Hello fellow horse lovers! Emma here, writing from my lovely stable in Hayfield, just outside the bustling city of Aberdeen. As always, I’m eager to share my thoughts on the fascinating world of horses, and this year, 0103 A.D., holds some real delights!
This is a special blog, you see, because it’s all about a journey we went on – me and my lovely humans – to visit our neighbours to the south. Yes, we made our way all the way to York, where there are sights to behold and so much to learn about life outside our little corner of Scotland. But first, a quick peek into the Hayfield scene, shall we?
Hayfield is a little bit of heaven for a horse like me. Rolling green fields, streams you can wade in when the weather’s warm, and of course, the smell of freshly cut hay filling the air. We spend our days pulling ploughs and carts, helping with harvests and hauling materials for building, but there's a peaceful rhythm to the work here. And at the end of the day, the warmth of our stable and the comfort of fresh straw make me feel incredibly lucky.
This year, our farmer, a strong man named Malcolm, told me exciting news: “Emma, my girl, you’re strong enough to pull the heavy wagons. We’re taking you south to York! Think of it – a big, busy city!”
I was nervous, but also terribly excited. The city folk always looked quite grand to me, wearing their colourful clothing and riding in fancy carriages. To go to their city, to be part of their bustling life, was quite an honour.
On the Road: Tales of the Travel
The journey down to York took many days. My human, a young lad named Ewan, looked after me beautifully. We had the company of several other draught horses from different parts of Scotland – strong beasts like me, each carrying their own stories and experiences. There was the magnificent black stallion named Rowan, known for his calm nature, and a spirited brown mare named Maisie, whose fiery energy kept us all amused.
We took a leisurely pace, stopping every few hours for a rest. Ewan would unpack my hay and oats, always ensuring I had a comfortable spot to lie down. In the evenings, he would share his stories of his family and of the world beyond Hayfield, which, as I learned, was a very different place to my familiar home. There was even a river crossing! I must confess, water has always made me nervous, but my strong instinct to keep my human safe made me braver than usual. Ewan praised me for being such a brave girl.
York: A World of Wonders
York was truly overwhelming! Imagine the largest, busiest marketplace you can think of, then imagine it twice the size – that was York. Every street was a hive of activity. Humans streamed by, carrying baskets full of goods and shouting to each other in thick accents I couldn't quite understand. Cabs, wagons, and carriages rushed past, their horses all neatly adorned with leather and bells.
I felt a strange mix of exhilaration and fear. Everything was new and exciting, yet at the same time, the sheer noise and confusion was tiring. It felt like a thousand hooves were pounding on cobblestone all at once!
But there was much beauty in this chaotic place. The magnificent cathedral, soaring high into the sky, stood proudly amongst the other buildings. Its stonework was a work of art, and the bell tower rang out, its solemn sound a counterpoint to the hustle of the city.
I witnessed the most incredible trade, too. From distant lands came goods of all kinds – silks and spices from faraway countries, metals, beautiful crafted wooden objects – so much to see and so many interesting sights and smells to be discovered.
But my heart really ached when I saw horses pulling carts overflowing with what appeared to be war supplies – shiny metal shields, long lances, and thick wooden arrows. It was clear that the humans here had much less peace than those in Hayfield. I learned, too, that wars raged not too far from here. This was sad, for war, to my mind, is always destructive, leaving pain and suffering in its wake.
Learning and Growing
In York, I felt more than just the bustling world; I also sensed history. I could almost hear the whisperings of past horses who had walked these same cobblestone streets centuries ago. They, too, would have carried the burdens of humanity, hauling materials for buildings, ferrying goods and people from one place to another, serving their humans as faithfully as I do now.
We spent weeks in York, my human Ewan learning the craft of his father, who worked as a blacksmith. Ewan is learning how to craft beautiful metal tools, some for farm use, and others that seem quite sharp and warlike – again, it saddens me to see the creations of war, although I trust my human Ewan’s kind heart.
Returning to Hayfield
The journey back to Hayfield felt quicker somehow. Ewan told me stories of what he learned in York, stories of blacksmithing, and tales of the grand people and things he’d seen there.
York will forever remain in my memory, a vibrant city filled with chaos and wonder, reminding me of the diverse world out there, beyond my humble Hayfield. We made many new friends on the road, but there's no place I'd rather be than here at home. I returned a more confident horse, a little braver, and most certainly a bit more wise. I know that the world beyond Hayfield is vast, but my heart belongs to my home, to my lovely humans and my stable mates.
I hope you enjoyed this journey through 0103 AD, with me, your faithful Emma. I will continue sharing our Hayfield happenings and adventures in upcoming blog posts, so keep coming back to Equiworld to read them. Until next time!
P.S. Do leave your comments below – I always enjoy hearing what you have to say! Do you ever wish to travel outside of your own home, dear reader? Or maybe you have stories about life in another part of the world, or another era? I would love to hear them all!
