Boxing Day ...

... at Kempton Park . Yea - get Christmas Day done & dusted and of to The King George . I managed to wangle some complementary tickets to The Royal Box ( and no she wasn't there ) thanks to Gayle at the DP office . DP & Tom Scu had a runner at Wincanton - which dually won - before flying into Kempton to saddle Dynaste - who came an excellent second in the big race . And to cap a rather wonderful Boxing Day
the Pond House team scored in the last with Alternatif in the last for the very lovely Lady Caroline - pictured below .
Paul Reynolds sent me some rather wonderful pictures of George strutting his stuff over over some fences at his new home . Doesn't he look good ! A champion in the making I recon ! CU
Ps - of skiing for a couple of weeks . Don't tell DP - otherwise he'll try and find a race for Geoff while I'm away ! Have a good New Year xx

Seasons Greetings ...

... to my reader ... somewhere out there ! Went down to Pond House yesterday - along with Paul Reynolds and Geoffrey supporters Chris & Debs . Was desperate for a lift home - so any one sufficed ! We handed out Gevrey Chambertin like bottles of water on The Tour Du France . Still - always nice to visit the stables after a winner - especially at Christmas !
DP says that Geoff has been raised 9lb for his win - which I think puts on 138 - a mark which he thinks is manageable . We were considering running him at Weatherby in the Rowland Merrick - but have decided to give him more time . What's not decided is when to give him a wind opp .
I'm already looking forward to Boxing Day racing at Kempton - will be supporting Dynaste in The KG - and whatever else runs . DP is sending horse to four other meetings - so a busy day . Will report .
Forgot to take photos yesterday - so these are from Ascot last Saturday - Lady Caroline with Dell'Arca - and also one of The Racing Post !! Happy Christmas & thanks for reading . CU

The Gevrey Chambertin ...

... will taste even better this Xmas ! And I suppose because his win was a long time in the coming - it was all the more enjoyable . Newbury has always been my favorite track - Madison having won there four times - including The Hennessy - and Edwarda doing the business back BC.
Geoffrey had everything going for him yesterday - flat track - soft going ... and blinkers ! Not that I think he particularly needs them - but he does have to be up front - bowling along . And he wasn't taken on for the lead - which helped . He does have a breathing issue so I was so relieved he ran all the way to the line .
He was also very well handicapped . His hurdle rating is 147 - yesterday he ran off a mark of 129 . Amazingly - its been his jumping that's been the problem - but yesterday it was virtually foot perfect - for novice anyway .
The handicapper might whack him up for this - so he will be entered up during the Xmas period - with the possibility of running under a penalty .
DP reports that he is very well this morning - he wouldn't leave the sand pit - and ate up last night . Let's hope he can build on this for the future ! My big regret though - was that Yvonne not being well enough to share the day with us .
CU
Ps - big thanks to everyone who turned up to support us yesterday - always appreciated XX 😄

Entry ...

... for Geoffrey - at Newbury on Wednesday - in a similar race he was due to go in last month . DP was not happy - on that occasion - with his blood count - so let's hope all is well this time - and we get a pre-Xmas present ! I was over at Gevry Chambertin last week - buying up some of their rather delicious wine - so DP - we need a winner ! CU

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Geoffrey ...

... a non runner . We miss Newbury on Thursday - DP said he wasn't completely happy with his blood - but horse well within himself . There's plenty of opportunities coming up - probably when I'm away !!
CU
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Here we go ...

... AGAIN ! Geoffrey is heading to The Hennessy ... meeting . Well - we might have had Hennessy aspirations at the beginning of the season - but that dream has well and truly been put to bed - for another season at least !
But he does have an entry for Newbury on the Thursday for a novice handicap . Now - he's been put down 10lb ( some of us think he should be just put down! ) which would make him exceedingly well handicapped - if he could only be arsed ! It's about time he new that I was the biggest f...... butcher in Hampshire ! CU
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Jury OUT ..

