Wednesday 24 August 2011

Meeting Another Blogger and The Winner is.......

Early last week, I took a drive to see Roz and her husband Neil from Dirty Feet and Rubble in my Hair .  What a delightful couple!  Neil was busy building his workshop and what a magnificent job he is doing. So as not to disrupt the good work, we left him to it. Meanwhile Roz took me off to see the horses that she works with, and also one of her own. Having lived and breathed horses for many, many years of my life, it was such a pleasure to be back among them.  Roz had told me what great horses Friesians were and what fantastic temperaments they have; how right she was - I have never seen such friendly horses. So much so, that it was difficult to take photos.  They just wanted to have a fuss made of them.  It is a breed that I have not encountered before, having worked in racing stables. I only had thoroughbreds in my care and most of my show jumpers were ex race horses.

I managed to catch these three as they came rushing across the paddock to meet us.
I am sure Roz will correct me if I am wrong, but here she is (I think) with with her own Friesian on the left.  As all the Friesians are black, I was getting a bit confused as to which was which!  The Chestnut is about the same age and is there for company.
The two youngest ones to be born; I love their curly coats, which sadly they will grow out of!
and with their Mums.

I could not resist taking a photo of this family on the farm. They are a very small breed and these little chaps are about the size of guinea pigs at the present time!! I would loved to have taken one home!!!
then there was this bunny who I suspect had made an escape from one of the runs; he was gorgeous with his long floppy ears.

Oops I digress, I went to see Roz and the horses!  In the evening, Roz and her friends were practicing for a musical ride, which is coming up quite soon.  I went along to watch and to see the Friesians at work.  I gather that they make fantastic carriage horses and that they are excellent at dressage.  I was also very interested to hear that the South African Police have recently acquired a number of Friesians  to work with, because of their amazing temperaments.
Roz showing the paces; just look at that beautiful view behind her.
The riders concentrating hard. The horse on the left is a young stallion and although he was very full of himself, he behaved impeccably.

I think that there should be 8 riders in the full ride, but 2 were missing on the evening I was there. Here are the four Friesians together afterwards.  Roz second from the right.

Thanks Roz for a fantastic day and taking the trouble to guide me all over the place.  It was so good to be back with horses again after a long spell away.   

AND

The winner of the giveaway is number 7 Dolly

Congratulations Dolly, I will be emailing you and the jewellery will be winging its way to you quite soon.

84 comments:

  1. Great that you got to meet Roz and also show us the Friesians - I think, reading your account of how friendly they are, that I could get to like one of these magnificent creatures ... I've only had bad experiences with horses in the past ...

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  2. the little pigs are so cute! what a nice family!

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  3. Graham this is the perfect breed it seems to get to know horses. They have fantastic temperaments and are so very gentle. It was great to meet Roz and her husband, it makes following the blog so much more interesting. Diane

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  4. Ola I could not agree more they were quite adorable. Diane

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  5. Hello Diane:
    What a fun time you had and the horses, about which sadly we know very little, look absolutely wonderful. Your day with them must have brought back many happy memories. Are you tempted?

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  6. Jane and Lance it was a fun day and I enjoyed every minute of it. I would love to go for a quiet ride through the country with Roz, which she has offered me, but I have no riding clothes left, dumped it all when I left S. Africa. I will not ride with out a riding hat, too many falls in my life and I have respect for my head!! Diane

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  7. How great that you have been able to meet up with yet another blogger Diane. It certainly looks as though you had a lovely and interesting day with her. Thanks for sharing, I will now of course have to pay her blog a visit!

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  8. Hi Linda, it was a fantastic day for me and so good to be back with horses again. Roz and Neil are such lovely people. Hope that you enjoyed her blog. Take care Diane

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  9. Look like you had a fun day in the garden , beautiful horses and nice farm . Congrats to the winner.

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  10. It all looks like great fun Diane. I wasn't aware of that breed of horse but they sound lovely and certainly look wonderful.

