Lovely Lusitanos

Last week I attended the first day of the Lusitano Breed Society's 25th Anniversary show at Hartpury Equine College in Gloucestershire. My interest in these horses stems from a chance trail ride I took a couple of years ago in one of my favourite parts of North Wales. More recently I have been lucky enough to be able to take riding lessons at Pen Llyn Lusitano Stud and Riding Centre. My riding ambition is very simple. To be able to ride a good horse well. My realisation as I now progress a long and forever lengthening, but interesting path, is that to ride well requires so much more than I ever imagined.
In the collecting ring, Purebred Stallion Tigre warming up. Something approaching the picture of where I see myself one day!

The Pen Llyn horses stole the show with very strong results in all classes entered, only coming second when one of their own had taken first!. The show stopping stallion Uivador Da Broa took 1st, in the class of the show, with an amazing performance. I was both humbled and inspired by both the quality of the horses and the skill of the riders. I left with a clear image of where I'd like to go and am lucky to have found the right people and place to attain it

Mussels...

Mussels are delicious! For me they bring back memories too. Long ago on those dull wet days on holidays to Wales, when the sand was no good to play in and the sun hid well away. My parents needed to be quick to keep four young boys from squabbling and fighting! There is much truth in the saying "the devil finds work for idle hands", which often started out in some sand slinging, but quickly escalated into all out sticks and stone fights! So what a pearl the mussel is. Who can find the biggest and best mussel? Everybody busy and food for the evening sorted out...
Lots and lots of good size mussels in a surprising location...

I find it very hard to pass up the chance of picking mussels. I'm always looking and have had some lovely ones from my closely guarded locations. I found a new spot recently and though they were well barnacle encrusted, proved heavenly once cleaned and cooked. There is something so rewarding to finding your own food, preparing it then cooking and eating. What a treat...

Quick fried onion and garlic, pinch of herbs then steamed over a camping stove..ready in minutes, irresistibly tasty!