On horse back at last

After a morning chilling at the lakeside I got ready for my ride. I was picked up first but there were only 4 in the group so we didn't have to call at many places before setting off to the ranch which was 20 minutes drive away.  The ride leader asked if anyone needed the loo before we started riding. I said yes but regretted it. Instead of going into the house I was shown to a wooden shack which contained a drop toilet. All I could think about was the one Chilean poisonous spider which hangs around in such places and tarantulas!

We were introduced to our horses after being assessed for riding experience, height and weight. I was told mine was lazy so would need 'motivation', went very slowly downhill and didn't like other horses so if others got close and her ears went back I had to pull her away.... okay....

The countryside we rode through was fabulous and we crossed a few fast running rivers. I was Billy No Mates at the back with my horse keeping her distance. When we cantered I soon learnt she needed a whack to get her to move on from a trot.

I had one scary moment near the end. Drivers in Chile do not slow down for horses. One driver was going too fast, started braking by the others ahead but skidded a bit on the gravel road by me. My horse understandably took fright, turned and tried to get away. I lost a stirrup but managed to stay on board and pull her up but I was glad we didn't have far to go. But suddenly there were lots of hornets around bothering the horses. I was desperately hoping mine wouldn't get stung and was very relieved to see the ranch. We were on the horses for over 3 and a half hours and boy did I know it when I tried to dismount.

We had a great evening chatting with Jun and Denise and Solange, two lovely and friendly sisters Chilean by birth but brought up in both Chile and Australia. Rodrigo made us all an Earthquake cocktail - a Chilean speciality. Delicious! Then he called us out into the yard as the top of the volcano was glowing orange.