the change-over stop for the group's coaching run was in front of a house built in 1077 (that is not a misprint!); the owner, John Leader, was delighted with his visitors and invited everyone into the house for a glass of wine (photo by Jill Ryder)

For the title of this post to make sense, I had to lead off with THAT photo (above). Gorgeous, isn’t it?

Jill’s report on the group’s final full day (Tuesday) in Norfolk:

The group enjoyed a hearty breakfast (there seems to be a theme here – good food!) and then departed by our motorcoach for Swingletree. Two members of the group had driving lessons. and then we all watched as the horses were harnessed and put to the coach. Then the task of loading the group began.

Elizabeth Ashbridge enjoyed an early-morning lesson with John Parker (photo by Jill Ryder)

Elizabeth Atkinson of Arizona returning to the stable after her driving lesson with Susan Townsend (photo by Jill Ryder)

 I had an idea that the only fair way to solve the issue of who sits where, was to put numbers on some pieces of paper and throw them in a hat. We quickly divided the group in two (one to drive out and one to return), then asked each person to draw their own number. Then each could select their own seat in order of what number they drew. It seemed to work well and no one seemed too disappointed.

climbing on the coach ... Erik Greisen of Denmark was lucky enough to pick number "1" and he chose the box seat alongside John Parker; seen here at the start of the coaching run on Tuesday morning, the coach is the N205 Royal Mail Coach, whose history can be traced back to 1870, but it is believed to be considerably older; the horses are four Hungarian part-breds, all over 16 hands (photo by Jill Ryder)

The sun was shining and it was a perfect day for a trot down some lovely country roads on our way to the change-over stop: not a pub, as it had been the last time we came, but rather a private home.

the first coaching group, enjoying a trot through the countryside (photo by Jill Ryder)

The owner of this Elizabethian house (in the first photo), built in 1077 (incredible), told us that his mother was from Maryland. When told that most of the group was American, he hung the U.S. flag on the flag pole! He invited us all in his wonderful home and showed us around with great pride. He then offered a glass of wine, before it was time for the second group to get on the coach and enjoy their ride.

the second group, up on the coach, headed away from the change-over stop (photo by Jill Ryder)

It was a perfect day.

Once back at Swingletree, we had a superb coaching lunch prepared by Jenny and Tess. Then several people were showed the harness room while Linda Freeman had a private driving lesson with a four-in-hand.
 
We could hardly take more in and at 5 p.m. returned to our hotel for a short rest before all meeting again at 8 p.m. for dinner, with John and Susan joining us.