I recently bought the latest issue of the HQ (a South African Equestrian magazine) and found a very interesting article on saddle fitting. The article was about Norman Hyett (ECBS.ESEBT UK Qualified Saddle Fitter) and the saddle awareness workshops he hosts. I've been rather interested in the biomechanics of the horse's back, especially how the rider and the saddle influence/affect it. The more I've been learning on the topic, the more I have become to realize how important a correctly fitting saddle is. It is amazing how something so “small” can have such a BIG affect on your horse way of going and its wellbeing. Here is what I found most interesting in the given article:
(Note: the text written in italics are my thoughts and not necessarily that of Norman)
Modern Materials
Most modern saddles are made with plastic trees. This is not necessarily something to be afraid of. Old saddle are made from wood that can bent out of shape throughout the saddle making process.
Does this mean that plastic trees are less likely to loose its shape when compared to a wooden one?
Uneven Padding Causes Muscle Tension
The flocking used to stuff a saddle is very important. Balling up of flocking causes lumps underneath the saddle which will be uncomfortable for the horse and lead to uneven weight distribution. One must be careful not to over flock a saddle, because it makes the saddle harder and more unbalanced. “A harder, more padded-out area of the saddle will create rigidity that the horse will brace against- hardening the muscle against it”. However, atrophy of muscles are more likely to occur on the side (or areas) that do not press down hard on the horse. This is because the horse does not use the muscles on that side (or in that area). To fix this problem the saddle must be fitted evenly and the problem area be padded out to allow enough room for the muscles to develop. The saddle must then be checked regularly. The pads are eventually removed once the muscles have developed evenly.
Fit For The Future
The saddle must always be fitted where you expect the horse to be. In other words the saddle must not be fitted to fit the horses as he is now. A narrow saddle will atrophy the muscles either side of the withers (because the muscles do not have room to expand) and inhibit free movement of the shoulders.
The Young Horse
It is not advisable to use any old saddle for lunging a young horse. If the saddle doesn't fit the horse correctly it can put it off saddles for life and even cause damage to the back. I for one believe this. Remember that young horses have weaker and more vulnerable backs than older horses. A young horse's saddle will have to be checked regularly because it will be developing muscle as it trains. However, this is true for horses of all ages.
Girths and Stirrup Leathers
It is best to have stirrup leathers that don't stretch. This helps prevent uneven wear of the saddle. The correct length of girth should be used. The ideal is for a girth that will be on the 3rd or 4rth hole when tightened. Always make sure to tighten the girth equally from both sides to prevent uneven wear and/or pressure. Guard against over-tightening the girth as it can lead to nerve damage. Avoid girths that have one end elasticated will cause uneven pressure on the horse's back (one side pulled down more), resulting in muscle damage. A girth that is elasticated on both ends would be better.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
A new beginning :)
I haven't blogged in ages. The main reason for this is because we recently moved to a new town where I will be going to University :) The internet has been a royal pain in the BUTT and has taught me the value of patience... or at least I hope so. Anyway, we have now managed to get internet that is a little better and faster, so now I can blog again! Yipee!!!
I really suck at blogging. I never really know what to say and when I do know what to say I never know how to begin. BUT, I'm doing it anyway. After having watched the movie Julia & Julia, I 've been thinking to change my blog a bit. I will still be typing about my journey with horses, but i wanted to make it something interesting... something some people could use.
So, here goes...
Going back to the topic of moving and University... I am FINALLY (after 3 years of waiting) going to University! I am so excited. I will be studying Equine Science (duh!). I am very amped for it and can't wait to start. This is what I have been waiting for... a chance to learn even more about horses and in greater detail. I've been doing my SANEF modules (it's like South Africa's version of the BHS exams) and found it fun, but not challenging enough. And I don't really seem to see myself as a teacher, even with others reminding me otherwise (to this day I still have "students" writing to me and saying how much the miss me... and I'm only 21!). However, I will see to complete my first level in the distant future.
