An amazing summer in NZ = a suffering LJ ( Read more... )

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The good weather has subtly demanded I start swimming across the street on warm evenings again. This is a source of pure bliss. Swimming out in the ocean to the platform, just beneath the glossy water reflecting the last of the day's sunlight, climbing up the mossy ladder only to jump off, swim a half mile around the fountain and back, only to ( Read more... )

Wanting to learn more, it seemed logical that with two teachers on the same topic I'd learn a lot more, turns out to be true! A few weeks ago I called another horse ranch outfit outside of Wainuiomata and asked if he could teach me general horsemanship and horse maintenance. While he'd never taught it before he said he'd be happy to give it ago ( Read more... )

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"Araba-aseen is how you say thank you in Syrian" and he smiled ( Read more... )

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Anticipating the serious work that needs to be put in with horses for the Kyrgyzstan trip, I called Mac who I used to ride with about two years ago to inquire about advanced lessons. Mac's a light hearted man who's agreed to teach me what he knows backed by his lifelong experience and recent time spent as the horse master for Lord of the Rings. I' ( Read more... )

Wednesday morning, working from home, the summer sun beamed down and I walked out onto the balcony wearing a cowboy hat, looked out over a glowing turquoise sea while on a conference call the distant details faded into the back of my mind. A good friend showed up for lunch and we walked across the street to the beach for a leisurely swim out to the ( Read more... )