The Arms of Henry Tudor
We said a fond farewell to our hosts John and Crescent Giffard but not before discovering that Mozart on whom we had placed so much was found to be lame!! Confusion and oaths resulted in poor Dominic being deprived of his ride and instead becoming the master navigator for Tina as she negotiated every conceivable route in Shropshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire to get the injured Penny and Doughnut to Osbaston where we were to spend this evening. I must say how grateful we were to the Blenkirons for their amazing support whilst we lodged at Chillington Farm.
Soon we were off with the excellent Leslie Simmonds who guided us with great style through Cannock Chase. She tried hard to excite us with stories of Black Panthers and Giant Sting Rays but we much enjoyed her company and lovely sense of the ridiculous. I do wonder what she made of us as we charged all over the place playing scant attention to bye or an other law for that matter. And sevearl of the company jumping the various barriers!
The Chase is full of intertesting things such as a memorial to the thousands of Poles murdered at Katyn by the Russians 
in 1943. Close by was a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery and also a German Cemetery for the Germans in the 2nd World War who were killed in British waters, died in aircraft crashes or as
prisoners of war. Richard explained such interesting facts as we progressed. Here is Michael Cunningham in floppy hat as we look at the CWGC cemetery. Some of our number were more interested in the lady in the car park dressed merely in her bra and fishnets!! (no photo available) Leslie implied this was not unusual; Rebecca looked shocked.
We had one small drama when Spot got all excited by Arthur's escapade and tried to jump the concrete step by the lake. The result was a vet call out and 5 staples but all is well and the little grey mare will be back in action to morrow with Rupert de Lisle on top , I hope. John Dickerson from the Chine Veterinary practice did a very neat job. SEE BELOW
Our welcome at Osbaston from Peter and Leanda de Lisle (seen above with Rupert) was wonderful and all our wants were provided for. There had been rumours that there would be no hot water but to the relief and gratitude of all it had been resolved just in time.
AFTER NOTE: Spot is sound so all is well. The weather is set fair for an exciting day.
We said a fond farewell to our hosts John and Crescent Giffard but not before discovering that Mozart on whom we had placed so much was found to be lame!! Confusion and oaths resulted in poor Dominic being deprived of his ride and instead becoming the master navigator for Tina as she negotiated every conceivable route in Shropshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire to get the injured Penny and Doughnut to Osbaston where we were to spend this evening. I must say how grateful we were to the Blenkirons for their amazing support whilst we lodged at Chillington Farm.
We were to ride over and through Cannock Chase and the first event was a photo call for the local press at the start of the day. This as usual caused mayhem with local enthusiasts who had turned up with their horses to follow us, as a quick circuit of the village green with standards flying in the wind alarmed all but the most stoic of steeds.
Soon we were off with the excellent Leslie Simmonds who guided us with great style through Cannock Chase. She tried hard to excite us with stories of Black Panthers and Giant Sting Rays but we much enjoyed her company and lovely sense of the ridiculous. I do wonder what she made of us as we charged all over the place playing scant attention to bye or an other law for that matter. And sevearl of the company jumping the various barriers!Cannock Chase is a gem and I suspect little known outside the local area. We rode between 500 year old oaks and a few which were here in Henry Tudor's time. It is administered by the local authority and the Forestry Commission. Even in the dull weather conditions we had you could see the beauty of the place.
Every now and then there was the opportunity to have a 'splurge' as Leslie put it. A good gallop up the hill did us a lot of good. here we see the gallant Spot in the lead, ridden here by Rebecca a member of the King's Troop. She is seen here again as we pause to drink at a ford
The Chase is full of intertesting things such as a memorial to the thousands of Poles murdered at Katyn by the Russians 
in 1943. Close by was a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery and also a German Cemetery for the Germans in the 2nd World War who were killed in British waters, died in aircraft crashes or as
prisoners of war. Richard explained such interesting facts as we progressed. Here is Michael Cunningham in floppy hat as we look at the CWGC cemetery. Some of our number were more interested in the lady in the car park dressed merely in her bra and fishnets!! (no photo available) Leslie implied this was not unusual; Rebecca looked shocked.We had a good ride and at 1 pm we stoppped to consume our excellent picnic lunch and here again we must thank Peter Knox and his team for victualing us in the West Midlands. It could notb have been better. We had a lovely time over lunch and whiled away an hour quite easily.
The horses enjoyed their break as well.
After lunch it rained and it is amazing that this was the first time that some of us had worn ou
r waterproofs. Pray for Saturday!! About this time Arthur on entering a large pond in the quest for the almost was unseated in the drink. It was an exciting moment but were disapointed that he managed to hang on. Here he is seen laughing at it all.
r waterproofs. Pray for Saturday!! About this time Arthur on entering a large pond in the quest for the almost was unseated in the drink. It was an exciting moment but were disapointed that he managed to hang on. Here he is seen laughing at it all. The rain was pretty persistent , but later it warmed up to produce a healthy fog of steam.
We had a lovely time and we all enjoyed this ride in the centre of industrial England. Here Richard and Nick are doing just that.
Cannock also has a herd of fallow dear and the odd row. they seemed very tame to our approach.
Cannock also has a herd of fallow dear and the odd row. they seemed very tame to our approach.
We had one small drama when Spot got all excited by Arthur's escapade and tried to jump the concrete step by the lake. The result was a vet call out and 5 staples but all is well and the little grey mare will be back in action to morrow with Rupert de Lisle on top , I hope. John Dickerson from the Chine Veterinary practice did a very neat job. SEE BELOW
And now to our biographical column, this time just the one! Joseph is Michael Cunnigham's horse. He is aged 20 and is retired after a busy 
and active hunting career. An Irish cross thoroughbred she has hunted all over the place including the Beaufort. He was the favourite mount of Michael and Virginia's daughter, Mouse who had rode the Silk Route several years ago. I think the Henry Tudor Ride has been somewhat less demanding! She (Joseph NOT Mouse) has a very unusual distiguishing mark on her face as she has a crescent shaped scar as a result by a kick from a mare.
and active hunting career. An Irish cross thoroughbred she has hunted all over the place including the Beaufort. He was the favourite mount of Michael and Virginia's daughter, Mouse who had rode the Silk Route several years ago. I think the Henry Tudor Ride has been somewhat less demanding! She (Joseph NOT Mouse) has a very unusual distiguishing mark on her face as she has a crescent shaped scar as a result by a kick from a mare.Our welcome at Osbaston from Peter and Leanda de Lisle (seen above with Rupert) was wonderful and all our wants were provided for. There had been rumours that there would be no hot water but to the relief and gratitude of all it had been resolved just in time.
To morrow seems set to be busy as we shall meet King Richard III and as he is a popular figure here abouts we do not expect much sympathy. However there is an impressive programme including a Beating Retreat, a Free Fall display and a dinner for the victors of Bosworth. The Visitor Centre at Bosworth have been brilliant in supporting the finale of the ride.
This has all been enormous fun made possible by many kind and generous people from Dale to Bosworth. If you have been amused by this blog and have not yet made a contribution to the fund pleasd do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/henrytudorride
I will write one more blog in two days time as I will not have time to morrow night.
Thank you for blogging on, if this is what one says on these occasions.
Evelyn
AFTER NOTE: Spot is sound so all is well. The weather is set fair for an exciting day.
1 comment:
Dad, you are the very best of all bloggers!
Its amazing.....but poor spot. MY poor poor horse!xxx
Post a Comment