Riding in the Islands

Happy and wellfed gang of horses waiting by the gate this morning. The riding instructor and owner of the establishment had overslept and showed up late, very much in need of an espresso. He pulled his act together and selected Oceana, the grey mare for me to ride. The grooming brushes were scattered around, left by the kids who had the run of the place the day before. There's no school on Wednesdays, apparently. 

If you can see the half built castle ruin at the top of the hill, we're told it is new construction that has halted as the owner is behind bars for drug running activities.

Riding arena tucked into a valley, just one hill back from the ocean. Once I found a hat that fit and asked for a girth that didn't swing loosely under my horse's belly, I mounted up. I hadn't brought my riding gear on this trip as I hadn't been able to locate a place to ride, other than the beach rides we went on last trip. This little equestrian center had an editorial in our inflight magazine and I was delighted to find them. My stylish equestrienne fashion statement today was a pair of sweat pants and bright turquoise trainers. It made do.

TAO seems to find the best spot to hang out. I'm begining to thing he's getting tips from the local dogs. I looked over at one stage and he had a big white cat in his arms. Both he and the cat were snoozing in the shade.

TAO minus beard, with our hosts and a niece he hadn't seen for two decades. Who knew she lived here? Her Dad won't get on a plane, so her Uncle was a very welcome substitute.