Hey guys,
So I have been super busy the last two weeks and have so much to update you on, so this will be the first of three blog updates in the next few days as I am trying to catch up writing everything that I have been doing!
Hike to the River
Recently I found a River on Google maps about 5 miles away from where I live so I decided to hike there and have a look at it. It is amazing because every time I decide I want to go somewhere over here I always suspect that what I fine won't be that exciting and it won't be worth my while but in actual fact what I have found has always been breathtakingly beautiful. The hike was very enjoyable - 10 miles is a nice comfortable distance to walk at a steady pace and the countryside is stunning so it never gets boring. When I arrived at the bridge over the river I was really surprised by the size of the river - it didn't look more than a stream on the map. The water was clear, full of fish and I even saw a fresh water crab, although he hid under a rock before I could take a photo..... I climbed down onto the river bank and was able to sit and eat a picnic on a rock whilst I listened to the gentle bubbling of the river and watched as fish darted around in the water - so tranquil.
So I have been super busy the last two weeks and have so much to update you on, so this will be the first of three blog updates in the next few days as I am trying to catch up writing everything that I have been doing!
Hike to the River
Recently I found a River on Google maps about 5 miles away from where I live so I decided to hike there and have a look at it. It is amazing because every time I decide I want to go somewhere over here I always suspect that what I fine won't be that exciting and it won't be worth my while but in actual fact what I have found has always been breathtakingly beautiful. The hike was very enjoyable - 10 miles is a nice comfortable distance to walk at a steady pace and the countryside is stunning so it never gets boring. When I arrived at the bridge over the river I was really surprised by the size of the river - it didn't look more than a stream on the map. The water was clear, full of fish and I even saw a fresh water crab, although he hid under a rock before I could take a photo..... I climbed down onto the river bank and was able to sit and eat a picnic on a rock whilst I listened to the gentle bubbling of the river and watched as fish darted around in the water - so tranquil.
On the way back home, I spotted a large herd of cows (and a bull) bathing in a stream by some of the greenest grass I have ever seen...
Tour of the National Sporting Library and Museum
Although Middleburg is a tiny town, it is home to a fantastic library that holds one of the largest (if not the largest) collection of historic equine literature and art in the world - you can find out more by following the link below!
Although Middleburg is a tiny town, it is home to a fantastic library that holds one of the largest (if not the largest) collection of historic equine literature and art in the world - you can find out more by following the link below!
As part of our internship, we were able to attend a lecture by Dr.Burke - and equine nutrition specialist, which was particularly interesting as she used recycled rubbish to demonstrate the scale and volume of the equine gastrointestinal tract (e.g she used a petrol can to demonstrate the volume of the stomach). After the lecture, we were given a tour of the library and museum. There was a book sale on and I bought several books to read - I even picked up some special editions that would be difficult to get hold of elsewhere! I am not the most 'arty' person in the world and I don't really understand it a lot of the time, so a lot of the artwork in the museum was probably wasted on me and my naive eyes. However, there were some pieces that particularly stood out to me as something special.
Hilltop farm inspection day and tour
The day after the tour of the library, we went to visit Hilltop farm - one of the leading dressage studs in the country, who produce elite horses on a regular basis. All of the interns were excited to go and see their facilities and experience the American Hanoverian Society inspection which was taking place on that day.
The day after the tour of the library, we went to visit Hilltop farm - one of the leading dressage studs in the country, who produce elite horses on a regular basis. All of the interns were excited to go and see their facilities and experience the American Hanoverian Society inspection which was taking place on that day.
At sport horse inspections of this kind, horses are judged and score on various factors including confirmation, temperament, correctness of gait, movement, free jumping ability and performance when ridden. We were lucky enough to see the horses shown by professional handlers and we also got to hear some of the judges' comments - which was really interesting and taught me a lot. Unfortunately I don't have many pictures as my battery died, but I do have a few.
After the inspection was complete, we got a tour of the farm and got to explore some of the fantastic facilties that they have at Hilltop - which is also architecturally very well designed and pretty. All of the interns got a picture overlooking the beautiful farm before we left!
Trip to Baltimore
After we left Hilltop, we took a short detour into 'downtown' Baltimore. We past through a very industrial area which was interesting to see after being enveloped in rolling hills and forests for several weeks - I had almost forgotten that America was an industrial country! When we arrived in Baltimore, we visited the spectacularly colourful inner harbor, buzzing with life and atmosphere.
After we left Hilltop, we took a short detour into 'downtown' Baltimore. We past through a very industrial area which was interesting to see after being enveloped in rolling hills and forests for several weeks - I had almost forgotten that America was an industrial country! When we arrived in Baltimore, we visited the spectacularly colourful inner harbor, buzzing with life and atmosphere.
We went to a seafood restaurant on the harbor and I had the most wonderful fresh crab cakes I have ever tasted - apparently 'Maryland' crab cakes are known to be the best on the East coast. Visiting Baltimore gave me a taste of the city and made me want to see more - so I vowed to myself that I would definitely find a way to get to Washington D.C and visit the capital during my time here.
Wildlife
Once again I have seen an overwhelming amount of wildlife, some of which I have managed to capture. There are so many butterflies here and I have been trying so hard to get photographs of them but they do not tend to settle very long. However, I caught a few photos of fluttering friends as well as some species without wings....
Once again I have seen an overwhelming amount of wildlife, some of which I have managed to capture. There are so many butterflies here and I have been trying so hard to get photographs of them but they do not tend to settle very long. However, I caught a few photos of fluttering friends as well as some species without wings....
Until next time...
I will soon be uploading another blog update very soon so keep your eyes peeled! Hope you are all well and enjoying the not-so-typical English summer!
Missing you all,
Charlotte XXXX
I will soon be uploading another blog update very soon so keep your eyes peeled! Hope you are all well and enjoying the not-so-typical English summer!
Missing you all,
Charlotte XXXX