A Bit More About Me - My Job

This is Homer, the loveliest pony in the world. He is a ride and drive pony at Clwyd Special Riding Centre, where I work and he's really popular with our riders and our volunteers.
I have been working at the Centre since August 2005 and I really enjoy my job. Myself and two other grooms look after around 27 horses which are used to give riding and carriage driving lessons to children and adults with a wide range of physical and learning disabilities. We look after every aspect of the horses and ponies life, including health, feeding, exercising and of course lots of mucking out.
I originally got involved with CSRC through my brother, Richard who has severe learning disabilities. I started volunteering in his lessons about 3 years ago. Volunteers lead the horses around the school - lots of the riders remain on a lead rein as they cannot ride independently. Some riders also require side walkers whose job it is to relay instructions to the rider and to help the rider with their balance and sitting position. Its really rewarding and all our riders really enjoy their lessons. The lessons could not happen if it wasn't for the people who give up their free time to come and help us out. Riding lessons give valuable physiotherapy to the riders and also provide enjoyment and a sense of independence and achievement to our riders - something the rest of us probably take for granted most of the time.
So thats a little bit about what I spend 45 hours of my week doing... speaking of which, I'm due to be there in about half an hour so I'd better dash...!

My First Commenters

I've had my first comments on my blog!! I'm wildy excited about it and have sent a text to Andy to inform him of the good news. I'm not sure if I've explained this but Andy (theoretical co-host of this blog and my travelling partner, when we finally get around to going) is stuck in darkest Afghanistan with the Army - he's been there 6 whole months and gets back three weeks on Thursday, I'm counting down the days. So he's hearing all about my (our) new blog via text message and email, needless to say he's having a hard time matching my enthusiasm!

So thank you to my two commenters. To Johnny T I would like to say thanks for the tips, you may notice my new photo on my profile! And you're both my new best friends... x

Why I Love My New Blog

Its just simply so cool. I absolutely love it. Theres not many things I absolutely love at the moment but 1) my blog, 2) You've Been Framed and 3) cereal are my Top Three.

I'm enjoying practising posting and doing my pictures, and the best thing is when my words and pictures come up on the internet and you can Actually See Them. Its Great.

This picture is of me at Cape Point, SA. Its waiting for me to work out how to make it smaller to put in my profile...

Andy and I by Lake Maggiore, Italy

This is a picture of us taken last summer, when we were living in Varese, Italy which is just north of Milan. Andy is in the Army and is currently working with NATO in Milan for two years.

The First Post

My first post for my new blog. By way of explanation, this blog has be created to record all the experiences that I (well, we, as its Andys too) hope to have on our year long round-the-world trip that we are starting this year. I've had to create the blog well in advance so I can practice posting things on it. Here goes!

If anyone has any helpful things to say, feel free...