The signs were ominous as we set off for Sheriff Hutton at 5:30am on Sunday morning, the outside temperature was -6 and the AGA van was almost unrecognisable under a thick layer of frost. Despite this, we hit the road in good spirits and made excellent time, however, the all-white scenery along the way did nothing for our confidence. Then, as feared, the dreaded message came when we were but 8 minutes away from the course ... racing is off!
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| The scene that greeted us just after 8am - too white for racing |
We carried on to the course where we met up with Chairman Robert Woodhouse, and Clerk of the Course Nicky Tinkler, and we took some "frosty" photos for the blog.
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| A very frosty paddock |
"I hope someone has got the kettle on" I tweeted, yes came the almost immediate reply, by twitter, text and email, "would you like breakfast as well?". That was from the Yorkshire Area PRO, Charlotte Brader, who insisted that we were not leaving with an empty stomach, it's not the Yorkshire way.
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| That frost isn't budging! |
Armed with a new postcode for the sat nav we headed for Malton where we really did experience some of the famous Yorkshire hospitality. Charlotte was on the doorstep to greet us with her
fiancé Lee "Lazer" Russell, and while it quickly became apparent that Lazer was "In Total Control" of the breakfast arrangements, that was where it ended - more of that later!
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| Lazer "In Total Control" (allegedly) |
After a very welcome and delicious breakfast we were joined by Michael and Sara Ashby-Arnold from Country Warmth in Malton - the authorised AGA Distributor for North Yorkshire, Ryedale and the Humberside areas. More tea followed as we made our plans for the hopefully soon to be re-arranged meeting, and swapped AGA war stories.
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| Musley Bank Stables |
Laser was due to head off to Richard Fahey's Musley Bank Stables to ride a couple of nice horses for Andy Nicholls on the all weather gallop and Charlotte asked if we wanted to come along as well. A quick glance between myself and Derek without a word being spoken was all it needed to confirm the answer to that question.
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| The all weather gallop - just under a mile long |
Derek fired up the AGA van and we headed for the stables which are situated in beautiful open countryside just a mile outside of Malton. Carol and John Milburn were already there, along with their son Will, Carol's hunter Kings Jester, and another horse owned and trained by Carol - The Ring. We were soon joined by Andy Nicholls with 3 more horses - Queen of The Blues, Bring It On and Adin Abroad - read more about them on Andy's website, Pasture Farm Racing.
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| "Never mind the horses, who wants to buy a new AGA?" |
This seemed like an opportune moment to show off the brand new AGA Total Control cooker in the back of the van, so that is exactly what we did. Lazer also asked if he could wear Derek's very nice AGA fleece which is embroidered with "I'm In Total Control" across the back. Derek readily handed it over - and it was at this point that Charlotte asked us to make it absolutely clear that the statement on the back of the fleece was not true - over to you Laser.
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| Steady away first time |
Laser was on Queen Of The Blues - last of the 3 pictured above, for the first steady gallop, after which Andy pointed out that Lazer wasn't following instructions, a comment that was met with a cheeky grin and an even cheekier reply!
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Lazer, who according to Charlotte is not "In Total Control"
(he is however, great fun) |
The second time around Lazer was aboard Adin Abroad, a horse that has come from Ireland with a big reputation, and this will be one to watch out for in a point very soon. They went a bit faster this time and I've added a short video clip at the end of this post so you can get an idea of just how fast they were going.
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| It's fair to say that Derek wasn't expecting this! |
I must say we met some wonderful people today, and hopefully we will be seeing them again soon - especially if any of them want to buy an AGA. Anyway, after an enjoyable few hours in Yorkshire it was time to head back to Leamington Spa, but not before I had a photo taken ... come on, you didn't think I would get through a whole post without at least one did you?
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| Charlotte, David and Lazer |
And finally ... click on the "AGA Photographs" tab at the top of the page to see more pics from Yorkshire, and here's the video clip of Adin Abroad that I mentioned earlier in this post.
