Notes From The Country

A

archie

Senior Jockey
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
3,731
Location
North Wales
After a year of life changing events such as the death of my father and meeting a new partner, I've moved to the country to be with said partner. The house is one of 4 cottages built for farm labourers in the early 20th century. Surrounded by farmland, it's about a mile and a half outside the small town of Caerwys (general store, newsagent, post office, chemist, part-time butcher, bistro and 2 pubs) on the lower slopes of the Clwydian Hills. As a born and bred townie I sometimes find the silence deafening and the distant call of peacocks a little unnerving but things are going nicely.
Integrating a household now consisting of 3 cats, 2 dogs and 3 horses has been interesting and still not fully achieved but the main change has been the need to adopt a different mind-set. The general store in the village is open all hours and pretty good but, other than a smallish Somerfield in Holywell 5 miles away, it's a 20 plus miles round trip for the weekly 'big shop'. Likewise, life's necessities such as a good curry or fish and chips tend to be planned rather than an afterthought. As for the pubs - don't get me started!! Most of the better country pubs don't open until 6 pm in the week (one is 7 pm - heathens) so one is forced to detour for that essential wind-down pint on the way home from work.
There are, of course, compensations. I'm sure my partner would say that she is one! It's been a joy to get closer to her horses. Very close in one case, as a filly ('Hen') that was rescued from the abattoir by partner's daughter is currently resident in the field next to the house, chilling out. It was great fun watching them show their 3yo Welsh Cob ('Archie' !!!) a few days ago. Only a small local event but he won his class to the surprise and delight of all concerned as it was his first show. I hope a photo will appear here.

archie1.JPG


He's actually for sale as he's too good for us to give him the time that he needs but hopefully he can win a few more classes in the next few weeks.

So there it is. Not really sure why I thought this might interest anyone but I suppose writing about the experience is part of the enjoyment of it. Even well into a 6th decade (no comments from this quarter about men over 50 B) ) life can take unexpected and welcome twists. Keep the faith.

Has anyone else adopted the country life after years of town life?
 
Looking good, Archie - glad you're enjoying living in the sticks! I love it, I'd rather be in the middle of nowhere than anywhere else.

The Sec D looks a grand little fella - he's very attractive & looks pretty correct to me. Whoever buys him must surely have a bit of fun with him - Sec D's are very versatile horses & can turm their hand to most things. On first glance I thought he was maybe a little small but on the second look I'm guessing that it is actually that the girl holding him is pretty tall?
 
Yes Dom. She's 6 ft and soon to get her Masters in Equine Science from Hartpury.

The Cob was 14-3 last time he was measured but he's still growing nicely and may be 15 hands by now.
 
6ft??!!! Crikey!!!

Well done to her for getting her Masters in Equine Science - that must set her up for a decent career. I had a place at Hartpury to do a BSc (Hons) in Equine Science but was having such a ball working in racing during my year out I turned it down in the end. Apart from anything else, after a year of being self-sufficient & independent the idea of becoming a skint student was not an appealing one!
 
Oh, thank goodness for some happy news, for a change! All the best to all of you, archie. It must've been a strange year for you - losing your father, but gaining a new life and family. One chapter closing, but a very bright new one opening. All the best, sincerely.

Out in the country - well, won't bore you to death with how my parents and I spent the first two years in Northern Rhodesia (since Zambia), but a real house didn't figure in any of it, neither did electricity, running water, an indoor loo, a road, or any sign of human habitation for about four miles around. Loved it! :D
 
Originally posted by krizon@Aug 5 2005, 09:02 PM


Out in the country - well, won't bore you to death with how my parents and I spent the first two years in Northern Rhodesia (since Zambia), but a real house didn't figure in any of it, neither did electricity, running water, an indoor loo, a road, or any sign of human habitation for about four miles around. Loved it! :D
Click to expand...
Jon called roughing it surely????? :o
 
ARCHIE good luck mate in your new life and hope everything turns out well for you and your new family....... :)

I'll join you when my boat comes in?? or those lotto numbers.............. :P :D :D
 
Archie, you are living the dream of many people. I was brought up in the country and now work and live very close to the country, but not as rural as you are! I have been the opportunity to follow my dream too, and have enjoyed house hunting on the internet, although I am not fully convinced now is a good time to buy. I also have a house to sell first. I also have the opportunity to kick back and enjoy life abit more instead of doing everything at 100mph. To have horses in a paddock next to the house would be a dream come true.

You are right about having to plan more in the country. Running out of petrol can be a pain, as can running out of milk on a Sunday, unless you have a cow in the garden. B)

It doesn't suit everyone, but it sounds like it is a great way of life for you. Just be warned that the winters can be grim, especially if you drive a car that doesn't handle icy roads, as gritters can be few and far between. For me, the plus points far outway the negatives.

My Dad has just returned from a holiday in Ireland and he was shocked that the countryside he grew up in as a child and young man ihas changed in so many ways. He got a speeding ticket :huh: , and when he went to look for his Mum and Dad's graves, he found a housing estate on either side and couldn't find the gate in.

Enjoy your new life style.
 
Enjoy, Keith!

I've just got back on the treadmill - literally - by going back to the gym on a get fit again mission. I'm going with the rather overweight daughter of a good mate of mine and she's about to start her final year at Hartbury! She loves it - they seem to have a great time there.
 
Thanks for the good wishes folks.

Dom - From Eva's experience I'd say you did right to get on with working if that's what you were ready for. She found the Batchelors great to do but not much use on its own for employment. She works for Cadburys at the moment but is hoping that the Masters will mean that she can get to work with horses probably in dentistry. Your friend's daughter might want to look at the same thing, Julie, as the Masters apparently makes a big difference. If she wants any advice I'm sure Eva would be happy to talk to her.

