Such a Fun Week!!!

Oh wow, what an amazing week I've had!!! Not only has every day been filled with some hard yet extremely satisfying riding, my nights have been filled with some serious fun too. Lets start with the horses...Seb is really starting to get the idea of what he has to do (and me too!) and my main focus when I ride him is to pretty much hold my outside rein down and drive into it, not letting him be stronger and pull my hands and body forward. This way I can ride him through without pulling back, because he is bent around my inside leg and going into my outside rein, made a lot easier by practicing shoulder-in, leg-yield and traverse down the long side.Chad is getting stronger every day, he is now strong enough to use the big walk he was blessed with and not shuffle and jog to keep up with it. He can really take the contact now and use himself, not coming inwards in himself like he did when he was younger and weaker. He is looking like a real grown-up horse now!So, my evenings. Let's start with Monday night. I was invited out to dinner with Leonie and Volker who had some Scottish clients over for a couple of days, so I was able to speak English the whole meal and found we had a lot of common ground, coming from the same kind of area. That was at our favorite Italian restaurant in the main town, so there was lots of good food and wine.On Tuesday after work Alex (a guy who works at the yard) and I went for an ice cream, and then later we went out into Hannover city to a brilliant American bar and grill called Henrys. I had an amazing steak which came out on a hot rock so I could cook it myself, and then we had cocktails after. Alex's friend also came, who lives in Bremen and could speak english too thank god!On Wednesday I had a really nice quiet time at home on my couch, as I only got in at 2.30am the night before so really needed to re-energise. I was wrapped up in my duvet watching youtube videos and listening to music, and was shocked at myself that I could chill out so easily. It has been a long time since I could sit on my couch and just relax, so I think it's a good indication of how content I finally am right now!On Thursday afternoon I went shopping with Katharina, a really lovely girl who helps at the yard also. I bought a really nice bikini, then we had ice cream at the best ice cream cafe in Hannover. Safe to say it was extremely delicious! And after doing some CD shopping we drove to her horse so I could see him, then we met with her mom at an Italian restaurant near her home. It was sooo yummy, we had antipasti and I had a fish-platter for my main. We drank some nice sparkling red wine (I don't know what they call it, but that's what it was described to me as) and finished off the meal with an amaretto. At this point I realised just how much the Germans love to drink, which normally is something I don't do because it is often only to get drunk in England which I don't see the point of, but here it is very much a social thing and makes the evening a lot more jolly!Yummm currywurst :)On Friday night four of us from the yard and two of Katha's friends' went to a music festival at the 'messe' (exhibition park) in Hannover. There were some really good german bands playing, and even though I couldn't understand the songs I still really enjoyed the music. We drank prosecco with strawberries, a favorite drink of riders around Hannover apparently! And I had my first ever German beer (which shamefully I couldn't even finish!) with some currywurst. How German am I!! :D Alex and I took the train home and I ended up going to bed at about 2.30am again, the night was very worth it though!On Saturday I went to the festival again, but this time only with Katha and Nicole from the yard. I was so excited for this night, as not only were there some great German bands, but Pitbull and Taio Cruz were there too!!! I love these artists, they were the final two acts to play and it was seriously unreal. It was a lot busier than the previous night and a lot more young people, so it was really a big moshpit moment with all of us jumping up and down on top of eachother - typical festival! And it was even better because I knew every single song so could sing as loud as I could to lose my voice :DProst (cheers) to the beer!After the festival the night was certainly not over. This weekend we all took advantage of the fact that things were very quiet at the yard and not much had to be done, so Nicole, Alex and I went out in Hannover - my first Hannover night-life experience in the three years I have been coming here!!! I was so excited though a little nervous of what the night culture was like in comparison to England. I didn't know what kind of things most girls wore, so I played it safe with just a plain dress and a sparkly belt and sparkly shoes. I wasn't going to bring out any short skirts or crop tops and look like a fool!! Most people just wear jeans actually, it is a lot more casual here than it is in England. I think I fitted in quite well actually, except for when I was spoken to and had to say "sorry I speak english" with a blank look.We ended up staying out until morning light, which seems to be quite normal here in Germany! In England, the clubs close at 3am and everyone goes home. Well here, people are still on the street at 6am. So we caught the train home, I put on my breeches and went off to ride at 7am. I have to say, I was very, very glad to climb into bed when I got home at 10am! I'm not sure I will be doing that again though, once is enough. I'd rather my sleep and be fresh to ride! Thank god the boys were only have an easy day today. So some down time was had for all :)I am so relieved that I am actually having the time of my life here in Germany, as I was a bit worried that it would be really hard and lonely. Not at all!!! I am so lucky I am in a good situation with an amazing trainer, friendly workers at the yard, and my car so I can get around easily. I feel like I'm really immersing myself in the Germany culture and loving every second of it. I wish I was German! However I must be patriotic today as it is the Queen's jubilee, so I am watching it live on BBC news, the only english TV channel I have. The bright side of not being there to celebrate it in England is that it isn't exactly BBQ weather at the moment, so I am fine here in Germany right now :DPITBULL!!!!Taio Cruz :D