Horses and boats.

This is Juniper. She is a 17 year old Highland that came for the weekend while her owner is on holiday. I miss Bertie, his lovely blonde rump which was often near my back garden fence and his thick, unruly two tone mane. Most of all I miss riding him, so willing and happy.
Sadly, his owner sold him as she didn't much like him and that's the way it is. You need to bond with your horse for it to work and their partnership was never going to work.
I just couldn't ride him for long because of his extremely broad back and my now wearing out hip joints. Our last ride was just an hour and a half and I had to get off and walk...mind you, it was a shorter ride if we could have cantered a bit but horse owner doesn't want to push her horse, Basil, as she fears he is suffering from fatigue.
However, Juniper came and I've ridden her once before on home ground and despite being in a strange place, she was forward and unflappable. Only the golfers unnerved her a bit and we did a 90 minute ride with very little pain for me, so despite her being very fat...she isn't as broad backed and my riding career isn't over.
Sorry for all this detail...it means a lot to me!
On Wednesday, I ventured through the rapids of the Spey with members of the Spey Valley Paddlers Group. The water was high and fast and therefore the rocky bits were easier but the converging waters of the Spey and Avon, created waves like a surf beach.
I enjoyed every last minute of our 90 minute paddle and feel confident in my boat and my river. I wish I could have taken photos but it was a trifle wet, not rain as it was a dry and clear day, but because of the waves and the speed we careered down river. Yipee!!
Ralph pulled/tore a calf muscle today on the usual dog walk and had to hobble home. He is now sitting with his leg up, pondering a summer of inactivity.