The morning that we leave, Monsieur is killing a dozen chickens for the freezer. Beth doesn't like that very much. She feels sorry for the poor hens ! It's one thing seeing them in a supermarket, another on their way to Death Row.
Again Pergola is a little recalcitrant at leaving, but eventually is again persuaded to do so and behaves impeccably afterwards. Séduisante casts a shoe so the carriages take the rest of the day very, very slowly walking all the way as do the riders. And so, on to July !!
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| A wink from a Camargue |
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| Riders arriving in Dirac |
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| Fun in the Lafenetre's pool |
Jakki speaks to Patrick Moan on the phone and Printemps and Natchave are now at Patrick's home in Brittany. Apparently, Printemps is already better.
You have read about Pascal and Pascale below. Again, warmth and hospitality has radiated in our hearts during our brief stay with these lovely people and our thanks go them for the wonderful dinner (home made pizzas in vast quantities made by Pascal (hubby), cookies made by Caroline and Maelle, and all the help they gave us. Daniel and his wife, Marithe, join us for supper.
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| In Pascal and Pascale's eco-friendly and people and animals friendly home |
A lot of the 'young ones' make good use of the pool. Ophelie, the pig, who comes when called joins in the fun. Dogs, 4 horses, cats and Ophelia complement this warm and generous family. They also all speak English which helps a great deal.
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| Our hostess, Pascale |
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| Introduction to Ophelia |
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| Ophelia with the Lafenetre's dog (two of them) and Beth. Ophelia loves a tummy tickle |
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| Opehlia and Luke |
What a warm home and family. The twin sons, Jonathan and his brother (sorry, again the writer has had a lapse of memory) help us enormously and a super evening (and a late one at that) is had by all. Pascal, Pascale and the others escort us out onto the right road the next morning and we very much hope to meet them all again. Caroline and Maelle, cousins of the Lafenetre family, attract admiring glances from our young men. Thank you deeply to you all.
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| Daniel driving Pergola and Séduisante |
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| Pascal driving Rita and Prinesse back to his home from Mairie de Dignac |
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| The walking stick in all its' glory, Château de Dirac and the team/friends |
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| M. le Maire talking to Pascale |
Waiting for us at the little reception was an English lady who had been waiting for us, Pat Gillett.
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| Pat talking to Jakki, Peter acting groom, Pat's family to the right |
26/27 28 to 29th June at Ecuries de Lamblardie, Gardes le Pontaroux with Clovis Debeve and his father Gilles and compagne, Sarah.
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| Early days for Gwen, so Luke leads her |
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| Fred long-reining Seduisante and Pergola at Clovis' and Sarah's Lamblardie |
The two went much better this morning on long reins. Later on, they are returning with a friend who drives (horses) a lot, is partially sighted and is a wizard apparently for the trial with the carriage. So Lady Luck smiles on us yet again and we say thanks and, of course, to Clovis and Sarah for letting us stay a further night. It is amazing that when we need someone, the person (s) appear(s) !
A journalist, Claude, comes this morning from the Charente Libre local newspaper so there will be another article about us.
So much to talk about so where does one begin? Jakki had met Clovis Debeve in 2009 at the Cabourg Epona Festival. His then partner, Laetitia had won an Epona award the year before for her immense riding skills - she is blind - but they had come again to see old friends the year Jakki was there. Clovis is one of France's top showjumpers.
THE HORSES: Our lovely friend, Patrick Moan arrives this morning (27th June) to fetch Pipas to take her back to Marion Moro's Centre Equestre at Les Landes. He brings us a Trait Breton, Pergola.
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| PERGOLA WITH MAXIME |
A little later today, in the torrid heat, yes, it's now a heatwave, Fred and Gilles Debeve will go out for a practice drive. Thank you little Pipas for helping us out... You have been a sweet member of our equine family. Patrick is going to fetch Natchave, Fred's Friesian, from Pierre Faugères at le Salvan, near Anglès, then Patrick will return to pick Printemps up and keep our beloved Printemps for a month at his home in Brittany at Pleyben in the Finistère The osteopath has recommended a month's rest for P, so that is what he is getting. It will be lovely to see him again and have him back with us. WE MISS YOU, PRINTEMPS. You can teach us all a lesson on courage!
