My horse's name was Mr. Darcy (ala, Bridget Jones).
On Monday morning JL and I went horseback riding in this little town in the mountains of New Zealand called Hanmer Springs (though you know the New Zealanders call in "Ham-ner" Springs, I couldn't begin to tell you why). In a fit of enthusiasm (and likely believing we were 10 years younger) we decided to go on the 2 1/2 hour trail ride. What we didn't know is that this involved trotting AND cantering along very narrow rough trails, under low hanging branches and around very tight curves.
I know what you're thinking, especially those of you that know me well.....but no, I did not fall off the horse! Surprise surprise! Of course, I still can't walk (2 days later) but that's another story altogether. What DID happen is that somehow I was bitten by the most virulent strain of (non-biting, according to the "infinitely knowledgeable of all things New Zealand" Canadian tourists on our ride) tiny flies to buzz along the face of this planet. My index finger has subsequently swelled to triple its normal size! I swear I look like I have a club hand....and its not like my hands haven't been through enough lately! Not to mention the huge icky bite on my neck, the 15 additional ones on each hand, ankle and foot, and the random one on my hip (I was wearing jeans!).
JL though...whatta guy. He offered to "pop" my finger with a safety pin. True Love? He might truly be sick in the head.
Speaking of JL, he got on the lucky streak bandwagon this weekend as well after causing a multi-horse pile up during one of those scary-as-crap, I-think-I-might-die canters. He did manage to keep his seat, but one of the poor Canadians stuck behind him as he widely careened out of control, did not. Poor guy came off his horse straight into the bushes!
Now this is the same guy that wouldn't stop talking about how good a rider he was prior to even getting on the horse. Not only that, but he and his wife actually had the nerve to try to tell us that if we get tired we should just let them know and they could slow down! So, even though I know its wrong, and even though I'm probably one step closer to H. E. Double hockey sticks....I couldn't help but be secretly pleased. Karma baby! Plus, the guys "injuries" (I'm not sure what they were...he never said specifically, other than "sore" -- We're all sore buddy! Its a 2 1/2 hour horseback ride!) meant we had to cut out the cantering for the rest of the ride much to the relief of our chafed backsides.
No worries though. After leaving the truly pissed off Canadians behind, we headed to the thermal springs that this town is famous for.....
where we did this:
No! This is not a picture of me and JL....just some better looking randoms. And what, exactly, is that guy looking at? AND got this:
Totally worth it! :) PS - Still at work so no chance to download pics just yet. You're stuck with just my ramblings for now.
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2 comments:
In spite of the sore posteriors, so far it looks like you are having a simple "mah-velous" time! Mike and I are talking about a trip to Australia while you are there....would so love to do that. We'll have to see how the money situation is (and may be in the near future)! Love, Deb P.S. Don't you think, since you're so busy, that you need me to create a custom-designed digital scrapbook of all your adventures??? :-D
I think the guy in the spring is looking at a giant piranha about to take a bite out of that lovely young woman's leg. He is smiling, thinking how glad he is that he's behind her.
Either that or her rack.
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