My Icelandic horse

I have a horse named Skuggi. He is a special horse - an Icelandic horse - from Iceland.

Skuggi and I ride a lot with our friend Amy and her horse - Heckla. Heckla is also an Icelandic horse. When we ride together we normally go down Jacks Road.

One day we went really far down Jacks Road and we saw two more roads - one called Heathers Road, and one called Maxs Road. Both the roads looked dark and gloomy with overgrown trees and bushes. The horses were not scared because being Icelandic horses they are very calm and self assured. We decided to go down Maxs Road.

(Do you know that Icelandic horses do not have any natural predators in Iceland. This means that they don't have a 'fight or flight' response like most other horses, because they haven't been 'prey' to any predators for many thousands of years. They are therefore inherently brave and bold).

Down Maxs Road was a big castle. Amy and I went closer to the castle. When finally we were at the gates they opened. Heckla and Skuggi walked through boldly. Out of the castle came this kind looking woman. She asked us if we would like to come inside. We answers "yes please".

The woman told us her name was Christy. Christy was really kind to us and our horses. She gave us home made lemonade to drink, and when we were finished she asked if we would like something for our ponies. She gave us carrots and apples to feed them - she knew what horses liked! We talked with her a lot about our ponies, she was very curious that they were Icelandic ponies and wanted to know all about them.

When it was time to go we said goodbye. She said she had enjoyed our visit. She looked lonely, she didn't get many visitors. We asked if we could come visit again - she said yes!

We got on our ponies and as we turned to ride down the path she warned us to be careful as the grass would be getting slippery with the evening dew starting to fall. We were really careful on the ride home, but Skuggi and Heckla were sure footed so they took care of us.

When we got home to the stables we brushed Skuggi and Heckla all over and we felt good that we had found a new friend - one who shared our love for our Icelandic ponies. We would definately be going to see Christy again.

Moving House

My mum and dad had been talking for a long time about moving house. When finally they said we were moving house I was sad because I would have to leave my friends and school behind.

I didn't tell my parents that I felt this way though. They were really busy looking at houses.

I told only my best friend that I was moving away. She was really sad too. We were best of friends and we couldn't imagine not seeing each other everyday.

That night my parents told me that they had chosen a house with a swimming pool. That was exciting - I had always wanted a swimming pool. I wondered what they would tell me next about the house. Could it be big or could it be small? I was excited, but I was also sad - it was hard to know how to feel.

When it had been a week my parents said that the house purchase had come through. It was all confirmed - we were leaving our current house and moving! I had a knot in my stomach, and I suddenly felt very sick.

Mum and dad said they had a big surprise. I couldn't imagine what else could be happening and I wasn't sure I really wanted to know. I felt so upset that I ran to my bedroom and shut the door before they had a chance to say anything else.

I heard the footsteps of my parents come down the hallway, I pulled the pillow tighter over my head and I lay on my bed. My parents came into my room and sat beside me on my bed. Mum and dad told me that they had a nice surprise to tell me, and they said I really should listen before I get too upset about moving.

I was curious now - what could they mean? I sat up in bed, wiped the tears from my eyes and listened.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing - they told me that the house we were moving into was only a minute down the road from where we currently lived. So I was going to be living in the same area, and I would be staying at the same school afterall!

I couldn't wait to tell my friends ... and I couldn't wait for my next birthday - it was going to be a pool party!

My Dog Spot

My dog is called Spot because he has spots on his body. He is my best pal.

When it was pet day at school, I was going to take Spot. But on the day I couldn't find him. I searched everywhere - even in the bushes. I was really sad!

The teacher rang my mum to see if I was sick as I hadn't turned up at school on time. My mum told my teacher everything. The teacher knew how much I loved my dog, because I always wrote about him, and drew pictures of him at school. She was really upset for me.

My teacher came to our house to help. She helped us look everywhere again and again.

The teacher said I could take one of my other pets. But I did not want to at all.

The teacher decided to make pet day on Friday so I had time to find Spot. I still stayed home to look for Spot.

At night time Spot came back. I was really happy!

On Friday I woke up at 5.30am - I was so excited. I got Spots' bath tub, put him in and gave him a bath. I also put a bow in his hair to make him especially pretty looking. Then I got myself ready to go. I put Spots' best collar on and we left for school.

All the way to school I told Spot how good he was to come back.

When we got to school I showed everyone my special dog.

The teachers really thought Spot was pretty. They gave Spot and I a medal.

When I got home I told mum that Spot and I had got a prize!