The carriages arrive first and then the Camargues. On arrival at Lamblardie, all the horses get a shower. We try to shower them at the end of each day and if that is not possible, then we bucket and sponge them.
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| Last look at Pipas arriving at Lamblardie (2nd carriage) |
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| Sensational Six arriving at Lamblardie |
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| THE SENSATIONAL SIX draw up in a splendid arrival |
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| Nana at Lamblardie, panting in the torrid heat |
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| Sue and Nick Gild, Jakki & Angela Truly Huge thanks for that wonderful dinner |
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| Let them eat cake ! Fany and Gwen tucking in |
were made by Mike and Paula Cragg at the Ferme Auberge, 61320 Chavenat. A huge thank you to you both too. The whole team send their appreciation and warm regards to you all and do complete justice to your meal.
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| Your meal, Sue, gets a thumbs up from a replete and happy Peter |
Gwen with Pascaline who has a lifetime disability due to birth and thanks to Clovis' help is one of the top 'Obstacle' Champions in France in disabled riding.. You can see her crutches on the ground. A lovely, lovely person and giving Gwen a lesson in saddling up. You can also see all the saddlesoaped and greased (neastfoot oil is the English translation) collars, etc.)
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| The little white horse is Rabiolot or R5 as he is dubbe |
25 June - Camping du Bas Meygnaud near Valeuil
WOW !... More about all this later. We will keep you in suspense.
Fred puts Seduisante's shoe back on before we set off towards Lamblardie. Another campsite with swimming pool run by a very nice lady.
On the way there, the carriages are yet again fortunate with one of their watering holes.
We recommend any of you to go and meet the very sweet young man, aged 21, who has opened this restaurant/pizzeria called Le St Crépin on the D939 just before St Crépin-de-Richemont. I gather his food is much appreciated by locals and the English.
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| We now not only give the horses water but dowse them liberally to cool them down |
24 June - Terrain de Foot at Leguillac des Cercles
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| Riders leaving Leguillac de Cercles (thanks Sheila) |
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| Harry beating out 'Oh Happy Days' |
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| Luke, why so glum, you were celebrating |
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| Fred and his rope tricks - and he lassooed each one |
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| Our nice watering hole |
23 June chez Monsieur et Mme Dominique Moras at Chamarat between Chateau l’Évêque and Perigueux
The riders' photos speak for themselves as they gently make their way through wooded land.
Rabiolot and Osiris cast a shoe.A huge thank you to Peter Cordery from Eyvirat, the farrier, whom Jakki manages to find and who lives down the road from the Moras.Guess what - he is English and doesn't charge us. He puts a used shoe back on both horses to keep them level until all the horses are shod. A huge thank you also to M. et Mme Moras for their kindness and hospitality.
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| The going gets tough |
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| Up and up and up |
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| An anachronistic image ? |
21 and 22 June at Camping du Bois de Coderc, Antonne et Trigonnant
Please be patient for updates - and on Printemps especially !
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| Chris doing his back exercises |
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| We can guess what Jonathan's horse is doing |
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| Shovelling shit or cleaning up after the horses before we leave this lovely campsite. |
Some of the lucky ones have time to use the swimming pool at this lovely campsite. Not so, for the writer!
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| Fred, you need to work up a tan on those legs of yours |
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| Gwen on left and Fany on right |
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| Fondue de Poireaux aux Lardons avec Couscous de l'Espoir (not sure Peter's welcome supper was so glam...) |
Fany who has ridden a bit before will be one of the riders tomorrow. Gwen will go with Fred in the attelage. Maxime with Jakki and Cerys, who has a bad shoulder now, with Harry in the car. The others ride.
Thank you Gill (Nurse) again for your visit with your friends on your way to the airport. Thank you for the goodies you have brought too.
p.s. We now have a trailer to put the horsefeed in behind Jakki's car. Harry finds it and it costs the charity 400 euros + about 250 euros to have the attachment fitted behind the car.
