A BRIEF VISIT AND THE ART OF BEING A BRIDESMAID

 

Tomorrow, for the first time in my 48 years, I am going to be a bridesmaid to my lovely friend Cassandra. Many people have laughed, one so much she fell off her chair, but I'm so touched to have been asked. However, my friends before we moved down here over a decade ago, were not the marrying type, and all the friends I've made here were already married when I met them or single, so I have very little experience of weddings. I'm a bit scared that I'm not going to do the job properly to be honest, so any advice would be gratefully received. The bride and two of the other three bridesmaids are around 30, while the fourth is 4, so I'm feeling distinctly ancient being physically able to be the mother of all four of them! I've had to dig out a pair of shoes I've had since 1990 and borrow some tights from my mum. Luckily, the dress is long and dark green and quite kind for the aged! 

On Tuesday, to my huge relief, the herd made a brief appearance close by. They were all gone again by Wednesday but at least I know they're okay. Most of the foals were there but not 4, 7 or 9. I haven't seen the chestnut one with the wide blaze for ages (7) and I'm not sure I could tell the difference between a couple of the skewbald ones. However, it was lovely to see number 1, who is shaping up to be a very nice looking filly: 

She was with the TINY number 3, the lovely bay-ish number 8 and the dangerously new number 10:

Number 10

Number 8

1, 10 and 3 (in the background)

A little further down the hill were Betty and Lizzy with numbers 2, 4, 5 and 9:

Lizzy scratching

Betty - the Veronica Lake of Dartmoor

Number 5

Number 9

Talking of Betty, I'm convinced another pony I saw the other day is one of her offspring. I stared at her for a long time and she has many similar features....check out the hair!

I really am rambling now which, despite the blog name, is something I try not to do. A few more pictures, including one of the main path up onto the moor which is currently a stream thanks to total ground saturation. It's like walking on a giant sponge again and not very pleasant!

The stream/path

Saturation even on very high ground

Mr Scruffy

Difficult to see but there was a red flag on top of the hill in the distance letting us know the army were firing on the ranges that day

Even more scruffy

morning sky but certainly not this morning

Bit of an update....I've just gone for my post lunch walk and found the whole herd sheltering from the rain behind Kestor Rocks. So much for my worries although little number 10 has cut himself. He seems okay but with him being so young it's always a concern. 

Blood!

Until next time, I'll look forward to any bridesmaidly advice! Have a lovely weekend.