Anyway, so that was part one of my blog. The second part will consist of my horse! Yes, I am getting my own horse. Finally!!! It is like a dream come true :) I have found the perfect hrse to start with. It is a TB (since they are easy to come by and make good all rounders), dark bay, 4 year old gelding. I fell in love with him the second I saw him :) At the moment he is still by his old owners and will only come up next month when I pay the rest of his fee. I will be keeping all of you updated on our training together. I will be attempting to combine Natural Horsemanship and Traditional horsemanship together, a lot like what Karen Rolhf does. More on this later ;)
So, this is it for my first blog in what seems to have been FOREVER. Stay tuned for my next blog!!!!
A Merry Xmis for everyone!!!!!!!
I really suck at blogging. I never really know what to say and when I do know what to say I never know how to begin. BUT, I'm doing it anyway. After having watched the movie Julia & Julia, I 've been thinking to change my blog a bit. I will still be typing about my journey with horses, but i wanted to make it something interesting... something some people could use.
So, here goes...
Going back to the topic of moving and University... I am FINALLY (after 3 years of waiting) going to University! I am so excited. I will be studying Equine Science (duh!). I am very amped for it and can't wait to start. This is what I have been waiting for... a chance to learn even more about horses and in greater detail. I've been doing my SANEF modules (it's like South Africa's version of the BHS exams) and found it fun, but not challenging enough. And I don't really seem to see myself as a teacher, even with others reminding me otherwise (to this day I still have "students" writing to me and saying how much the miss me... and I'm only 21!). However, I will see to complete my first level in the distant future.
Anyway, so that was part one of my blog. The second part will consist of my horse! Yes, I am getting my own horse. Finally!!! It is like a dream come true :) I have found the perfect hrse to start with. It is a TB (since they are easy to come by and make good all rounders), dark bay, 4 year old gelding. I fell in love with him the second I saw him :) At the moment he is still by his old owners and will only come up next month when I pay the rest of his fee. I will be keeping all of you updated on our training together. I will be attempting to combine Natural Horsemanship and Traditional horsemanship together, a lot like what Karen Rolhf does. More on this later ;)
So, this is it for my first blog in what seems to have been FOREVER. Stay tuned for my next blog!!!!
A Merry Xmis for everyone!!!!!!!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Hello, it's me :)
It has been a VERY long time since I have had the patience to sit down and type something for my blog. If I had any sense in me, I would say that I am lazy, but that would be me just being hard on myself. Usually, about 90 % of the time, I'm actually busy with something. I hardly sit still for a moment, but when I do I'm not in the mood to type away on a keyboard (that and I never know what to say or where to start). Yet, I really want to start blogging about what I am up to :)
Anyway, so lets start with what I've been doing this past 6 months. I spent most of it at a private dressage stable which is run by the very people that first taught me to ride! I was really excited to run into them again, even more so when I was allowed to work there for a bit. As usual, I didn't get paid for my work, but got riding lessons etc. I even had the honor of taking a Lippizaner x Thoroughbred schoolmaster to a show (this was the best show ever!!!!!). My days would start of around 7 am and end at 6 pm. My daily work involved feeding, grooming, lunging and riding the horses. I also went as a groom to shows when I wasn't riding myself.
After having worked at a dressage yard, I have a little more respect for this discipline than what I initially had. I was shown that there are people out there that does it correctly without having to compromise the horse at all.
My family and I have now moved up to Pretoria which is approximately 1400km (870 miles) from where we lived. As per usual I found myself a horsey place to go work at. The owner is a very friendly lady. She used to be an endurance rider when she was younger. She is now a qualified child psychiatrist and uses horses, more specifically miniatures, to help them. At the moment she has 26 horses of which 6 are miniatures. The rest are Arabians and Arabian crosses with one Welsh pony.
At first I was a bit apprehensive about working with these horses. Firstly because they are Arabians (they are a feisty breed!), secondly because some of them are a handful, and thirdly because some of them have little experience under saddle. However, I am going to give it a shot and see what I can do with the lot of them.
