PAMISMS 101

 

Anyone who has taken even a few riding lessons will never forget the sage advice from their trainer. Advice that not only applies to horse and rider but in just about any life situation. Here are a few of our beloved "Pamisms"! 

 

 

Through it or over it....just ride the horse.

 

Nothing good ever came from pulling back....go forward.

 

Bravery is practiced.

 

Pam: Did you ask him to do that?  Any of us:  Do what?

 

Seat and leg into hands......SOFT ARMS!!

 

Stay in the middle of your horse. Don't motor cycle around the bend.

 

Find your seat bone.

 

Did you feel that?  

 

Don't look down.  OK do that again and don't look down.

 

It takes two to pull.  Stop pulling.

 

Ride what they give you.

 

Are you hurt?  If not come again.

 

Don't say no....show them the yes.

 

Stop gripping with your knees...you're cutting him in half

 

The reins are like the lines on the road.

 

Reward the horse by moving on...Don't punish him for the right answer.

 

Think slowly through the fast parts.

 

RIDE YOUR DAMN HORSE!

 





Iceland’s Magical Northern Lights

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Discover Iceland, a land and culture forged by fire and ice. Steaming lava fields and massive glaciers sculpt mountains and valleys, leaving thundering waterfalls and plunging fjords. In this land of many natural wonders, enjoy the rare opportunity to see the aurora borealis – one of nature’s most dazzling light displays, also known as the northern lights.

Flight take off delayed around 4 hours. Sat next to a couple that live in Pittsburgh and work at Pitt. Turns out he is a vice chancellor in the medical school. No wonder he didn’t say much when I asked him what he did. LOL

 Day 2: Reykjavic, Iceland – Tour begins

Your tour opens in Reykjavic. Get acquainted with old town Reyjavik on a walking tour featuring Hallgrimskirja church, city hall, the harbor and Reykjavik’s oldest building – now home to the Kraum Icelandic design center. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers at a popular restaurant for dinner, featuring Icelandic cuisine. Then, take an exhilarating northern lights cruise into Faxafloi Bay.

My flight arrives around 7am in Kevelik and I am met by a guy with short cropped  hair, and ear piece and a long black trench. He doesn’t speak much English. He lets me exchange some money and we are out the door into the blackness to a van where I am the solitary passenger. As the van whisks off I am hoping we are going to Reykjavic and that I wasn’t mistaken for some KGB operative. As we fly through the black streets I can see from the window the jagged white landscape and note there are no trees. We arrive at the hotel and I realize I have lost my first pair of gloves already…sigh. I meet Jeff our guide and fortunately the room is ready and I can rest/shower before our walking tour begins. Oh yeah and complete the “homework” assigned by Jeff.

Our guide for the week, Jeff. We soon will know the two catch phrases of the week: where are twenty one and twenty two and twenty one and twenty two here...we roll!

Hallgrimskirkja Church:

Built by Iceland’s most famous architect, Guojon Samuelsson his design is characterized by the use of basalt pillars and modern functionality. He also built the National Theater. Iceland spends approximately 3-5% of their GDP on culture.  

The Harbor

Parliament Building

Things we learned along the way: The Icelandic language is a pure language – virtually unchanged from the time of the Vikings and one of the most difficult to learn. But apparently, according to our guide, if you can master the Kling On language of Star Trek you will have no problem with Icelandic. You probably won’t get a date, but you will speak Icelandic. Because the language has not changed it is possible for the average person to read the stories of Nordic life in the Sagas. These stories have proven to be surprisingly close to what has been found in archeologic digs.

