Ridingfields Square

British tennis player, Andy Murray, stepped up his game a notch or two just when he needed to, in the World Indoor Tournament. Both players were carrying injuries picked up in matches that were leading up the event, with Murray eventually getting the better of the world number one, Nadal.

The match was set to be a tight one from the word go, especially as Murray would be facing world number one in the tennis scene, Rafael Nadal.

According to reports, Nadal suffered a slight casino einzahlungsbonus knee injury throughout the tournament and was therefore not playing at his best. Of course, this didn’t take any of the excitement away from Andy Murray, who walked away the Tournament Champion.

Murray’s tennis career is the best is has ever been, with the recent win in Qatar just over four weeks ago and now beating the world number one for another title.

That being said, Murray decided not to use his injury as an excuse. In a recent match with Marc Gicquel, leading up to the match with Nadal, Murray picked up a slight injury, which he took into the final when he found himself against the world number one.

The International Olympic Committee will be considering the applications and bids from four countries over the next few weeks, all looking to host the 2016 Olympics. All four countries have embarked on a two year campaign to enable their country the chance to host the Olympics, something that is finally coming to an end.

Currently there are three major contenders, which were all short listed by the International Olympic Committee late last year. These include Madrid, Chicago, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro, all looking to be labeled the 2016 host.

One of the obvious favorites is likely to be Chicago, mainly due to the fact that USA based sponsors have played a major part in the games throughout the year and the USA have not hosted since the 1996 event.

This is not any ordinary bid for an Olympic Games host though, mainly due to the current financial crisis. The International Olympic Committee will not just be looking at the appropriate venue and organizers, but also the country that can provide the adequate finances to fund the events.

After a few spot visits to the countries selected, the International Olympic Committee will eventually decide on the host by October this year, after various discussions regarding finances.

Chris Hoy has been an asset to the 2008 season, providing inspiration for aspiring Cyclists and athletes on the UK Circuit.

The MBE is well deserved and its good to see that fellow sportsman Lewis Hamilton was also able to pick an MBE up at this years awards.

Double for Hoy

Olympic hero Chris Hoy had two reasons to celebrate after being knighted in the New Year Honours List - while his mother became an MBE.

The cyclist was honoured after winning three gold medals at the Beijing Games to become Scotland’s greatest Olympian.

Horses have long held a place in the history of man. They have been a weapon of war, a tool for agriculture and a source for fun and recreation (and transportation). Today they are more the later than the former, but horses are still a great addition to any family.

1. Horses teach responsibility to the owners. If you are buying for your children then they will have to learn to clean the stalls, groom the horse and give it plenty of exercise and affection.

2. With rising gas prices, horses can be a green alternative to the situation. Instead of trying to create a future vehicle for transportation, it might be time we looked to the past.

3. Children who ride regularly are not sitting around watching television. They will benefit from the air and the sunshine.

4. Riding is a great form of physical activity. Gripping the horse, getting up and down and other movements required when riding will work more muscles than most people might ever imagine.

5. Riding helps with balance, coordination and strength building (particularly in the legs).

6. Horses make great companions for children (and for the family). They have a way of sensing your emotions and helping bring peace and comfort to your day.

Not every home is able to accommodate a horse. They need a place to stay and they need room to run. But if your family can get a horse then there are some great benefits you will receive from the choice.

Many women enjoy getting out in nature.  The long, quite walks over worn paths that offer great views of scenery and wildlife can be the perfect way to wind down during the weekend.  But they rarely (if they are wise) travel these paths alone.

For years, when we went for long hikes, we went in a pack.  There is the old adage about safety in numbers, but part of it was about the companionship as well.  As more women become the victims of violent crimes, we have looked for a different alternative - which means mean.

Today, it is highly unlikely to see a woman wandering a path (even one that is highly traveled) all by herself.  Even two women is a rare vision.  Because of well publicized events, women look for security with a male friend.  It’s great for their nerves, but not so great for the outdoor type men who are looking to meet a mate while walking the trails.

Maybe someone should design code for hikers.  If your companion is just a friend, then you wear contrasting colors.  If your companion is more than a hiking partner, you make sure your outfits match.  Then any singles would know who is available.

Of course, this dating idea kind of defeats the purpose most people find in hiking.  Peace, quite, and relaxation just don’t seem to work well with a dating scene.

My love of horses goes back well beyond the release of “The Black Stallion” to the big screen.  All of the stories of famous stallions and horses have helped develop the soft spot in my heart, and recently that spot was greatly enlarged by the injury, struggle and ultimate death of the great racing horse, Barbaro.

From an early age, I was drawn to horses.  As sad as it sounds, even the smell of the animals brings a sense of peace around me.  For several years, I was blessed to attend a local horse camp where I got first hand experience caring for and working with these amazing animals.  For my 12th birthday, my parent’s surprised me with my very own horse.

