Windsor Great Park (from the back of a horse)

Here's how I spent my day:

Not a bad view, huh?
I joined my local American Woman's Club because, let's face it, I need friends.  They have a saddle club (and a book club, and a group for country walks, art lectures, English history lectures, day trips, French lessons- you name it, they've got it).  I signed up for heaps of activities.  I mean, why not?  I have a perfectly good calendar that needs filling up. 

So today, with absolutely picture perfect weather, I set out for my first hack with the Saddle Club.  We trotted through Windsor Great Park.  The scenery was stunning.  I wish I could have taken more photos, but I was riding Lulu- the most opinionated horse in the field.  After some initial bumps we got on quite well.  It was a lovely ride through a gorgeous place.  I haven't seriously ridden a horse in 25 years so I had a constant string of  instructions running through my head, "heels down", "toes in" "bring in the reins".  About half way through I reminded myself to smile.  I'm here, in England, riding a beautiful horse through this amazing park where Queens and Kings have ridden for 100s of years.  And I'm soaking it all in.   Even if I don't have friends yet, I'm lucky to be here.  If I just keep trotting along it will all fall into place.