I Rode Trigger at the Badminton Horse Trials....

...and have the pictures to prove it!! However, you'll have to wait for the picture(s) until such time as I figure out how to include them in 'F 'n' J'. I should add that great-niece Lily (5) also rode Trigger, once Grauntie Di had him well warmed up! As mentioned on the ad beside him, Trigger had real horsepower, in fact he had unlimited horsepower because.....he was a mechanical horse!! Fortunately there was a mounting block conveniently located, so climbing aboard wasn't a problem - all that swinging of the leg over the bike seat stood me in good stead, but dismounting was another story... Somewhat reminiscent of the 'beached whale' act, for those of you who remember that! Anyway, the ride would have been worthy of a place on my 'Bucket List', if I had one, and I surprised myself at still being able to canter - gallop? - without falling off. Of course, little Miss Lily rode like a real pro, with Mummy Sue and Grandma Judy on either flank 'just in case'.
Despite the strong winds all day, we had a most enjoyable time at the Badminton Horse Trials yesterday afternoon. There wasn't a lot of action by the horses and riders, other than in the dressage ring, but there was a great deal of action on the shopping front! Apparently, that is the main thrust for the first two days. Very interesting to poke around the endless rows of stalls and stands, and see what is on offer, but neither Judy nor I found anything we couldn't resist. A good thing for me certainly, as I have limited space for extra stuff.... Thanks, Sue, for arranging the afternoon for us, and thanks, Judy, for accompanying me - and making sure I didn't get lost!
And now back to that gathering of the 'lovely ladies of a certain age who left the Abbey School in 1962', in London on Thursday. It was a most successful day, a real blast from the past, as several of us hadn't met since 1962! Lots to catch up on! I arrived last, as the ticket I had didn't permit travel until 9:30am, and the journey from Bristol to London is 90 mins, without counting the time to travel by tube then cross the Thames (by bridge). Things were well under way by that time, the old photo albums were being scrutinized (must remember to take a magnifying glass next time) and the anecdotes were in full swing. Our meeting place was at the National Theatre coffee shop, then we moved on to a nearby restaurant for lunch, stopping en route for pictures by the Thames (hopefully with St. Paul's Cathedral in the background) kindly taken by a good-hearted and patient passerby. After our 'power lunch', some had to head off home, while the rest of us continued our reminiscing in the foyer of the Royal Festival Hall. So long did we reminisce that I almost didn't make it to Victoria Coach Station in time to catch the Chippenham coach. Had it not been for a man standing at the coach door, with tickets in hand, waiting in vain for his wife to turn up, who was happy to recoup anything he could on those tickets I would have been left behind, as I was too late to buy a ticket in the regular way. Anyway, everything turned out fine - and thanks to Beryl for leading me at a brisk pace to Victoria, to Judy for picking me up in Chippenham, to Ruth and Gill for arranging the gathering, and to Anne, Jane, Judith, Pam and Sandra, plus the previously mentioned, who travelled from various points to be there. To those who weren't able to come - we missed you, but hope we'll all manage to get together in the not-too-distant future.
Well, my time in the UK is drawing to a close. I leave Chipping Sodbury tomorrow morning - thenks for picking me up, Jim, to drive me to Chippenham, and thanks, Gill for picking me up in Oxford, then driving me to St. Albans., hopefully to meet a few more of those'lovely ladies....' for lunch, before overnighting with friends, Di and John, who have very kindly offered to drive me to Heathrow on Monday am in time for my flight. thanks, D & J! I know I shall be very happy to get back, to my own place, and particularly to my own bed!
Aside from all the adventures related in 'F 'n' J', I have had some good visits with Mother at 'The Heathers' - and have the pictures to prove that too! Some of the time, I think she knows who I am, and when she doesn't, well, it doesn't really matter , so long as she is enjoying having me there.