And It's Raining.

The weather has finally broken with rain starting to fall just as I got back to the car after shopping at Lidl. In the morning the sea was completely flat and for most of the day it was sunny. Perfect conditions for a long ride in the hills.

First thing this morning I installed Gandalf and the Balrog, or as I've renamed it the Bin Bag Rog by the garden gate. I'll try and take some better pictures tomorrow providing the rain hasn't done too much damage. For now I've put clear bin bags over the head of the Balrog and Gandalf. With luck gaffer tape will hold up even when wet as the scarecrows are usually on show for the whole weekend. I'm hoping that the judges went round this afternoon.

Next door's 'Harry Potter'.

I had a wonderful afternoon out on a four hour hack going up to the top of the hill on the south side of Cwm Rheidol nearly as far as Devil's Bridge before coming back down into the valley. We had some great canters across the fields though I didn't quite manage to get Pac Man into a gallop, just a fast canter. Coming back down the slope into the valley there was one very steep section where we had to get off and lead our horses. That's when we discovered that riding boots don't have a lot of grip and I was not so much leading Pac Man but hanging onto the reins to stop myself from falling over. Then we rode across the wide river and then back along the valley road with a stop at the power station's visitors' centre. They close at 4.15 and the chap was about to close the door as we rode into the car park. With many shouts of 'Don't close!' from our group of hot riders Iola jumped off her horse and dashed inside to buy us all ice-creams. I too dashed inside. I was riding Pac Man who tends to walk slowly and then jogs to catch up. In fact his jogging is incredibly comfy to sit but after three hours a toilet stop was most welcome. As were the ice-creams. After several miles of fast trotting to get to the visitor centre in time we then ambled along the road enjoying our cool treats. Iola took lots of photos and some videos which I'll share as soon as they go on-line.

By the time we had sponged our horses down and led them out to the field it was nearly 6.00 when I got to Morrison's. I didn't have a long shopping list but the shelves were almost stripped bare. That's what happens at the start of Bank Holiday/ Half-term in a tourist area. I ended up having to go to Lidl as well to get things like mushrooms and frozen peas. At home I quickly covered Gandalf and the Balrog before having a very welcome hot shower.