Done!

Paula spend the last 5 weeks studying for het final IB exams, and these are done now! Although the results are not expected before early July she feels pretty good. There is no doubt that she will pass her degree, the only uncertainty are her final marks. As there is no selection for her study she can really relax now. She will spend the whole summer in France, but most of the time she will be working in the local restaurant, to build a financial buffer for her future student years.

Beau's best friend Jim has retired. He was getting quite old (23 years) and the only thing he seemed to enjoy were his easy rides with Beau, and spending time together in the outside paddock. As he was suffering a bit from old age ailments his owner decided to move him to a horse retirement home, in the green open area east of The Hague. He was taken there by all people involved, including Mary, Paula and Dorien. There are large pieces of land with different groups of horses, and Jim was put with some other equine pensionados. Mary and Paula came back a few days later to check on Jim, as he had suffered a bit in his new herd. He is doing fine now.

Beau hasn't noticed so far, his brain is apparently unable to process Jim's disappearance. A distraction was a jumping event at a nearby stable, with Dorien. They decided on relatively low jumps, as it was the first time for us. Beau obviously liked it, and the second round he was really racing around the course. He made no mistake, and could pick up two rosettes at the end. Everybody was very pleased, and is looking forward to the next opportunity.

 Paula studying in the front garden

Beau acting as lawnmower in our front garden

Dorien at the start a practise ride for International Award

 Beau and Dorien at the jumping competition

Paula and Jim at the horse retirement home

Cross country

All three ladies are very active with Beau, and are improving their skills continuously. Beau is in good shape, and they have slowly been increasing his workload. Paula and Mary are coaching each other at the stable, and all three are doing a lot of outdoor rides as well.

This weekend they registered for an outdoor cross in nearby Madestein park. Dorien was the lucky one (together with Beau of course). They loaded Beau in the trailer and drove over. After a warming up they had to complete a jumping course as a test, and then they could start. Despite the short distance, the foul weather (rain and wind) and Beau's somewhat erratic ride they had a lot of fun, and are keen to repeat the exercise. They drove Beau back, cleaned him up and had to go home for study and other chores.

 Beau and Dorien during the cross country ride

Beau and the girls afterwards - and a lot of grass to eat

Piet is still spending a lot of time in London - the Tower Bridge

Easter break in France

We drove out early morning this time (allowing Paula another evening with friends, and Mary a horse riding lesson). On the way we picked up Coline in Dijon. She is a friend of the girls who has been in our village several summers visiting her grandparents, and they have kept in contact on Facebook. As she is in between studies and looking for friends who enjoy the outdoor life she combined an entry exam at Grenoble University with a stay with us. Their main activity was building a tree house, and it remains amazing to have a 16-year old and two 18-year old girls enjoying this type of activity. In the summer it will be completed, and used for overnight stays.

The rest of the time was spent in the garden, doing some cycling and a first ever visit to nearby Briancon, which has a lovely old part of town on top of a hill. The planned reconstruction of our terrace wall had to be postponed (again), and we were promised that it would be ready before the summer holidays. Paula spent time studying, but managed at least one outdoor activity every day. Piet got some serious training rides in for La Marmotte early July, including 114 km ride in the Vercors, without a single flat stretch. As always the break was too short, and on Sunday morning we drove back home, to Beau and his 13th birthday celebration.

Dorien and Mary in Briancon

Lunch in Briancon

Mary and Dorien walking in the outskirts of Briancon

Paula and Coline on Col du Lauteret

Coline and Paula in the Via Ferrata of St. Christophe 

Paula studying in the garden