I am still torn between following a natural approach or a traditional approach. If I had a horse of my own I would do Parelli with it all the way, incorporating just a little bit of traditional riding into it. I have found Parelli to be something that works for me and the horses I used it on seemed happy to me (they sure looked it!). However, I still believe in the values of lunging as long as it is done correctly. And I have seen horses that sorrowly need a bit of lunging to get them to carry themselves better. I cringe every time I see a horse carrying a rider while hollowing its back and bracing its neck. It looks so painful! I just wish I could find a way to mix natural horsemanship with traditional horsemanship. The question is how much of each to use??? Trust me to get myself mentally entangled :@ !!!!!
Well, this is all I have for now, but I will write some more later ;)
Keep it horsey, lol !!!
Anyway, so lets start with what I've been doing this past 6 months. I spent most of it at a private dressage stable which is run by the very people that first taught me to ride! I was really excited to run into them again, even more so when I was allowed to work there for a bit. As usual, I didn't get paid for my work, but got riding lessons etc. I even had the honor of taking a Lippizaner x Thoroughbred schoolmaster to a show (this was the best show ever!!!!!). My days would start of around 7 am and end at 6 pm. My daily work involved feeding, grooming, lunging and riding the horses. I also went as a groom to shows when I wasn't riding myself.
After having worked at a dressage yard, I have a little more respect for this discipline than what I initially had. I was shown that there are people out there that does it correctly without having to compromise the horse at all.
My family and I have now moved up to Pretoria which is approximately 1400km (870 miles) from where we lived. As per usual I found myself a horsey place to go work at. The owner is a very friendly lady. She used to be an endurance rider when she was younger. She is now a qualified child psychiatrist and uses horses, more specifically miniatures, to help them. At the moment she has 26 horses of which 6 are miniatures. The rest are Arabians and Arabian crosses with one Welsh pony.
At first I was a bit apprehensive about working with these horses. Firstly because they are Arabians (they are a feisty breed!), secondly because some of them are a handful, and thirdly because some of them have little experience under saddle. However, I am going to give it a shot and see what I can do with the lot of them.
I am still torn between following a natural approach or a traditional approach. If I had a horse of my own I would do Parelli with it all the way, incorporating just a little bit of traditional riding into it. I have found Parelli to be something that works for me and the horses I used it on seemed happy to me (they sure looked it!). However, I still believe in the values of lunging as long as it is done correctly. And I have seen horses that sorrowly need a bit of lunging to get them to carry themselves better. I cringe every time I see a horse carrying a rider while hollowing its back and bracing its neck. It looks so painful! I just wish I could find a way to mix natural horsemanship with traditional horsemanship. The question is how much of each to use??? Trust me to get myself mentally entangled :@ !!!!!
Well, this is all I have for now, but I will write some more later ;)
Keep it horsey, lol !!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sockies :)
Life is good this side :)
I have been working really hard with the horses and am learning loads every day :) I have been "given" a horse to ride for the time being. She's a tiny little "farm" horse... a beautiful bay mare. I really like her. She's very tricky to ride. You have to be VERY soft with your hands and use your legs and seat more than anything else. She's teaching me so much!
Working for these people have really showed me how much I still need to learn about riding. They are helping me to improve my seat, teaching me all the basics. I don't seem sit evenly in the saddle and tend to fall in to the inside, especially when riding circles. I also seem to tense up in my upper leg ( a terrible habit I need to break). It will take a lot of work to get my seat sorted, but I WILL get it right :)
If all goes well I will be taking Sockies to a small show in April. I can't wait! I would love to do a dressage class on her. She moves so beautifully when I ride properly! Well keep everyone updated on our "training". For the next week we need to take it slow though, because she got her seconds AHS shot and must not sweat. But after all that we will be in full work :)
I am also studying like mad when ever I find the time to. I have my third stable management exam on the 20th of March. This is one of the biggest exams by far. There is so much we need to know! I really want to do well!!! I passed my first two exams with 84 percent, but want to do even better with the next one. Fingers crossed!
