A cold bike race

It is winter in Holland, with sub zero temperatures and some snow. This is, apart from our yearly ski holiday, the first real winter experience for the girls. And yes, life just continues! Cycling to school, horse riding and walking the cats in the garden, it is business as usual.

Piet happened to have signed up for a bike race on the beach, Scheveningen-Noordwijk and back. Together with his cycling buddy Renaat he joined some 1000 enthusiasts at Scheveningen Pier, at temperatures around zero, grey skies and a chilly southerly wind. They were sent off, and after a short "run" through soft sand the ride started at the shoreline. It turned out to be a wet (and ultimately a very cold) affair, but with the tailwind Noordwijk was reached in no time. Another drag through soft sand to cross the time check, and back along the beach. Headwind this time, so it was important to find a good group for some shelter. The finish on Scheveningen boulevard was reached after 1 hour 39 minutes, 10 minutes after Renaat and 30 minutes after the winner. As we were soaked we didn't linger, but rushed home for a hot shower and to defrost our toes and fingers!

An impression of the Rabobank Beach Challenge (27th November 2010)

A short visit to Cairo and two new (temporary) family members

Never a dull moment in the Lambregts family.... Mary returned to Cairo to visit our horses and their Egyptian entourage, and to hook up with some of her lady friends. She took the "red eye" flight and arrived at 2 in the morning, and was picked up by Sayed, the stable owner. He dropped her off at Els, where Mary stayed for the first three days. Her days consisted of horse riding, and ... horse riding. She had arranged to ride with her friends at the stable or in the desert, and also for daily horse jumping lessons with Sayed at the Saqqara Country Club. Our horses where in good shape, but had suffered some during the hot summer, being a bit skinny. A good, cooler winter will definitely help them! Weather was perfect, and Mary had many, many hours in the saddle, putting into practise all the "traditional" horse riding lessons she got in Holland.

Mary was received with open arms by Sayed, his family, headgroom Reda and the rest of the village. She could borrow Sayed's car and a phone, has lunch in the stable every day, and stayed in the small apartment in the village for the last 2 nights. After five full, satisfying and tiring days Mary was taken back to the airport by Sayed, with the promise that she will return with the girls next time.

In the mean time, back in stormy, wet and cold The Hague, Piet picked up two Siamese cats from one of his colleagues, who is traveling for 5 weeks. Paula and Dorien will look after them, mainly cleaning the litterbox and associated mess. The cats are living in an apartment, and are not used to go outside; under close supervision we let them out in the garden, which they find very exiting.

The foal Baghour is having fun in the paddock in the village

The village ladies are backing bread

Our new (temporary) family members Maru and Mochi