The oldest Lutheran Church

 

Day 3 Reykjavik/Golden Circle/Seljalandsfoss Waterfall/Vik
Travel the incredible Golden Circle, a route that encompasses many of Iceland’s most renowned natural wonders. Journey to Thingvellir National Park, the nation’s most historic area. Icelanders gathered here in A.D. 930 and established on the world’s first parliaments.  Find yourself standing upon on of the globe’s most geologically significant landscapes. Thingvellir’s rugged rift valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site marking the point where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Experience the eruptive energy of the Icelandic landscape with a stop at the geothermal fields of Geysir and Strokkur. Then, marvel at the beauty of the Gullfoss(Golden Falls)  waterfall, a stunning 100 ft double cascade. Next, see the beautiful Seljalandsfoss, one of Iceland’s most famous and picturesque waterfalls with a walkway behind it. Continue southeast to Vik, the southernmost village in Iceland, surrounded by beautiful valleys, beaches, cliffs and mountains. After dinner, amidst the peace and stillness of rural Iceland, search for the auroa borealis – the elusive northern lights.

The Golden Circle is so named by ABC news in 1986 when they were covering the closed door meetings between Reagan and Gorbachev to map out the end of the Cold War. Thousands of media were camped out with nothing to film but a closed door. In order to fill their time with something to cover they followed this route and since it was a circular route of important sites they named it the Golden Circle. 

Thingvellir

After much internal fighting and bloodshed among the Viking settlers, they decided to convene annually at Thingvellir and established a parliamentary system of government. At the beginning and end of the annual meetings the law keeper would stand on the “law rock” and proclaim the existing and new laws from memory. Not sure what happened to the law keeper if he messed up. Christianity was adopted and proclaimed here and churches and clergy started popping up everywhere to demonstrate the laws were being kept.

Heading into the rift valley

The North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet here and the earth’s crust is the thinnest here than anywhere else on earth. The movement of the plates is divergent (as opposed to convergent as in CA), meaning the plates are pulling apart and new land is created.

Off to Geysir and Strokkur and the geothermal fields. Fomerols, mudpots and geisers…oh my!

Then to the Golden Falls so named because in the waning hours of daylight (3pm) they appear golden.

And finally today in the waning light we see Seljalandsfoss. Apparently Tolkein’s nanny grew up on a farm next to the falls and regaled he children with tales of fairies and trolls which became his inspiration for Middle Earth.

 

Out to look for northern lights after dinner. Twenty plus virtual strangers freezing in total darkness looking up. Our photographers Lynn and Alana capture them on their cameras to prove that green haze was in fact the elusive lights.

 

Day 4 Eyjafjallajokull Volcano/Skogar Museum/Vik

Drive along the scenic shore to the Eyjafjallajokull Volcano visitor center. Learn about the family’s struggle to live during and following the dramatic 2010 explosion of the infamous Eyjafjallajokull Volcano that brought European flights to a halt. Visit Skogar Folk museum which contains an outstanding collection covering all aspects of Icelandic life including farm and domestic artifacts, as well as turf built hoes. Nearby is the impressive Skogafoss waterfall, one of the largest in Iceland. Later view Reynisfjara, a black volcanic sand beach surrounded by basalt formations, cliffs scattered with caves and rich bird life including the Fulmar, Black Guilemot, Razorbill, Gannet and various types of seagulls. See the unique natural rock formations at Dryholaey. After dinner, gaze at the sky in search of the northern lights, a truly spectacular sight.

 

Farm at Eyjafjallajokull Volcano. Our driver, Leife, is the brother of the farmer and grew up on this farm.

Reynisfjara Beach. Must watch our for rogue sneaker waves lest you be dragged out to sea in the North Atlantic. Apparently there are stupid tourists every so often that do not heed the many warnings and have met this fate.

 

Basalt formations that inspired Guojon Samuelsson.

Diamond Beach

Day 5 Jokulslon Glacial Lagoon-Skaftafell National Park- Vik

Travel to Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, filled with floating icebergs. Explore this extraordinary landscape and perhaps see some seals swimming in Arctic waters. Travel to Skaftafell, getaway to Vatnajokull National Park. The largest national park in Europe, Vatnajokull is known for having Iceland’s highest mountains; an Alpine environment and the Vatnajokull glacier, Europe’s largest. After dinner continue searching for lights.