I have been working really hard with the horses and am learning loads every day :) I have been "given" a horse to ride for the time being. She's a tiny little "farm" horse... a beautiful bay mare. I really like her. She's very tricky to ride. You have to be VERY soft with your hands and use your legs and seat more than anything else. She's teaching me so much!
Working for these people have really showed me how much I still need to learn about riding. They are helping me to improve my seat, teaching me all the basics. I don't seem sit evenly in the saddle and tend to fall in to the inside, especially when riding circles. I also seem to tense up in my upper leg ( a terrible habit I need to break). It will take a lot of work to get my seat sorted, but I WILL get it right :)
If all goes well I will be taking Sockies to a small show in April. I can't wait! I would love to do a dressage class on her. She moves so beautifully when I ride properly! Well keep everyone updated on our "training". For the next week we need to take it slow though, because she got her seconds AHS shot and must not sweat. But after all that we will be in full work :)
I am also studying like mad when ever I find the time to. I have my third stable management exam on the 20th of March. This is one of the biggest exams by far. There is so much we need to know! I really want to do well!!! I passed my first two exams with 84 percent, but want to do even better with the next one. Fingers crossed!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tum Tum Tum :)
It has been a loooooooooooong time since my last post. So I managed to find Joy a good home. She has settled in and is loving her new home. I couldn't have found her a better home.
Anyway, so we recently moved down to a little town (well it is more like a fisher's village). I got back into touch with some old friends of ours and got given the opportunity to work by them. They run a dressage/ training yard and was in need of some help (the wife had broken her arm two days earlier). At first I was very nervous, because they are REALLY good at what they do and I really wanted to impress them. They taught me how to lunge, properly, and lunged me to see how my seat was. They seemed to see some hope for me and “hired” me :) They needed the help. The wife has six horses to work on everyday!
BTW, they were the people who first taught me to ride! Even chose my first pony for me back in the day :)
Currently our focus is on three horses in particular: Sion, Llywd and Kishma. Sion is a little Welsh Cob (a cute little pony!). Llywd is a 14.3 h.h. Welsh Cob X Arab (the most docile horse I have ever come across). Kishma is Boerperd (very sensitive).
Sion is struggling with some confidence issues. He was apparently doing fine until a little girl fell off him. Ever since then he has been very spooky and very saved to have a rider on. I can see how some Parelli can help him, so I am slowly throwing some Parelli in the mix. Today I just played around with draw with the halter. He usually turns his head away when the halter is put on. I tried to get him curious enough to tough the halter. With some persistent approach and retreat I got him to sniff it, but he would move his head away again (like he can look at it but then needs to feel safe again). I also did some flexion, getting him to move his head towards his shoulder. I am hoping playing around with this will help him some. It is as much Parelli as I can do for now .
Llywd is VERY lazy but so cute! He is so calm and can't be bothered by anything. Lunging him is a bit of a mission. At times it takes two people to get him going! He is learning though :)
I am so tired writing this. Today we managed to work 6 horses in total! Anyway, I just thought I would write again :)
Anyway, so we recently moved down to a little town (well it is more like a fisher's village). I got back into touch with some old friends of ours and got given the opportunity to work by them. They run a dressage/ training yard and was in need of some help (the wife had broken her arm two days earlier). At first I was very nervous, because they are REALLY good at what they do and I really wanted to impress them. They taught me how to lunge, properly, and lunged me to see how my seat was. They seemed to see some hope for me and “hired” me :) They needed the help. The wife has six horses to work on everyday!
BTW, they were the people who first taught me to ride! Even chose my first pony for me back in the day :)
Currently our focus is on three horses in particular: Sion, Llywd and Kishma. Sion is a little Welsh Cob (a cute little pony!). Llywd is a 14.3 h.h. Welsh Cob X Arab (the most docile horse I have ever come across). Kishma is Boerperd (very sensitive).
