A Road Best Travelled

A Road Best Travelled The journey of a man, a dog, a horse, and a dream... oh! and a cat now too 😄
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I have noticed, in recent days, posts asking who was the greatest racehorse of all time?The posts seem to originate from...
05/06/2026

I have noticed, in recent days, posts asking who was the greatest racehorse of all time?

The posts seem to originate from the USA.
Well... they don't know much about quality race horses!

For you youngsters, 'Red Rum' would be a very honourable contender.
Many have called him "Simply the Best!"
Five Grand National starts - three wins and two second places. Unbelievable!

But...
He wasn't the best.

A horse born and bred in Ireland, named after a Scottish mountain, and owned by English aristocracy (the Duchess of Westminster) was, beyond doubt, the very best of the best.

He was never entered into the Grand National (his owner loved him too much to risk him in that theatrical show).
He was too busy winning all the top National Hunt trophies, year after year after year...
Cheltenham Gold Cups and all the rest of the top flight races.

'ARKLE'

Not 'simply the best'
Just simply 'better than all the rest.
Better than anyone, anyone I've ever met'.

Many politicians are weak men...
05/06/2026

Many politicians are weak men...

05/06/2026

A memory from the past.
Alyssa from Discoverthehorse arrived at the farm in England to experience, and add, the Shire horse to her Quest.
Follow Discover The Horse to know what this wonderfully mad lady's quest is.

Today, for me, this video brings back warm memories of beautiful animals, beautiful people, and all set in a beautiful place.
I have been incredibly privileged that this has been a chapter in my life.

The below is only a part of the whole video.
I will try to find the full video where you will see her riding one of the Shires and then we go for a carriage drive to the local market town.

Daily Life in Creuse, France. Report No 417.I drove to a bar for lunch today. One I had never visited before.On the jour...
05/06/2026

Daily Life in Creuse, France. Report No 417.

I drove to a bar for lunch today. One I had never visited before.
On the journey home I saw a flock of kites, mixed with buzzards, paying close attention to a farmer in his tractor.
A pine marten crossing the road, fallow deer with fawns at foot thinking about crossing the road, and some suicidal jays that dive-bombed the car.
I'm pretty certain that I saw a pink elephant too - but this may have something to do with a glass of eau de vie prune...

Upon returning home I finished my research into what makes the best cheese knife.
The photo reveals the results of my explorations.
Le fromage est très important ici. Il doit être traité correctement... 😄

We are getting close to the anniversary of the start of the Battle of Normandy - given the military codename: Operation ...
04/06/2026

We are getting close to the anniversary of the start of the Battle of Normandy - given the military codename: Operation Overlord.

It was a bloodbath for both sides.

Every serving soldier had a family: regardless of the persuasion of their political masters.

Few people really know how much Normandy suffered following June 6, 1944.
20,000 Normans paid with their lives, almost 1/3 of all the French civilians killed during World War II.
The Battle of Normandy was not supposed to last more than a few weeks.
It would only end on September 12, with the liberation of Le Havre, a hundred days after the D-Day landings.

Part of the battle was the closing of the Falaise Gap. The scene of the aftermath was hideous beyond belief.

On behalf of every father, mother, sister & brother, wife and child - we will remember them.

I have started the ground preparation to get my vegetable/kitchen garden, and poly-tunnel, in full action for the next g...
04/06/2026

I have started the ground preparation to get my vegetable/kitchen garden, and poly-tunnel, in full action for the next growing season.

I've found the perfect sign to erect at the entrance to the area, for my guests to ponder upon.

This will be my first attempt at growing food!
Practice makes perfect.
Mistakes are all part of the learning curve.

I look forward to you all sitting at my table... 😉

T & C's: Purchasing a return ticket to visit Le Refuge Tranquille may prove to be wasted money - just sayin'.
Here, we offer burial or composting. Lighting fires is forbidden so other options are not available.

Wednesday night for a home movie and pizza.It is supposed to be me that never makes it to the end of the movie... 🤔
03/06/2026

Wednesday night for a home movie and pizza.

It is supposed to be me that never makes it to the end of the movie... 🤔

Go on... I dare you!
31/05/2026

Go on... I dare you!

After much deliberation, over many months, I have decided to find a new home for Amos, aka Morse.This is not an easy dec...
29/05/2026

After much deliberation, over many months, I have decided to find a new home for Amos, aka Morse.
This is not an easy decision for me. I am thinking about what is best for the horse, rather than my own desire.

He is a just turned 7 year-old, fully registered (with the Shire Horse Society), pedigree Shire horse.
Jet black with four white socks.
He has been trained to harness, but not backed for riding. (My passion is harness work).
Amos lives with me in France at present.

He is a very gentle soul. He likes humans.
In the right hands, he will make a superb riding horse.
He has no vices or issues. He will respond fully to gentleness, not forced impatience.

He will come with his full working harness & bridle, rugs (both lightweight and full), lotions, potions, spare horse shoes, his favourite scratchy implements, etc, etc, etc.

A full description of him will follow nearer the time. A true, honest account.

This post is advance notice. Please don't ask me at this time about a price. All this will do is remove you from the possible new owner consideration.
I will advertise him widely when the time is right.
Finding the correct home for him is my priority.

Below is Amos, leading his half-brother in joy back on the farm in England.

I have finally found some tableware that I find aesthetically pleasing.Both food and drink taste much better served from...
29/05/2026

I have finally found some tableware that I find aesthetically pleasing.

Both food and drink taste much better served from wood... in my humble opinion.

Guests to my home will be offered crockery - I can't afford the wooden variety in any number.

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Burford

Telephone

+447786676647

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