Seals chillin’

Iceberg Fun

 Don't call me a pony....

or this is what your get!

 

Day 6 Vik – Blue Lagoon- Reykjavik
Drive to the Reykjanes Penninsula, known for its rugged landscape, lava fields, numerous hot springs and home of the Blue Lagoon. Take a dip in the pleasantly warm, mineral rich waters of the geothermal pool, located in the middle of a dramatic lava field. Return to Reykjavik for your farewell dinner and overnight stay.

Some of the Star Chasers

Twenty one and Twenty two present...we roll

 

 

Such a great trip with 22 wonderful people (24 counting Jeff and Leife!) So blessed to have met Sharon who I am sure will remain a fast friend and new friends Susan and Lynn! The last night ended with a bang- especially the jumpsuit fashion show on the boat and the Dramamine fueled hilarity that ensued. Until we meet again friends!

 

 

 

Why do Nurses Ride?

Look around your barn. How many nurses are there? Chances are there are at least a few. Why do so many nurses ride? Are riders drawn to nursing? Are nurses drawn to riding? Do riders just need a secure income to fund their addiction? One nurse says that horses are her passion and being with her horse is therapeutic and good for the soul. We definately need that after working in the random and heartless world of disease. Horses teach us lessons of compassion and empathy. And they make it easy. They don't question your every move and motivation. Your horse may not understand your moves, but they try. When it feels like your compassion is all used up, horses help to get it back. Horses love you for trying, even if you're not successful. Horses teach the value of hard work and perseverence. They teach you patience. Perhaps nurses know that they have to keep refreshing themselves at the well of patience in order to face another day. And let's not forget humility. You will never be "too full of yourself" if you ride, which in turn loops back to perseverence. Another nurse quoted Helen Thompson and said that "In riding a horse, we borrow freedom." Nurses need times of freedom from the burdens of other people's misery. You have to empty your mind and focus when you ride (lest you get yourself killed). Horses have been called the nobelest of creatures and nursing a nobel profession. Naturally it's a match made in heaven.

Bronco Babes..Medieval Monasteries, Fields and Forests and.....Rivers!

Bronco Babes….Medieval Monasteries,  Fields and Forests and … Rivers.

Day 5: We start our full day ride at 10am on forest trails and along olive orchards to the wine farm of Pacina, and old convent now converted to an organic farm by the Tiezzi family, that produce a superb Chianti but in small quantity.  There has been a convent in Pacina since before the end of the first millennium, with a strong identity related to a reputation for excellence.  It has a long history of exceptional produce from vineyards, olive groves and natural woodlands, stretching across the Chianti region as far as Crete Senesi.  Pacina is a small settlement, home to a number of families.  The estate continues to specialize in fully organic production to utilize the best of our natural resources as well as providing the highest quality.  DOGC approved wines; renowned extra virgin olive oil and the cultivation of cereals, fruit and vegetables from our orchards and market gardens are included in the list of products.

