We have returned from our lovely 2 week holiday in South Africa, it has been a bit of a shock returning to the cold weather, needless to say we all have colds! It was rather a rush to get away, making sure everything had been done and covered, not much time to check in once we got to the airport! We joined some close friends who had been to South Africa before and knew the area well, they were very kind and took us on a fantastic tour! We started in the South visiting Cape Town, we did manage to see some whales while on the coast, they had been in the bay to breed! We gradually made our way further North where we spent time at the Game lodges observing the animals. It was a fairly long drive to get to the Game lodges, we had to drive through a variety of different places, some areas which were lovely and others which were in great poverty, quite an eye opener! We had to drive through the Game Reserve to get to the Game lodges and were regularly confronted with a variety of animals from a Wart Hog to an Elephant crossing the road! The Game Reserve is huge, approximately the size of Wales, and all of the animals are left free to roam within! We would go out on the Game drives around 5am and 7pm to avoid the heat of the day, it was also a good time to catch the animals from their night's hunting or just before they were to venture out. We were all a bit blurry eyed first thing in the morning but soon woke up! We were able to get fairly close to the animals, with some more than others depending on whether they would tolerate the truck, some would run away and others would attack! Towards the end of our trip we were extremely fortunate to experience a family of Elephants one on one, they were tame elephants who had been rescued. We were able to walk with them having hands on contact which was truely amazing, something which I will never forget!! For such big powerful animals they were extremely personable and sensitive.
All of the horses are feeling well for having had a short break, quite fresh and cheeky! The Christmas decorations are up, Dad surprised me with one special piece, he had made a display of our competition plaques and had used them to write 'ED' which was Two Sox's stable name, it has taken prime position on the yard! We will have a few quieter days over Christmas but otherwise the horses will stay in work, we will start with competitions again towards the end of January. Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year! xx
We have returned from our lovely 2 week holiday in South Africa, it has been a bit of a shock returning to the cold weather, needless to say we all have colds! It was rather a rush to get away, making sure everything had been done and covered, not much time to check in once we got to the airport! We joined some close friends who had been to South Africa before and knew the area well, they were very kind and took us on a fantastic tour! We started in the South visiting Cape Town, we did manage to see some whales while on the coast, they had been in the bay to breed! We gradually made our way further North where we spent time at the Game lodges observing the animals. It was a fairly long drive to get to the Game lodges, we had to drive through a variety of different places, some areas which were lovely and others which were in great poverty, quite an eye opener! We had to drive through the Game Reserve to get to the Game lodges and were regularly confronted with a variety of animals from a Wart Hog to an Elephant crossing the road! The Game Reserve is huge, approximately the size of Wales, and all of the animals are left free to roam within! We would go out on the Game drives around 5am and 7pm to avoid the heat of the day, it was also a good time to catch the animals from their night's hunting or just before they were to venture out. We were all a bit blurry eyed first thing in the morning but soon woke up! We were able to get fairly close to the animals, with some more than others depending on whether they would tolerate the truck, some would run away and others would attack! Towards the end of our trip we were extremely fortunate to experience a family of Elephants one on one, they were tame elephants who had been rescued. We were able to walk with them having hands on contact which was truely amazing, something which I will never forget!! For such big powerful animals they were extremely personable and sensitive.
All of the horses are feeling well for having had a short break, quite fresh and cheeky! The Christmas decorations are up, Dad surprised me with one special piece, he had made a display of our competition plaques and had used them to write 'ED' which was Two Sox's stable name, it has taken prime position on the yard! We will have a few quieter days over Christmas but otherwise the horses will stay in work, we will start with competitions again towards the end of January. Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year! xx