Lovely ride with Mandy yesterday

[dalesnfellfan]

Thank you Mandy and Musk for a lovely day.

We did a recce for our area 9 centenary ride yesterday and as parking on hard standing was limited Mandy came to pick me up, without getting lost, the ponies traveled well together and we set off in lovely sunshine.

The route was mostly on quiet lanes and tracks and because it is more sandy there was very little mud which was a real treat.  The ponies weren't terribly well matched pace wise which made conversation a little difficult and Connie got a bit frustrated at having to keep waiting for Musk, he just won't be hurried any faster than he wants to go, we did have some lovely canters though and it was very enjoyable.

Although we rode the route the wrong way round (my fault) I now feel fairly confident we shouldn't loose anyone on the ride in April.

It would be good to meet up for a ride again Mandy, maybe next time I'll bring Emerald and we can actually ride together and chat.

[harveydales]

Sounds fun. Where is your centenary ride? Would have liked to join you but I'm guessing it is too far for me?

[dalesnfellfan]

It's using part of the Stanton rides from the village of Bardwell which is about 4 miles north of Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk, I think it would be a fair hike from you Pam, awful roads to come cross country through Lincolnshire and Norfolk, best route would be A1/ A14 but I think it would be a bit of a long haul.

[harveydales]

Yes, sadly too far

[NFK Dumpling]

It would be good to sort something out on the Lincolnshire/Norfolk border?

After having purchased a new phone as I thought the other one had died last week, it miraculously revived yesterday. Its probably just as well as I have a horrible feeling I've left the new one on the ledgein Musk's side of the field shelter Maybe he won't spot it.....

[NFK Dumpling]

PS Now you've met his nosieness you've found out I wasn't exaggerating about him being slow

[dalesnfellfan]

Somehow missed this comment Mandy, no you certainly weren't exaggerating, I've ridden with slow ponies before and indeed Spud was often slower in walk than our riding companions, but I've never before ridden with a pony who flatly refuses to trot to catch up when he decides he doesn't want to. He's certainly a character.

If I am able to do the ride, I think I am definitely going to have to go on ahead as my knee won't stand all the waiting around and a longer time in the saddle. I can now manage an hour with short trots and a short canter with discomfort rather than pain so am hoping to be OK by then.