In high school, I took my love for horses to the next level by taking an apprenticeship at an Arabian horse farm.  I learned the intricacies involved with preparing these horses for show.  I was trained to be a junior show rider.  And I got the wonderful “privilege” of learning how the breeding program worked (not something for the weak in stomach).

By college, I was no longer in a position to be around horses all the time.  But the love and the longing is still strong.  Every chance I get, I ride or pet or care for horses.  Through my own love, a love for horses has grown in my own children.  Last year, I was able to set them up with their own horse riding lessons.  They learned to ride bareback (an amazing experience) so that they would know how to grip with their knees.  They learned to saddle the horses on their own.  And they learned to groom and care for the horses they were riding.

For me, riding is a chance to lose myself in the wind.  It’s no wonder that so many great stories have feature characters that own (or are) the great creature we call horse.

It”s important to work and to do, but it is also important to take time off and enjoy life and all of its pleasures.  This means doing more than kicking back on the couch and zoning out with the TV.  For a great, relaxing experience, you need to get out and about.

Just sitting outside and enjoying the sites and sounds can be extremely relaxing.  A rocking chair or porch swing will complete the experience.  A hammock will take a leisurely slots online time outside to a whole new level - especially one built for two.

Another refreshing leisurely activity is a stroll through a creek.  The cool water over your feet will do more to enliven you then you might think.  Enjoy the local flora and fauna while you stroll.

Climb a tree.  Doing something from your childhood will bring the heart of a child back to you.  You don”t have to make it to the top.  Just making it in the tree will be accomplishment enough for most of us.  And sitting on the limb, with the breeze blowing softly, will bring back yesterdays and lighten your heart.

Leisure activities don”t have to be expensive or completely planned out.  The main thing is that they need to be relaxed and some what given to spontaneity.  Take a time out and make some leisure time for you and those around you.

Getting kids to exercise it not always the easiest task - especially if they figure out that is what they are doing.  The newest trend in family and educational entertainment, geocaching, combines a child’s love of treasures and puzzles as we as the parent’s desire for some good exercise.

Our first experience with geocaching took the family on an adventure around a swimming hole that my husband and I grew up going to.  It was great to be able to show the kids the site, and it’s probably not something we would have set out to do had there not been the guarantee of treasure at the end.

The actual hunt only lasted about thirty minutes.  The kids found the treasure, left some treasures of their own behind for the next hunters, and then we picnicked and enjoyed the creek.  It was fun for everyone.

If you have a GPS system, and you want to spend some adventure time with your family, look up geocaching online.  There are hundreds of hunts all over the world set up for your enjoyment.

If you don’t have a GPS system, never fear.  The non-tech version is called letterboxing.  It goes more along the lines of old time treasure maps, but the only treasure at the end is the stamps you get to add to your book.  Not quite as exciting, but still fun.

Get outside and hunt some treasure.  You might find yourself having more fun than the kids.

I live in a house full of golfers.  Not only do they play golf, but they read golf, AND watch golf.  To me, watching golf is like watching paint dry.  Give me a good soccer match any day of the week.

When my middle son got “stuck” playing golf at sports camp, I tried to encourage him.  “You can come home and teach me everything you learn.”  Apparently, I need to think before I speak.

Each day, he enthusiastically got out the clubs and balls and dragged me down to the driving area on our property.  (I told you my family was into golf).  Even at eight, he made a very patient teacher.  He went through all the things the instructor had said to them, and then he helped me line up for my first EVER swing.

The club met the ball and it soared through the air – maybe not that far, but it still felt incredible.  I hit a few more, and before long my husband and father-in-law had joined us.  We had an amazing time as a family hitting around those little white balls.

After a week of lessons and family bonding, I think I understand the lure of golf a bit more.  It’s probably not the same as it is for the others, but it is a game that is challenging, fun, and brings us together, so I guess it’s a game worth getting to know better.

Our family loves the outdoors.  It”s me, the mom, that most often takes the lead, but unfortunately my sense of direction is not always that keen.  Thank goodness for Google.  They have added hiking trails at Google Earth.  With just a click of the button I can find the trail that is the right length and right difficulty for our young family.

It may not seem like a big deal to have directions when you are hiking (or a map or a general idea of where you are going and whether the trails have changed since you were last there TEN years ago), but my children will tell you it”s vitally important.  Our last “quick” hike took over four hours because the trail had been moved and I didn”t know it (or admittedly didn’t ask). 

We followed an animal trail for a few miles before it stopped abruptly.  It was after turning around and heading back to camp that we managed to discern the trail we were SUPPOSE to be on.  Later that night, one of the other mothers told me online casino pokies australia about the trail change.  I never did confess my mistake to her, but my kids quickly found me out.

There are no more worries.  Google Earth”s new feature offers GPS marked trails and even notes on interesting sights to see.  I know that not every trail available to hike has been marked to date, but I plan to stay with the ones that are marked.  I know that my kids will see to it. 

Who knows, maybe this new Google Earth feature will compel my husband to get me a GPS system for Christmas.  Even he”s tired of complaining that I”ve gotten us lost once again.

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