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Tuesday 21 May 2013

Of horses and nature.....



Last week there were lots of events as part of a Nature Festival in Orkney.  I went along to a talk about otters given by Raymond Besant and Richard Shucksmith, with some stunning photos.  I also managed to combine an interest in birdwatching with my passion for horses in one event - a carriage ride around part of the countryside in the West Mainland.  Above is the carriage, pulled by Tom and Jerry, and expertly driven by George Louttit - who just happens to have Graemsay connections.

His two handsome horses are Friesian stallions.  I was a bit anxious as to how they might behave if we went past other horses, but they were perfect gentlemen. Well Jerry had a twinkle in his eye and a spring in his step and sent the hearts of several mares aflutter but none of us ended up in a ditch! LOL!

While out in the carriage we saw sand martins, a short-eared owl, hen harrier, kestrel and a variety of the "usual suspects".  But my eyes were mainly on Tom & Jerry!  There is nothing like seeing the countryside through the ears of a horse.


Both the horses are very handsome, this is Jerry, a bit of a showman....


Um...did I mention he was a bit of a showman?


Tom is the quieter, more reserved but impeccably behaved handsome boy....


The carriage was really comfortable!  I've done a bit of carriage driving some years ago when I thought I would have to give up riding.  It was quite a bumpy experience   Not in this carriage - this must be the Rolls Royce of "wagons" - good suspension (or whatever the technical term is...) very comfortable padded bench seats, even a small table down the middle to put your binoculars and cameras on.  Um.. did I mention I was meant to be looking for birds....???? Ah well, the birds are there any time.... this was special to be with Tom & Jerry (and George too!)........

Sigh.... how very Gothic.....


 George also takes Tom & Jerry and passengers around Stromness, meets passengers from the ocean liners that call in, and also does weddings and funerals.  Those boys are busy!!  Click here for details.

7 comments:

  1. That looks like so much fun. The horses are beautiful. Thanks for the pictures.

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  2. what beautiful horses :) Sure i would have enjoyed such a ride ! :)

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  3. Those horses are lovely - I have just been introduced to Friesians here in Dorset.

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  4. What a lovely breed of horses ! I assume the horse and wagon are brought across on the ferry ? I even love the SMELL of horses !

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  5. What a marvellous trip that must have been. :-) I love working horses, but am not familiar with Friesans, so thanks for introducing me to such an eye-catching breed.

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  6. I think this is one of my favorite posts yet..just love the photos!!

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  7. Lucky you! Beautiful horses, obviously well-loved. The wagon appears to have rubber tyres, which also would have contributed to the comfort of the ride

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