Saturday 11 sept Day 4 of Spruce Meadows

I forgot my camera so am filling in this blog with lots of photos that I could not fit onto the other pages. After a lovely breakfast We went to the market outside of Black Diamond.A nice little market where we found a Very appropriate picture for Jo as a thank you gift.

It is made out of small stones picked up out of the sheep river made into 4 little women with the title 'Sisters'. We left Jo to go to her friends place and did not even get lost even though it was a brand new way for us .

We parked in parking lot 10 and took the shuttle bus to the gate.

We picked up our daily sheet and we got a

coffee and went to our seats as we were a little late.

Maureen was already there in her seat about 4 rows below us.

It turned out that there was an empty seat beside us so Maureen came up and sat with us for the rest of the day which was so nice.

Brenda loaned me her camera which I did take some photos with but I forgot to download them into the computer that night.

The weather, which had started out so nice, only seemed to get colder as the day progressed. rain and wind and cold.

During the break we all went over to the Meadows on the Green and had a little lunch while the Battle of the breeds showcase was on.

After lunch we all split up and wandered around shopping and poking about.

when Barb was cleaning a little spot off of her coat she met a rude lady who

commented on the fact that one should not wear light colours. What the ?

The jumping was lovely. It did start to rain and it did get colder too. We all decided that tomorrow we were going to were lots more layers.

after the show we went back to Jo's and gave her the picture which she loved. we all helped with getting ready for dinner with Ed and Elsie who came down from Edmonton for the weekend.

It was a very nice dinner. and then we had ice cream for dessert and watched a movie, the Hangover, which was very funny.

After that we all hit the sack and slept like logs.

As much as logs as we usually did anyway.

Sunday 12 Sept - The Last day at Spruce Meadows

I slept in till 630 yea

The sunrise was lovely golden and morning chat turned to how every window pane was a picture.

we all got ready and had our breakfasts of shredded wheat or Barb's smoothies or toast and tea of course.

made our snack food for lunch and then proceeded to

load the car which seemed to be more full than when we came down.

Way more full.

Hugs and goodbyes to Jo with promises to take her up on her invitation to return.

Went west through Black Diamond and Turner valley to 22x to the show. Saw snow on the mountains and hawks,

ravens and coyotes at the side of the road. they were having their breakfast of roadkill deer.

We picked lot # 7 first but then changed our mind,

$10,000 for a parking spot there is a little high when we can park for free everywhere else, so we decided to go to # 2.

Took the short cut up through the hedge to

the road and then to the garden cafe at the all Canada Ring.

The show started a 9 and we were there early but all the front tables were taken. at First.

we waited at one of the tables at the back and moved our way to the front as people left thier tables. til we were at the front.

Brenda and Barb ordered toast but never did get thier jam. Rosemary picked up her latte but they were out of skim and earl grey and chai so Dennie did not get her chai tea or london fog. but that was OK. she just picked up some red rose and was just as happy. the jumping was lovely and the morning was actually sunny.

Maureen did not show up till noon for the big show.

We had about an hour between shows so we chatted for awhile and then went poking around. Rosemary picked up a pretty green shawl. we saw the Sam Steele club go riding by.

Dennie picked up country and horse newspapers.

Brenda looked at Kerrits clothes and Barb just poked.

We all got split up but we all met again at the show.

When we first went to our seats there

was a small confusion because we were moved down by two seats which was a little traumatic, we were used to our old seats. but we got over it quickly. Maureen was sitting right behind us.

The jumping was great.

The jumps themselves were huge and there were very few clear jumps.

Eric Lamaze was riding with a broken foot which we did not know about until after the show.

at the break we pulled out our munchies and sandwiches and all ate in our chairs.

then more jumps. Only the top 12 went on to the second round. which was very difficult too.

Eric had ridden clear in the first round so all he had to do was go clear in this round and he would win

but He lost his stirrup at the jump right

in front of us and Hickstead took the jump wide so it was called a refusal. SO sad.

We left after the last horse jumped and headed out.

Maureen had left to go and get a bag that she had bought and never came back.

We called her once we left the stands to find out where she was . S

he had gone to see Ed and Elsie.

Dennie rode with Maureen to Red Deer where we had all agreed to meet at the windmill donut shop.

They all got there at the same time which was real crazy as they did not see each other on the way and

Maureen and Dennie thought that they were really moving along.

Just goes to show how fast one can travel on a busy highway.

Maureen and dennie traveled together again up to the Big Derrick just outside of Edmonton

where we all met again and then Dennie jumped into Brenda's car

for the rest of the ride. It was a great time. We all felt that it was longer than 5 days. for me it seemed like two weeks at least.

I'll go back again for sure.