20 June at Ferme Equestre La Franval, near St Felix de Reillac et Mortemart
A huge thank you to Joanne Campbell for the carrots, mints, cakes, etc. and for her good wishes from Peyrat
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| Lost in the wilderness? |
There is a swimming pool here at this farm run by two brothers, Jean-Paul and Jean-Pierre Sauliere. Harry doesn't miss an opportunity to have a swim. One runs the Centre Equestre, Jean-Paul and his brother raises ducks and geese for foie gras. The day we arrive Jean-Paul caught his hand in a door and as a result has lost the tips of two fingers. Jakki commiserates with him, but he is stoic. She stayed there on the 2005 project.
As we are still suffering from overload of equipment, Jean-Paul lends his lorry to Harry who drives it to the next night's stop with all the surplus.
19 June at Poney Club de l'Arc en Ciel with the lovely Catherine Jacques and Pauline and Jeremy, near Campagne
A huge thank you to Catherine Jacques who makes us incredibly welcome with free stay over, ice cold drinks, carrots for the horses and lots of warm hospitality in her calm and welcoming way. Also our huge thanks to Catherine and her family for also taking all our surplus over to St Felix de Reillac the next morning. Thank you also to her very nice grown-up children, Pauline and Jeremy.
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| Pony rides for tiny tots are all part of the course |
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| And this is what the riders do at lunchtime Find a peaceful spot and let the horses graze |
18 June at Ferme de Simon, Domme
Things get tough on the way up for the final 2 or 3 kms to the Ferme de Simon and we have to resort to old- fashioned tried and tested methods of putting a third horse on up this incredibly steep hill (which doesn't look steep in the picture). Some of the riders who have already arrived come and help push as the picture shows. Jakki is driving, as others push and pull.
Thank you Joanne for coming to visit in the morrning and sorry not to have met you. Thank you to the members of your family who gave Chris and Luke a welcome cup of tea after their push
up the hill and for then driving them to the Ferme de Simon.
Our stay with Annick Prunis is short at the Ferme de Simon once we finally arrive but she makes us welcome and even drives all our excess baggage over to our next night's stay. Thank you so much, Annick. (yes she is from Brittany with a name like that).
Peter's first ride now that he is covered insurance-wise and that goes well. Chris is a delightful groom in the carriage for Jakki.and makes for very pleasant company.
What a day
15, 16, 17 June at Ferme Equestre Les Landes at Le Vigan
Things get tough on the way up for the final 2 or 3 kms to the Ferme de Simon and we have to resort to old- fashioned tried and tested methods of putting a third horse on up this incredibly steep hill (which doesn't look steep in the picture). Some of the riders who have already arrived come and help push as the picture shows. Jakki is driving, as others push and pull.
Thank you Joanne for coming to visit in the morrning and sorry not to have met you. Thank you to the members of your family who gave Chris and Luke a welcome cup of tea after their push
up the hill and for then driving them to the Ferme de Simon.
Our stay with Annick Prunis is short at the Ferme de Simon once we finally arrive but she makes us welcome and even drives all our excess baggage over to our next night's stay. Thank you so much, Annick. (yes she is from Brittany with a name like that).
Peter's first ride now that he is covered insurance-wise and that goes well. Chris is a delightful groom in the carriage for Jakki.and makes for very pleasant company.
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| Chris, quietly in charge on a very quiet stretch |
What a day
15, 16, 17 June at Ferme Equestre Les Landes at Le Vigan
Fred takes back Rita and Séduisante to drive and Jakki drives Printemps and Princesse. The riders set off towards le Vigan as do the carriages.
Printemps, a noble and courageous horse, has been causing Jakki to be concerned for some time and at Les Landes we decide to stay on a couple of days (with the approval of Marianne and her mother, thankfully). An osteopath is coming on Monday and if needs be - which is likely - we will be loaned a horse to go with Princesse and will recuperate Printemps when he has recovered, Thank goodness for yet again, another lovely family. All being well, with the loaned horse, we will set off on Monday 18th June towards Domme in the Dordogne, leaving Printemps in the good care of the Moro family. Printemps is slightly lame, very slightly and 'not right', though, as usual, still full of beans. It could be a shoulder strain. We will have to wait and see what the osteopath says. It is absolutely devastating and we only hope that it is not too serious or will take too long for him to recuperate.
