I used to own my own horse years ago and loved riding with a passion. I can’t say I was a particularly competent rider – dressage wasn’t me, and jumping often meant me flung over the hurdle while the horse had stood disinterested on the other side. Charming.
Funnily enough, living in the country & owning land as we have done for the past 11 years, has been a major temptation to own a four legged beauty, but the fear factor (and some common sense) has prevailed, plus the knowledge that owning a Neddy will be a major dent in the bank account.
So, my neighbour has a daughter who is young, adept and adores her horses, I dream about her talent. A walk on the beach with my camera was a promise of some pics to share …
Dusty boots
Albert … Dan’s friend
Muriwai beach
You know I love wood
Needless to say I have been busy in the garden. I have poked an array of happy seedlings into the dirt and assured them of water, seaweed fertiliser, mulch to retain moisture and regular pep talks.
Isn’t it nice to know that I’m back to regular posts even if a short one? There may be no pics of the veg garden sorry, but what about some spring flowers
I usually finish with ‘happy gardening’. This week I would like to finish with
Love and respect …
Loveşy mix of pics yet again 🙂
Oops, hit a Turkish key (ş); that should have said ‘Lovely…’
Ha ha Spike .. i couldn’t imagine using a dual keyboard. Clever! Thanks for stopping by … 😀
Flowers are always welcome!
I took riding lessons a few years ago and while I’m glad to have done so, in the end I knew it just wasn’t a good fit. Bill’s teenage niece has been riding for several years now and her talent and fearlessness blows me away!
It’s funny how it doesn’t work for some. I rode from when I was about 11 and just loved it. Had some fairly good tumbles though .. My neighbour’s daughter is a pleasure to watch (think I might be a tad envious!) 😀
You hit the nail on the head. While I’ve never really been very coordinated when it comes to any sports (although husband tells me I have a good golf swing!), I was always afraid of falling off. A feisty mare (Millie was her name) tried to buck me off a few times. Didn’t scare me that much at the time but I think it took hold inside my head and eventually I decided my year and half ‘experiment’ had run its course! Glad though that I did it. Got that one checked off my Bucket List anyway. 🙂
Horse can have such a power, even when they are still, and I can see it in your photographs. Thank you, Julie for share them!
You are very welcome! They are such wonderful animals … and very photogenic 😀
Enjoyed all your pics as usual 🙂 Loved the action shot of Albert!!
Thanks Miss! Albert is the best pooch – he tears down the beach like a whirlwind. Dan who is quite sedate stares at him in horror 😀
Lovely mix of pics!
Thank you! 😀
Stunning Julie
Claire Haugh Director Teleplay Productions Pty Ltd P.O. Box 3076 South Melbourne Vic 3205
Mb: 0438 889 404 claire@teleplay.com.au
Hey Claire .. thank you so much. So pleased you enjoyed 😀
Breathtaking photos Julie- just stunning. You know I love your beach shots so much but the girls boots- there is something rather surreal about that shot- the boots/legs seem to be floating in space. Wow.
The lass in the boots was sitting on the horse truck swinging her legs. I thought .. perfect, got a shot here 😀 So pleased that you liked the pics Francesca 😀
Such wonderful beachy photos Julie. Oh what a dream to be able to ride a horse and such a beautiful place to rode him. Chloe rides. She’s had a few years of lessons each summer in England, and now rides her boyfriend’s mom’s horses. I don’t ride, (although I have done), because those things are just so much darn bigger than me! Tell you what though, I’d absolutely love some acreage and someone else’s horses running around in the field just so I could watch them and not have the responsibility of looking after them. That would be ideal. 😀
It sure is. I love nothing more than feeding the chooks and staring at Candy. She is the horse with her neck arched. Such a beautiful gentle girl. I used to love riding and had my last horse up until I was 40. Nothing beats a ride amongst the green or on a beach 😀
Such a nice post. 😊
Thank you so much 😀
I love riding, too, but the only way I can is to pay a lot of money at a stables. I look forward to seeing photos of your garden soon 🙂
Those garden pics are coming! I’m really looking forward to enjoying the produce over summer. 😀
What a beautiful post!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer
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Thank you Linda … I missed this comment .. whoops!
Wish I could see some spring clouds… I’m on the wrong side of the globe right now! 😉
You sure are .. but then you have that gorgeous cat to stare at. I’m jealous 😀
Lovely photos all ; Albert is delightful you captured him perfectly.