This day veered slightly from the brochures description.  We had a long day of riding through lush fields and forests and up a steep rocky mountainside.  Sadio again provides lunch among the trees of an olive grove.  Bathroom breaks in the high grass and rocks bring thoughts of snakes to the fore.  An adder to the ass would not make for good day. Fortunately they stayed out of site.  The horses got a much-deserved rest while we lazily munched on cold pasta salad, tomatoes, melons, salami, cheese and biscotti.    We saddle up again for the long trek home.  Donatella is riding a newer horse that does not have a lot of confidence yet. Therefore, Dacot and I spend a lot of time leading the pack.   As we near home we wind our way through the forest to a river.  Donatella tells us to pray to our ghosts that no lorries pass overhead and we try to cross the river.  She sends Dacot and me first with a final warning to ride a straight line under the overpass as the passage has steep drop offs to the right and left.  As we start off it seem that the passage will be easy  but cars and trucks are passing overhead and the sound echoes eerily.  I try to keep Dacot moving forward but he spins suddenly and steps right off the deep end where he tries to leap out of the deep but can’t find his footing. After a couple tries I jump off over his rear only to find myself flailing in chin deep water.  Dacot continues to scramble and eventually jumps out.   I am terrified of deep water, snakes and being stepped on by a horse, in that order.  Adrenalin is a good thing and I am able to drag myself quickly out of the water and re-catch Dacot on firm ground.  Now, soaking wet I must walk him across the river before all of the other horses start to freak out. Once past the river there are waist high grasses and I keep hearing Donatella’s voice yelling, “keep going, keep going”.   Thoughts of snakes return.    Once everyone is safely across I remount and turn to my friends and say, “ That girls is why you keep your horse between your seat and hands at all times!”  I am told that it is my responsibility to buy everyone a round.  Indignant, I say that I think I am the one owed a drink and Donatella quickly tells me it is a privilege for the one who falls off to buy the rounds. Then I realize that the privilege is that you are still alive to be able to buy the drinks.  Can’t wait for the shower!

Our Donatellaism if the day is, “ Don’t scream, you’ll scare the horses!”

Dinner – Pasta with creamy alfredo type sauce with asparagus.  Turkey stuffed with proscuitto, basil and white cheese with aus jux.  Dessert is fresh strawberries (fragolia) with lemon and sugar.

Day 6:  Today we ride all day through the “Crete Senese”.  This is a completely different area – famous for their sheep and sheep cheese.  We ride up an ancient Etruscan road leading us to an amazing view over the valley, the Chianti hills and Siena on sunny days.  Later on we pass through the village of Rapale, which is probably the last example of an untouched and “not renovated” ancient village. 

Another long day in the saddle awaits.  Despite some leg scrapes from the river debacle Dacot is fit and I again get to ride him.   Today Sadio is our guide and is riding Paulette.  Not a bad view and the countryside isn’t bad either.  We ride through many vineyards, fields and forests.  Another long climb up a rocky mountainside and as we start down the other side we must dismount and lead the horses.  The descent is narrow, rugged and rocky with tree limbs so low we must fold ourselves in half as we lead each horse.  What kind of day would it be if half of us didn’t need to make a pee break on this treacherous trail?  I ask Sadio of this area is where they bring the Italian army for survival training.  Finally near the bottom we are able to remount and continue our journey to the 9^th century organic vineyard and olive oil farm.  Here we meet Vera, our guide for the vineyard who speaks excellent English and who is enthusiastic about the farm and eager to describe their practices.  The owners of the farm live in the original monastery from the 9^th century that houses a long wine cellar and catacomb underneath.  At one time there was a tunnel that extended underground to the church to avoid the warring factions between the government and the pope making it dangerous to pray openly.  In the deepest part of the cellar are catacombs and an Etruscan tomb.  Pacina is the name of the town, which was the Etruscan God of Wine (similar to the Greek God Bacchus).   Wine has been produce here for more than 2000 years!  The road towards our picnic destination is blocked so we picnic on the grounds of the winery.  Just as we are gathering up our mess to leave, Paulette kicks Lucilla (Shannon’s horse) and she becomes dead lame. Sadio must drive home and return with the trailer to take her home.  Fortunately she will be OK and is just a little bit of a drama queen.  Bobbie decides to return home with the horse and Shannon takes over the reins of Cleo. Finally, we tack up and head for home.  The rocky trails, forests and fields continue.  As we enter one field we see a herd of pigs running down a hill toward us.  There is a fence between us but many of the horses become frightened by the pigs and start to freak out.  Since they are nervous about the pigs and also know they are going home our final canters are choppy and hard to control and we all must “keep a distance” as the horses are kicking at each other.  Everyone is tired, sore and ready to get back. 

