What a busy weekend!

We had a busy but enjoyable weekend this week. First we went to the Essex Country Show at Barleylands Farm in Billericay.

It turned out really warm and we had a great day. It was just a shame we didn't get to see it all in one day.

Sunday Richard and I did a boot sale to raise some much needed holiday funds and to make a bit of room for our new arrival who is due early February next year. We made a good profit and I actually enjoyed myself.

This year I gave myself a treat and held an owl. She was a European Eagle owl and weighs about 9lb (without feathers) so I was told. She had the most beautiful orange eyes and I even stroked her chest - but very carefully!

Here are a few pics from Saturday.

Leah and I enjoyed a ride on the carousel and she smiled the whole time!

There were lots of draught horses pulling traditional ploughs in the field, so here are a few of my favourites.

This one was called Ben and he even turned to the camera when I called him!

A weekend in the New Forest

This weekend we spent a lovely few days in a chalet in the New Forest and lucky for us the sun shone until the day we were due to come home.

We saw lots of ponies and foals - and those that didn't have foals seemed to be pregnant. it must be the time of year. We didn't see many stallions though, I assume they must be off on their own somewhere.

I just found this adorable!!!

We went to Lymington on Saturday afternoon and had a look around the shops after lunch, and also went for a nice walk by the marina. There was even time for an ice cream - well when isn't there time really??

The marina was lovely and the water looked beautiful. What I would give to have a boat all to myself!

Sunday we gave Leah a treat and went to Longdown activity farm. There were loads of baby animals, including these little goats. can you believe that for every feed the farm uses 45 litres of milk for these little ones!

They are so adorable! We even got a chance to feed them ourselves (excuse my head being missing, Richard was more concerned with getting Leah in the photo than me!)

There was a small animal petting area so we got to hold baby chicks (so delicate!)

and even stroked some rabbits....

After, we stopped at an area of the Forest called Bolderwood where there is a viewing area to see some wild deer. they were a lot closer than the time we came before, but still didn't take a very good photo. You get the idea anyway. What's peculiar is that the area smells really musty, it must be the deer although you wouldn't think they would!

I had to post some more pictures of the ponies, they say it all really. This is why I love horses :o)

I think this one was expecting :o)

From Milford on sea you could clearly see the Isle of Wight and the needles (the light house). Again not a very good picture, I must get a better camera!

Finally Leah and her Daddy partaking in her favourite pastime at the moment, throwing stones on the beach! it was a lovely weekend, just such a shame we always have the washing to deal with when we get back :o(

Another good ride

I had a great two hour ride yesterday and got to ride one of the big horses at the stables whose name is Chaka. it was a really good ride and quite uneventful compared to some of the others we have been on.

I think the most eventful thing was coming across a tractor and plough on one of the tracks which none of the horses liked, but luckily no one came to any misdemeanor!

The weather stayed dry and as it was overcast there weren't too many dog walkers about which is always a relief. He was really well behaved, the only thing with such a big horse (he is 18hh plus) is that the transition from canter to trot is sooooo bumpy it bumped me out of the sassle each time! He also needs a lot of room to get his strides in, so he didn't stay in canter as long as some of the ponies. I still enjoyed him though, although I know I will be aching today adn tomorrow, especially my thighs and shoulders!

Blog award!

There have been plenty of these awards doing the rounds at the moment, and as Jackie over at Button Tree Crafts was kind enough to award me, I thought it only polite to return the favour.

I have to tell you 5 things I am addicted to and pass it on to 5 more lovely blogs.

Here are my 5 things - and congratulations to Cotton and Cloud, The Knitting Den, Frazzy Dazzles, JoJo-Caramel and Rachael Rabbit.

so, the 5 things I am addicted to are:-

1. My daughter - I just can't get enough! I love to kiss and cuddle her and when she gives me a kiss of her own accord I just melt :o)

2. Horse riding and horses - although I can still get nervous there is nothing better than feeling the wind in my face during a canter or gallop.

3. Knitting and yarn- say no more; especially with the size of my stash growing, and growing and growing.....

4. a good cuppa, I can't get by without one!

5. A good crime drama, nothing better than a bit of excitement on the box!

Another horsey picture

I rode another horse at the weekend, his name is Jacob and he can be a handful! He's only young and is still learning, so you have to be kind to him whilst riding.

He was forward going and didn't trip too much, so that was a bonus for me. My legs still ached though as he is quite a wide boy!

The Essex Country show - part one - the animals....

Today we went to the Essex Country Show at Barleylands farm in Billericay with my Mum and Dad. We haven't been for years, so it was a great day out and we saw lots of great crafts, events, steam engines and animals!

Here are a few of them...

...a lovely sheep (I just ADORE) them!.....

....these two calves were really cute and they liked to be stroked. We just about avoided being licked by them - those tongues are massive!

We had to have our photo taken by this sweet donkey, although I don't think he was that bothered about it!

We saw some lovely sheep on show.....

... this ram was one of my favourites....

...and a few more in their pen.....

...one of the heavy horses in his stable after the show....

.....and a lovely Suffolk Punch.