Deireadh

Day 7
Our final riding day -
we ride for 3 hours. We enjoy another trip to Tramore, wander through the expanse of the sand dunes where we enjoy te views of the off shore islands.
And home again.

Blog masters comment
One thing there can be no complaints about this trip is the weather, unless someone is complaining about the drought.


So I will leave you with this, simple but cunning analog climatometer -
at least you can always trust it.

 Back to the blog

 I had my lesson with David and Jane this morning. They were going to put me on a huge hunter, Sam, who rides out with us. I was a little apprehensive but ready to give it a try. He had a sore wither, so they put me on a small horse that Barbara, one of our novice riders, takes to the beach. Rial was wonderful, having the easiest canter to sit through.

Now if this is not great form I don't know what is.
The perfect jump.

I loved my lesson. Our instructor said we had a much better feel for the horses than Americans.

Blog masters comment

What do you expect they neck rein and yoddle.

And off for the morning ride. Another totally beautiful day.

Very sad to be thinking of leaving my horse friends.

Love, Les

Blog masters comment
I'l bet you a shamrock - You just might be back.

Léim an Eich

Day 6
The plan
6 hour ride. Starting out across the home beach, riding along by Sessiagh Lake and on around Sheephaven Bay scenic route taking us to Marble Hill Beach. Stop for lunch by the sand dunes and continue with some canters along ....



Only rain was a slight Irish mist but it was short and it did not dampen our day.
Vancouver should have weather this good.

Another great day -- that will eventually include so much fun - galloping on the beach and in the mountains, checking out ruins, passing by friendly and unfriendly dogs, fat geese, sheep, old goats, donkeys, pleasant old men, and stinky cars.

We had a little excitement at Marble Head Beach. We were off on a great gallop when two dogs trailing their leashes ran toward us, making the horses run even faster and move out of the usual conga line.
My Voodoo was just in a mind to go, he must have race horse blood - he was stretching ahead I tied soooooooooooooooooo hard to slow him down.

cailíní na trá

Total exhilaration.


When we got all settled, Jane's Cupid decided to roll in the sand. As she struggled to jump off the horse, we all started to laugh. No damage.

Then a sunny lunch.

tá am lóin ann

After lunch (and a short nap for the soul and the weary bones) more scenic views and a nice surprise - we pass close by some haunted old crofter ruins from long ago.

Giota beag de neamh

When we got back to the stables, there was a big surprise. The stables had a new pony. It had followed a woman and her two kids back from Mukish Mountain. Beautiful little gray thing.

The mayor of the county

Tomorrow, I have a jumping lesson at 10:15, hopefully on a big hunter.

Wish you were here.
Love,
Les

Ádh na nÉireannach

Day 5
A day to relax with a visit to the beautiful Glenveagh Castle.

We had a guided tour of the castle which was built in 1867. The last owner had been a curator at the Philadelphia Fine Arts Museum. He gave the castle to the Irish people in the 1980s.

Blog master's comment
Not much going on apparently no ride today.
So I'll just post up some older pictures.
You will just have to put up with my made up commentary.



Pictures don't lie.
Here is evidence of how high the climb can be from the beach.
The horses climb up here every day
- for me once would be plenty.



Two options
1. If you are near the edge just hold on tight to what ever.

2.  This is just a nice BFF pic, one two three say cheese!



It is steeper than it looks.
Especially when you are the one in the saddle and it just keeps getting faster.
Going down is harder for the rider.
But going up is much harder for the horses.
I pity the horses.



Miles of open beach.
Not person in site. No speed limits.
Can we just have a wee gallop, please?

Neighbourly visitors.
But it looks like she owns the place.

Like this must be the walled garden
at that castle they were going on about.

Blog master's comment
Luck of the Irish
Ádh na nÉireannach
ah na nare-in-ack

Is eachtra é an saol

Day 4
The days adventure

Setting out to ride home along the beach is coordinated with the timing start of the low tides. We ride across Dooros Point with its feral ponies, and descend to Tramore beach, ideal for a good canter at the low water mark.

Today it rained -- rather it poured. But only for about 15 minutes, but just just enough time for my gloves to turn into sponges.

The parade - Down to the beach

We rode down to the amazing sea. This required getting off our horses so they could be led across a stream and then having to mount from the ground up. A big feat as these horses are rather tall.

Now this deserves a good galloping or two
as a small reward for all our hard work.

We passed feral ponies that were delicate and small like fairy horses.

Like it says small like fairy horses
(Now where are those sneaky leprechauns?
I think I see a rainbow!)

We also went almost straight down a sand dune.  Imagine going down 30 feet on a big horse whose hooves are sliding in the loose sand. Once down we could gallop on the shore.

Don't know about you but this is too steep for me.
But the view is nice.
I think I will just watch.
You can get off and walk.

Which brings me to the decision to get a new helmet. I was wearing my contacts for the first time and as we went faster and faster my helmet would slide down on my nose.

Blog master's comment

Any excuse. Sooner or later it is always the same.

I sense some shopping coming on.

I think this is just preparing me for the surprise.

