Monday 21st Nov 2011- 15 mile training ride.

Following myself doing a 10 hour night-shift I had breakfast, packed my lunch up and set out on Cognac into the very foggy day! I left the yard and headed on the country lanes to the South Downs Way, after warming up in walk we proceeded to trot for the first half an hour or so, Cognac was feeling very keen after a few days off! We joined the SDW and followed the trail to Queen Elizabeth Country Park. We had a wander through the woods, which seemed almost magical with all the mist and moss, and then passed under the A3 and attempted to canter up Butser hill- we got the the first gate and walked and trotted the rest off the way. When we got to the top of the hill I un-tacked Cognac and gave him some food on the ground, I tied him to a picnic bench and used the public loos. I had been hoping for a cup of tea but unfortunately the cafe/ kiosk was closed. Cognac stood quietly while I had my sandwiches, which let him cool down and his wet saddle patch to dry a little. I was worried about Cognac getting cold and the day was already starting to draw in at 2pm so we only stopped for half and hour before heading back home. We took a different route home- through Buriton and following the country lanes back- with a nasty stretch on the B2146, which I'll try to avoid in the future.