This is my new excuse, Cowley, my current most favorite place in the whole world, has literally stolen me away from my latest promise to the blog!

While the "works" are being carried out at the new yard (including fixing one or two minor floods!) we have been unable to school so have had to spend all our time hacking the horses out.

For me, this was like my worst nightmare!  Not one to waste time hacking and always impatient and lacking time, I very rarely do ride out, although the horses of course have to, Sharron and Lynette and whoever else we can rope in normally have this pleasure!

However, I did venture out for a trip around the village with Rossi with groans of protest.  He marched out like a fire-breathing dragon, announcing his arrival to the villagers and making his presence known.  While stomping along the back of Cowley Manor, I noticed a group of Japanese tourists who had stopped about three hundred yards in front of us, dropped to their knees and started to very enthusiastically, take our photographs!  They had several small children in tow and, as they approached we had to pull over into a lay-by to let them pass.

As the children "aahed" and "oohed" Rossi, (being Rossi) changed immediately from being a raging bull to an absolute pussy cat, dropped his head, stuck out his tongue and invited them to come and pet and play with him. 

They, of course, were delighted and spent several minutes petting and stroking him, having their photographs taken and delighting themselves in the presence of this super-sweet stallion who, of course, lapped it all up.

They then went on their way and he, once again, turned into a tiger!

The very next day, Libby and I went for a lovely ride and "explore" (If I am honest, I think we actually just got lost!!!) and it was delightful!  We were totally spoilt for choice and could not actually decide where to go.  We finally asked a very helpful farmer how to get home and he pointed us in the direction of a bridle path which, after some negotiation, took us back to the right road. 

I enjoyed myself so much that I didn't even realise how bad the weather had been until we got back.  I was absolutely soaked through. Coming from a girl who, after living in Spain, at the mere sniff of rain, will not even consider sitting on a horse unless it is in an indoor is a really big deal!

Libby and I have continued to explore, although not as much as I would have liked (Sharron is still having fun there!) and it is lovely to see how the villagers and walkers are so friendly, warm and welcoming.  The horses, of course, are charming them with their soft characters and stunning beauty and we have had several comments as to how lovely it will be to see these gorgeous horses out and about.

Next week however, all of the drainage should be fixed so it will be back to the school - and Hilary..........