The Ger Camp

---

To my surprise the fire in my tent was lit again at midnight and again at 6am with the staff just walking in unannounced. When I went to bed I was very warm but by the morning I was shivering in my two/three season sleeping bag and was very pleased to get up and go for breakfast. The food was again all local and very tasty, the pumpkin marmalade and yellow berry hot juice was a particular favourite. The temperature had dropped considerably from the day before and the wind was bitterly cold. Layered up, Nassa took us to visit a local nomad family. After walking for about thirty minutes in the cold wind we arrived at a young couple's tent. We were given fermented mare's milk (cold) to drink, cream and stale bread and some cheese that was so hard I could not even get a bite out of it. At an opportune moment I hid the cheese in my jacket pocket so not to cause any offence, the mare's milk was slightly more challenging. The milk was very sour but apparently very good for the digestive system, although I was hoping not to good! I went with the husband to collect water from a nearby well, I hopped on the back of his 50cc motor bike and we roared across the sand dunes for a few kilometres.
Still picking the sand out from my teeth it was time for yet another Mongolian meal, for a change we had lamb. There are 50 million animals in Mongolia and only 2.4 million people so meat is readily available and the staple diet.
After lunch I went horse riding with the 'horse master'. I had to read and sign a list of do's and dont's. A couple were concerning 1) Do not stroke the horse - this is a wild and ferrel animal. 2) If out of control on the horse do not scream - this will scare the horse! 3) Always obey the horse master - he knows what he is doing. Really? I properly read and digested the instruction manual before mounting up and off we went. I had explained that I was relatively new to riding and although I had always wanted my own horse I knew little about them. For some reason the horse master did not understand and I immediately galloped off for about 100 yards - not screaming of course. Once I was under control the riding experience was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed the landscape and the open views. I returned the horse not daring to pat him or even say thank you just in case he got the hump.
The Mongolians certainly like to eat and for the third time that day I had lamb. A tasty main dish of roasted lamb with fresh veg washed down with a bowl of lamb stock. I thought I had cleared my plate until Nassa asked if she could have my left over bones, of course I said thinking she was clearing the table. Not likely she stripped the remaining meat and chewed on the bones explaining they were full of goodness. After a couple of drinks I left for my very cold ger tent for the last night.

---

Comments

[Mum]

Mum calling
I do enjoy reading your blobbies - I feel as if I am really with you eating all that wonderful food. Bet you can't wait to arrive at the 4 star hotel to enjoy the luxury of an en suite, hot water and a comfortable bed. So pleased you are enjoying your trip - even the horse riding - guess I know what will be on your list to Father Christmas this year. You've never had horse riding lessons before have you?????? Did you get a invitation from the Aussie sisters to visit for a holiday? If so, when have you booked for. I am enjoying your holiday almost as much as you but I guess you are only telling me the good bits. Keep blobbing. We are all O.K. Love Mum xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Andy & the boys in the office]

Tatty animal!
We wanted to ask if it was embarrassing riding with such a scruffy looking animal? That's a question for the horse - not you Spencer! Looks great , have fun. Sco7(1)