This post is for the #wednesdaywalk challenge and the #makemesmile challenge collaboration. This collaboration initially took place once a month, but due to its popularity, @tattoodjay (of the #wednesdaywalk) and @elizacheng (of #makemesmile) decided to make it a weekly thing.
If you want to know more about the rules, visit this post by @tattoodjay where you will find all the rules at the bottom of his post after you've enjoyed his beautiful photos from his walk.
I missed posting last week due to being down with a chest infection. Then the same thing happened to my wife too.
We both used some medication and we tried to get as much rest as possible.
Yesterday was the first time we went out again as I wanted to get some photos and get back in the habit of posting.
We went out to the Shongweni and Summerveld areas. Although we took it easy, I was able to get enough photos to keep me busy for a while...
For today's post, I'll focus on our visit to the Shongweni Club (or the Durban Shongweni Club as I see it's called on Google maps).
The Shongweni Club is known as an equestrian venue. The Shongweni Club has its own polo field which is used for the BMW polo tournament.
Due to the polo activity at the club, the immediate surrounding area has become known as Polo Pony. I have never heard anybody talking about "the Shongweni Club", but when someone says "I'm going to Polo Pony", you know exactly where they are going.
For today's walk, I didn't enter the property from the main gate (where the show jumping area is). Instead, I entered from a side entrance, next to the polo field.
After we have parked the car, we walked towards the polo field area where we saw some horses grazing.
For my first photo, I stood just inside the gate, looking back down the road leading back to the main road.
The horses were clearly comfortable having us there and immediately came closer...
Everything was so peaceful...
This "lady" came up to me and we had a long conversation over the gate.
After whispering some nice words in her ear while stroking her over the forehead and the side of her face, it looked like she wanted to say something like "where are you going now?" when I took one step back to take a (close-up) photo of her...lol.
"Okay...if you have to go...I'll just continue grazing here..."
Getting a little more distance between us, you can see she is quite an impressive, beautiful animal.
The next photo I took, was also just such a peaceful scene to me...
We decided to take a walk on this avenue, going toward the stables behind the show jumping area.
About halfway down the avenue, I took this shot of the view over the polo field.
Coming to the end of the avenue, we arrived at this area where some small businesses are being operated from. Just behind this are stabling facilities for horses participating in various activities.
As mentioned, going beyond this point, you go to the show jumping/gymkhana area. There was nothing going on while we were there, so we decided to head back to the car.
So, that's it for today, folks!
Thank you for reading my post! I do appreciate it!
I'm glad that you and your wife are both feeling better Jaco! Thank you for sharing such lovely photos of this place and the horses! I grew up on a thoroughbred horse farm in SW rural New Jersey, so I have a lot of experience with horses! Also, a jungle neighbor brought five Islandic horses to stay in the cow pasture here at GaiaYoga for a while. They are beautiful and friendly, and the kids love them because they're smaller horses, like ponies! Anyway, thank you much again for sharing! Happy New Year Jaco! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
Thank you for the kind words, @tydynrain👍! Apologies for the late reply, although we are feeling better, I slowed down a bit to spend as much time as possible with the family this season.
You say you grew up on a thoroughbred horse farm... Wow! That's awesome! We are animal lovers, but my wife has a special soft spot for horses.
I can imagine that the kids love and enjoy the horses the neighbor brought to the cow pasture. I believe it is good for kids to grow up with animals.
Happy New Year to you too🙏👍!
Absolutely and no worries at all Jaco! Taking time with your family is a very good thing!
Yes, growing up with horses and all manner of animals was really beautiful, though I appreciate it more now than I did then! My mother has always had a similer soft spot and love for animals! It's because of her that my brother and I had so many diverse animals growing up!
Yes, the kids love the horses, especially Iolanthe, who has a special love and connection with them! It is so good and important for children to grow up with animals, yes! I'd say also growing up close to the earth, nature, and plants too!
Thank you so much Jaco! Happy New Year! May it be beautiful beyond words! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
Thank you for the kind words, @tydynrain!
Yes, nature, in all forms is so important in our lives, yet people get so caught up in city life, they miss out on all the beauty and things of real importance!
Most definitely Jaco! Yes, exactly! Some have never even had any close or deep experience of Nature, which is crazy to me considering how incredibly important it is for our own health, wellness, vitality, and joy! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
Very true👍🙏!
I love very close to earth and nature, and I'm deeply grateful for it! 😁🙏💚✨🤙
Sorry to hear you both had a chest infection glad the meds helped and you were able to get out
So cool the horses came so close
Thanks for joining the Wednesday, I always love seeing all the walks shared from around the world, its like a virtual world tour
Thank you, @tattoodjay👍
Yes, it was awesome with the horses coming so close. We really had an awesome time with them!
Sorry to hear you got sick last week. Glad you and wife are feeling better now. Lovely place to explore. It's been a while since I went horseback riding. Thank you for sharing another adventure with us. Do take it easy and continue to be well. An advance happy new year...
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Thank you for the kind words, @iamraincrystal! I do appreciate it. Yes, it was fantastic to spend time with the horses and it was very relaxing!
We are trying to take it as easy as possible. An advance Happy New Year to you too!
I'm happy that you got to spend some time with the horses Jaco! They are wonderful animals! I grew up with them! Yay for feeling better! Happy New Year! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
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Thank you, @tydynrain! That must have been a great privilege to grow up with horses!
Yes, we are glad that we are feeling better, believe me...😁!
Happy New Year🙏👍!
It was, though as is often the case with growing up with something, I didn't appreciate it that much as a kid. I very much do now, however! Yay about feeling better! Happy New Year brother! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
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That is often the case indeed. Even as adults, living with something, we often start taking it for granted and we don't realize how blessed we are!
Thank you, @tydynrain🙏👍!
Indeed, so true brother! That's why I like to periodically remind myself to look at myself and my life (and everything really!) with new eyes. That helps a lot. I have so much gratitude for my life! Absolutely Jaco, thank you! 😁🙏💚✨🤙
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I hope that this New Year is overflowing with deep love, fun, meaning, and joy for you and your family Jaco! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨ 🤙
Thank you, @tydynrain! And may the same be true for you and your family too🙏👍!
You're so welcome Jaco, and thank you muchly! 😁 🙏 💚 ✨🤙
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The tip has been paid for by the We Are Alive Tribe through the earnings on @alive.chat, feel free to swing by our daily chat any time you want.
Thank you for the tokens! I do appreciate them!