And Now for Something Completely Different

What a beautiful morning - we've only got a couple of hours before an afternoon of Rugby dawns. We head out to have a quick wander on the fells, but as we are leaving home we realise it is the annual Husky race Meeting in Greystoke Forest. Quick change of plan and we head into the forest for a walk to have a look at what goes on

The first of the competitors are arriving. It's 10am but we learn that they won't start racing till 12. So we decide to do a loop which will hopefully mean we will just be getting back to the start as they get going

Frost on the ground and a clear blue sky.

As we get within about half a mile of the start (we are walking the 5.5 mile loop they will be racing round - only we are doing it in reverse), the first competitor appears

click here for a video

They come through every few minutes

Breeze seems to be quite interested!

We gradually make our way to the start, pausing to watch each competitor pass

and spend a while watching as each team is harnessed up and counted down to start on their way

It's quite noisy! Turn the sound on for the next video

Video here

We've walked the 5.5 mile circuit so now it's just half a mile back to the car, passing all the competitors vehicles and dogs on the way. Eveywhere you look there are excited Huskies and Malamutes tethered amongst the trees.

Who would have ever thought there could be so many people (and dogs) involved in this sport.

We walked a total of 6.5 miles. Not the walk we had planned, but what an interesting experience!

Carlisle

We had a cracking afternoon racing today. James had four runners and one of those was my favourite, the lad who has pride of place above our wood burner. Here he is, showing just what a handsome chap he is after finishing 2nd. Love this horse!

Hamilton Park

It's not often we go racing, and even more rare that I take any photos, but we had a trip up to Hamilton Park today to watch one of Jame's horses run. It was a beautiful day and it's a beautiful course, so I felt compelled to get my phone out!

Our friend and Trainer Barry had a runner in an earlier race, Richie leads up in the paddock. You might guess he spotted me with the camera by the big cheesy grin!

And their off

Barry's horse ran to a very creditable third

Barry and Richie in the winners enclosure

Now it's  Rosie's turn. Bred by James, ridden by me (on many occasions but definitely not today!!). Rosie is still learning the ropes so is here for the experience today

Ridden by Fergal Lynch today

If you fancy experiencing flat racing, we can highly recommend Hamilton Park. Excellent Owner's and Trainer's lunch and facilities and a really lovely spot. Just a shame it's so close to Glasgow!

Breeze With Ease & Fred

Just for a change there are no pictures of spaniels in this post. I rarely post pictures of James' horses because I rarely take any - mainly because I'm normally on them at the time. However, a new(ish) mobile phone means that a few snaps at the races (when I am obviously NOT on top) is easy. A beautiful day and a trip across the penines took us to Sedgefield this afternoon, where we had two runners. Of all of James' horses, these two have probably had more attention from me than most. Breeze With Ease (Breezey Wheezey), was a bag of nerves when he first came into the yard, and at the time, James was away, so I rode him daily for a while. He took a lot of patience and needed a quiet approach, but he really settled down. Now you know where the inspiration for a certain Young Ladies name came from!

 And Predatuer (Fred). This chap is a big powerful chaser, who has come back from a horrendous injury. When he started back in work, we thought he would never make it.

I am so pleased to say how wrong we were. He is loving his racing, and though today wasn't his day, he has done us proud on previous outings.