... on Geoffrey ! Once again we were all left scratching our heads . He's been jumping like a stag at home - yet on the racecourse more like a deranged mule ! He might be struggling with his breathing - but that doesn't explain why he ploughed through the first and ballooned the next three . He did get back into the race - but that can't be sustained with jumping like that . We might have to put him back over hurdles to see how he copes .
However - even that didn't deflate on what was a fantastic day's racing . DP had a touch of the 'seconditis' the day before - so when Great Choice came second in the first - we all thought 'here we go again'! But Kings Palace duly obliged in the next with a commanding performance in the novices event for 'Sir' Bryan Drew and the Johnston Family . I was with Sir Bry the first time KP ran - and won - at Plumpton - so I'm virtually a part owner ! Well - that's what I tell him!
But probably the best result of the day ( sorry Bry ) was Katkeau's success in the 3m hurdle for 'Lady' Caroline - Richard & Sally Wilkins and John & Sue Gent - after a 600+ day lay off due to injury . Katkeau should have won The Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock a couple years back ( same race that Geoffrey won last year - and George a few years earlier ) but made a terrible mistake at the second last . The Wilkin's & Gent's don't have many horses in training - and what they've had - had bad luck with . So how nice it was to be there for their first Cheltenham winner . Hope they have many more !
Was not at Cheltenham for Sunday's racing but spoke to DP last night. He won the first race with Unique Du Cottes for JP McManus and DP sounded quite relieved that he had got a winner for the legendary Irish owner . Geoffrey came back last night - ate up - and this morning was bouncing round the yard like he never had a race !!! Well - he hadn't - had he !!! Ummm . CU

Day of near misses

All Pond House horses ran really well on day one at Cheltenham - alas though - without winning ! Best result was the Brookhouse owned Champaign West - trained by Philip Hobbs - who won the novice chase - a race won 4years ago by Grands Crus . Brookhouse was in great form - as is his horses - and I recon this one is destined for the top .
I'm sort've growing a beard at the moment - Lady Caroline ( and I'm sure Carol will say the same today ) that it's looking a bit 'scruffy' ! I said it was my 'Brookhouse ' look !
And so on to today . Geoffrey is about 20-1 in the early markets - and perhaps that's about right . But with cheek pieces back on we are looking for a big improvement ! It will have to be ! CU

Geoffrey ...

... runs at Cheltenham . Well - let's hope he runs a bit b....y quicker than he did last time ! Still - always good to have a runner on Paddypower day and will keep 'la blog ' updated . I'm at Cheltenham right now - so if I hear anything - will let you - my one and only - know first ! CU

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I'll try again !

Having reviewed Geoffrey's Ascot run I've come to the conclusion - or is it wishful thinking - that the track was just too sharpe for him . He lost ground at every turn ! Anyway - he's entered in at Cheltenham this Saturday - over 3m 3f - and with the ground likely to be on the soft / heavy we expect him to take his chance .
He's also entered for The Hennessy at the end of the month - but would have to hack up Saturday to be considered for that one . But it doesn't hurt to dream !! CU

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Entries for Geoffrey

Looking back at Geoffrey's Ascot run I've come to the conclusion - or wishful thinking

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Geoffrey ...

... disappoints . Well - at least I didn't make the trip back ! But - there you have it - we thought he was nicely handicapped - still think he's nicely handicapped - but he didn't perform . Excuses ? He did come back with a nasty cut to a hind leg but .... Tom Scu reported that he was never 'taking a cut' at his fences - jumped too safely - bit like a show jumper ! Perhaps that might be his future - show jumping ! !
On a more hopeful note though he just might need cheek pieces - and to be ridden more up with the pace . It's still early days with him . However - the jury is out out !! CU

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Geoffrey ...

... goes at Ascot ! Well - what do I know . DP just loves to sidestep me. I remember Madison - 'we'll keep him for Cheltenham' - only for him then going to Newbury - with me away skiing . We won a very nice handicap that day - so maybe that can be repeated tomorrow - as I'm away in sunny Portugal - and can't get back !
I see he's about 10-1 in the early betting - there are 16 runners - so ew first four . We think he might be nicely handicapped but he's still a novice . Much depends on his jumping . He will be held up and Tom Scu will just try and get him settled - and take it from there ! CU
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Entry ...