Sheila comes to see us on Friday and we meet the local CNTE (Comite National Tourisme Equestre chap, Hans Vroom). Sheila brings strawberries and a cake - thank you Sheila - yet again. An argument flares up about who has eaten all the French bread - it's the 100 years war all over again... and the observer knows that everyone ate the bread : French and English alike. Dear old Luke, stoically, with Beth does the washing up quietly in the background during our stay ' to keep the peace'. Blessed be the peacemakers.... Thank you also, Chris and Peter.
Gill spends the night with us and on Saturday she is bringing food over from her house, which is about an hour away. We gather that there will be cold beef, roast potatoes, salad and dessert. Delicious.
Fred, Maxime, Jo and our hosts wile away the time by playing boules. A huge thank you to John Price, the English butcher at Le Vigan, who donated the scrumtiously tender beef and Cumberland sausages as well as two pies and a huge thank you to Gill too. The meal is absolutely delicious. The French are now flabbergasted at the English efficiency going on in the camp. Mild sarcasm is making way for marvel...
Sunday, A terrific downpour during the night which clears up to give a burning hot day. Serge, Marion's father, harnesses up Pippas for a trial long reining with Rita. All goes well. The two horses accept each other. After they've had lunch, they're going to try out the Marathon - it went well and we will be taking Pippas tomorrow with a formal loan agreement. The pie from John Price is absolutely wonderful and eaten in the shade. Again, huge thanks and to Gill who is spending another day with us and making herself indispensable having procured the necessary wherewithal for tonight's supper.
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| Pipas with Serge Moro, Marion's father, and Fred at Les Landes |
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| Peter getting familiar with Camargues |
Sheila comes to see us on Friday and we meet the local CNTE (Comite National Tourisme Equestre chap, Hans Vroom). Sheila brings strawberries and a cake - thank you Sheila - yet again. An argument flares up about who has eaten all the French bread - it's the 100 years war all over again... and the observer knows that everyone ate the bread : French and English alike. Dear old Luke, stoically, with Beth does the washing up quietly in the background during our stay ' to keep the peace'. Blessed be the peacemakers.... Thank you also, Chris and Peter.
Gill spends the night with us and on Saturday she is bringing food over from her house, which is about an hour away. We gather that there will be cold beef, roast potatoes, salad and dessert. Delicious.
Fred, Maxime, Jo and our hosts wile away the time by playing boules. A huge thank you to John Price, the English butcher at Le Vigan, who donated the scrumtiously tender beef and Cumberland sausages as well as two pies and a huge thank you to Gill too. The meal is absolutely delicious. The French are now flabbergasted at the English efficiency going on in the camp. Mild sarcasm is making way for marvel...
Sunday, A terrific downpour during the night which clears up to give a burning hot day. Serge, Marion's father, harnesses up Pippas for a trial long reining with Rita. All goes well. The two horses accept each other. After they've had lunch, they're going to try out the Marathon - it went well and we will be taking Pippas tomorrow with a formal loan agreement. The pie from John Price is absolutely wonderful and eaten in the shade. Again, huge thanks and to Gill who is spending another day with us and making herself indispensable having procured the necessary wherewithal for tonight's supper.
14 June St Martin de Vers to Lamothette near Frayssinet at the Bouckaert's home.
We decide that Fred and Jakki will swop carriages so that Fred can observe the Cobs, their new collars and the rest of the harness. Jakki sets off with Peter in the 'kitchen' carriage up the slope from the Mairie track to the road and, the brakes fail - probably due to the torrential rain. The carriage slides slowly, unforgivingly and unstoppably into the ditch besides the track which fortunately has a hedge alongside it, preventing further mishap. Huge relief as the horses are fine and we tie them to a tree while we decide how to extricate ourselves from the situation. Within two minutes, Jakki hails a 4 x 4 coming along the road with a trailer in tow. The very nice driver, with Fred's help and ropes which we fortunately have, tows the carriage back onto the track. The bent pole (perhaps already bent due to Patrice's mishap a while ago) is unscrewed, taken away by our rescuer for him to drill new holes in and repair. We now take miracles almost for granted. A couple of hours later, with the help of a Cornishman who lives next to the Mairie (the holes weren't quite the right size), and his drill and extension lead, off we go again and this time arrive at St Martin de Vers safely. Cerys starts to feel unwell.
