Chamfron by Dand - Kirkton Manor

Photos with kind thanks to Kris Clay.

Pot of Gold

Chamfrons out and about

Rowena and Chamfron Mojito have been away to camp, Hannah and Chamfron Compostela have been out on a fun ride and Alison and Chamfron Paloma have been cattle wrangling again.  Rebecca with Chamfron by Dand and Kirstin with Chamfron Agata de Fuego had a quick spin around the 30km at Kirkton Manor both gaining gold awards.

Widgeon Hill Ceilidh - six weeks old

Chamfron Chipta's foal is now six weeks old.

Keep Moving - Week 34

Sunday, hack on Spidey first thing then down to Lauder to go a much belated walk with Nicola and Helen.  We missed the track we needed, got enmeshed in a mass of gorse and bracken and had a few "retreat, retreat" moments as we hit soft spots until we retraced our steps and headed back the way we came, it was a lovely afternoon and a good catch up.  Out with Spider again Monday / Tuesday and then just a walk around the stubble fields at home on Wednesday.  Friday I was at Polkemmet country park for work and I did intend to clock off and have a good walk there, the weather was not in my favour though.  I did take a quick spin to "The Horn" which is a 24-metre high sculpture, located beside the M8 motorway. On windy days, the horn plays recorded music, poetry and famous quotes. The Horn could be classed as a speaker in itself, inside the bottom contains two 1990s Yamaha AX-596 Stereo Amplifiers which are connected to a device that automatically plays the content.  I'll just say it's no less random close up than it is from the motorway!  Horsey day on Saturday, Cactus went out for a walk with his girlfriend to meet the donkeys (no worries!) and Spidey went a short hack.

Keep Moving - Week 33

On Sunday we walked around the Braids up to the seven hills viewpoint, as we walked we went nice view, nice view, NO view, then the clouds rolled in and the rain hammered it down.  We returned to the car a little soggy.  Spidey was ridden on Sunday and Monday and a quick couple of miles walk along the railway line before work on Wednesday.  Thursday ended up an easier day at work than expected and as I was on target to hit the Queensferry crossing and Edinburgh bypass at peak traffic I decided to clock out and head to Lochore Meadows to walk around Loch Ore.  It's another walk ticked off but not one I'd repeat, some nice views of the loch in places, less so when trumping along hedge lined tarmac paths.  Ultimately I am spoilt at work as we see some of the most beautiful spots in Scotland and this was nothing special.

On Saturday I visited another childhood haunt and spotted a hack from Lasswade riding school heading out along tracks I used to ride along.  I had a wander around Hewan Wood then wandered up to Mavisbank House, past the impressive walled garden.  The once-elegant country pile was commissioned by Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, 2nd Baronet, and was once regarded as one of Scotland's most important country houses.  The house changed hands several times and in 1876, Mavisbank was converted into a "lunatic asylum" and renamed New Saughton Hall, designed for the rich to be able to recover in an idyllic  countryside setting.  Interestingly one of the doctors involved with the asylum was Dr Joseph Bell, who would go on to inspire Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective Sherlock Holmes.  Additional wings were added in the 1920s for inmates before the building began to fall into decline.  Just after World War Two, the asylum shut and the house was bought up by Dr William Harrowes, a medical superintendent.  Harrowes then destroyed all of the additions made during the 19th century and 1920s and  resurrected the Mavisbank name, however his plans to restore the home to its former glory never came to fruition, and by the 1950s, the property had fallen into a terrible state of disrepair.  It was then sold to Archie Stevenson, a local car dealer, and its forecourt was turned into a scrap metal yard and car park.  Pictures from the time show the house boarded up, its windows smashed, with cars rusting in the overgrown grounds.  Things then got worse in 1973 when it then went on fire.  I think the council has now placed a compulsory purchase order on the house and there are clearly trusts desperate to try and save the property, it will be interesting to see what happens.  Spotting the water tower on the hill I wandered up, trying to avoid treading on the local wildlife and nearly shooting off a steep slope on my backside despite many warning signs!

 

Chamfron Updates

Nice to see Chamfron Nicobar back out eventing after a small break and to hear Chamfron by Dand has been selected for the Scottish endurance team at the home internationals which are being held in Wales this year.

Keep Moving - Week 32

Busy week of long days bimbling around heather moors, so the majority of steps were done either with or by Spidey!

Chamfron MIlano - Working Hunter

Milano had another successful showing outing at Blakesley Show, winning the working hunter and getting a qualification for the London International Horse Show in December (I have confirmed this is what I, an old person, used to know as Olympia!)

Chamfron by Dand - SERC

Chamfron by Dand flew round another 60km at Irvine today, ably crewed by Chamfron owner Jessica!  Ride report from Rebecca - "Had a fabulous weekend with Mr Owen! We got to camp and corral with our crew Jessica Crighton.  We stormed the 60km with ride partner Jill Calder achieving a speed category 1 gold. All A's and 1's in all of his vettings and fabulous heart rates even with vetting straight away and a trot finish (38, 52/48, 53/46). Must have been the good company, the great crew and the 10km he did during the night round and round the lorry"

I also spotted Chamfron Agata de Fuego had been out last weekend doing a 24km pleasure at Mabie Forest.