... for Geoffrey ! Well - it's getting to that time of the year when entries come in like confetti - one gets the trilby dusted off ( think it might last another season ) and one dares to dream . After Geoffrey's little win at Bangor the handicapper gave him mark of 139 . Personally - I was hoping for a little less - but DP seems happy .'Remember' - he said - 'he won the Brush Hurdle of 145'.
Anyway - this entry is in a very nice Gr 3 handicap at Ascot and much will depend on the top weight running ... and rain ! I'm out in a very sunny Portugal at the moment playing - trying to play - some golf with a couple of mates - and with the going at Ascot likely to remain on the quick side - one would think that he won't run .
However - with big handicaps coming up at Cheltenham and Newbury through November - we are in no hurry . But who know with DP ! I just might be 'surfing' for cheap flights back to Blighty come Friday ! CU
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Bloody perfect

Well - there you go ! Looked beaten two out and then stayed on strongly to get up in the last 50 yds . I thought his jumping still very novicey and he still lacks concentration - but his class got him through. To be fair to Geoffrey 2 1/2 miles on good ground is a bit sharp - and he certainly needed the race . Tom Scu said he 'blew up' going to the second last - and then got a second wind . The other thing is that he never wins with much 'in-hand' - unlike his elder brother - and that may well be a good thing ! Now let's see what the handicapper has to say on Tues !! CU

Early entry

Yea - I'm back ! Great summer away but really good to be home - and with hopefully a runner ! Spent Monday down at Pond House catching up with DP and team - along with Paul Reynolds - and saw 'our Geoffrey' do a 'nice' piece of schooling over a few obstacles with Tom Scu on board .
The plan is to go to Bangor ( thought I might had seen the last of B...... Bangor - nothing wrong with the lovely course - just the hike to get there !) on Thursday ... and WIN ! More hopeful than confident though. Geoff looked plenty big enough and the race is only over 2 1/2 m and on good ground could just find him short . However - he was certainly full of himself and very fresh . DP thinks an early run will just settle him down a bit . This will be his third run over fences so win or lose .... we can see what the handicapper makes of him !!! CU

Great weekend ...

... with the Clayeaux's .
Took a weekend off from our holiday in Ceret to go and have a few days at Emmanuel Clayeaux's stables near Moulin - always a treat in itself - but even better this year ! Emmanuel and his lovely wife France have three rather gorgeous daughters - so he has all the incentive to keep working very very hard . And he does ! Up before light ( some of the more nervy horses - so he says - train better in the dark !! ) and back just in time for a late swim with the family . Makes Pond House seem like a holiday camp !
This year we were invited to go racing with all of them all at Cluny near Macon . Lovely track and setting - and before racing started we all met up with France's two sisters and their families for lunch in the stunning village of Cluny . It was one of those quintessential Francophile lunches - long table of family - great food - great wine - weather ... well ... great ! And to cap it all a winner - ridden by Felix du Giles - who - for those of you that wouldn't know - is an up and coming young jockey back in England . Felix was on a working holiday down at Emmanual's - and what a lovely lad he is . Reminded me of Tom Scu - not in appearance - but just his presence and attitude . Told him that the next time we would be meeting probably will be a cold wet day at Fonty !
Emmanuel has so many horses ! Foals - yearlings - Dom Alco's - Networks - fillies to race - mares to cover . He has a 2yo by Bucks Boom ( Big Bucks's brother ) and Fee Magic ( Grands Crus / Gevrey Chambertin ) but - alas - that one is not for sale . If one has a couple of hundred thousand to invest in racing this is the place to start . CU

Fwd: The Anti Blog...

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Begin forwarded message:

From: Nicola Stanley <nicolastanley55@sky.com>
Date: 29 August 2014 15:05:26 CEST
To: Roger Stanley <roger@farmerschoice.co.uk>
Subject: The Anti Blog...

...a little later than planned

It was as Roger says, another fantastic bike tour, which to the hour, took us exactly 2 weeks, from the time we left Portsmouth to the hour we arrived at the Grand Cafe for that well earned, ice cold beer!

I do have to admit though, that I have not sat on the bike since .

