I treated my mum to an early (well, very early!) birthday treat and also a slight treat for myself as well. Just to do something different from the mundane on a day off - so, we went horse riding at Morne Coubaril Estate just south of Soufriere and not far from the Sulphur Springs. We only did the one-hour ride, which is just around the 200+ acre plantation, but they also do a two-hour ride, which also takes in the Sulphur Springs as well.

My mum didn't know what we were doing, so was pleasantly surprised as to the...er...surprise! Even though we only stayed on the plantation itself, the views looking out towards Soufriere Bay, with the blue sea glistening and the brightness of the white yachts were gorgeous. Also the views towards the Pitons - Petit Piton moreso, were also fantastic. The guide - Bill - was brilliant during the whole time, mum's horse (Rusty) was slower and kept back from us, so we had to wait. Each time we did this, my horse (Rose) decided she wanted to eat grass. Even when we were walking, she wanted to stop and eat grass.

The route that we took around the plantation, which took in replicas of carib huts, cocoa bean processing - where they also make a cocoa vinegar, which smells and looks alot like balsamic, a sugar cane crusher, various plants and trees including tamarind. The terrain started off with going up a slight incline, as the horse is doing all the hard work, you, as the rider have to lean forward in the saddle. All the memories of horse-riding lessons that I had when I was 10 years old came back to me - how to sit in the saddle, holding the reins, keeping my heels down, turning the horse. The one slightly-scary point came at the end as we were walking back to the stables. Rose - my horse - decided she wanted to trot, then she decided that she wanted to get back to the stables quicker, so we went into a canter, including going right through the stables and stopping - slightly abruptly for my liking - at her stall.

It was so nice to get back into the saddle and maybe we'll attempt the 2 hour ride next time!





:o)