Albert is a funster … and drives our pooch nuts. He adores leaping around, barking and being a hooligan .. LOL
I love the horse!! And how good to have your horse “fix” for the day. What a great day at the beach you had.
That’s Candy .. she is such a honey. I had the best day at the beach Angeline! You are so right 😀
I adore your garden pictures, I will be a regular visitor now that we are sliding into winter! And what beautiful horses on the beach – my favourite.. much love c
Hey Celi … always great to know you have stopped by. Please do be a regular visitor 😀 I used to absolutely love riding on the beach – the best fun! Much love back at you
Hi Julie! Wonderful pictures and story telling! I hope you forward those photos to your neighbours daughter – she will love them when she gets a little older and reminisces about riding on the beach. Nice looking geraniums. Keep your eyes on that purple sky gurl! Take care. Bob
Hey Mr Ede .. now coming from a real story teller, I’m pleased you think so! I must forward those pics to Georgia (I have more). I love those geraniums .. the bokeh is magical. Eyes to the sky Bob. You take care 😀
Love the photos. I grew up wth horses and used to ride a lot, but they are too expensive these days — our cats are costly enough, and when I think of multiplying cat expenses to the size of a horse it gets really scary. I still love horses and you have posted a fun blog with horses, acute dog, beautiful flowers, and a fence post as well.
Hey Tim .. thank you! I did manage to post a few fun things (well that I like) 😀 Hope you are good and thanks for stopping by
A beautiful post with photos to match.
Thank you .. great to know that you stopped by 😀
What a wonderful sky, I will enjoy sharing your lovely garden. The recent wind and rain have ended the last flush of flowers. Frost predicted for the weekend too 🙂
Glad you like that sky. You make sure you enjoy our garden (love sharing it). No frosts for us for sometime now .. phew 😀
I was sighing a whole lot throughout this post, Julie. Ahhhhh …. beach and spring flowers!!! And I LOVE those boots!!!! Oh wow I need a pair like those. Are they comfy to walk in? They look like it. Are they warm and insulated or just leather? I’m on a major mission to get all I need to get through this Winter for all temperatures. If I am carrying camera equipment and walking, sometimes on snowshoes I will have to be dressed right but not TOO warm. Anyways to get back to your post, I just LOVED it! Thank you so much for giving me a breath of Spring as we are heading into Winter. Love, Amy <3
Hey Amy so pleased that you enjoyed my post. I love it when you stop by. I wish those boots were mine too – but the owner was one of the girls riding. I couldn’t resist taking a pic .. They looked so comfy. In fact I was buying chicken food yesterday and spotted a beautiful pair of boots that I would love for winter. 😀 Take care and big hugs
Julie, I just have this thing about “boots” like you have with wood, I guess. LOL I’m gong to be getting a pair of boots to wear when I am going out, say for my hair or lunch, and I feel so excited because they are just perfect for me. Of course I have already gone into the store to look. LOL I didn’t have the time to try on, etc. Tomorrow I shall!! Sounds to me you ought to get those boots you spotted. 🙂 Go for it!!! Nothing like a pair of boots that feel so good and keep your feet warm and clean. 🙂 <3
Oh you are so right! I love boots too with a passion ..thanks Amy. Big smiles your way
Hi to you both. Julie very good photos of beach and horses. I must try and get to the beach this trip could you arrange for a board walk to be layed as the sand simply isn’t any good for my shoes! Well I think winter is about to burst this weekend. Must try and clear more leaves up before it’s not possible. Looking forward to seeing the building work should be finished by the time I come. All for now lots love Bill xxx
Hello bill! I will get you to the beach .. promise! ha ha What about bare foot and then we could sit down and have some fish and chips! LOL Good luck with the gardening, won’t be long now and you will be enjoying the new building. Looks great. Hugs Mr B 😀
Fish and chips sounds nice but will have to sit on tail gate and put up a wind shield to stop the sand blowing in! Xxx
I’d love to ride on that beach too 🙂 Mind you, in Ireland we once took our horses to the beach which was just 30 minutes away. It was so funny as the incoming and outgoing waves made the poor things so dizzy that we almost fell into the water…goes to show that we all have to get used to things 😉
I love nothing more than riding on the beach … a good gallop. Just love the sound of the hooves hammering hte sand. Has been ages now since I have done it .. maybe one day 😀 Hugs Annette
This was a lovely post. So many pretty photos to enjoy.
