I love the Willow Glen tradition of hosting carriage rides in the Christmas season. Being horse-mad is just part of it. The lights on the stores, streets and houses are lovely, strangers wave, there's a feeling of being outside of every day life.
Tessa was agog, Jack a little unsure about the unfamiliar surroundings. And it wasn't the same as the ride last year. This time it was a flat cart with about 12 seats, drawn by a handsome white Percheron, and the 20-minute route was just up and down Lincoln Avenue. Last year, we rode in an open barouche, a four-seater carriage dating from the 1800s, pulled by a good looking bay, not a draft horse. Last year the ride was through the side-streets off Lincoln, through the residential areas where people go all out on their light displays. Actually, a better experience. But I'm not quibbling - there was a horse, 4/5 of my family were with me, and I loved it. Can't wait for next year!
What a lovely tradition!
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