I crawled out of bed at 6:30 this morning. I was tired having been woken up by the dogs barking continuosly from 1:30 to about 2am! After my bowl of frosted flakes and yoghurt while my jeans were in the drier I grabbed my backpack, stuffed a raincoat in, wondered if i would need my fleece but decided not. Raided the fridge in the garage for drinks, esp Dr Pepper which i dumped in a chiller. Headed down to the barn and helped load 4 horses--2 into each trailer. By this time 7 young horse riders and their parents were all milling around ready for the big days adventure. At 7:53 Charity and I jumped into the Chevy 1500 hurrying Corrie to get her big Ford 250 moving with the larger horse trailer. And so began the journey. Corrie led with us behind and then all the parents and kids in their various SUVs behind us. 15 minutes later we rolled onto the Interstate heading north up I-26 towards Columbia. Clouds of diesel smoke poured out of the Ford as Corrie wound her up to her cruising speed of 75 mph (with 2 horses in tow!) The chevy had to work a little harder to keep this pace up but it managed. Now i know why Americans have such large trucks--they don't expect large loads to slow them down one bit! Just over an hour and we made it to our destination-a farm outside Orangeburg. Somewhere along the way we must have hit a cold front as it was freezing when we got out. Wished so badly I had put my fleece in. Everyone was putting every jacket on and finding coffee. I found some fresh Krispy Kreme donuts and put 2 of my favourites down inside me real quick. Helped to unload the horses and watched as 7 young horse loving girls all about 3 ft high proceed to groom and saddle large horses. They all get in their fine English equistrian outfits complete with boots and jackets. After watching the first few competittions from a huddled position on a plastic chair, I decide that sitting in the truck is a better option. I read and wrote for a while, and soon fell asleep! That was good! I found myself eating continously all day--it was just so cold!! The day went very quickly and some ribbons were gained by some of Charity's students. So we packed everything away and convoyed home again minus the parents who had gone ahead. The trip home cruised at 80 mph which meant frequent gear changes in the Chevy as she struggled to keep pace with the Ford. Back home about 6pm there was still much to do. Feeding and blankets on horses (there are 10 here on this farm) and then cleaning stalls. I took the trailers off both trucks and emptied the muck trailer down the back of the farm, got more hay down from the loft and hosed the barn out.
We were all done by about 7:45 and were back in the farmhouse raiding the fridge for leftovers to cook for dinner. I found some pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy which i fried up. After eating, and dishes I relished a long hot shower getting back into the lounge just in time to watch a thriller soccer game between Arsenal and Tottenham. What a game!! Goals at both ends with the final score being 5-4 in favour of the Arse. I really wanted a draw to give Chelsea a clear lead but well.
Finished my day with strawberries and icecream, check my email, and then this blog! A big day, a long day and I'm ready for bed tonite. Think I earnt it today!
That gives you a little insight into some of what I've been doing over here. Next Saturday we are doing it all again but to a different destination and I think I may be driving one of the trucks! Fun!
