WordPress is pretty much broken and other Xmas fun

When I last left, I had a nice time in Kelowna visiting family, despite the growing spectre of bad weather + Omicron threatening most of everyone’s Xmas holidays!

I came home (flight was only delayed for over an hour) in the evening and then by morning we were up and packed for Christmas in Royston with my in-laws! When we left it was chilly and rainy, but that would immediately change…

But first, we visited the lovely Kingfisher hotel and spa to check out their beautiful lights display with my inlaws. They live quite close to it, and it is really a gorgeous place.

We cruised around Courtenay to look at the Xmas lights and were amazed by this guy- as it turns out, this house and skeleton are owned by an acquianteance of mine’s parents. Small world!!

Then my husband generously got us visits to the Kingfisher’s Hydropath experience, which I LOVED. Soooooo nice and relaxing, it’s a very expensive but super nice things to do and wow, you leave feeling tired hahah.

But we still had Christmas! It snowed a TON up in Royston on Christmas and we also lost power at his parents house, booo. We also spent three hours shoveling. Three of us! The worlds longest driveway?? Snow sooo heavy and thick, man. At least it wasn’t super cold out, but it did make me feel excited for our next adventure- back to cross-country skiing! 🙂

And on Xmas eve we visited with my friend and her sister and mom, of whom also bought houses close to my in-laws. That makes four people I know who have moved up-island…Maybe the writing is on the wall? Should I move to Cumberland, Courtenay or Comox???

We swam around in her mom’s AMAZING giant hot tub/therapy swim pool and it was sooooo cool. I loved it!

And were all limbered up for skiing the next day too! We hit the slopes in the afternoon and I rented everything online, so it was a breeze to swing up to the Alpine Centre at Mt. Washington and go for a good few hours of x-c skiing. The weather was pretty good, considering it was basically a blizzard the day before (we walked to my friends’ mom’s place, lol). A bit tricky to drive but wow, such a gorgeous day for skiing. Of course, I took Ian on the longest route possible by accident (Far East) and we had to hustle our buns to get back in time before the rentals closed and so did the trails, eek!

We did get a chance to feed the whiskeyjacks though, so cute, I just love them!

It felt nice to get out and get active for sure. The only downer part was the absolutely miserable weather we drove home in on Boxing Day. WOW it was nightmarish. Basically a blizzard with black ice most of the way back, with a special shout-out to Nanaimo for their absolute HORRENDOUS highway conditions. We got caught waiting after two minor accidents, so it was a good 5.5 hours home. At least we made it alive, jesus. It was bad.

And waiting for me at home? More snowstorms!! 😦

Man!

Saddle updates-tomorrow it is!

Lucky me I get my revamped saddle tomorrow! One more day (my lesson today) of borrowing my trainer’s saddles and then yes, all mine.

Soon, back to the indoor for good…

But last night’s ride saw me using my trainer’s school horse saddle. It is a fine saddle, but I forgot that last time I used it I had to wrap the stirrup leathers TWICE! Who are these giants with long legs?

So, I wrapped it once and rode with stirrups that were juuuuust a bit too long. It was kind of awkward…But doable. And as it was getting quite dark out, and I was riding in the outdoor arena, I made do and worked it. I was happy to ride in the outdoor at all- given the weather and losing the light at night, anytime I can get out there and ride is a good night!

AND my trainer had my old friend out to school her horse- he used to ride Oats for me when Oats was a total jerkface, and he is such a lovely, talented and confident rider. I was glad to see him again and I liked watching him work my trainer’s horse. He rode her really well, and it was a pleasure to watch.

Super nice to reconnect with old friends.

He said Oats was looking really good! I said all thanks to your hard work on him a few years ago (how many was it?? 2 or 3 now??) and then just persevering though it all.

We lost the light, and I was riding in the dark. Oats was so perfect! Not spooky at all with the darkness. In those times, I really appreciate how good he can be and how honest–no silly behaviour at night in the fall, riding in the dark.

Fun times- nothing earth-shattering, but just a good, fun ride with friends.