Horse riding-an extreme sport!

"Saddle Row"

Although it's somewhere below -20 degrees , the sky is a dazzling blue, the sun shines brightly and you might be forgiven for thinking it's a wonderful day!  Well, it  definitely was "wonder-full " ambling through the blanket of pristine snow. It was a short ride but nonetheless peaceful and relaxing.  We trekked to a nearby hill,  dismounted and just took in the majesty of the snow capped mountains that surrounded us. 

I know I have already shared  a few of my horse rides with you and will more than likely share a few more because each time you go out it is spectacularly unique!  

Colour coordinated with my horse today !

Uggs are not the most ideal riding boot but they defintely keep your feet warmer!

My obligatory fence shot :D

unembellished beauty...

The river is now frozen solid and covered in snow
 (at least that's they were quietly telling themselves standing there!!)

Looking back towards the ger and surrounds.
Picture taken by the hikers.

Making snow "tiles" high on a neighbouring hill-

a glorious spot to contemplate, reflect,

 gaze at the surrounding mountains and take in the fresh air

...keeping the home fires burning
Julie's ger is very "cheerfully" decorated with traditional Mongolian furniture.

The Wizard Of OZ

Oyu Tolgoi takes the children of Ulaanbaatar to the circus...

Happy faces of the VIP guests

Last Sunday we attended the circus production of  The Wizard of OZ for the Annual Children's party hosted by a branch of Sim's company.

The entire circus was commissioned to accomodate our little friends from the Fraternite Notre Dame Orphanage (FND), plus the children from three other local orphanages. 

The circus was packed to the rafters with the children and their friends (individuals from  Oyu Tolgoi and the wider expat and Mongolian community who assist them).

Everybody (including the old folk!) had a lot of fun!

Santa's helpers

You can't get by without a few helpers to hand out essentials on arrival...

Everyone was seriously rugged up from the cold outside!

What a gorgeous coat!

And there was more!..balloons, lollipops, hats and glow sticks...

Reserved. The best seats in the house!

the tumblers were once again simply amazing!

Then the after show photo call ...

...then back home for a pizza party!

Ole's "shadow walker"

Uncle Ole with his hands full!

Lastly, some HAPPY SNAPS, by the kids...

The following shots were taken by the children as my camera became the flavour of the moment.   With the help of some artful editing and cropping! and despite the healthy coating of pizza oil on the camera afterwards, they came out just great!

Did you recognise my little "angel" from the April blog?
He's definitely grown older!

it wasn't that easy to handle with small hands!

and my favourite...a portrait shot!?

International Alpine Equestrian Club of Outer Mongolia

Temperature: -24C

Dedicated members brave extreme conditions.

You might think it's the height of madness even thinking of venturing outside in minus 24 degree weather but myself and a few other like-minded friends were not the least bit deterred when it came to our weekly ride today. (Well, if anyone had there doubts, they certainly weren't showing it!). 

Sometimes the hardest part is actually gearing up to go outside. Being in a heated ger /yert with 2 layers of thermals, 2 pairs of cashmere socks, ugg boots, foot warmers, a ski suit, cashmere cardigan, neck warmer, glove liners, mittens, and a fox fur hat, when your ger is hotter than Hades, is one helluva test in itself!

It was so incredibly cold outside that both my iPhone and camera went into catatonic shock and refused to work.  It's a risky business taking off your gloves to handle an iPhone in those temperatures so I was  glad that option was eventually taken away from me.  Some of the (better) pictures were taken by my friend Kate who I hope is still counting 10 fingers tonight!

...because I like fences
(this was actually taken the previous week at the monastery. Mountains are still only partially covered in snow)

...some of these fences end as abruptly as they begin
So if you cant go thru you just walk around!

So much more snow just a week later

A frozen camera shot! Horses huddle together during a break on the hilltop.

It was so much icier on the hill than in the valley. Brrr!

Timeru and Baggi

No matter how cold, the sun is often shining and the sky a beautiful shade of blue.

Visitor's ger at a monastery camp -with an awesome view!

Sunny and freezing!

Snow desert.
My poor horse's face was covered in frost and icicles hung from his nose  :(

Love this picture as it looks so remote and isolated - the last frontier!

Horses graze by themselves until needed

And this is roughly where the wolf ran across in front of us.
No, there's definitely no picture! (imagination required)
It's impossible to be quick-fingered in conditions like these!


Thanks for allowing me to use some of your pictures Kate & Ronel :D