Christmas Break On the 18th December, I flew back to England where I met up with Joshua before flying on to France. I'm getting pretty laid back about air travel now and I actually quite enjoy the 'down time' on the plane to just relax and do very little. I was so happy when, at the check in, I found out I'd been upgraded to business class! I had a lovely 3 course meal, and a chair that turned in to a fully flat bed to sleep in! I felt so very lucky and slept most of the way.
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| Joshua just "hangin' out" |
Joshua met me at Heathrow and as is becoming tradition, we went to "Wagamammas" for dinner, before flying on to Toulouse where Dad, Chloe and Natalie met us at the airport. David joined us a week later and we had a lovely, very quiet Christmas and New year. The weather was cold but beautiful. It's been quite a while since I've seen frost!
Peroni is growing up big and strong and is fast outgrowing his rugs again! It was lovely to spend some time with him and he's so easy going now, I can't wait until it's time to start more of his training! It's funny to me to think he's already bigger than Arianna!
Peroni doesn't mind the cold in his warm snuggly rug and he likes to eat the ice off the top of his water bucket! He's still best friends with Pedro the donkey!
My cats, Enzo and Gallardo are totally settled in to their life of luxury and spend their days catching french mice or sunbathing! David and I miss them so much but I don't think they miss us at all they are so happy!
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| Gallardo |
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| Enzo |
Before we knew it, it was time to come home. David and I had a couple of days in Buckinghamshire which was great as we not only stayed with Paul and Marcella Kurs, who, as always were amazing hosts, plying us with lovely food and amazing wine, but I got to see the Moorwards ponies and catch up with Lauren, Toni and Sue.
Sue also had a beautiful pencil portrait of Arianna for me and now my little collection is complete! I couldn't leave without having brunch with bestie, Rebecca at Rootz cafe in Chorleywood and we had loads to catch up on!
On landing back in Los Angeles, the immigration officer said "welcome home" to us as we showed our passports and for the first time, it really did feel like we were coming 'home'.
Wrong Turn Ranch
Since then I've been so busy! I enjoy myself so much in Santa Inez with Angi and Seth, that I now work for them 2 days a week! I couldn't be happier as we have so much fun it hardly feels like work at all!
We been out on long trail rides including a sunset ride up "Figaro mountain" which was spectacular!
Arianna update Arianna is also doing so well and Seth has started riding her. She is going to stay with Angi and Seth as she's so happy there and we can continue her training together.
I can't tell you how much I really love this mare! She's so smart and so desperate to please, and as her confidence in me and in general has grown, she's really progressing with all the things we throw at her!
Sagebrook Farm Work with Sagebrook Farms is also wonderful, although we missed several days of lessons due to the heavy rain! I know, heavy rain here in Los Angeles!!!! Most people were very pleased as there have been several years of serious drought here in Southern California, however, the arenas here do not have the same drainage our English arenas require and consequently it doesn't take much of a shower for the surface to be totally under water!
New Ride! I'm also very excited to introduce a new ride in Klara, who belongs to Jane McCloud of Jane McCloud dressage. She's a 16.2h 8 year old Polish warmblood mare and she's a left brain introvert which is a new kettle of fish for me, but we seem to get on very well together and although it's very early days for our partnership, Jane is hoping we can do some competitions over the summer! Watch this space!
Anniversary
Last but not least, David and I celebrated our 1st Wedding anniversary on January 14th! We went out for a lovely sushi dinner in the Marina to celebrate! Can't believe how fast the last 12 months has flown!