Thank you so much …. 😀
Beautiful!
Hello, glad that you stopped by. Thank you!
Lovely spring flower photos…..it feels a lifetime away till we’ll be seeing such prettiness here as we are plunged headlong into winter!
I used to love horse riding too, and occasionally dream of having my own, but common sense prevails and I make do with my doggie companions😊
How good are doggie companions! I used to love riding but haven’t done it in ages. Such fun .. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the pics. Our garden is bursting with flowers … 😀
Riding on the beach– oohlala! I’ll be dreaming of that as well. Thanks for sharing.
Oh la la .. wish it had been me! You are very welcome – lovely to see you here 😀
Hello lovely .. I have been desperately trying to leave a comment on a recent post of yours – Old Love, but I can’t. Oh it was so beautiful – I loved it and the images. Bless …
Glad you enjoyed it. Caused quite a ruckus here. Too personal for my sweet farmer– woops! It was deleted, and now I find myself facing writer’s block.
Ah I wondered if it might have been deleted. I loved it! Hugs 😄
you always capture the mood so well 🙂
thank you so much Joshi … 😀
They look so majestic with their flowing mane and elegant looks, isn’t it! 🙂 Beautiful images, Julie!
They are so majestic … I love watching them on the beach and the sound their hooves make is almost melodious. 😀
spring flower pics always welcome. you capture the clear spring light beautifully.
Thank you … the garden is alive with pretty spring flowers … 😀
Riding on the beach must be great!! The dream of every girl in the world 🙂
I love your pics, Julie! Have nice days!! In good old germany winter comes and the first frosty days!!
Oh it is such fun. I haven’t done it in ages (and probably won’t now 🙂 ) too scared of falling off! LOL … So pleased that you enjoyed the pics. Wishing lovely days back at you 😀
This was such a good read and find this morning ~ takes me back a few years. Beautiful series of photos, the enjoyment of the dog running along the beach was a perfect capture of the day it seems. Well done.
Hey thank you! Glad you enjoyed the pics. Albert running down the beach is always hilarious .. he has loads of energy. 😀
It’s good to be reminded of Muriwai again.
Hey Steve … a great place, even if the sand is black! 😀 Thanks for stopping by …
I’ve heard about the black sand on the west side of the North Island, but I didn’t notice it when I visited Muriwai. I guess I was too focused on the sea and the gannets.
Hey Steve … yes black sand here but it changes from time to time and looks nearly normal! Not for long though 😀
Then I must have caught it in one of its “normal” moments.
Albert is the star….. what an incredible picture. They are all fabulous shots. ….thanks for a lovely and cheery post <3
Hey Gill … Albert is a star. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the pic of him. He adores racing up and down the beach.
Beautiful combination Albert and your beach! Happy weekend Julie! xxx
And you too Gill 😊
Impresionantes y seductoras imagenes! 🙂
Thank you!
Magnificent photos, makes you want to get out in it.
Thanks Louise … loving the country life and a real spoil having a beach just dow the road. 😀
Very beautiful pictures again Julie…and a really amazing capture of the happy hairy dog! 😉
Hey Josephine .. hope you are good lovely. So pleased you stopped by. Glad you like the pics. Albert is such a happy hairy pooch 😀
I really love this kind of dogs…but I think the grooming isn’t easy ?
I think you may be right 😃
I like your spring! We are struggling to reach winter…
Hey Rajiv … summer for us now. Yay! I hope your winter is mild .. Thanks for stopping by
Mild? It is not cold enough…
Ah .. We have 4 seasons here. I just wish we didn’t live on a hill 😄
Oh really? I lived in the hills for 7 years.. I love the hills. School was 2,000 meters above sea level…
I would love living in the hills too .. What I meant is we are perched on top of a hill .. It gets windy! I do love it here though 😃
You are on a hilltop? That is cool!
All beautiful. The suspended riding boots are intriguing but I really love the joy coming from the shaggy dog. Great capture.
Thank you .. I liked the dusty boots too. The owner was swinging them over the side of the truck. But Albert steals the day for sure 😀
Brilliant post !
Thank you 😊
These photos are absolutely superb…and that one or the dog is exceptional☺
Oh thank you .. So nice to see you here 😄