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| A pose by Jonathan - he looks like a jockey |
We arrive in welcome sunshine at the beautiful home and grounds of this charming and discreet couple from Belgium, originally. Understandably, with what transpires later, they are a little overwhelmed by our presence... Our hosts breed Anglo Arabs. What a haven of peace and tranquillity is their magnificent home and sweeping grounds that survey from a hilltop, unspoiled valleys.
High drama follows: Cerys seems very unwell so the emergency doctor is called for. He arrives at around 10.30 at night. The doctor calls for an ambulance. The ambulance arrives and Harry and Fred follow the ambulance in Jakki's car, to get to Cahors hospital, some 40 minutes away. Cerys is not kept in hospital, and with our hosts' dogs barking as well as our two dogs, everyone wakes up as Harry, Fred and Cerys return around 4 in the morning.
With Fred and Harry having had next to no sleep (and the rest of the team too), we set off late and Cerys has a bad turn again and Cahors hospital is pronounced again. Harry drives her back to the hospital. But again, she is not hospitalised but is told to drink less coca cola which she is very fond of, drink lots of water and take the prescribed antibiotics for a urinary infection. The carriages and riders set off towards le Vigan and the very nice Ferme Equestre des Landes run by Marianne Moreau and her mother.
11 June to 13 June Cabrerets to St Martin de Vers - terrain communal next to the Mairie (Merci Monsieur le Maire)
Awful rain during our stay on the grass at St Martin de Vers - Yet again, everything soaked. Martine and Yann Mainguy turn up and help Jakki who steps into the nearby stream in her gumboots to fill up water buckets for the horses. We wait for Jean-Louis from the Sellerie du Meneur to arrive in our makeshift shelter which the wind tries to knock down. He is coming with collars for the draft horses. In the pouring rain, the collars, new traces (hemp and chain), etc. are fitted to the four horses. Jean-Louis is a mine of interesting historical information on the progression of collars, particularly amongst thea Amish community (forgive the writer if word not properly written, but internet connection will be lost if she tries to google it !). The collars will take a little getting used to.
Happy 18th Birthday, little Beth and Happy 22nd Birthday, Jonathan. We celebrate their birthdays on the night of 11th and their cakes are presented in the common room inside the Mairie with Happy Birthday sung in English and French with appropriate gusto.
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| Dinner in the rain - yet again |
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| New collars being fitted in the rain |
On the 12th it's Fred's 40th Brithday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRED. Maxime cooks a beautiful meal that evening even if the chocolate cake suffers some mishaps. Hope we find a photo of this celebration !
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| After 5 hours, a bedraggled and exhausted Jakki |
10 June from Concots in the pouring rain to Cabrerets in the Lot Valley
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| Peter, WELCOME |
A magnificent drive and ride along the river Lot with its stunning scenery - the pictures should speak for themselves - the horses go through tunnels with aplomb. A nice campsite by a tributary of the Lot, the Cele river. Harry has a swim ! Oh, and he's cadging less cigarettes recently !
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| You'd have to know it was Harry ! |
Shoe successfully on Printemps and Pascal helped with Rabiolot too. There is definitely something looking after us !!
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| Glorious but wet camping |
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| Dracula's castle - we took a wrong turning to Trannsylvania |
9 June Mas d'Estaing to Concots - approaching the Lot
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| Where did they find those football shirts?? |
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| Maxime having a quiet moment |
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| Rudimentary cooking conditions at Concocts (thanks Gill for bringing some treats) |
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| Our rudimentary loo AND SHOWERS building |
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| Yes, it's pouring down and we get soaked at Bleak House |
Harry drives early to Bergerac airport to pick up Peter from his Leeds flight = he's joining us as one of the young English people. WELCOME TO PETER.
