h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

To be honest, nothing! But the bluegrass seems to agree with them, and the latest batch of foals are big and shiny-coated and full of pep.

*they come to a fork in the trail and Lil reaches up to wrap a purple ribbon round the trail marker to the right* That's for mari-rae so she can follow us. The other trail heads through the woods, along the stream, to a nice stretch of beach for galloping, and there are a couple of paths forking off deeper into the woods. Some of them have jumps!

But we're just going through the corner of the woods and then we'll be walking along the border of the pastures. It's all free range out here after we come out of the woods, no more fences.

We really have you to thank for the Woods! You were the first to insist on oak trees and you instigated the Magik Wood behind the Aroma Cafe. This wood isn't as potent as that one, but there is definitely some enchantment.

I'm afraid I don't know that much about Gnus either.
But as long as they're happy it should be okay - I'll keep a close look out for any change in their condition.

I must admit that I've never seen an oak tree that doesn't have any enchantment - and the more trees, the more magical the experience. Oaks the most philosophical tree, many trees are warmer, but none are as deep as an oak.

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One thing I do know about gnus is that they migrate, so we'll have to keep an eye on that. It would be inconvenient to schedule a rodeo and discover that all the gnus had disappeared further inland.

What I love are these massive twisty old oaks -- have you ever seen the Gustave Doré engravings that go with "Idylls of the King"?Some of the forest drawings show these ancient huge trees that dwarf the humans, even on horseback. When we come round this curve you'll see a really big old oak up on a rise, shading most of the hill. It's so august that I feel it ought to have a name!

*the horses amble along the wide trail, side by side, as it goes gently upward away from the stream. Chipmunks run across the trail like daredevils, and a flock of jays are screaming and hopping around in the trees on either side*

I don't think I've seen the Gustave Doré engravings of oak forests - but as I live fairly near the remains of an oak forest, and the New Forest isn't far away either, I've definately seen many wonderfully shaped oak trees in the area.
With so many oaks nearby, the gnus must feel they are in heaven.

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*From deep in the forrest, a galloping is heard. Suddently the Psychic Impression of Irving Washington rides up on a mocha colored mustang with a black mane and a black tail, with a western saddle. Irv wears a white cowboy hat, a checked flannel shirt (red white and black), and a pair of levis. His cowboy boots are tan, and so is the saddle. Irv himself looks a bit fainter than usual, because he is only a psychic impression of himself, let loose as the side effect of imprissonment by some natives in South America. He doesn't really have to know much about riding, since he currently consists of pure mental energy, and has been able to meld his mind with his horse's. Equus, his horse, comes to a full stop just in front of Lil and BB*

Hello everyone! What a beautiful day for a ride!

*Mari-rae trots up from behind the group on Cookie, a slightly over weight appaloosa mare.*

Lovely trees here. Hello, Irving, you look a bit peaked.

Splendid, now we have a full complement! Is everyone agreeable to our destination? We're off to have a look at the gnu herd. Careful about high jinks now, Bluebottle hasn't ridden very much.

We'll be out of the wood about half a mile ahead, and the trail goes along the side of the wood so we can stay in the shade. Once we break out of the woods, keep your eyes peeled for gnu!

*eyes Cookie* Good legs on that mare, but she looks underworked!

*Kathy comes riding up on Shamrock.*

Wait for me! I can't quite trot--it's been a while and that's a somewhat tricky proposition in an English saddle .

Thank you for inviting me! I was hoping to come along but didn't have a horse!

Kathy

*Irv's psychic impression*

Oh, by the way, *indicates horse* This is Equus. Named after a play about a kid who is obsessed with horses.

*the ride is now organised so that the more novice riders are in the middle of the group*

Don't worry CChick! I usually ride english but for trail work I like to use an Australian stock saddle. It's sort of a cross between a deep upright dressage saddle and a western saddle -- comfortable for me AND Rimshot. We'll try one on Shamrock next time.

Irv, I remember when that play came out, how shocking it was...

OK, a stream crosses the trail just ahead. Quite pretty, shallow but wide. Let your horses drink if they want.

That play really freaked me out when I read it. I don't entirely know why, because I was never in that situation. A Latin horse it is then!

*lets Shamrock drink*

C

You hear that, Cookie? You are underworked. We'll have to see to that.

*the riders let horses pause at the stream to drink and let the water cool their legs, as a small flock of wild ducks waddles down the bank on the other side and plops into the water*

One of these times we'll have to ride along or in this stream and see where it goes. Upstream, I mean. I know it feeds the creek that goes down to the cove.

*Benny paws the water, splashing his rider, for a joke*

Yes, I read it in Highschool drama, and it was a scary play. But my horse isn't scary.

*Cookie blows through her nostrils at the ducks. mari-rae pats her neck.*

Bluebottle is doing well. Maybe we'll try a canter before the day is out?

I hope so. There's a really nice stretch of pasture that goes sort of uphill and then has a thick stand of trees at the top so the horses feel like downshifting.

Everybody ready to move on? We ford the stream and then we'll soon come out of the wood.

*Urges Cookie forward, gently drawing up her head.*

*Rides*

Sorry about the generic post, but I'm tired in RL--just wanted to let you know I was paying a bit of attention.

Kathy

*Gandalf, a huge Percheron, appearing with Titania perched high up on his back*

Well done, Gandalf, you found them!

Were we lost?
Hello Titania!

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