'How was that for you dear'? Daunting  at the start but you soon settle into a routine - washing the smalls every night and the kilometres slipping by through the day. However the kms were slipping by more slowly this time. It seems Roger was telling me it's only a 50 km ride today or it's a long 65km tomorrow when in fact it was miles!  B.....d and here was I thinking I can't do this anymore. Not having the right pants didn't help matters either - 'your problem, you get on with it'. Yep, He's all heart.
Yes it had its moments like Camping Au Savage . I did wake him up just to tell him he was hogging all the soft grass and that's why I couldn't sleep! And the creepy crawlies - ahh !
Oh and then the test match started. Well he was gone - ear plugged into his iPhone listening to TMS - he just disappeared into a dot on the horizon -arms and legs akimbo as the wickets fell. I was left to cycle on my own for most of the day which is a little unnerving on the back roads of Spain - and did he turn left back there at the cross roads?  You don't get these things happening on a cruise..
But then we would never have discovered Corinna and it's beautiful wines - which is the second largest wine area in Spain to Rioja.
Nor would we have met the other bike riders all with their own stories to tell, or characters like Roberto, or families who let us share their table under the bar awning whilst it rained all around us.
All In all I do enjoy these sort of trips ( not to be confused with holidays) even for everything that happens along the way. Why do I do them ?-because I can - and proud that I can . And - more importantly - I'd been invited ! Will I receive and invitation next time ? Who knows - and if I am favored with one - will I accept.....you bet !!
CU Nic xxx
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The Epilogue

Better late than never ! Well - it was quite a cycle ride and I was trying to think of the most memorial thing about it . A couple of things for me stood out and later Nicola can have her say .... but that bit might have to be heavily edited!
A lot of friends and family think we're a tiny bit crazy doing these sort of rides - but one of the things that did strike me was that how many couples were also doing the same thing . We've met more people in the last couple of weeks than we had on all the other trips put together . I hope that we can keep in touch with them all .
The best day 'pour moi' was the camping 'au savage' under a wonderful starry starry night . We certainly got lucky with the weather - don't think it would've been much fun if it had been wet ! Don't think Nicola thought much of it anyway - but at least she did count 8 shooting stars .
Favourite days cycle was through the Sierras - tough climb but well worth it . Best meal ? - got to say the salmon and hake we had at Bobby's Bar in Cataluyad . He was a terrific character and to show our appreciation we sent him a thank you postcard from Ceret .
Best hotel probably was The Eidleweisse on our last night in Camprodon - but it was also the most expensive . I think the best value one was on our second day in Briviesca - but generally everywhere we stayed was really excellent - good size rooms ( important when there are 8 panniers ) and all immaculately clean. We generally budgeted for about a 100€ a day and we rarely needed to exceed . And I do enjoy the culture in Spain . There is a real vibrance - bars selling tapas and 'plates' well into the early hours - all washed down with cold beer and great vinos.
The other standout was Nicola . How someone can cycle across Spain and up 1500m mountains without any prior training never ceases to amazes me ! I suppose you would probably say 'no sense - no feeling' - but credit were credits due . Well done her .
So there we have it ! We might seem bonkers to you but I'm sure we'll be doing it all over again next year ! CU .... and a big thanks for being 'arsed' to read it !
Read Nicola's 'The Anti - Blog' tomorrow !!!

The Last Day

We had a really lovely last night in Camprodon - pushed the boat out and stayed in a 4 star . They weren't too sure what to make of us -especially when my cycle pants fell off the balcony - only to be handed in at reception by a pass a byer ! Our meal also had a slight comic touch to it . Me ordered duck - her something porkie . Got to half way through and I thought my duck was very nice ... but a bit porkie . Nic said she loved her pork but thought it duckie ! I blame the bottle of Cava before . Never mind - we swapped over plates and had a chuckle .
Breakfast was superb - lots of mountain meats and cheeses - yogurts and fruits - all too much to cycle on - so we made ourselves a picnic to have when we reached the border .
So breakfast at 8 - leave 8-30 . That's been the standard for the past two weeks . Only problem this morning was that it was raining ! No point though in hanging around though - so we got all togged up and headed into the mist . Anyone would think we were going skiing ! The climb goes to over 1500 m - but it's not too steep . On a normal day it absolutely gorgeous - today misty drizzle . But we made decent progress and got to the top by lunchtime - and had our made up feast in the clouds ... and it was cold - Nicola said b.....y freezing .
At least the cycle into Ceret is all - well - mostly downhill . And it warmed up!
We arrived at The Grande Cafe mid-afternoon and met up with friends Chris Sue and their son Conor who were visiting Ceret . Sue cooked us all a sea food spaghetti - lots of garlic and coriander - for the evening - our first real home cooked meal for quite a while - bloody lovely ! CU
Ps sorry about the posey photos - just too wet and cloudy on the ride!
pPs Epilogue to fo

