This morning I handed in my thesis which means that I am DONE! We all celebrated with champagne in the garden, then punted along the river, then slept for days. Ahhh, finally to be finished.
When my mare seemed closer to foaling, I drove up to Montana. I waited (more anxiously than patiently) for her to have a baby and was lucky to be able to stay with terrific friends while I waited. I was finally rewarded when her water broke during my 4am barn check on April 23rd. It was incredible to get to watch her give birth; the filly was on the ground an hour later and nursing after another two. I am so lucky; she is healthy and gaining strength rapidly and will have an ideal childhood, growing up on the hillsides of a Montana ranch. She has a friend too; another filly who was born a few days before her. The ranchers who are keeping her while I finish my degree in England are great and very knowledgable horse-people. I am so happy I could be home to welcome my new horse into the world.
After New Brunswick, I headed home to Colorado for some classic winter weather and a fabulous hike with my dad. Spending time with the family is always fun and it was good to see everyone again.
As soon as term was over, I went to the picturesque New Brunswick to look for housing and stabling for next fall. The timing worked out really well and I was able to see my brother, Derek, in New York City and a bunch of friends in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia while I was there.
As soon as the party was over, I grabbed a few hours' sleep and then headed off to Iceland for a weekend getaway. It was really relaxing and settling after the bphil exams. I got to enjoy the hot springs, geysirs (the only Icelandic word adopted by English), waterfalls, and the cold but beautiful landscape. The highlights were enjoying a floating massage, eating the delicious lamb, and sleeping in until 11am every morning. . .