Sion is struggling with some confidence issues. He was apparently doing fine until a little girl fell off him. Ever since then he has been very spooky and very saved to have a rider on. I can see how some Parelli can help him, so I am slowly throwing some Parelli in the mix. Today I just played around with draw with the halter. He usually turns his head away when the halter is put on. I tried to get him curious enough to tough the halter. With some persistent approach and retreat I got him to sniff it, but he would move his head away again (like he can look at it but then needs to feel safe again). I also did some flexion, getting him to move his head towards his shoulder. I am hoping playing around with this will help him some. It is as much Parelli as I can do for now .
Llywd is VERY lazy but so cute! He is so calm and can't be bothered by anything. Lunging him is a bit of a mission. At times it takes two people to get him going! He is learning though :)
I am so tired writing this. Today we managed to work 6 horses in total! Anyway, I just thought I would write again :)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
My goals for 2010
So these are my goals for this year. This is the first time I've done this to be honest. It will be interesting to see how much I will get accomplished at the end of the year :)
1. Save up for the NEW Parelli levels packs!!! A W S O M E N E S S
I am really excited about the new parelli levels. I am dying to get my hands on them, but will have to wait :(
What is really cool is that they now have a level 4 on DVD! I wonder what this looks like :p I have seen some photos of what level 4 students are doing and it looks really interesting!
2. Complete an equine physiotherapy course
This involves me ordering the books, self studying NOW, attending the 5 day course and doing my practical. This is my BIGGEST goal for the year. Since we will only be moving over to the USA later this year (not sure when, hopefully April) I decided not to waste money going to University this year. In my opinion I will rather wait one more year and start when I am in the USA. I have been wanting to do this course for a while now. I definitely want to go into this direction with horses. Fingers crossed!!!!!
3. Complete my SANEF Module 2
I'm still debating on this one. My last attempt really put me off BIG time. Why? Well, because the people are bloody disorganized, full of shit and can't do their jobs properly. My application was never sent through and when it came to exam day they didn't have a spot for me. Luckily, they organized an examiner for me (they better have!) and I got to do my exam. The longing was my biggest worry. I did okay, but don't know if I did well enough to pass. So, IF I get my results I will know if I have to redo my module 2 AGAIN. At the moment I don't think I will go again if I don't pass.
4. Start writing a novel
Em... I got these ideas for a novel. This will be a first for me :)
5. Get my own horse and do only parelli :)
A long shot, but you never know! I hope to eventually get my own horse. When I do I will start working towards my Parelli levels. And I will only do parelli. I have had enough of the traditional part of horses (no offense to anyone). However, it doesn't mean that I won't have any interest in traditional riding. I still believe in the classical seat and way of riding. This is just a personal journey :)
6. Get married
…. just kidding :p
1. Save up for the NEW Parelli levels packs!!! A W S O M E N E S S
I am really excited about the new parelli levels. I am dying to get my hands on them, but will have to wait :(
What is really cool is that they now have a level 4 on DVD! I wonder what this looks like :p I have seen some photos of what level 4 students are doing and it looks really interesting!
2. Complete an equine physiotherapy course
This involves me ordering the books, self studying NOW, attending the 5 day course and doing my practical. This is my BIGGEST goal for the year. Since we will only be moving over to the USA later this year (not sure when, hopefully April) I decided not to waste money going to University this year. In my opinion I will rather wait one more year and start when I am in the USA. I have been wanting to do this course for a while now. I definitely want to go into this direction with horses. Fingers crossed!!!!!
3. Complete my SANEF Module 2
I'm still debating on this one. My last attempt really put me off BIG time. Why? Well, because the people are bloody disorganized, full of shit and can't do their jobs properly. My application was never sent through and when it came to exam day they didn't have a spot for me. Luckily, they organized an examiner for me (they better have!) and I got to do my exam. The longing was my biggest worry. I did okay, but don't know if I did well enough to pass. So, IF I get my results I will know if I have to redo my module 2 AGAIN. At the moment I don't think I will go again if I don't pass.