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  11. Sonia it was a lovely day out and such fun meeting more bloggers. Yes they are beautiful horses. Diane

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  12. Craig they are beautiful horses with amazing temperaments, it was an education to me as I also did not know the breed. Diane

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  13. Those black beauties are very stout looking horses. How fun to be back around them.

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  14. Diane, what nic eyou meet Rozz, love the horses and pictures I knew you and Rozz have a beautiful day, xxgloria

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  15. How lucky you were to meet a fellow blogger. You know....we meet so many wonderful people through blogging...it is a shame we can't meet each and every one of them in person as you were able to do with your wonderful visit with Roz.
    Have a beautiful day,

    Jo

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  16. it must have so much fun at the farm and the horses! didnt you join in for a ride?

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  17. Friesian horses are just so gorgeous and powerful. I will have to check out Roz's blog.

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  18. Diane, it sounds like an absolutely fabulous day. Your photos of the horses are wonderful and those of the pig are really cute. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  19. Nice post...Congrats to the winner

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  20. What a super day out, particularly as you love horses. I'll pay her a visit too (to her blog that is!)

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  21. Congrats to the lucky winner! It sounds like you had a good day with the horses and your new friends.

    I love, love, love that first shot of the horses running towards you - awesome Diane!

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  22. Must have been nice to meet a fellow blogger. Her horses are beautiful and so black. I've never heard of fresian horses and they are lovely. Sounds like you had a good day.

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  23. So good to hear your blogger meet went well, really pleased for you. Looks like you had a great day from the photos. So pleased Dolly won the giveaway, she will really appreciate the jewellery as much as I would have. :-)

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  24. Gaelyn it was soooo good to be back with horses once more, and what a lovely breed the Friesians are. Diane

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  25. Gloria it is fun to meet bloggers each one I have met so far have been really delightful people. I feel as if I have known them all for many moons. Diane

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  26. Jo I have been lucky I have met 4 bloggers so far and how I would like to meet some more. To date they have all been great fun and I feel as if I have known them for years. Diane

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  27. Lena I would love to have gone for a ride but I have no riding clothes left. One thing I will not do is ride without a riding hat!! Diane

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  28. Nadege you obviously have come across Friesian horses before, it was a first for me and I was very impressed. Diane

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  29. Mary I do love my horses but I was completely hooked on those cute little piglets :-) Take care Diane

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  30. Aarthi thanks for the comment, I hope Dolly enjoys the giveaway. Take care Diane

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  31. Gaynor I have been nuts about horses, probably from before I could walk :-) It was a great day out and I loved meeting Roz. Diane

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  32. Thanks Pam for your kind comments, the horses are just amazing the way they come to you in the paddock. I remember spending hours trying to catch horses in the past :-) Diane

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  33. Hi Ellie yes it was a great day for me being with horses again, and so nice to meet a new breed. Take care Diane

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  34. Hello Froggy, sorry it was Dolly and not you LOL. It was great meeting Roz and she was so good about taking me all over the place. Hope all well there. Diane xx

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  35. hi diane..loved seeing the pictures of these precious animals...just adorable...

    thanks for the kind words about Pete..he is home...and we are HAPPY

    kary and teddy
    xx

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  36. Kary and Teddy thanks for the comment, It is good to know Pete is home and safe. They are gorgeous horses and I am so jealous of Roz with a fantastic job working with the Friesians. Diane

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  37. What a great day - I love the piglets! Its lovely to meet other bloggers - I seem to be making this my mission in life!! xx

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  38. Those horses are absolutely beautiful!

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  39. What a beautiful farm! My would have taken one of those piggies home too. She wants to keep one home alone with our street dogs who lives with us.
    Cruise Pictures

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  40. Dine I am so sorry that Anne and I missed you when you were in Oxford, it would have been great if we could have all met up together. t'other Diane

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  41. Peggy they are beautiful horses. Take care Diane

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  42. Sailor, I would have been in my element with one of those little pigs but as with all animals they grow up!! I probably would have been better of with bringing a Friesian home! Diane

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  43. Thanks Muppy they were very lovable. Keep well Diane

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  44. Fantastic!
    I love to meet blogger friends too!
    And horses were my passion as a child and did "dressage" before I got married!
    Those Friesian horses look quite robust and easy going!
    Great reportage!
    About the ant-lion, I learn quite a deal as I take photos and enquire then about my subjects' ID's!
    Have a great day!