Solsona to Camprodon

We got into Solsona just before the heavens opened up . Solsona is a
very beautiful town and a perfect penultimate stop . A couple of years ago we found a family run hostel on the edge of town - the restaurant is superb - tapas based with larger 'plates' available . It's always full with families - all sharing tapas banquets and has nice atmosphere. We managed to dodge the downpours and get into town for an aperitif - a glass of cava with a tapas of 'pulpa' . It was here we met Annie and Victor ( photo a few days ago ) - then back for to the hostel for supper.
Up early the next day to bright sunshine and probably the most scenic ride of the trip . Uphill to Berga - across to Ripoll - where we lunched -and then on into Camprodon . As it was our last stop I had pre-booked a superior room in a 4 Star hotel ! - unheard of on one of my trips ! A pre dinner bottle of cava - and watched the rain lash down again. CU

Taraga to Solsona

We've been cycling on the flat plains of Aragon and Zaragoza for the past few days and apart from the unpredictable weather have made good time . However - from Taraga we start the up hills towards the Pyrenees . It's only 55km to Solonsa but that counts for nothing .
Sosona is the gateway to Catalonia and the long climb was rewarded by the wonderful scenery . Our main concern though was the weather - every day starts sunny but by mid afternoon the black clouds would gather ! We've already been caught up in one storm and quite honestly didn't fancy another - especially in the mountains . And the sky was just getting blacker and blacker . We had another 10km to cycle and we could smell the rain . I started to go as quick as possible - but keeping an eye out for Nicola - but no point in both of us getting drenched ! Luckily the last 3km is downhill so I relaxed a little - and then to my indignation Nicola overtook me !! 'Ya gona get wet ' as she sped past . At least I know now what motivates her ! We got in with seconds to spare before the heavens opened up !
CU

Day whatever - Zaragoza to Tarrega

We intended to leave Zaragoza after lunching on our sardines and cava - hoping to ride out for a couple of hours before setting camp -but the weather was against us . We had a partial dry-out from the mornings deluge and we didn't possess any other dry clothes so we took the opportunity to have - no not sex - but just an afternoon off !
Which gives me a perfect opportunity to tell you about a few wonderful people that I have imposed myself on in the last few days . Meet Heinrick and Corina - a Swiss couple who were starting on the first day of their tandem bike ride - down the river Ebro for a fortnight. However - Heinrick was a bit of a Pete Morgan having bought the tandem with them in bits - he was about to take the next two hours rebuilding it!! Their next project was to take their motor bike to Australia - but hopefully not in bits.
Then we met Annie Taylor and a 'Peter Ustinov' look alike - though Annie thought him more of a Victor Meldrew - in a little tapis bar . An English couple and chatting to them we discovered they live in Prades - just up the road from Ceret. I thought Annie really lovely - think she might be an artist - and him - well - sort of a professor type . We hope one day to find out . CU

Day - lost count - Carinena to Zaragoza

We've been experiencing horrendous weather here - but up to this point it's all been after cycling. Anyway - round here things are pretty flat and we left Carinena and got to Zaragoza by lunchtime. It's amazing how many MAMILs (Middle aged men in Lycra) you see riding the flat lands - not so much in the clouds - all very friendly with all the waving and ola's as we pass each other.
We were nicely surprised to find how easy it was to cycle into Zaragoza - very cycle friendly - as is most of Spain. Zaragoza is one of my favourite towns and we were heading for one of our favourite (and very famous) sardinery bars when it started to rain . Like any discerning people we took shelter under a tree . No good ! Within seconds we were being bombarded with golf balls - but harder with jagged edges. There was a bus shelter across the road but we would have been killed by the hail had we made the dash for it. After what seemed like an eternity (three minutes) we emerged as drowned and battered rats .We had a quick dry and a lovely lunch - 12 sardines and a bottle of cava for 15€ - great stuff . CU

