The south end of the beach at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Hua Hin, Thailand.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Maldives on March 23rd.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Three ponies and a pig!

First of all, thanks for all of your thoughtful and helpful comments regarding yesterday's blog post. There sure is a lot of tugging back and forth sometimes between your heart and your head!

Just an update on that, we told my sister that we were not willing to pay any more. Molly is now on some kind of antibiotic, but they're not even sure it's the right one until they do some kind of urine bacterial culture and they won't have the results of that until next week. So my sister now has the decision as to how much money she is willing to spend.

We had a relax day yesterday, although we did take Harvey up on the common for a couple of nice walks, once in the morning and again in the late afternoon. It was a nice day, but cool...high of only around 16C (61F) and low around 6C (43F). We don't mind that, so long as it doesn't rain!

Harvey with Ruth, picking blackberries.

So we told you the other day that there are six Exmoor ponies on the common. But nobody told us there was a pig! So we're walking along and we see the ponies, but then we also see this funny looking pig. The ponies would kind of chase it for a few steps, and the pig would grunt and make some noise like "leave me alone", and then the ponies would kind of chase it again. It was pretty funny.

A pony and a pig!

Three ponies and a pig!

Walking back down through the village of Ewyas Harold, we went through the old church. This church has been around since the 1200's! Some of the older headstones can't be read any more, but there is one worth mentioning.

The Ewyas Harold church.

"Who Fell Asleep" Euphemism for suicide perhaps?

That sure is a big old set of doors. Love the hinges.

The driveway and house we are looking after. The main part of the house dates back to the 17th century! That round wheel that you see is an ancient apple press used for making cider.


17 comments:

  1. Who takes care of the ponies and the pig? They need a burro...

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    1. The ponies are used to maintain vegetation on nature reserves, and many are being managed by organisations such as the National Trust, Natural England, and County Wildlife Trusts. These ponies are semi-feral so they live off the land. There are some water troughs on the common and they are a bred of horse that is hardy and their build and coat protect them from the elements. After WW2 there were only about 50 left, as of 2010 they believe that there are about 800 worldwide, 500 of those in Britain.

      I think the pig actually belongs to someone and just managed to escape, I am sure he found his way back home by dinner time. And, no I don't think they need a burro.

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  2. I love the coloring on those ponies. Maybe they were trying to get the pig out of their territory. I'm sure Harvey is enjoying his walks with you guys.

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  3. The 1200's! Anything older than 1800 is considered old here in California. I bet that cider press was used to make cider that was then fermented.

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    1. Yep, Kevin and I say that Canada and the USA don't know what old is when it comes to buildings.

      I think that about 99% of cider in the UK is fermented so I am sure that it was used for that.

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  4. Hi Kevin & Ruth! I've been a reader of your blog for quite a while, now. In fact, I also write a blog: Life with Lynnie www.2lynnmc.blogspot.com and I have your blog listed on my list of blogs I read. The term "Who fell asleep" is not a euphemism for suicide. It is a Biblical term that... in our today's language, refers to someone who died, but was trusting in Jesus Christ for their salvation, and who is awaiting what the Bible says will happen during the rapture. If you'd like more information, I'd be happy to discuss it with you. Just thought I'd let you know. Blessings, Lynn p.s. Love reading!

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    1. Thank you Lynn for explaining the term to our readers and to us. I love how the internet helps to bring bloggers and blog readers together to pass on helpful information.

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  5. One thing I like about the areas you've been to is it gives "old" a better perspective. Sometimes in the US we forget how young our country really is. I like how so many really old structures have really survived in Europe.

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    1. I agree with you, unfortunately sometimes these buildings say they are from the 13th or 14th century or older but in fact when you read further into it you find out that only the foundation is that old and the building itself has been rebuilt because of fire or bombing so really it's not the same building or as old as you thought it was. This church is original though!

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  6. Hi Kevin and Ruth. We are good friends of Nancy and Doug's. They have spoken of you two so often we feel as if we already know you. On 8 September when you were leaving Budapest we were arriving with Ryanair. We have enjoyed your Blog and have some similar pictures. We have been Blogging our adventure in Italy for the last 4 1/2 months. dbitalianjob.blogspot.com. We must have put on close to 50 km in our 4 days in Budapest. Would say this is a great city to put on your "bucket list". We had not intended to see Budapest, but our friends own a B&B here and the opportunity just presented itself in a very curious way! We are glad we did! We are now hooked on your Blog as well. Continue to have a safe and amazing Adventure.
    Danna and Roberto

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    1. Hi Dana and Robert, I remember Nancy and Doug talking about you and your up coming trip at the time. I am so happy that you enjoyed your time in Italy as well as Budapest. I do feel if somebody has a chance to visit Budapest then they should definitely make the effort. We loved the city and did lots of walking as well.

      Thank you for your web address, we will certainly check it out. Maybe one day in the future we will be able to meet up with you in our travels.

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  7. The pig is either Hanna or Mantana, I guess he escaped he lives in one of the fields backing on to the common:)

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    1. That's what we figured. The ponies certainly weren't afraid of her, nor her of the ponies.

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  8. Another nice day - I agree with Janie - about the "old" - so true. Here we tear things down once they get old. The horses and pig are too cute - would make a neat storybook story, wouldn't it?

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  9. We were so thrilled with the old buildings, the architecture and the "hinges" as well while in France. There were hundreds of incredibly interesting doors and iron works, just love the old "stuff".

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