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  45. Noushka I was never was a dressage fan other than for 3 day eventing. Possibly now in my old age I would be better suited to dressage instead of show jumping LOL. The ant-lion is interesting. Diane xx

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  46. First of all, congratulations to the winner! And then I'll have to tell you how much I love these photos. My goodness, the black ones are so gorgeous. They look very strong & healthy. And then the bunny's ear looks very much like my beagle! hahaha.... Just can't stop laughing at it. Hope you're having a fabulous day, Diane.
    Blessings, Kristy

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  47. Beautiful horses and oh! how I love that little family of pigs - they remind me of my childhood on the farm.
    Have a sfe and enjoyable week Diane. xx

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  48. Kristy they really are gorgeous horses. OH you have a beagle, I hope that it is not as dilly as the one we had in S.Africa. He was a sweetie, but I'm certain that he had a loose screw upstairs!! Nigel wanted a Snoopy and he was anything but :-(
    Have a great day Diane

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  49. Dianne I loved the horses but I fell in love with that little family of piglets they were just to gorgeous for words :-) Take care Diane

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  50. Hiya Diane thank you ever so much, I am sooo excited to win the jewellery. After my last post, about lost earrings, I am surprised you didn't pop my number (my lucky number IS 7 by the way) back in, and draw out another! I can't wait to receive it and thanks a million :) loved the horses in this post, and the bunny, and the pigs. Lovely photos of animals. X

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  51. Hi Dolly, glad that you are happy about the win and I hope that you will enjoy. As soon as I have an address they will be on their way to you. I also loved all the animals in this post, and it was great to meet Roz. Have a good trip take care. Diane

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  52. You are right; the baby piggies are adorable. They have quite the little setup there!

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  53. Marjie these photos are taken at the place where Roz works at a stud, and the farm life is where the musical ride was in progress. The farm is in fact for cattle that are bred for beef. Roz and Neil have a much smaller set up. The piglets were just too adorable. Diane

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  54. What a beautiful breed of horses..I really don't know much about horses..We lived in a small town and my uncle gave us his horse..Well, he kicked the windows out of the garage/barn and when my brother took him for a ride out of town, he got off him, the horse took off and headed home..The police were there when my brother came home. Someone called and said a horse was loose in town and the police knew we were the only ones that had a horse..so that is the extent of my horse business..We had many laughs with him..
    The little piglets are so cute..I heard they make good pets..but after the horse, I think I better stay with a cat..haha..
    xoRosebud/Carolyn

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  55. I am crazy for friesians and their furry feet and sleek black coats... spectacular beasts, aren't they? Martha Stewart has them and uses them with a carriage. Looks like you had a great time.. this is a trip I admit I am jealous of... just don't see enough horses and LOVE those little piggies!!

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  56. Rosebud/Carolyn, Haha I can just imagine the ups and downs you had with your horse from what you have told us here. Yes a cat is probably safer.... Take care Diane

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  57. lostpastremembered they are lovely horses, and yes they I also love those furry feet and sleek coats. In the racing world I was brought up to believe there are no black horses they are registered as brown, but what else can you call a Friesian?
    If only those little pigs would have stayed that size....... mind you the adults were only a couple of feet high. Keep well Diane

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  58. Hi, recently found your blog. Really enjoyed reading about the Fresians. Horses [of all kinds] were part of my life for years too. The breed has such a great gait and they are sweeties. Thanks! Have checked Roz's blog out too :-)

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  59. Niall and Antoinette, thanks so much for visiting and passing a comment, much appreciated. It is great to 'meet' you. Hope to see you back. Take care Diane

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  60. What fun to meet up with a fellow blogger and to spend the day on the farm. Was interested to hear about your previous life working with horses yourself.