A comfortable ride and drive for the carriages to Concots where we stay, yet again, courtesy of the local commune's Mairie by a football field. Princesse and Printemps, the Cobs Normands seem to go more comfortably today after their 3 days rest. Rita and Seduisante are full of pep as are the Camargues too. Fortunately, the only biggish climb for the carriage horses is towards the end.
Our friend from Anglo Info, Gill Nurse, has visited us again this evening and is camping alongside us tonight. Yann pays us a visit too with a bag of horsefood that we hadn't taken. We thought he couldn't wait for peace and quiet. We'll be seeing Yann and Martine when the person comes with the collars on Monday - ugh - the expense ! But the horses come first and will always come first.
5, 6, 7, 8 June From St Antonin to St Projet
To Mas d’Estaing at St Projet, where Bidou has found us a haven with the charming Yann and Martine Mainguy. Yann, who has a hearing deficiency, is a champion of France in driving, dressage and Domo Vacquera and also a fount of knowledge and experience. Between him and Bidou from Daoudou near Najac ( our draft horses are prescribed treatment of millepertuis oil and lavender, spray-on aluminium and a medley of other potions which are finally having an effect on the sores with four-time daily treatments. Fortunately, here at Yann and Martine’s, we have the facility to hose the affected parts as prescribed. The lavender oil and aluminium spray are an effective way of keeping the flies at bay. On Friday afternoon, Yann, who is also an ATE (Riding Leader) and knows his beautiful countryside well, takes some of the riders for a randonnée taking time to explain the local flora, fauna and architectural jewels.
5, 6, 7, 8 June From St Antonin to St Projet
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| known as La Cascade Petrifiante ! from St Antonin to St Projet |
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| View from the Mainguy's house |
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| Drying off after showering |
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| Rest for the horses at the Mainguy's at Mas d'Estaing |
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| Refuge from the rain on the Mainguy's terrace - Bidou from Daoudou 2nd from the left at back |
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| Impromptu shelter |
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| Setting off from the Mas d'Estaing, Chris leading |
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| Farewell photo, Yann, Fred, Martine & Jakki |
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| Fred and Maxime setting off |
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| Another living legend Yann Mainguy with Fred standing |
Fred and Chris also join Yann on Friday morning for another shorter ride. We are kindly allowed to remain at the Mas d’Estaing for a few days instead of moving on to Beauregard to stay with Michel Brunet – Michel comes to meet us as he is not far away and he kindly brings over the horse food which had been delivered to his home. He is a friend of the Conseiller Scientifique in London and his wife, the Plattards. ‘Our’ Sheila Cosma, who has been doing our website for several years as well as helping the charity in many other ways, comes over from West of Cahors where she lives. She spends the day with us and rides with Yann and the others and helps generally, comme d’habitude. All hell is let loose from the skies during dinner on Thursday night, and as we had invited Martine and Yann, Bidou and Pierre de la Barre to join us for supper, we are offered to take refuge on the terrace gathering up plates and the saucepan full of chilli con carne.
Beth is an
absolute joy to have around, always offering to help and never
criticizing. Would that all were like
her ! Life would be more peaceful and
tasks would get done more equitably and quickly.
We hear
that our Pierre Faugères from Anglès has had a serious accident (not a riding
one) and had been transported by helicopter to hospital in Toulouse). All best wishes and our love to Pierre and
his grandson Renaud.
Peter, our
replacement English lad, will fly out tomorrow morning from Leeds, his passport
having finally arrived, and Harry will make the journey to Bergerac airport to
collect him. The two French girls from
the Mission Locale de Lorient, Fany and Gwendoline, will be joining us around
22 June. We will then be back to full
complement. It will save Luke and Chris
having to lead two horses. Rabiolot as a
footnote has been pronounced well and fit and raring to go !
We have another visit from our Sheila Cosma, albeit brief and meet Clotilde Jolimaitre who lives in Albi and is our webmaster. Lovely to meet Clo. The writer apologises for the lack of time she had to give to Clo. Truly lovely meeting you. We also have the visit of 3 English ladies who very kindly donate 50 euros to the Charity. Thank you so much, ladies. One of these kind English ladies was a carriage driver so offered some sound advice.