4. Start writing a novel
Em... I got these ideas for a novel. This will be a first for me :)
5. Get my own horse and do only parelli :)
A long shot, but you never know! I hope to eventually get my own horse. When I do I will start working towards my Parelli levels. And I will only do parelli. I have had enough of the traditional part of horses (no offense to anyone). However, it doesn't mean that I won't have any interest in traditional riding. I still believe in the classical seat and way of riding. This is just a personal journey :)
6. Get married
…. just kidding :p
Friday, January 1, 2010
Pictures of my holi :)
The naughty husky at the place where we stayed in Joburg.
Sasha the husky.
The room I stayed in, in Bloemfontein. Pretty :)
The garden. There is no fencing separating the garden from the moutain. Ona good day you will actually see all kinds of buck grazing on the mountain side.
This is by far he biggest cat I have ever seen. It is a Norwegian Forest cat. HUGE!!!!
This cat like playing with the tap :)
A garden inside the house. There is actually a waterwall, but you can't see it in this photo.
The whole house was filled with art. I love this sculpture one :)
This painting is in one of the guesthouse rooms. It is so cool.
Bibi the pretty kitty cat :)
The beautiful karoo
Pretty :)
Meiringspoort
Meiringspoort. This pass was absolutely stunning!!!!!!!
Beautiful sunset!
Misty :)
My holiday :)
Ok, so I will just share with you guys a little of my holiday. It wasn't the most amazing holiday ever, but I got to see some places that I only heard of in conversation. I also made a lot of friends :)
Note, this was my first bus trip on my own. I was REALLY nervous, because knowing myself, I was bound to get lost somehow. I could just picture myself getting off at the wrong bus station (believe me if it could happen, it would happen to me, lol). Fortunately, everything went well. It felt a bit odd sitting on top of the double decker bus, way in the front, feeling the bus tilt from side to side almost like a boat at sea. Yes, that is how bad the wind was the whole trip up to Joburg! It literally felt like the bus wanted to capsize :p You get used to it though. So, after a VERY long trip (close to 21 hours?) I finally arrived at the bus station (an hour late, I might add). Late but safe. Cool with me :) My friend found me and we left for another 2 hour drive to the little town where I was going to stay.
I stayed with a friend in a little town called Machadodorp. It's a very small town. Very green! Perfect for horses! I spent about 2 weeks there. I didn't get to do much besides going out a couple of nights, meeting friends and all. For reasons I won't mention I didn't get the chance to explore the area (which is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!). I don't care much for partying and clubbing (no offence to anyone that does) and really enjoy hiking and seeing everything. Like a nature person, just not all tree hugger like lol. There was this small town close by called Waterfall Boven (we called it Boven for short) which is soooooooooooo pretty and has a waterfall. I never got to go have a look (sob sob). So, this holiday was a slow one, but relaxing. I really needed it after a year of HARD work!!!
The day after christmas we left for our road trip back home. We decided to stay over in Joburg, then drive through and stay over in Bloemfontein and then doing the final stretch back to George.
The people we stayed with in Joburg (well, actually, a small town just outside Joburg called Boksburg). For reasons I won't mention,again cough cough, I was in a bad mood. Depressed would be a more accurate person. I was left alone with a house full of strangers all on my own. At this point I just wanted to be home. Luckily, these 'strangers' were really friendly and quickly made me feel right at home. Thank you guys!!! The had some really cool pets: 2 huskies, 1 playful hamster, 1 very friendly cat and a lot more. I loved the hamster :) So cute and cuddly!