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  61. chcmichel it was great fun meeting up with Roz and especially being back with horses again. My future life..... the following link will tell you bit -
    http://lifeincharente.blogspot.com/search/label/award Keep well Diane

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  62. Oh, I like the pictures. Cute animals.:-) Hugs Stina

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  63. How nice, Diane! It sounds like you had a great time with Roz. I'm sure you thoroughly enjoyed being around the horses again. I'm not familiar with Friesians having grown up in Louisville and being around thoroughbreds. They sound like quite the horse with being so friendly.

    I've been meaning to ask for a long time, are those cosmos in your flower garden? I love them and have to plant them as an annual here, they don't grow very tall. But when living in Louisville, KY, they bloomed each summer as a perennial and so tall. Your pic of them is gorgeous!!!

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  64. Congrats to Dolly. Your lucky that you got to meet a fellow blogger. Love the photos.

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  65. Hi Diane...


    Beautiful shots... I love the first one of the horses, I just love horses, since I was a little girl, in fact!!! I love the other animal pictures, too and it certainly looks like you had a long and fun-filled day! Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend..

    Leesa

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  66. Thanks Stina, the animals were all lovely. Take care Diane

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  67. Pam it was great to meet Roz and see all the animals. Like me you are used to thoroughbreds. Yes they are cosmos Pam, they came from a mixed packet of mixed seed, but I am collecting seed now for next year. These plants are between 5 foot and 5' 6" tall. In South Africa they just grow wild and the sides of the roads are a mass of them in summer, simply gorgeous. Diane

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  68. Christine's Pantry it was great to meet Roz, her husband and all the animals. Have a good weekend Diane

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  69. Leesa glad that you enjoyed this post and good to hear that you are well on the road to recovery. Take care and have a good weekend. Diane x

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  70. hi Diane!! im so sorry that i haven't been able to reply to all of your comments recently but my laptop is playing up (and has been for quite some time) and for some reason i can only comment on peoples blogs at random times (like now!) but please know that i have been looking at you blog frequently for new posts even if i haven't been able to say.

    thanks for all of your lovely comments!

    Cheers,
    yas
    www.tickle-your-tastebuds.blogspot.com

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  71. Yasmin not a problem. Glad you are enjoying the posts even if you cannot comment. Have a great Sunday Diane

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  72. Une journée magnifique : rencontrer Roz et passer la journée avec ces beaux chevaux.
    Quelle chance!
    See soon

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  73. Merci Nadji. C'était beau à voir Roz et les chevaux. Bonne journée, a bientôt. Diane

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  74. Beautiful horses. What a perfect way to spend a day.

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  75. Belated happy birthday Diane. May God bless you with good health and happiness always! Wow another exciting meet up eh? Love those photos! Did you ride a horse too?

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  76. Sarah you are right it was a fantastic day. I love horses so I was in my element. Diane

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  77. chubskulit thanks for all the good wishes. It was fantastic meeting another blogger and no, I sadly did not ride as I have no riding clothes. I dumped it all when I left S.Africa :-( Take care Diane

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  78. The horses appear very noble and elegant, but my heart belongs to the little pigs!

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  79. Olga I have loved hoses all my life, but I have to agree those little pigs are the most heart warming creatures I have seen for a long time. I could have so easily brought them all home, not sure what Nigel would have had to say :-))) Diane

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  80. Beautiful animals! The top shot is fantastic.

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  81. Thanks JM, you are right they are beautiful animals. Diane

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  82. Dear dear Diane. My little parcel arrived today here in Cork and I was so excited. The jewellery is beautiful, so sparkly and will go with a lot of my outfits. You have made my day (no, my week). And your kindness in making the earrings out of dark wood that will replace the one I lost, has really touched me. Your earrings will go with the maxi dress even better than the ones I lost. Merci bien my friend. XX

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  83. Dolly I am delighted that you are pleased with jewellery, Thanks so much for letting me know. Take care and have a great weekend. Diane

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