Day 7 Calatayud to Carinena

Well - we left El Cid country and Roberto and took a small road to Carinena . After Rioja - this is the most important wine growing region in Spain - and the town takes it name from the grape - Carinena .
Going back the evening before in Catatayad - I was cycling in ever deceasing circles looking for our hotel when I was stopped by a rather sweet Catolonian girl 'I am Catalan - not Spanish '. I said we were having exactly the same problems with the Scotish ! She sort of reminded me of my daft - but very lovely - sister inlaw Bridget . Anyway - her companion was Gertje - a super fit Dutchman ( didn't think Dutchmen did hills ) and they were travelling to Barcelona . I was slightly worried we were all going in the same direction - not because they weren't good company. To the contrary - great company - but they do about 120km a day ! We had a lovely evening drink with them - I hope we meet again .
We've been experiencing horrendous weather the last few days but luckily for us it's been in the evening . Last night in Carinena we managed to dodge a downpour by joining a family birthday party under the restaurant's awning . I have a translation ap on my phone and everyone was asking questions through it . Best one was 'are you lost'. CU

Day 7 Soria to Calatayud

A tapis evening last night in Soria - downed with a glass or two of Rioja . Early up this morning as we have to get to Calatayud - and that is about 100km - but I didn't tell her that ! Had a rather lovely buttery croissant & con letcha in a rather smart cafe round the corner from us. We followed the River Duero for about 30km to Gomora and then another river Henar and through its lovely valley . The landscape was changing from combine harvesting into fortified gorges . Little did we know that we were entering Charlton Heston country...El Cid to the locals ! It was here that we met ( actually they were quite easily over taking us ) rather smartly attired cyclists - Alfo and Blanco? - who were actually cycling the Camino -El Cid . Apparently it's been devised as a new tourist route - and in their best Spanglish explained to us all about the El Cid Routa . Fascinating stuff and a lovely couple - one meets so many really interesting people only to say a hello and a farewell - never to meet again .
I was still having problems with my rear tyre - (and actually my rear as well ) but as I was only a few km from from a beer and shower - I kept plumping it up . Got to just outside Calatayud and going to give it a final pump - no pump ! Left it back 10km ! Do I just leave it - buy a new one ? No - I'll send Nicola back to get it ! Actually - I thought about it - but in the end I rode her bike ( strange saddle ) back an hour. Still I recovered it . And there was a bike shop right outside the hotel - luck must be changing .
And while I was waiting for the repairs I had a beer at Bobbies Bar - real name Roberto ! And what a great guy he is . He's lived and worked in the UK and had great stories to tell . We ended up having supper there - fantastic ! Whitebait to start - salmon and hake . For anyone who knows Santinies ( in Portugal ) then you know how good our meal will have been . We went back there for breakfast .... And said our goodbyes . CU

Day 5

I did say that the hardest cycle day was the first . Well it's not ! It's the 4th ! So - after sleeping out under the stars the night before - Nicola calls it sleeping rough - we made steady headway up - one can only describe it as - Table Top Mountain . As I'm about 2km ahead of Nic I was on my own and in perfect harmony with the world and bike . There were no tractors - no cars and no cyclists ... so I thought ! And then I heard an 'Ola' from nowhere . 'Where u goin' 'where u come from' 'wos your name' . Never had time to answer any of his questions. 'Ma namm is Alberto - Alberto of the mountains' .
Now for anyone who's ever skied with my great friend Patrick Patrini in Chamonix you know that to get a word in edge ways is nigh on impossible - something about being in the mountains with no one to talk to . Alberto rode with us for about 20km . In that time he showed us where his grandad lived - where his father worked at this water mill, we passed - the purest water fountain in Christendom and eagles - and then he took a right and disappeared .
This evening we are tapising in Soria - one of my mostest favourite towns in Spain but Nic asked that if there was anyone 'out there' could they forward a map with gradients on ! CU

Day 4 - Pineda de la Sierra to Salas

This holiday - sorry trip - just gets better and better - for cowboys that is ! There is something about sleeping under a starry starry night by a river - rabbit BBQing on an open fire - counting shooting stars in the sky . And then there is camping 'au savage'. This is true boys stuff - unfortunately I've got the wife with me !
I've been carrying these flicking sleeping bags for years - like an insurance policy - waiting for the perfect moment . And here it was !
Not that we didn't try to find somewhere to stay - but there comes a point when you have to except the inevitable . Anyway - as I pointed out to her - it was a beautiful night - we had a bar to drink at, a restaurant to eat in - and a river to pitch by . And it was . I slept like a log - helped by copious amounts of Spanish brandy. On waking I discovered she apparently hadn't slept at all, having been attacked by ants spiders and wild creatures and accusing me of hogging all the soft grass! Oh well there you go!
We started the day with a 1450 meter climb over the Sierra's - not a car or cyclist to be seen - apart from one . More about Alberto tomorrow . Anyway - we did the long descend into Salas leaving the beautiful Sierras behind .... for a well deserved shower and loo !!! CU
PS - photo not clear - thank god - me 'skinney dipping' inthe river .

