Maximum temperature today 11C, minimum 3C. 1 mm of rain measured this morning; 9 km/h North Easterly winds with up to 24 km/h gusts.
358 mm of rain so far this year!
Just for the record, not a good photo but there was a Siskin (Spinus spinus) in the garden again today.
As above.
A common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) female.
Gong back a few years 😉
1957 the Rhodesian team ready to go to the Rand Show in Johannesburg.
Rosemary ? on Santa Maria, Clive Freeman on ?, Myself on Judy and Ray Adams on Santa Fe.
My first pony in Rhodesia. This was early days, he had a clipped mane when we bought him, you can see it just starting to grow out here - Dusky. 1957
As above. He was a star, and when I turned adult I took him into the first year with me although he was a bit small. He retired at the end of that year having won Horse of the Year.
One of my favourites and the only mare I ever used for show jumping. Hi-Li-Li. She was also quite small, though she won quite a lot show jumping and steeple chasing, she also gave me two beautiful foals after retiring. 1958.
My first 'horse' Kismet when I moved into adult events, he was 17hh and felt like a giant after Dusky.
Kismet on a show jumping course. 1958
Kismet and Dusky with their winnings. abt 1959
You were a mere sprite back then, blessed with the company of beautiful horses, in a country where you enjoyed all the benefits and privileges of simply being white.
ReplyDeleteThis was Rhodesia not South Africa where apartheid was rife. We all lived together pretty happily and I travelled to all the shows with my Nyasa/Malawian groom. We also had the best weather in the world. Take care Diane
DeleteThere are people here in Canada from what was formerly Rhodesia who claim that there was no effective social intercourse between black and white, that whites were a privileged colonial class, and that Ian Smith sought only to protect that status and further the continuation of white dominance. One lady put it in fairly simple terms once - as whites we had servants, all of whom were black; not a single black family in the entire country had white servants. She described the entire relationship as one of subservience and dominance; blacks were subservient, whites were dominant. This person was a university professor running a course on colonial Africa.
DeleteLast word, I promise: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2nmc4j/was_rhodesia_as_racist_as_south_africa/
DeleteDavid I am not getting into a political argument. I lived 25 years in Rhodesia and 25 in RSA. There was no comparison. Yes, we had blacks working for us in the house, in the garden and in the stables. No different to having white staff or stable hands in other countries. We also lived in Bophuthatswana for a number of years (the country now no longer exists and is part of RSA) and we had as many black friends as we did whites. Diane P.S. Many of the blacks also had black house servants and gardeners!
DeleteYou were a true athlete, Diane. Such beautiful animals as partners too! Love the photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie for the kind comment. Wonderful days fondly remembered. Take care Diane
DeleteYou captured some fantastic jumps at just the right moments.
ReplyDeleteThanks Emma, A good part of my life was spent with horses. Diane
DeleteI love that you shared these wonderful photos, Diane. Such great memories; you were truly amazing!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Thanks Sally it is only a good partnership that brings good results. I had some exceptionally good horses and we just clicked. Diane xx
DeleteTwo magnificent horses Diane and so many trophies! It still makes me smile when I say I grew up in Central Africa and people automatically assume I mean South Africa 😀
ReplyDeleteP.s. Had a bit of a breakthrough re cough. Six months ago my doctor prescribed low dosage of blood pressure pills.. only when I googled did I discover one of the major side effects was a persistent cough and tiredness. Needless to say I have just changed doctor and blood pressure pills. So hopefully after the other is out of my system the cough should go.. that's the theory anyway.. will let you know ☺
I have been on blood pressure tablets for years and they have never been the cause of my cough before so I doubt if I can blame them now. Some days I think I am getting better but others I realise that I am not!!
DeleteCentral Africa is central not South! So many people think Africa is all one place and not a continent!!! If you look up how many counties in Africa, there seems to be 54 recognised states and a couple in dispute!!
Hope changing the tablets works for you, take care Diane
I loved seeing those photos of you! I grew up in the country and my neighbours were excellent on horses. They went in a number of competitions.
ReplyDeleteI do miss my horses now, but the cost of keeping one is so expensive these days and my back will not allow me to ride any more anyway!! Cheers Diane
DeleteOh my...I love the older pics....and the birds. I love to sit and watch them come and go from here and there. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam. I wish I had more time to sit at the window and watch the birds. I am sure that there are other species that pop in that I miss. Take care Diane
DeleteWow, Diane. You are so good with horses. I love horses too but I am not as good as you. Have a great day, my friend. Kisses.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mia, I miss my horses these days but ..... Hope you have a good week Diane
DeleteYour first 'ponies' look rather large to me. I like to see you riding and jumping. So different from my trail riding in the West.
ReplyDeleteHa ha Dusky was really quite small. Yes we had totally different life styles but I find that interesting. Cheers Diane
DeleteYou are great with horses and you have won so many prizes!
ReplyDeleteI really miss the horses now, but with my back I cannot ride any more so better I stay away. Take care Diane
DeleteHi Diane. What lovely memories and photos of your showing jumping days and youth in Rhodesia. Definitely the good old days for you and the country. Kim
ReplyDeleteCertainly great days for me, loved my horses and riding. Hope all is well in Dbn, take care Diane
DeleteBeautiful little birds. You really were a great horsewoman. Wonderful memories for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny, my whole life was horses at that stage work and play. Great memories. Keep well Diane
DeleteLovely photos, good old times when we were young and enjoying horse riding!
ReplyDeleteGot back on horses in Camargue but way from those I use to ride for dressage!
Cold again here, viva Africa...!!!
Much love, keep warm!
Yes how our lives have changed. Ha ha, I can imagine horses in the Camargue were more than a little different from dressage horses. I would love to ride again, but I would be stupid if I did with my back!!!
DeleteI do not think I have been so cold as I am this year and Nigel feels the same.
Thanks for taking time out to comment I know you are busy. Big warm hugs, Diane
Great shots Diane! Your horses were beauties.
ReplyDelete