The sun was shining brightly this morning and that was enough to ensure a reappearance for the summer Barbour ... a bit of an overreaction I agree, but after the last week or so today felt almost tropical! Northamptonshire was the destination of choice for a visit to Highfields Stables, home of Heather and Tony Kemp, and some rather nice horses, oh, and some friendly Norfolk Terriers.
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A trip down memory lane, Party Politics came first in the
same week as the 1992 General Election ... unfortunately
for some, so did John Major |
Highfields is also home to a fantastic B&B; which boasts stunning views across the Northamptonshire countryside, so if you are ever considering a visit to this beautiful part of the country then you should certainly have a look at their website - Highfields B and B. An added attraction is that your breakfast will be cooked on the AGA.
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| Gidam Gidam - who we hope to see in action on Sunday |
First on the agenda was an introduction to the inmates at Highfields, and I had come prepared with a pocketful of polo mints. One by one heads popped over stable doors but I have a feeling that it wasn't me they were interested in, it was the contents of my pockets!
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| Caged Tiger |
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| "Show me your teeth" |
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| Gidam Gidam |
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| Lollypop - we bonded |
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| Or Bleu |
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R-L: Or Bleu, Caged Tiger, Gidam Gidam
and Ungaro |
I enjoy any time spent around horses but I must admit to being very taken by the five that I met today, and I can't resist just one more pic of Caged Tiger (below). I had to be practically dragged away but the promise of a sausage and bacon sandwich cooked on the AGA did the trick.
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| Caged Tiger |
While Heather gave us a potted history of Highfields we took a look around the rest of the yard, which contains a horse walker big enough to exercise 6 horses at a time, and a pretty impressive indoor school.
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The indoor school, next time you see a photograph of this
I will be riding something ... I just haven't asked Heather yet! |
Sandwiches and coffee were served in a very imposing room that used to be home to an indoor swimming pool in a previous life, and lunch was followed by a tour of the large and very comfortable letting rooms. I was very impressed, so impressed in fact that I almost booked in!
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| Highfields - nice isn't it? |
Hold on, I've missed a bit, Heather and Tony have a black 4 oven electric AGA, and it's a very nice AGA ... would anyone else like to buy one?