Once showered, we convene for wine and cheese on the veranda of the clubhouse and then on to dinner. 

Dinner:  Pasta with wild fennel, which is used to make a pesto-like sauce.  Fried thinly sliced beef, fried sage (yum), fried zucchini, fried acacia flowers.   Dinner is served with Pacina Chianti, which is very strong and much better with food.   After dinner we retire sunburned and sore but content after a challenging day of riding.

There is only one more day here in Tuscany.  Ready to get home but definitely sad to be leaving.

Day 7:  A morning ride from the center takes us to the monastery of Borgo.  We ride through forests, along olive orchards and passing by vines growing along the paths.  Lunch is back at the riding center.  In the afternoon we take you to the spa of Rapolano terme with 2 nice swimming pools.  Here you the option to have a massage or a visit to the village  of Castelnuovo Berardenga and possibly another wine tasting at the Felsina wine farm.

This morning is only a two-hour ride with both Sadio and Donatella.  A few nice trots and canters and as we turn for home the horses seem eager for a rest.  We have lunch on the terrace and then prepare to a shopping/sightseeing trip to Cortona.

Lunch:  Fettuccini with cherry tomatoes, olive oil and thyme.  Lettuce, tomatoes, anchovies, cheese, bread and wine round out our meal.

Sadio allows us to us to take his Subaru to Cortona – who does that?  We decide to turn on their CD player to see what they listen to and Led Zeppelin Stairway to Heaven blasted out.  Cortona is a steep and narrow town perched on top of a large hill.  More churches, shops and gelato as well as several weddings taking place throughout the town.

We head back to the riding center for our final dinner together and with our fabulous hosts.

Dinner:  Sage ravioli, wood grilled sausages and pork ribs and potatoes.  We end our night with pictures with Donatella and Sadio and finally arrividericci Italia.

Kathleen, Andrea and I leave almost in the middle of the night to catch our plane to Paris.  What a wild ride that was with us narrowly making that flight.  

Back to the USA with fond memories of our new Italian friends.

Ride on Bronco Babes.            

Bronco Babes in Chianti...Adventures Among the Ruins

The Chianti country adventures continue with our first full day ride.

DAY 3:  Today is a full day ride (5-6 hours) with a picnic lunch along the way.  We ride through the Chianti vineyards of Arceno, where we will have a wine tasting in a superb location with the view of the vines, olives and the amazing cypress allee of Villa Arceno.  Tenuta di Arceno's history stretches back to the time of the Etruscans who dominated central Italy prior to the formation of the Roman Empire.  The estate lies in the hills of the Chianti region- home to Italy's most renowned wines.  Among them are the Super Tuscans, referrred to as such due to their superior quality and position outside of official premium wine designations.  The Tenuta di Arceno estate produces a variety of Super Tuscans including Arcanum I and Arcanum II.  We stop for a visit and maybe an aperitif in the medieval village of San Gusme (11th century) and then we continue to Campi ( and Etruscan settlement, but unfortunately at the moment is is not possible to visit the historical part), the view from the picnic place is 360 degrees.

Today we begin early and ride a different horse and I have Ambrogio, a pretty chestnut Halflinger mix. We ride about an hour until we reach the cypress allee which is as stunning as described on the website.  The allee proceeds down a long dusty road before you approach the entrance to the winery.  All is well until we reach the bottom and see an encampment of RVs and tents and mechanics milling around a bunch of Peugeot test cars - something about testing wheel and steering adjustments.  It is not clear whether these guys saw us coming or thought it would be fun to see what happens, but just as we approach they start a loud roar and revving of engines.  Surprisingly none of the horses are too fazed by the ruckus. Ambrogio is a little freaked out but quickly calms and walks on past the offenders. Stupid Peugeot.