Day 3 - Briviesca to Pineda de la Sierra

What a lovely place Briviesca is . Only stopped here because of its convenience - but a real gem . They had some sort of fate / market in the main square which gave it a nice feel . I think Nicola over did the next days picnic - a kilo of mountain cheese - 6 apples and a ton of peaches and a bottle of Rioja - and it's 'muggins' here whose gona have to carry it !
I reckon it was this extra weight that made me have my first puncture for near on 3 trips . We were late leaving anyway - so by the time we had 'faffed' around we were way behind schedule . And then we had an option of routes - to go high through The Sierra de la Demanda - or around on a main road . Being the 'devil may care' sort've people that we are went for the scenic way . And it was scenic! And high ! This area is also a National Park and is worth spending a few days .... which is just as well as it looks like what we will have to do! Times like these I stay well ahead of the wife ... and out of ear contact! And hotels ... none ! Accommodation was only casa rurals and all were full - well it is the weekend - so what could one do ? Find out tomorrow

Day 2 -Medina de Pomar to Briviesca

We were absolutely knackered last night - and do you think we could find a hotel ? No chance ! Then we found out Medina has not got a hotel ! In the words of Victor 'I just can't believe it '. Medina is a bustley town with a lovely old quarter and is sort of on the Pilgrims trail to Santiago - but not a hotel in site ! Anyway - we eventually found a hostel on the outskirts - which was fine - but we did get told off for hanging our washing out of the front window !
This morning we cycled to Incinillas in the Upper Ebro Valley and followed the rapid river to just before Rioja . We turned south - The Ebro went east . The next time we'll meet will be somewhere south of Zaragoza in about a week - by then it'll have grown ten fold . CU

Lierganes to Medina de Pomar

We had a lovely crossing to Santander - there's something very relaxing about 24 hours on a boat in the sun - especially when one knows what's coming up ! The first photo is of a John & Eric - a great couple of characters who we got to know on the boat . They were heading west along the coast to Santiago - but it was Johns hat/helmet which intrigued me ! John is from California - and so's his hat - which is called a Da Brim and is on sale on the internet . I've got my Christmas pressie already sorted !
We left the ferry and took the Feve - a small single track train - out of Santander to Lierganes - a lovely -typical Basque town . The 'madam' of the hotel always seems pleased to see me - but once she knew Nicola was present - well - her attention waned some what ! Anyhow -we had a good supper - sardinas 'pour moi' - dourada 'pour her'. Vino comes comes free with the meal in these parts and I've got to say we - I - did not let them off lightly!
It's strange - but true - the hardest day of the cycle trip is the first . It's a long - and in places steep rise through the Cantabria mountains from virtually sea level . The scenery is really breathtaking - lots of mountain flowers - animals and birds . It took us 6 hours to climb up - 20 minutes to decend !! Photo of Nicola - and she is actually smiling !! That's a first for the day ! CU

On the road ...

... again !
Well - I'm high jacking my horse racing 'la Blog' again for yet another year for my - oops 'our'. - cycle ride from our home in Swanmore to Ceret - through Spain . Not sure how many years I've doing this this trip - may be a half dozen or so - but it sure beats sending post cards !
I've had various companions over the years ( cycling - that is ) - none seem to come back for more ( cycling that is ) . Nothing to do with the company - I think- or the snoring which accompanies that company - I hasten to say ! Anyway - for the second year running Nicola has decided to come along with me - uninvited but coming anyway !
It takes about 2 hours to cycle the 25km from home to the ferry port at Portsmouth - and even in this short time we managed to somehow separate ! One minute she was there - the next gone . As all MALE. cyclists know - and the FEMALE doesn't - is that when one is leading one can't keep looking back . Anyway - a few lefts and rights and the next thing was I had a phone call . I only answered it because I thought it might be important - never thought it was my Nic wondering where the f......g hell I had gone ! Anyway - like all good husbands do - I took the unjust criticism on the chin and then bought us nice bottle of fizz on board ( hence the photo ) which seemed to cheer her up immensely ... thank god ! CU

Mid-summer Report ... cont...

