge of the burnt area, Monkey didn’t falter at continuing along it through the smoke, and once past and in the open happily waited while I called it in to 999. It looks like they had put out the main fire at lunchtime but it was ramping back up again.

He makes my mind boggle, scared of silly things but brave with dangerous things!

 

[Jessey]

The weather felt stormy here this evening but I decided to head out anyway, and we had a lovely peaceful ride there wasn’t a soul out in the forest, not even over at high lodge.

Deer and squirrels were the only things we saw! Monkey was quite excited to get over to high lodge, it feels like ages since we’ve been (I avoid it during the day as it’s so busy).

As I drove home we finally got some rain, it’s only forecast for a couple of hours, it won’t be enough to put a dent on the drought, but hopefully it will help a little

 

[Jessey]

L&L came over yesterday and we went for a lovely bimble for two hours. Monkey seemed tired as our new livery arrived Friday night and he spent the whole night staring at her


We went down through the river but no pictures there as I had my hands full, there were several paddle boarders, a few canoes, loads of kids 2 were on a rope swing sploshing into the water, dogs on flex leads and barely a responsible adult among the dozen or so there Monkey only stared at everything intensely but I didn’t fancy letting go to get my phone out!

It was the absolute perfect day for a ride, perfect temperature, a tiny breeze and wall to wall sunshine

He just stares at her, which is kind of funny given he grumps at her whenever we’ve ridden together previously!

 

[Jessey]

I was going to ride yesterday afternoon but walked out of the house to find my car with a flat tyre, pulled the spare out and put it on to find that flat too friend came and blew it up for me yesterday evening but too late to ride by then.

So went out early this morning, it was lovely and peaceful out in the forest, we had a few nice canters and popped a couple of little logs, thankfully the ground is still soft enough in the depths of the forest

We stopped for picnics for Monkey a couple of times too

This is where we found the fire last Monday

 

[Jessey]

I ride Tuesday night, but I was in a bit of a funk from work so didn’t take a single picture! We had a nice ride though, peaceful

Wednesday and Thursday I got stuck at work late so didn’t get out, and I’m working until 9.30 tonight but managed to get a ride in this morning. It was actually chilly! We met lots of dog walkers but still managed to have a couple of trots and canters further out, did an hour and 20, Monkey was very chilled and I’m tired after this week so we mostly just plodded.

 

[Jessey]

Went out with L&M (M now lives with us but in her own paddock) tonight, it was an overall pleasant ride

it’s been 14 months since we rode together as M went down with lami.

I’d forgotten how reactive Monkey can be to M, mostly just face pulling but he went full warhorse at one point tonight, coiled, arched neck, ears flat back, sitting and bouncing

He gets frustrated with her, she fusses behind to go in front, then when she is in front she walks slower and slower until we’re almost stopped, if we go back in front she fusses again, trotting up his bum and bouncing around, also not his favourite. Hopefully it will get better now we’re likely to ride together more regularly I think she does it because she’s in love with him, the feeling isn’t mutual.

 

[Jessey]

I’m exhausted and it took me about 45 minutes psyching myself up to ride tonight but on I got and we had a nice ride. More a pootle than anything, we tried a track Monkey has been begging to go down for months

It’s too narrow for us, and too low for me but he’s been fascinated and as we were both on a go slow I figured we’d try it. We made it through, just!

There’s a new mobile home appeared at the other end, it was fine but Monkey was mezmorised by his reflection


The forest was fantastically deserted

 

[Trewsers]

I’m exhausted and it took me about 45 minutes psyching myself up to ride tonight but on I got and we had a nice ride. More a pootle than anything, we tried a track Monkey has been begging to go down for months
View attachment 137109
It’s too narrow for us, and too low for me but he’s been fascinated and as we were both on a go slow I figured we’d try it. We made it through, just!

There’s a new mobile home appeared at the other end, it was fine but Monkey was mezmorised by his reflection
View attachment 137110

The forest was fantastically deserted
View attachment 137111

They are fascinated with their reflection aren't they. At our last place I used to park our old Landy down one side of the school and when we rode past Storm would goggle at herself hahahaa.

 

[Jessey]

We had a quiet plod out last night, there was a big piece of polystyrene on top of a wheelie bin the night before and it had blown off into the drove, Monkey wasn’t keen so I hopped off and picked it up and put it in the bin which he was happy to assist with and we carried on our way



33c today, 38 tomorrow and 34 Friday so no riding for us, he’s happy to have a few days off, so why not, the weekend is meant to be back in the mid 20’s so might as well wait.