The winery is spectacular and modern and once the horses are tied to trees the tasting begins. We taste from the younger table wine Chianti to the more sophisticated older wines.  The subtle differences and awesomeness of these wines is lost on me and my favorite of the group is the peasant stock table wine.  I do remember thought that all true Chianti wines will have a pink label and there's something significant about the black rooster. 

Once finished we remount and head for San Gusme which is charming walled 11th century village with weathered stone and brick buildings and roads, shuttered windows and brilliant flowers spilling from window boxes. Every turn seems to have a stone archway framing the rolling vista beyond.

After exploring the village we proceed up a narrow, rocky path (road?) passing red tiled roofed homes with gardens and animals perched precariously along the hillside.  Most of these homes have a car parked nearby so apparently it is a road we are on and it is navigated by cars....amazing.  At the summit of the hill we enter a clearing with an old church and watch tower.  This is to be our picnic spot and it indeed has panoramic 360 degree views.  Unfortunately there are no Etruscan ruins for Andrea to see.  We have several more days to continue the search for the elusive Etruscans.  Upon arrival we meet Sadio's friend Lorenzo who helps set up our picnic lunch.  Lorenzo is a charmer and serenades us with a song.  For lunch we have a spread of cold pasta salad, salami three differently aged local pecorino cheeses, fresh melon, biscotti and of course... wine.  One might think that drinking a riding don't mix, but it is definitely a theme in all of the equestrian vacations we've taken.  Takes you mind off the fact that you are on a strange horse, thousands of miles from home and anything could happen.

After lunch Donatella offers me the chance to ride Paulette, the large (17.1 hand) sport-type horse she is riding. Though a little scared I jump at the chance.  Donatella tells me she is good but very strong and requires a good rider. She had double reins which I've never used, this should be interesting.  She is smooth with an enormous stride.  The impulsion on our first trot nearly throws me off.  We get the gist of soft hands and a lot of seat and I am able to keep her behind Donatella and Ambrogio at the walk and trot.  We prepare to canter back up the cypress allee and I tell Donatella there is no way I can keep her behind another horse.  She tells me to go first and we are off.  All I hear in the distance is a faint "slow down".  With much effort I get her back.  Cantering her would take more practice and I'm a little too spooked to do that now with all the other horses around.  We will be content with walking and trotting home.  Whew... a very exhilarating day!

Dinner is a special treat as it is Bobbie's birthday and it is time to cap off her Queen for a Day status.  Her husband arranges for champagne and we begin with champagne, strawberries, prosciutto and cheese.  Dinner is pasta with artichoke, eggplant Parmesan, lettuce with tomatoes, cannelloni beans and wine. For dessert Sadio made Bobbie a special chocolate brownie like cake with candles and we all sing Happy Birthday.
After dinner there's a dance party and we watch Bobbie, Andrea and Kathleen shake their collective groove things to Love Shack. 

Pasta with Artichoke
Pasta (fettuccine or tagliatelle), cooked al-dente
Cleaned and chopped fresh artichokes (soak in lemon water so the do not turn brown)
Saute the artichokes in olive oil with garlic and hot pepper flakes. 
Pour the sauce over the pasta and serve with Parmesan cheese.

Donatellaism of the day:  "Men are like horses...you must ride them between your legs and hands and sometimes with the spur."


DAY 4:    In the morning we ride to the medieval village of Montebenichi and will be back for lunch at the riding center.  In the afternoon we will visit the Castle of Brolio, built in the 11th century and still the residence of the Ricasoli family.  Wine tasting.  The first stones of Brolio Castle date back to the middle ages.  The castle passed into the hands of the Ricasoli family thanks to an exchange of lands in 1141 and the name Ricasoli has been linked to wine since then.  The cellars of Barone Ricasoli are at the foot of Brolio Castle, separated from the main body of the winery and used exclusively for vinification purposes.  Countless grape varieties have been studied and grown in Brolio for centuries.