A few photos of the summer -

Geoffrey out at grass

George enjoying his new career

Little Miss Dynamite - with her proud owners

An memorable evening at La Drakkar with the Pipes - Lady Caroline & Eric

Mid-summer report

Hello my reader somewhere out there - how u doin'? I'm off on my annual cycle ride next week through Spain to Ceret - so thought about time for some stuff ! So - here goes .
Had a wonderfull couple of days at the Arquana sales in Deauville . Didn't buy this year but caught up with DP - MCP and the lovely Carol P ( think she feels the same about me ) and the lovely Lady Caroline Tisdall . The President of Arquana - Eric Hoyeau - treated us to a rather stupendous meal at the Restaurant Drakkar ( think it was in recognition of the two brothers being bought at the Arquana sales .... or perhaps it was something to do with MCP - anyhow - I digress ) . An evening to remember .
Also caught up with Emmanuel Clayeau and will visit them for a couple of days in August - hopefully when Vichy races are on . I think Emmanual came third in the French Trainers table and also passed 1m€ for the first time - so well done to him .
DP was certainly very active in the sales ring - buying 6 horses ( 3 for Lady Caroline ) for a total near on 650k € ! Willie Mullins was asked if he had bought anything and replied that he tried - but the Pipes got them all ! Here goes with the list -
Baby Jane - 18k€
Époque Misselot - 63k€
Barret - 65k€ ( a Dom Alco which Lady C asked me to share )
Brenda De Ronceray -70k€
Northern Bay -150k€
Batavia - 180k€
Best tip of the year ? DP to win trainers championship in the next 3years ! CU

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End of season - The report

I've been 'torn off a strip' by my reader for not reporting in earlier - so apologies to Douglas 'The anorak' ! I was half hoping that Geoffrey was going to at Aintree or Punchy - but it was decided to retain his novice status for next season and give him a good long holiday .
So what to make of the season ? It was certainly a roller coaster one - tinged with great sadness with the loss of two wonderful horses and the early retirement of our best one .
We lost Bruce on the home gallops - totally inexplicably . A fella which gave us some great days out and who's potential was never to be realized .
And then we lost Maddie - at a far too young age . He'd been retired for three years and really enjoying his dressage work when he seconded to a bout of colic . He was due to be paraded at The Cheltenham Festival - along side his old adversary Kuato Star ( hated them both ) - but alas - not to be .
And as for George ? Another - whom had he not been so physically 'brittle' would have reached the heights . Actually - he did for a time - so really happy memories - and always good when they get to a - hopefully - long and happy retirement .
Then we have Brother Geoffrey . If there were any two brothers so different I've yet to see it - they are opposites . But he does have lots of ability - as he showed when making all to win the valuable Bush Hurdle at Haydock . And thank heavens for that - will keep us going for a couple of seasons ! Things didn't work out for him going novice chasing - but no harm in that - he's still novice for next season and/or we can go down the handicap route . He did the business last season and we are very grateful for that . He's one to follow .

The saddest thing last year though was the rapid deterioration of my truly wonderful racing partner Yvonne . Yvonne has been suffering these past couple of years with dementia - a terrible thing to be afflicted upon one . At least she was still 'around' when Maddie and George were at their height . Yvonne will always remain 'the third woman' in my life - along with my wife and mum .
And what a good season for Pond House ! Three winners at The Festival and 1.4 m in prize money . Well done DP & team !
And a special mention for some of my fello owners - Lady & Prof Caroline Tisdall - Brian 'Horatio' Drew - Brookhouse - ( calls me Stanley ) Wayne and Sahara Clifford ( hope Sahara is feeling a lot better now ) and - well - many more . We all share in each others successes and defeats . Long may that continue . CU
Ps to Doug - keep us informed with Steve's horses by putting stuff on to the 'la blog'