Every cloud certainly does have it’s silver lining.  A BA flight cancellation might send some travellers into a frenzy.  For me, I managed to keep my cool…a slight ‘uh oh’ gave way to a warm inner ‘lucky me’ kinda glow.  And so, what better opportunity than to say ‘down’ with the tools and head off into the hills to catch up with friends.  The delightful Laurence and David Ambrose swung open their shutters in a gloriously elegant style perhaps only the French can get away with, welcoming us into what could have been a set in a beautiful old movie.  What a treat.  As I sit now back in the UK, with sideways rain and grey, grey skies, I gratefully transport myself back to the charm of the hills of Provence just a few days ago…

Thanks BA.

Pre-shoot

Post-shoot

The results

Opportunists in action. There’s something about these white horses that come up so well, I just wish we had more time to play.  Just when we thought we had finished shooting for the day, we stumbled upon three unsuspecting horses in the water…

630am; mist; sun; slight chill; we happen upon a herd of unsuspecting horses. Eerie weather and slightly spooked as a result, I could not have asked for more perfect conditions or reactions.  Horses are not called ‘flight’ animals for nothing – and after all, who was I to interrupt breakfast?

It was truly spectacular. Even the mosquitoes added a certain charm to the situation…all still, all quiet, I hold my camera and frame the shot….concentrating on snorting nostrils and tip-toeing hooves….and….zzzzzzzzzzzztt. Zzzzt. Agh.

Thanks to my friend and accomplished assistant Steve, I managed to avoid being eaten alive by bugs, trampled by the herd (and most importantly avoid sleeping through my alarm and missing this most mystical and magical of moments).

One of the benefits of having an assistant. Someone else becomes responsible for the appalling videography. Watch where you shove that thing Sarah! 

No words can express the effects these animals can have on you. Watching this effervescent Lusitano, Sena, gallop about whilst fluttering his eyelashes and flicking his forelock, was a moving experience.  His display of wicked manliness was purely for me, I am certain.  I fell head over heels (not literally). 

Day one of Spanish adventures, and we turn up in Sotogrande, to be welcomed by two lovely ladies, Lucy and Connie. So, there I was, suddenly with 3 gorgeous assistants and a red sports car. Together, we all drove topless up to Yeguade Tomas Osborne, where I was introduced to some of the most beautiful Andalusians I have met to date.  I was so smitten that I ensured I got a piece of the action……meet El Maremito.