I am back on Dacot today and we begin by passing a 16th century mill, along the river and past a natural sulphur spring with a plant to capture the natural carbonation of the spring. Interesting but smelly.  In the distance we hear more roar and revving of the Peugeot as they are out doing road testing.  We worry about them racing past us on the narrow winding roads.  Fortunately this does not happen.  We continue through fields and forests, past some abandoned old buildings still beautiful in their decay to another small picturesque village.  Back to the riding center for lunch and then the others head out in the Fiat to find Etruscan ruins.  Instead they climb a mountain road to another town to explore and of course find gelati.  Before dinner I think some of them enjoy the nearby sulphur spa. I stay back for a much needed nap.

Lunch was served on the terrace and consisted of:
Pasta Fagioli (rigatoni, tomato sauce and cannelloni beans with thyme and oregano)
Salami
Lettuce/tomato
Three pecorino cheeses
Wine

Dinner that night is another feast:

Three kinds of fritatta (one with leftover pasta and artichoke, one with potatoes, one with leeks)
Lettuce/tomato
Risotto made with Chianti wine (yum)
Wine

Three more days of riding await.  Starting to miss home and family but this routine is addictive.



Bronco Babes Hit Chianti Country

Bronco Babes Hit Chianti Country

Accommodation

The farmstead of S. Margherita, built at the end of the nineteenth century and home of a riding center and farm.  It is situated in the Senese Chianti at the center of the Siena, Florence, Arezzo triangle.

The buildings have been recently renovated but without altering their original form.  Guests have at their disposition a large living room with an open fireplace, a kitchen, 4 bedrooms with private bathrooms and a self-contained apartment for two in a separate converted barn, restructured on two floors.  A clubhouse, a changing room and a laundry room complete the facilities. 

Our desire was to create a harmonious setting in 6000 square feet, for a limited number of guests who are looking to stay in a friendly, but at the same time discreet environment.  We are also a certified organic farm and we try to respect the environment in the way we run our farm holiday accommodation.  Castelnuovo Berendenga town council organizes cultural and social activities in the area and there are two well-known spa swimming pools ten minutes away.

Day 1:  Arrival at the riding center in the afternoon.  Around 7pm we will get together and offer you a welcome drink before we join you for dinner around 8:30.  Dinners are of a high standard, typical Tuscan cuisine served with table wine. 

Half of us arrive by train and are immediately warmly greeted by sadio.  We are whisked off to the Subaru to be taken to the farm.  The description for Hidden Trails sound lovely, but we've been on these trips before so I know we are collectively holding our breath and remaining cautiously optimistic.  What a delight to drive through the iron gate to the gorgeous stone farmhouse and stables.  Everything is clean and neat and screams that people who love their home live here.  Even thouh our travel day is gloomy the flowers and acacia trees are blooming and the air smells clean and fresh.  We know immediately that we have landed in a special place. 

 

After several more hours, Andrea and kathleen arrive with tales of their roadside adventures.  Getting lost, asking for directions several times that also included invitations for several glasses of wine and participation in a first communion celebration.  Andrea relays her embarrassment at having driven past the gate and when Sadio offers assistance to the entrance she blurts, " You look just like the David, has anyone ever told you that?!"  Once all the bags Sadio seem nervous ther might be a fight over the rooms. (Do we look like brawlers?)  We settle it with a lottery and low and behold I get the beautiful canopied room to myself ( the nest bed - so named because the mattress wraps around you like you are in a nest).  However, those of you that know my princess complex know I am thrilled with the canopy.  Andrea's feet hang over the bottom of her bed and Shannon has a family of owls living in the rafters with noisy hungry young.  Such is the life of the traveler.

As we settle in Donatella is teaching a riding lesson and Shannon and I can look out of our windows onto the vine covered riding arena.  After the lesson Donatella sits with us over a glass of wine and we hear about the week's itinerary.  This is always a tense time s we wait to hear what the guide has to say about the horses and the ride.  They in turn are sizing us up in terms of what they think our real riding ability is compared to what we described on the reservation.   They are probably trying to gauge how high maintenance we all might be.  After this we sit down for our first farmstyle meal.

