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Post by racaille on Apr 28, 2011 17:51:37 GMT
There's a rando on Sunday up to the top of the Luberon, but starting from the other side. I can't see the point of driving us all the way over there just to get to the top that I can see from here.
So I thought I might go up from this side and meet the group for lunch. However, a rough estimate from here makes it eight hours riding (there and back) and that is a long day so what I think I'll do is go as far as I can within a time frame and than head for home. I might even try to find some new paths - this is quite tricky as what is marked as a path on the map may not be passable with a horse.
But an adventure!
And in the meantime I'll keep an eye out for a horse that is 'lost'. It disappeared from a village at the foot of the mountains and hoof marks apparently led towards the slopes. But it was a coloured mare so I think it has been stolen. Anyhoo, I'll keep a lookout.
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Post by solomon on Apr 28, 2011 19:49:44 GMT
Gosh eight hours in the saddle, that is a long day. How often do you ride to keep P that fit?
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Post by racaille on Apr 28, 2011 20:16:49 GMT
Every other day now Sol. More or less. But it's also the type of work he does: it might not always be fast (sometimes we only walk) but we do a LOT of big hills which is fantastic muscle building exercise. And we are usually out for at least a couple of hours, unless I do a 'trotting' which will be uphill and brisk.
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Post by solomon on Apr 28, 2011 20:44:23 GMT
Pete would not survive, he doesn't know how lucky he is! We were out for a measly hour tonight!
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Post by fleabitten on Apr 28, 2011 20:51:38 GMT
We used to think an hours hack was long lol!!! How wrong we were! hehe
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Post by racaille on May 4, 2011 3:33:58 GMT
Well, I modified my plans as the day dawned hot and clammy and I suddenly realised I did not want to climb up the shale paths to the top of the mountains. So I headed towards them and pottered about it the pretty countryside at their base. Here's P with the mountains beyond, where we were headed, looking not too thrilled with everything. He's not very keen on his fly bonnet either but the flies are dreadful already and they drive him nuts.  It was a bank holiday (only the French could have a bank holiday on a Sunday  ) which meant that everyone and his dog was out doing something. We were badly spooked by a German tourist on a bike coming out of the undergrowth just as we were heading down a narrow path and brave sir Paco ran away. Again.  I asked the man to stay where he was but so I could calm down the snorting dragon but the silly bottom didn't understand or was too snooty, but I managed to get P to turn to look at the 'monster' and when he realised it was just a bike I think he felt a bit silly. But he was a good boy with a pair of motorbikes roaring up behind him and also going through two villages. Here he is refusing to drink from a fountain because there was a bucket of mussels keeping cool in the stream of water. The dog had a lead on to keep her safe in the village but she is uber obedient and doesn't really need it.  We stopped for 15 minutes for my sarnie lunch with a fantastic view but my camera has died and this is the only pic, rotten, I know.  We had a wonderful day, out for about five hours in the sunshine. Fantastic. Both P and the dog were stars (but dog was v v tired the next day!) |
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Post by zara on May 4, 2011 6:43:16 GMT
Fabulous pics as usual rac; where you live is beautiful, I'm very jealous. Also you must have a very comfy saddle to tolerate so many hours in the saddle, not sure my backside would survive! Zx
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Post by solomon on May 4, 2011 7:24:35 GMT
Fantastic adventures you have Rac. I love your little dog too. Paco is a great horse.They are a constant source of pleasure aren't they?
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Post by fimacg on May 4, 2011 11:39:50 GMT
great pictures and as always the hacking and weather look wonderful
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Post by dannyboy on May 4, 2011 12:29:18 GMT
Great pics Rac - It looks so peaceful (minus the motorbikes & german tourists that is ;D). Its certainly a wonderful part of France you live in  . I like the idea of a fly bonnet to reduce the annoyance of flies. Does paco stand well to get it on? |
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Post by brigadier on May 4, 2011 13:14:21 GMT
Looked a lovely ride! Heaven to ride along the countryside with your hound at your side. My scruffy dog loves to ride on the windfarm with me but he has little roadsense so darent take him further. He is easier to walk from a horse as he can run off but quickly find me again. Will just have to do beach rides with him and dog in the future. the drive will be a bit of a faff but probably worth it!
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Post by fleabitten on May 4, 2011 14:38:46 GMT
Great pics rac!! Sounds lovely  |
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Post by spotti on May 4, 2011 16:16:08 GMT
I keep saying but one of these days I really will move to France!!! Lovely pics, and what gorgeous sunshine  |
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Post by ernieburt on May 4, 2011 20:54:21 GMT
Brilliant photos, what wonderfull countryside and amazing views. Explains why my parents love France so much and escape there every year for 6 weeks. x
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Post by racaille on May 5, 2011 5:21:48 GMT
Also you must have a very comfy saddle to tolerate so many hours in the saddle, not sure my backside would survive! Zx I do!!! I have a special rando saddle, it has a longer base than a sport saddle (what we call 'normal' saddles) to spread the weight over a larger area of the horse's back. Almost everyone who does long distance here has one type or another. Maclellan Canadian army saddles - with a hole along the horse's spine - are popular but I don't like them. Gaston Mercier is a great make, but expensive. I was lucky enough to get a creme de la creme second hand (but still a stiff price). It's this one, without the fenders ... www.forestier.com/boutique/selles/disciplines/randonnee/grand-raid/And Brig, yes, it's wonderful having a doggie along, isn't it? Mine has no road sense either so if I have to use a road I usually put her on a long lead, but it's rare. I feel P likes to have her along too, he seems quite reassured. But I have kept her hunting bell on as he can hear where she is so he doesn't get spooked if she suddenly appears from the undergrowth! |
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Post by brigadier on May 5, 2011 12:38:12 GMT
And Brig, yes, it's wonderful having a doggie along, isn't it? Mine has no road sense either so if I have to use a road I usually put her on a long lead, but it's rare. I feel P likes to have her along too, he seems quite reassured. But I have kept her hunting bell on as he can hear where she is so he doesn't get spooked if she suddenly appears from the undergrowth!
Never thought of doing that- Basil also seems to like having him along, and he rarely jumps when he comes bursting out, seems more tuned into where he is, but some of the other horses do and I get a few tuts!
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) which meant that everyone and his dog was out doing something. We were badly spooked by a German tourist on a bike coming out of the undergrowth just as we were heading down a narrow path and brave sir Paco ran away. Again. 
I asked the man to stay where he was but so I could calm down the snorting dragon but the silly bottom didn't understand or was too snooty, but I managed to get P to turn to look at the 'monster' and when he realised it was just a bike I think he felt a bit silly.
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for so much hard work we thank ye!!
