Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunshine Today!
A worldwide day of celebration of the harvest for the people of India occurred today. Locally, the families and friends of Indian heritage residing in nearby Mullingar spent the day at the Farm Safari (belonging to our new friend Gregory).
While Kevin stayed at Mearsecourt to attend to a barbed wire issue, I rode along with Sonja and was not only invited to join in the festivities, I was recruited to help with the actual safari. What a magnificent day.
The food was all vegetarian, served on a facsimile banana leaf, and all eaten with the hand. More than twenty different dishes had been prepared and I was offered at least twelve, including a finger banana only grown in India. Two kinds of rice, some hot and spicy carrots, some curried this, and ginger that, many coconut based goodies . . . . Everything most delicious!
Kevin and I had seen both the men and women preparing the lodge last night for the festivities today. The 4’ diameter, round medallion “painted” with flower petals on the floor being the most memorable. There would be singing and dancing after the safari but Sonja and I needed to return to meet with the vet and attend to the filly.
The safari itself was truly memorable. I was enlisted to “guard” the starboard side of the train. This entailed keeping the passengers on and the animals off when and where appropriate. Traversing the fields and pastures of the deer farm (three different breeds), we also saw camels, llamas, longhaired bulls, donkeys, ex-circus ponies, sheep and pigs. Quite a fascinating mix of creatures.
Amidst with the running commentary, I was engaged in many conversations with old and young passengers, one more fascinated than the next. The train stopped atop one hill and everyone disembarked for a group picture, handing me their cameras at Greg’s urging. What fun.
When we returned to the lodge at the end of the safari, Sonja and I thanked everyone for the food and the fun and said our goodbyes to attend to the visit of the vet. We were not allowed to leave until we were photographed with the group in front of their commemorative banner. An historical occasion, indeed!
Back at the ranch, there is news. The vet is here for assessment of the filly and Trevor has joined us to transfer some horses down to his place. The news is not good regarding the filly’s progress.
It is now 9:00 pm and Kevin and I have retreated to our room for a movie on the laptop. Neither of us finished with our “duties” until nearly 8:00 pm. A quick bowl of Kellogg’s Frosties was all we wanted for dinner. My mouth was still burning from all the Indian cuisine and the milk was most soothing.
It was another grand day.
Sunshine Today!
A worldwide day of celebration of the harvest for the people of India occurred today. Locally, the families and friends of Indian heritage residing in nearby Mullingar spent the day at the Farm Safari (belonging to our new friend Gregory).
While Kevin stayed at Mearsecourt to attend to a barbed wire issue, I rode along with Sonja and was not only invited to join in the festivities, I was recruited to help with the actual safari. What a magnificent day.
The food was all vegetarian, served on a facsimile banana leaf, and all eaten with the hand. More than twenty different dishes had been prepared and I was offered at least twelve, including a finger banana only grown in India. Two kinds of rice, some hot and spicy carrots, some curried this, and ginger that, many coconut based goodies . . . . Everything most delicious!
Kevin and I had seen both the men and women preparing the lodge last night for the festivities today. The 4’ diameter, round medallion “painted” with flower petals on the floor being the most memorable. There would be singing and dancing after the safari but Sonja and I needed to return to meet with the vet and attend to the filly.
The safari itself was truly memorable. I was enlisted to “guard” the starboard side of the train. This entailed keeping the passengers on and the animals off when and where appropriate. Traversing the fields and pastures of the deer farm (three different breeds), we also saw camels, llamas, longhaired bulls, donkeys, ex-circus ponies, sheep and pigs. Quite a fascinating mix of creatures.
Amidst with the running commentary, I was engaged in many conversations with old and young passengers, one more fascinated than the next. The train stopped atop one hill and everyone disembarked for a group picture, handing me their cameras at Greg’s urging. What fun.
When we returned to the lodge at the end of the safari, Sonja and I thanked everyone for the food and the fun and said our goodbyes to attend to the visit of the vet. We were not allowed to leave until we were photographed with the group in front of their commemorative banner. An historical occasion, indeed!
Back at the ranch, there is news. The vet is here for assessment of the filly and Trevor has joined us to transfer some horses down to his place. The news is not good regarding the filly’s progress.
It is now 9:00 pm and Kevin and I have retreated to our room for a movie on the laptop. Neither of us finished with our “duties” until nearly 8:00 pm. A quick bowl of Kellogg’s Frosties was all we wanted for dinner. My mouth was still burning from all the Indian cuisine and the milk was most soothing.
It was another grand day.
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