Again, for reasons I can't mention (cough cough), we left for Bloemfontein really late. The trip to Bloem was easy enough. We folllowed the directions easily and got to our next stop something to 10 at night. The people we were staying with are friends of my dad (they baught many of my dad's art). Their house is massive!!!!!!!!!!!!! When morning came we got a chance to have a look at the house and it is beautiful! It is like the whole house itself is a piece of art. I wish I had a better camera to take photos with (me being blonde forgot mine at home so just had my phone). We also got to see the guest house. STUNNING! If ever anyone needs a place to stay in Bloemfontein, I'd say go there!!!
You can check out their website to have a look at their guest house :)
Anyway, so we got loaded with food for the road thanks to my dad's friends and left for George. They were even so kind as to get us a map and showing us what roads to take. Thank you! The trip went by really well. I got home safe and sound. I was just dead tired :)
All in all I enjoyed myself. I also believe that if I hadn't taken this holiday I wouldn't know what I know now (on a personaly level). I saw the place where I was born! Yes, I was a Bloem baby :) Of all the places I have visited this holi, Bloem is still my favourite. Home will be home.
Note, this was my first bus trip on my own. I was REALLY nervous, because knowing myself, I was bound to get lost somehow. I could just picture myself getting off at the wrong bus station (believe me if it could happen, it would happen to me, lol). Fortunately, everything went well. It felt a bit odd sitting on top of the double decker bus, way in the front, feeling the bus tilt from side to side almost like a boat at sea. Yes, that is how bad the wind was the whole trip up to Joburg! It literally felt like the bus wanted to capsize :p You get used to it though. So, after a VERY long trip (close to 21 hours?) I finally arrived at the bus station (an hour late, I might add). Late but safe. Cool with me :) My friend found me and we left for another 2 hour drive to the little town where I was going to stay.
I stayed with a friend in a little town called Machadodorp. It's a very small town. Very green! Perfect for horses! I spent about 2 weeks there. I didn't get to do much besides going out a couple of nights, meeting friends and all. For reasons I won't mention I didn't get the chance to explore the area (which is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l!). I don't care much for partying and clubbing (no offence to anyone that does) and really enjoy hiking and seeing everything. Like a nature person, just not all tree hugger like lol. There was this small town close by called Waterfall Boven (we called it Boven for short) which is soooooooooooo pretty and has a waterfall. I never got to go have a look (sob sob). So, this holiday was a slow one, but relaxing. I really needed it after a year of HARD work!!!
The day after christmas we left for our road trip back home. We decided to stay over in Joburg, then drive through and stay over in Bloemfontein and then doing the final stretch back to George.
The people we stayed with in Joburg (well, actually, a small town just outside Joburg called Boksburg). For reasons I won't mention,again cough cough, I was in a bad mood. Depressed would be a more accurate person. I was left alone with a house full of strangers all on my own. At this point I just wanted to be home. Luckily, these 'strangers' were really friendly and quickly made me feel right at home. Thank you guys!!! The had some really cool pets: 2 huskies, 1 playful hamster, 1 very friendly cat and a lot more. I loved the hamster :) So cute and cuddly!
Again, for reasons I can't mention (cough cough), we left for Bloemfontein really late. The trip to Bloem was easy enough. We folllowed the directions easily and got to our next stop something to 10 at night. The people we were staying with are friends of my dad (they baught many of my dad's art). Their house is massive!!!!!!!!!!!!! When morning came we got a chance to have a look at the house and it is beautiful! It is like the whole house itself is a piece of art. I wish I had a better camera to take photos with (me being blonde forgot mine at home so just had my phone). We also got to see the guest house. STUNNING! If ever anyone needs a place to stay in Bloemfontein, I'd say go there!!!
You can check out their website to have a look at their guest house :)
Anyway, so we got loaded with food for the road thanks to my dad's friends and left for George. They were even so kind as to get us a map and showing us what roads to take. Thank you! The trip went by really well. I got home safe and sound. I was just dead tired :)
All in all I enjoyed myself. I also believe that if I hadn't taken this holiday I wouldn't know what I know now (on a personaly level). I saw the place where I was born! Yes, I was a Bloem baby :) Of all the places I have visited this holi, Bloem is still my favourite. Home will be home.
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