Dinner: 

Vegetable lasagne with a bechemel sauce

Roast pork

Roasted potatoes with olive oil and rosemary

Saute` greens

Chianti table wine

Sadio will hear the first of our constant entreaties to tell us how everything is made.  Just like with Grandma's cooking, there are no recipes.  We want to know who prepared the delicious spread and first hear about Sadio and Roberta's cooking prowess.  It will keep us well sated for the week.  Of course who can forget when Bobbie spoke up and said we were not big eaters.  Andrea almost choked on her own spit and quickly countered with," Speak for yourself...I'm a big eater."  Even for the most bir-like eater this was going to be a week of feasting on fresh and fantastic food.  We trundle off to bed after dinner.  It was a long flight, a hectic couple of days in Florence and tomorrow is the first day meeting the horses.

Day 2:   A good breakfast awaits you in the morning.  Then we meed at the stables, assign the horses and start our first ride out around 10AM.  The trail leads us to the Romantic Abbey of Badia d'Ombrone.  We will be back at the center for lunch.  In the afternoon we drive to Siena to explore the medieval town.

We all meet at the stable (some sooner than others - sorry Andrea and kathleen, I just couldn't resist).  I am assigned Dacot and once he is tacked up I see that he has a snaffle with a shank bit, a curb chain and a running martingale.  I timidly, but trying to appear brave, ask Sadio if he is strong when hacking and he says, "Yes, yes can be very strong.  This may be too much but a snaffle is not enough."  I'm told he is very forward but also very responsive.  Soft hands are the rule of the day.  Before our first canter Donatella looks at me and says, "You, be careful!"  We all have a morning of figuring out our horses buttons and they are figuring us out as well.  We have to cross a couple of belly deep rivers that are very swift after a weekend of rain.  We pass beautifully renovated private homes, each time with an eagle eye looking for George Clooney or Leo Dicaprio.  Alas, we never did find them.  Through the woods and large stacked wood walls of cordwood waiting for sale.  The reported highlight for sightseeing this first day is the renovated Abbey and 1000 year old castle.  Very impressive for sure.  However, when we are descending through a field toward the highway Donatella announces and we shout down the line, " Watch out for the ditch on the right and poutons on the left. "  We think the message is misinterpreted as it was passed down the line but sure enough on the highway were two prostitutes.  It didn't seem like a very profitable spot but what do I know.  Somehow Steve Miller pops in to my head and all I can think of is, "Clowns to the left of me, poutons to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you."  We head back to the farm for lunch and must recross the rushing rivers.  Shannon has the first, but certainly not the last, rodeo experience of the week as her horse leaps over a log in the middle of the river.  Bronco Babe Kozakiewicz keeps her seat and soldiers on.

 We are ready for lunch and are not disappointed.  Pasta carbonnera, salami, fresh cheese, fennel salad and wine.

Fennel salad:

Sliced fennel

Olive oil

Lemon

Salt/pepper

Off to Sienna for the afternoon.  Sienna is the best preserved walled medieval sity in Italy.  Steep steps, narrow and dark streets.  Great little shops and Gelati!  Newly discovered frescos in the crypt of a church tell the story of Christ.  So much ornate architecture it is hard to take it all in.  The sofit of one of the buidings (in the piazza with the suckling shewolf with Remus and Romulos) is lined with heads looking down at the passer-by.  Who are these observers of eternity?  After a few hours of shopping and sightseeing we head back to dinner. 

Dinner:

Gnocchi with a fresh sauce of tomato, thyme, oregano, basil and olive oil.

Braised beef with tomato sauce.

Roasted potatoes with parsley.

Cannoli beans with olive oil.

Tired and sated we head to bed with thoughts of our first full day ride the next day.