I will need to "Think of the savings with the strong dollar".

So I was holding the reins with one hand and my helmet with the other and doing my best to look calm and stay in control. (While hanging on for dear life, and excuse me for saying - but it was a blast.)



Blind as a bat.
Just able to see the flick of the tail before me, and keep up the speed.











Going up the dunes was more fun but not for the horses. We had to lay along their necks and hold on to their manes. This was again straight up 30 feet. I could hear my horse panting as he worked his way to the top.  Loved it especially when the horse in from of me starting slipping.

Blog master's comment

WHAT No pictures?

Wonderful day riding.
When we got back to the hotel, I went for a walk to the Workhouse Museum. The hardships of life here long ago must have been so depressing.  The rich were heartless to the poor.  We have so much to be grateful for.

Feeling appropriately grateful.

Who knows grace.
Lord bless this food.
Sláinte is táinte!

Blog master's comment
I agree.
Is eachtra é an saol

Looking forward to talking with you tonight.
Love. Les

Marcaíocht álainn

Day 3
The Itinerary
5 hour ride along Kilahoey Beach over the sands and along the waves before heading uphill towards the mountains. Stop for lunch along the shores of Lough Agher ... along abandoned railway tracks.... wade through fjords ...



A happy and favourite stable lass.


We rode 5 hours with nary a drop of rain.

We started the day with a long, long canter on the mud flats that ended in a gallop. 

After the gallop. Off to the bogs.

We then rode through the bogs to beautiful Muckrish Mountain. The best part was cantering on old raised railroad tracks. They were narrow and about 20 feet high. The train must have been so small to have gone on that little ridge. We were the only humans for miles around and the only sound was the pounding of the horses' hooves.



Challenging terrain, wonderful views.



Half way we stop for Lunch, and relax to trade stories.

And relax some more.
And trade more stories
(are you talking about me)

The mountains behind us the trek winds down

Back in civilization, we got comfortable trotting alongside cars and trucks and had sheep, cows, dogs, donkeys, children, horses, and pigs come to see us ride by.

A few of the girls having a chat, and giving warm Irish regards to the strangers.



If the day didn't have to end we would all still be out there.
Glass of wine or a stout for us would be one good way to make up for the end.
And a nice sweet bale of hay and warm stable for the rides.



Voodoo and I can not wait for tommorrow.



(Blogger's comment -
" a beautiful ride")




The guvner.
Another day another trail

 



"beo don mharcaíocht, marcaigh le bheith beo"

Day 2
The itinerary said
2 hour ride along Kilahoey beach continuing up the headland off Hornhead taking in the views of Sheephaven Bay.....

What a wonderful day. Facilities are great.
And the weather (today again) is just as good if not better.

We can all hardly wait to get going - this is the yard were we mount the horses, but we do not hang around here any longer than we need to.



Banmharcach Anne and Debbie

 We all get tacked up and we are off.

Cantering was wonderful on the mud flats this afternoon. Lovely long canters and lots of them.
So much better than in the forests where I am always nervous what surprise will be just around the corner, to hurt or spook the horses.
They time the riding on the beach and surf for when the tide is out, looking back at them now the flats are underwater.

Voodoo was a great horse but does NOT like mints. I tried four times to give him the mints that you put into my suitcase. Every time he turned aside his nose. Luckily every other horse loves them.

I have asked my friends who took pictures on the ride to give them to me and then I send them to you later this evening.
Love, Les

In the dunes

Ready to charge - Into the valley of ...



Hands up, baby hands up

 (Blogger's comment -
"Living to ride, riding to live")

Day One "An chéad lá"

The itinerary said.
Day 1
Transfer from airport to Dunfanaghy Stables Arnold's Hotel Donegal.
Relax and unwind. Dinner at Hotel.

Mike, the plane ride was good starting with champagne and a good movie. The view from the plane to Donegal was gorgeous.  Lots of huge hills and coast lines.

Subject: Arnold's Hotel
Arnold's is amazing.

My bay window has a seat with a beautiful view.

My outlook is over the harbour which is now a mud flats  as the tide is out.

I can see horses coming up to the hotel after cantering on the beach, I wish it was me.

We were interviewed by the stable master to determine whom we will be riding. I will have Voodoo, a black horse, so tomorrow I will want to canter on the beach if we can. Anne suggested that Janet's son and I take a jumping lesson. David might be able to ride a grand prix horse. He is riding four times a week.  We will see.

It is now 2 hours later and I am still in awe, now sitting on the sea wall finishing my email. I think I got a bit of a sun tan while we were at the stables as the weather is warm and sunny.

I really like the hotel, the food, and the stables.  All the fish and mussels are from local providers. I had salad, steak, and pavola. I might have mussels tomorrow so I can give you a firsthand review.  

Wish you were here.

Love. Les

(Blogger's comment -

Arrived - check.

Relaxation - check.

Dinner is obviously next, hopefully with a pint.

Les is not a fish person, so how will she fare?

Voodoo however sounds exciting.

What magic is in store?

What spell will he cast?)

Down by the water with a fellow traveler.