Rabiolot is fine too !!
4 June - St Antonin Noble Val - The Aveyron river
Rabiolot is fine too !!
4 June - St Antonin Noble Val - The Aveyron river
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| A glimpse of the Aveyron river as we approach St Antonin Noble Val |
We make our
way towards St Antonin Noble Val, just short of it at Marsac, to a spot where
we had stayed in 2008 on the banks of
the Aveyron river, a km or so short of the medieval little town of St
Antonin. Rudimentary facilities at our
camp, but there is a loo and a sink to wash up in. Isabelle Segura, a friend of hers and her
daughter come to see us from Toulouse and brings 3 new tents and the
dinner. A cold buffet with an assortment
of prawns, ham, salads, cheeses and two cakes made by the friend as well as a
huge quantity of freshly picked cherries.
Lovely for the cooks not to have to worry. The grass is knee high, but in the morning a
very heavy dew has everything soaked. Jonathan is fine now by the way.
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| The Campsite at St Antonin Noble Val (Marsac) by the Aveyron |
1, 2, 3 June 2012 Le Garric to Mouline near Vindrac Alayrac
Thierry donning his familiar beret comes to see us off
as we leave Le Garric for Cordes sur Ciel or more precisely for Mouline near
Vindrac Alayrac to the West of Cordes.
Beautiful carriage drive along the banks of the Cérou river which takes
us through the medieval town of Monestiès and then up to Cordes sur Ciel and
down over to Vindrac and Mouline. The
riders have an incident on their way to Mouline – as they arrive in Cordes sur
Ciel, Rabiolot slips on a drain and falls partially onto Jo. Thanks to friendly locals, Rabiolot is put in
a trailer the five or so kilometres to Mouline, a friendly farrier Christophe
and his wife Celine also take a look at him and we see a lot of them as they
happen to be friends of our hosts. As a
precaution, Harry drives Jo to emergency at Albi hospital that night and he is
prescribed some painkillers and anti-inflammatory pills for a swollen
knee. He will go in one of the carriages
for a few days as groom until the swelling has gone down. We call the vet in
for the sores on the draft horses and she prescribes more Sulmidol which is
what we have already been using with an additional penicillin ointment. We must find a way of the harnesses not
rubbing and opening up the sores again.
As they are synthetic and extremely heavy, it is not a simple
solution. Still, the horses must come
first and we will find a solution. The
vet also looks at Rabiolot, or R5 as he is nicknamed, and prescribes anti
inflammatory for him too. He is
prescribed walking only for a few days, but, mercifully, he is not
limping.
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| A night or two in the mud and rain at Mouline near Vindrac Alayrac |
Against
rolling, green hils, with no other houses in sight, we stay 3 nights with the
very hospitable and great Dutch character, Erwin Van Der Weele and his French
wife Agnes who greet us and look after us warmly for the three nights we are
with them. The team is invited to eat
with the Van der Weele’s and a group of their friends on Saturday night; the
evening finishes off with guitar playing and singing around a fire.
After having had three or 4 blisteringly hot and humid days, it rains during the night and through most of Sunday. Forecast not good for next few days – we hear it’s beautiful in Brittany... Osiris is a picture: transformed from white to brown. Clothes, tents, everything wet and damp again !
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| Round the table at Agnes and Erwin's and round the fire |
After having had three or 4 blisteringly hot and humid days, it rains during the night and through most of Sunday. Forecast not good for next few days – we hear it’s beautiful in Brittany... Osiris is a picture: transformed from white to brown. Clothes, tents, everything wet and damp again !
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| Our riders have made friends (and had cake and drinks too) |
Jakki rings
Marie Pascale Bartheye, nicknamed Bidou, from Daoudou at Najac to ask for her
help in finding us a spot to stay for Tuesday night. Bidou, who drives horses as well, is coming
to help us with their harnesses, the day after tomorrow in the morning. Jakki had met her in 2005 with Pierre de la
Barre and she is well known in the area and has enormous knowledge with
horses.
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| Luke, you make friends everywhere you go ! |
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| A final look at Llama meets horses |
