I'm a little behind on my blog, but I hope I can catch up on it now!
Over the Easter holiday I flew to Norway to visit and stay with Kine, my friend of a couple of years and a Barnmice Blogger.

I had heard and seen so many photos of Pernille that I really wanted to meet her and Kine. So after loads of invites, an opportunity finally arrived for me to go and visit Kine for the first time. Kine and I speak online virtually every day, so to actually talk in person was really great.
The flight was very quick, as it was only a 2 hour flight and Kine met me at the airport. We went to a couple of shops, which was a novelty for me, since everything is in Norwegian and although some brands are the same as in the UK, it was fun to see all the different things.
We went back to Kine's home for a cup of tea and to unload my cases before going to bring the horses in for the night.
I helped as best I could, since my stamina and walking isn't that great. Although it was a reasonable day for my FMS wise.
I met Pernille and Linde for the first time, along with the colt, his grandmother and the little chestnut pony, whose name means star in Norwegian, but I can't remember how to say it. All five horses are beautiful and so sweet.

Linde.

Pernille.

Kine showed me around Oslo and I was able to have a couple of rides on Linde and one on Pernille.
I had to pace myself and with Kine understanding my illness, this was made very easy and I felt I wasn't under any pressure to do lots. For that, I am extremely grateful to Kine.

I had a couple of firsts, whilst I was in Norway. I rode in the snow, something I had always wanted to do and I got to ride a Norwegian Fjord, Linde and a Norwegian Draft Trotter, Pernille.

Linde was so sweet and lovely to ride, she's a very genuine horse and I felt very comfortable on her. If I was able to own a horse, I think I would go for a Fjord as they are about right for me.
The ride in the snow was fun and we saw Moose tracks too.
I had a very short canter, mainly because the snow was deep and Linde's gait was more jumpy in canter, which I wasn't quite prepared for since it was all a new experience for me. I would definitely do it again, if the opportunity arrives again.

Me riding Linde in the snow.

Me riding Pernille.

Pernille is a lovely horse to ride, though she can get quite fresh at times. She has an amazing trot and is also a pretty comfortable horse to ride. I would love to ride her again one day.....maybe when I go back to Norway to visit Kine again!

Kine riding Pernille.

Though the visit was on the back of a very sad time for me, Boo my beloved and constant companion passed away on the 26th March (I'm devastated at loosing her), it helped me some what, as it acted as a distraction and a change of scenery. I had to deal with seeing her urn for the first time when I got home, which was very painful and took me a good week before I was at ease with her not being around and near me. I miss her terribly, but I am happy that she is finally at rest and no longer in any pain. She was very ill with cancer and hyperthyroidism.

Boo, My sweet angel.

I had a great time away and I would really like to thank Kine for letting me stay with her and her family, showing me the sites of Oslo and letting me ride Pernille and to Martine for letting me ride her sweet Linde.

THANKS GUYS! :)