April 4th

Easter Sunday

Got up after a reasonable night, I could hear that Julie was around so stayed in my room until 8am – breakfast time. Last night she demanded to be shown where all the coffee making gear was in the kitchen as she simply had to get up at her usual time and have coffee!! Silly cow! Bill and Sharon came down and sat at my table, saying please could they join me because they didn't want to have to sit with Julie! So, it’s not just me then!

She was going on last night about how they should legalise pot! I had to disagree vehemently with her after Martin’s personality problems, she really is clueless. She also rattled on about the merits of Zion and Bryce Canyons and also the Grand Canyon as though nobody else had ever been there, she was a bit shocked I think to find that I had been there and done that and her nose was well out of joint – first blood to me I think!!


Today is my last full day, I am hoping to have coffee with Katrin as she has been off for a couple of days. I have to check in online tonight at 9.35. I have found out that I have access to the Admirals lounge or the Mexicana lounge at Mexico City Airport due to the upgrade and can drop my bags off up to four and a half hours before take off, so after a spot of duty free shopping I shall retire up there for a snack and a glass of wine – away from the riff-raff!!!! Once again it is a beautiful day here in the Mexican countryside – blue sky, a bit of light cirrus with humming birds and Monarch butterflies floating past. The climate here is amazing, more or less consistent all year. In the wet season it rains at night, how considerate!

Had a really nice morning, read another book and relaxed in the sun. Had coffee with Katrin and then the others returned from their ride. Bill and Sharon are a really nice couple and quite good fun. We sat and quaffed a glass of wine or two before lunch. I have persuaded Uschi to sell me a lovely bright ceramic parrot for my conservatory – just got to work out how to get it home and then how to perch it above the new patio doors. I fell in love with it on the first day and its now all mine!!

Went for a walk with Jane after lunch and found a lot of the locals gathered down near the river where Jane reckoned there was a c*** fight going on. There was a great throng of people so we couldn’t see anything and it broke up soon after so I’m guessing all the excitement was over for the day. We strolled up the other way as well, looking for the two other waterfalls but it would have involved a bit of scrabbling over rocks which I’m probably not quite up to. It was a nice walk anyway.

Came in about 5ish and Katrin put her head around the door and asked if I wanted to go out to see a new horse they wanted to buy. They took me, Jane, Bill and Sharon along for the ride. It took ages over the really rough roads, the ribs held up really well. When we got there, he was a cute little thing but barely 14hh so not suitable for the ranch, so no sale there. Uschi is looking at a red spotted appaloosa tomorrow which may be better.

I have to pack tomorrow, I think we will be leaving about 5ish but there is no rush for our rooms so I should be able to take a bit of time and still have a wee sunbathe after lunch as well as before.

My time here has not really been what I expected but I have enjoyed it immensely. I would have liked more riding but even without the ribs, I think I would still have had several mornings or afternoons off as it would be very intense to ride for 7 hours a day, not sure an unfit body would take it!

The ranch has exceeded my expectations for friendliness and comfort. The food has been very varied and enjoyable – and not one Imodium moment!! The horses are amazingly fit and sure-footed and clearly loved deeply, as are the dogs. The staff are all very friendly and happy.

All in all a perfect place for a holiday.

I am hoping to return one day in the not too far distant future.