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Hello
Dec 21, 2015 23:01:38 GMT -1
Post by Francis on Dec 21, 2015 23:01:38 GMT -1
I feel after so long an absence I ought to either explain or reintroduce myself in some way. The forum here had been so important to me at one point, and a place where I spent so much time that it feels strange to be back reading your names again. One the one hand it's so easy to just slip right back in, as though I'd never been away, but I realise that you've all put a great deal of work in to moving things on whilst I've been away - not least manifest now in the book you've published (I've had my copy for a couple of days now and congratulations on that to all of you!) I wouldn't want to seem presumptuous or risk treading on anybodies toes by adding my thoughts, or misgivings on ideas as I might once have felt entitled to? I'm not sure what role I could play, or what you would want me to offer? Lee joked about getting others back from the time the forum was most active. Is anyone still in touch with Little Raven or Blackbird - I guess Brochfaels path crosses with some of you from time to time. What about Craig? It would be something really special if that was possible. I don't believe the essence of my path have changed greatly since I was last here. I am perhaps a little less insular than I had become - and am working to open my spiritual horizons beyond the catchment of the river Conwy. By coincidence I have been increasingly working with ponies and the most obviously incarnate face of Epona - and working with our small herd, which includes other native ponies of the Western Fringe from Shetlands to Exmoor - as well as the wild ponies of the mountains themselves - which ties in with some elements of my general practice working with the boundaries between wild and domestic in general, farmland and woodland, the Hearth and the Wild. Anyway looking forward to seeing where this might go and getting to know you all again and meeting Lorna.
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Hello
Dec 22, 2015 10:16:55 GMT -1
Post by potia on Dec 22, 2015 10:16:55 GMT -1
Hello again lovely to hear you are doing more work with the ponies. I'll never forget that first time camping at yours with three ponies in the field
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Post by Lee on Dec 22, 2015 14:35:03 GMT -1
Really good to see you back Jump right on, we have been quiet for ages and this recent flurry will hopefully continue for a while. Craig left over the inclusion/exclusion of Loki if i recall, he can be contacted fairly easy on facebook. Blackbird and littleraven haven't been on in over 3 years - BB might be contactable via her harp website, I have no idea how to get in tough with LR though
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Post by Heron on Dec 24, 2015 10:30:58 GMT -1
It's getting just like old times
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Hello
Dec 25, 2015 10:29:46 GMT -1
Post by lorna on Dec 25, 2015 10:29:46 GMT -1
Hello Francis, Thanks for the intro I think you're the only person I haven't met. I love the fact you physically work with native British ponies from Shetlands to Exmoors to Welsh Mountain ponies. I used to teach kids to ride on native ponies and those Shetlands... the smallest are always the naughtiest of the lot. Please jump in and offer whatever your would like to / are called to. There's lots and lots of room and stuff to do And no need to worry about stepping on my toes - kind of used to that with those Shetland ponies (!)
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Hello
Dec 28, 2015 20:31:30 GMT -1
Post by Francis on Dec 28, 2015 20:31:30 GMT -1
Hello again lovely to hear you are doing more work with the ponies. I'll never forget that first time camping at yours with three ponies in the field Hello Potia - Sorry to not reply sooner we've had the most terrible floods I ever known. That field you camped in with the ponies was over 8 feet deep in fast flowing water on Boxing Day. Truly incredible. I managed to move all our beasts before the water got too high, but lots of sheep have been lost in the Valley. Had a few close calls in the water trying to help a friend reach some of his animals. Quite something to be with the Conwy in that state..
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Hello
Dec 28, 2015 20:42:00 GMT -1
Post by Lee on Dec 28, 2015 20:42:00 GMT -1
holy shit.
I was wondering if you had been affected when i heard the Conwy on the news. There is definitely a strong waters/rivers/floods vibe going on these days.
Glad to hear you and your beasts are fine though.
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Hello
Dec 28, 2015 20:44:43 GMT -1
Post by Francis on Dec 28, 2015 20:44:43 GMT -1
Hi Lorna - Thanks for your message and kind thoughts on my jumping back in! I've enjoyed looking in on your blog - I lived in Lancashire for a while when I was younger on the Fylde Coast (thankfully before the heartache of having to watch at close hand every last square inch of it be built on) but only know Penwortham as somewhere we went once a year to play cricket!
I'm look forward to talking with you about your own work and relationship with ponies.
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Hello
Dec 28, 2015 20:52:17 GMT -1
Post by Francis on Dec 28, 2015 20:52:17 GMT -1
Glad to hear you and your beasts are fine though. Thanks Lee - it was really pretty harrowing - and the physical power of the water just shocking. The thing you never hear reported though is the effect on wildlife- when the water reached the top of the cob it was covered in voles and hedgehogs, of course once the water rose a little higher there was nowhere left for them. Lets just say today was a good day for crows - even saw them feasting on a floating sheep carcass...And another big storm on the way. Just every now and then I see the merrits of an office job!
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Hello
Dec 28, 2015 20:53:18 GMT -1
Post by Francis on Dec 28, 2015 20:53:18 GMT -1
Glad to hear you and your beasts are fine though. Thanks Lee - it was really pretty harrowing - and the physical power of the water just shocking. The thing you never hear reported though is the effect on wildlife- when the water reached the top of the cob it was covered in voles and hedgehogs, of course once the water rose a little higher there was nowhere left for them. Lets just say today was a good day for crows - even saw them feasting on a floating sheep carcass...And another big storm on the way. Just every now and then I see the merrits of an office job!
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Hello
Dec 29, 2015 17:13:02 GMT -1
Post by lorna on Dec 29, 2015 17:13:02 GMT -1
@ Francis
Sounds traumatic. How frightening. And terrible to hear about the devastating effects on the wildlife. I'm glad to hear you managed to get your animals to higher ground.
The Ribble flooded between Penwortham and Preston. Luckily the local parks acted as floodplains. It would have been totally different if developments planned several years ago which didn't go ahead due to a local campaign had happened. But still, I'm sure a number of small animals also were killed or lost their homes.
There has been devastation across northern England with thousands of people evacuated and affected, buildings and roads destroyed. Seriously apocalyptic and a clear warning we need to do everything we can to slow climate change.
Let's pray the next storm is not so bad. I hope you and your livestock aren't affected again.
I guess you played at Vernons?
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Hello
Jan 18, 2016 9:52:51 GMT -1
Post by mooncrone on Jan 18, 2016 9:52:51 GMT -1
Being new to the forum, all I can say is hello rather than welcome back, if you see what I mean.
Anyways, hope to catch up with you (and everyone) around the place soon!
Thinking of those affected by the floods, surviving the weather is a challenge, and I hope all are safe.
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Hello
Jan 18, 2016 11:56:30 GMT -1
Post by lorna on Jan 18, 2016 11:56:30 GMT -1
Hello Mooncrone, welcome
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Hello
Jan 18, 2016 13:31:13 GMT -1
Post by Heron on Jan 18, 2016 13:31:13 GMT -1
Welcome Mooncrone - hope you feel at home here.
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