Or as I would say: PONIES!
I have just about summoned up enough strength from my aching bones to tell of my adventure to Castle Leslie Estate, Co. Monaghan.
Day 1:
Myself and my comrade on this adventure, Avril, arrived at the Lodge in blazing sunshine and after standing there for a few minutes going 'wow, this place is so cool!' we went to check in. When she opened the door to the room and only saw one (GIANT) bed the Receptionist looked worried and said 'oh sorry, did you ask for twin beds?' and we assured her that it was fine and that we didn't. She looked openly uncomfortable to be in the presence of what must be lesbians and quickly ran away. After jumping up and down on the bed of ridiculousness for a while we went to explore the grounds. We picked up a map at reception (yes, this place has its own map) but managed to somehow still get lost by wandering off the beaten track onto a path that looked kind of like a tunnel through the forest, half way down which our phone networks decided we had crossed the border into Northern Ireland. After sizing up the cross country jumps and quaking in fear at the prospect of the next days riding we went to the Castle to sit in the amazing drawing room drinking complimentary home made lemonade and read books about art whilst a rain storm happened outside. On the way back to our room the receptionist decided she was gonna try and reach out to some poor lesbians and advised us on what was the best pub to go to in the area. She then told us she was going to Dublin to see Twilight with her boyfriend, upon which we made friends forever (a girl who travels for hours for Twilight is a friend of mine).
Day Two:
In the morning we choked down breakfast, shushing each other whenever we tried to voice our terror about the slowly approaching cross country ride, and put on our pony gear going 'this is going to be fun!' in over enthusiastic tones. We wandered down to the yard and got introduced to our ponies: mine was called Jane and she was a giant pony a.k.a as a large horse. I had a chat with her as we set off, so we were cool and shit by the time it came to the first jumps. I was nervous at first, but as I flew across the 2nd run of jumps I suddenly remembered how much I loved cross country. Its like a crazy adrenaline rush mixed with mud and thundering hooves. I jumped coffins, tables and chairs, cottage jumps, logs, up and down steps and a big bank out of the lake (this won't mean anything unless you know ponies, but was very impressive for us). It started raining as we walked down through a river towards home, and it was one of those perfect moments that you appreciate just as much when your living it as when you remember it.
Back at the hotel we moved like old people all ready but it was made slightly better by chilling in the hot tub in the rain and hanging out on day beds in white fluffy robes. When we finally got it together to get dressed we went back to the Castle to reclaim our couch corner. We went exploring and found a cinema room, complete with lazy boys and massive dvd collection, but (SHAME) we were too scared to stay hidden in the depths of an echoing castle in the dark to avail of this awesome place. Back in the drawing room we were served very elaborate tea by a polite young man who obviously thought we were a bit mental. Coulda been because every time we moved we made a simultaneous OWWW noise. Our friend the kingsize bed was the perfect place for being in pain though.
Day 3:
Pain. Some more pain. Still buzzing from the cross country ride though so definitely worth it. French toast and pancakes for breakfast. We went to explore the estate before saying goodbye to it and fell a bit more in love with every step and agreed that we would have a similar estate together when we're older where we could wander around bareback on our ponies and have parties. I felt genuine sadness as the bus took me back to Dublin. The water doesn't come from the lake here, and it doesn't taste like earth.
Some pictures :)
Castle Leslie and the estate:
(Our) drawing room:
Our couchspace:
Tea at couchspace:
Some of the jumps:
Jane!
Cinema room:
A week later now and I can safely say I want to go back. Now. Please?
Castle Leslie is beautiful. Go there.
:)
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