Pedaling, picnicking and polo...

Summer days are so long and there is so much to do!

Saturday was packed with activities, starting with a 26 mile bike ride at 7am with 3 friends. It was bright and very sunny, but not too hot yet.

After the ride, Jeff and I stopped at Starbucks for refreshing iced coffee, went home and got ready to set out to Colt State Park for a picnic with people from Jeff's job. The food was good and we enjoyed being on the water and watching the boats. There were really cute red-winged blackbirds trying to sneak up to the picnic tables for food, so we had to keep an eye on them. I'm sure they feast very well on all the crumbs there!

After the picnic finished, I realized we'd actually have time to meet up with friends at the local polo match. I was able to reach them on the mobile and Jeff and I rushed to get changed and ready! Jeff got our folding chairs in the truck while I attempted to throw together some snacks. I grabbed a basket, a couple of wine glasses (just from a tasting, nothing precious in case they were to get broken) and a handful of linen napkins. We stopped at the grocery store for pre-cut fruit, mainly strawberries that are so good right now. We also picked up a bottle of chilled wine and beer at the liquor store. On the way, I got it all arranged in the basket! Within 45 minutes we had our snacks, drinks, chairs and were at the polo field with a little time to spare before the match started. The only thing I didn't manage to do was pick a big hat to wear. Oh well!

We found our friends and got our chairs set up together and assessed our snack and drink choices. Between us, we had quite a bit! They had brought gin and tonics, complete with limes! We had such fun!

The local Newport team was playing Scotland. Newport won by just 1 goal. I took some pictures of the action. You can see how fit and muscular the ponies are in this picture.

The flags represent each of the countries that play during the summer.




Half-way through, people walk out on the field to stamp on the divots. There was a bagpipe band and Scottish dancers for entertainment too.

At the end, the riders gallop around the edge of the field and the spectators crowd in to give the riders high fives. There are prizes awarded, including one for the best playing pony.

After the polo, the 4 of us went into Newport to have sushi and talked until the waitstaff were ready to close the place! It was so late when we got home, but we stayed up a bit longer to see the new Dr. Who episode, Turn Left.