Kathy - I've seen Caerwys through one winter and, in fact, viewed the house in the depths so what we have now is a bonus. I know I'm more likely to see snow here than on the Wirral but I think that it's only been really deep once in the last 18 years. Part of the new philosophy has to be not to worry about it but make sure the freezer is stocked!

Just to rub it in I've dug out a shot of the filly in the field taken from our bedroom window.

ffrith1.JPG


She's a thoroughbred/Hanoverian cross and was bought as a foal as a potential eventer. Unfortunately she chipped a knee as a yearling and then her owner got injured herself so has been unable to do anything with her. She now has to cut down her string and no-one wanted Hen because of the knee. Even though she's perfectly sound with lovely paces the eventing would probably be a step too far so we're hoping that, given time, she'll make a nice hack. She was bullied by a gelding at her previous place so time on her own chilling out has done her a lot of good and she could probably do with company now.
 
Archie, thanks for starting this thread. I can relate to it in many ways. Its so refreshing to read these sort of topics, and I feel I am chilling out just as much as your lovely 'Hen '.
 
Funny you should mention the future career, Archie - that was another thing I had in the back of my mind. At the time, there weren't that many career paths to follow with such a degree (it was 10 years ago) bar somewhere like the AHT but I had no desire at all to move to Newmarket. I had it in the back of my mind to go more in the direction of the sports science (they were offering sport scince modules within the degree to be studied at Cheltenham) within the subject but still wasn't convinced I could do much with it as the associated careers all needed seperate qualifications. Then when I started working I met one of my very good frinds who told me that she had started on the course at Hartpury but left very early on as she really didn't like it. She said the whole college is geared around doing things the "BHS way" & pressurising you to do your AI/IIs & BHS stages which I wasn't interested in in the slightest, especially as I know an AI/II isn't worth the paper it is written on & I was more interested in racing.

Archie, was the knee-chip a serious one? As the filly is sound (& I'm assuming she's still very young by your use of the word filly) I'm a little surprised no-one wants her. Knee chips are relatively common & horses can go on & compete in most spheres with them (particularly if they have them removed) quite successfully with no recurrence of the problem. It is only generally if you are struggling to keep the horse sound, or if there is an underlying problem that it would affect them much later on. Of course, being a TB x Hanovarian, she will surely be a versatile animal that should do well in showjumping or dressage if she is sound. If she is on the small side, can I suggest that it may be worth marketing her as a dressage horse? A good friend of mine competes at elementary/medium level, the last two horses she bought were bred to be showjumpers but were too small to compete at the top level. They are lovely horses & are both talented dressage animals. Warmbloods are very much the 'in' horses for competing at dressage & have been for a long while now. I'm sure your partner's daughter knows all that, I just thought it was worth bearing in mind if she was looking to market her.
 
Hen is a young 3 (just coming up to her actual 3rd birthday) and, as far as I know, the knee chip wasn't treated in any significant way so the joint is a little unsightly viewed from one direction. As I say it doesn't appear to affect her but she's never been ridden, just had a saddle on. At some stage we'll probably have the knee scanned to get the clear picture. What we do know is that she's almost certain to be more prone to arthritis or rheumatism later in life. There's no plan to market her at the moment. She'll just be company for Jasper (13yo Belgian WB/TB) when Archie is sold.
 
Good luck with her Archie, it'll be interesting to hear how you get on with her. From what you've said, I'm sure she'll turn out fine to have a bit of fun with, she sounds a nice type.
 
What a view Archie.... :) Makes me want to move sooner rather than later.

Also, if you (or your partner) haven't already, get one of those camping gas stoves, just in case the electrics go. I wouldn't be without mine, as although I can live with candlelight, I do love my cup of tea! B)

How are you getting on with the locals? Are they friendly enough. I know sometimes it takes time to make new friends when you are new to an area.

I have just got back from a local dog show. I took Barney for the first time and he absolutely loved it. It's a great way to meet people as everyone stops and chats and make a fuss. Barney has never been to a show with other dogs before and he was so well behaved. He has never been to a puppy class in his life, but he had impeccable manners. A bit boisterous but then he is a terrier/Jack Russell. I was so proud of him. :)

I nearly brought him a T Shirt that said "Can I smell your Bum" as thats the first end he goes to when meeting any and every dog whatever their size B)
 
All the very best archie . After Donny where Great Benefit got loose ( where i was pleased to meet archie again and new partner ) all you need now is Great Benefit to get back on track . How is the horse by the way ?
 
Brian's away at the moment but I don't think it's breaking any partnership agreements to say that Benny came back in mid-July. The normal rule of thumb is 10 weeks to be ready so I'd guess, all things being equal, we're looking at the end of September for him.

Kathy - always been a cat man so integrating with partner's dogs (both myself and my cats) is one of the challenges. Not too bad because one of my cats scares the s*** out of her dogs. B) The locals are ok but partner has lived in the area for 18 years so knows most people.
 
Cortaflex has been staving off the worst of my twinges for two years now, and I'd recommend the equine variety to anyone whose horse may be a touch rheumaticky. The human version is effective within 3 days and is waaaaaay better than any other chondroitin/glucosamine concoction I've tried previously.
 
I see that I forgot to mention another countryside delight - the 6 hour power cut at 5 in the morning :what: . Better August than January I suppose.

* looking at pepsimax's thread, I see this wasn't a unique experience last night.
 
Of course. B)

Calor gas hob (no mains gas out here), electric oven. Also we've cleaned out the grate and chimney for a coal fire in the winter.
 
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