Tremain Woods

First of all let me apologise for the delay in writing this post. I've been having computer troubles, but hopefully they're all sorted now.
On March 2nd we went on a marathon 7 hour walk! There was a Le Trec competition at Tremain Woods and being a nice day we decided to take a picnic and go and watch. Of course being a Sunday there were no buses!
It took an hour of walking on roads before we got to this bridle path. When we had a car this was one of our favorite walks. It feels as though you are on top of the world here.

After following this track through the wheat fields you descend into the woods.

The path follows a stream

To Trewindsor Mill,

where Finn had a paddle and a drink.

Past the mill and up the hill to Trewindsor farm where the event was taking place. We arrived just as my friend Wendy (who taught me to ride) was just about to compete. Le Trec competitions normally consist of two parts the first being orienteering where competitors are given a map and sent off on a ride past various checkpoints to return to complete the second part where they have to negotiate various obstacles. Control is the key element here.

Once they had completed the first obstacle(opening the gate, going through it and then shutting it all without dismounting or letting go of it) they had to walk through the poles without touching them.

Next they had to walk around the bollards without knocking them over, whilst holding a rope attached to the flag pole.

There were a few more thing like loading in and out of a trailer, going over a waterjump, crossing a bridge, walking fast and cantering slowly then walking through a pair of poles and reining back through them without touching them.

And then it was over!

When Wendy had finished we wandered off to have our lunch back in the woods under the trees.

We found a place amongst the snowdrops where Finn could play in the water (he'd been so good while we were watching the horses and hadn't barked once!) while I ate my picnic.

After I had eaten and he had got sufficiently wet we carried on along the path to these ponds.

Why can't I go in here then?

This was the turning point and it was time to turn round and make our way home.

Looking across the valley there were some horses grazing on the far side of the stream.

It was a long day and we arrived home tired and footsore. Finn did make a token effort at keeping me amused in the evening by throwing his ball at me, but I don't think he was too disappointed when I didn't throw it back!

He slept well that night and the next!