Ostrich Riding

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Sun 22nd

Left early to head to Ostrich mad Oudtshoorn. We visited one of the farms there that gave a tour of their farm, including a look at their feather palace - a semi-grand house (compared to UK castles!) that were built when money was pleantiful from the sale of white feathers plucked from under the wings of male ostriches. The money stopped rolling in when feathers went out of favour because ladies struggled to get in and out of the recently arrived motor cars (so they say).

Facts: Ostrich eggs are comparable to eating 20-24 chicken eggs. They can be stood on without breaking as long as they have sand underneath them to support them.

Tamsin was the only one in the group of 10 or so people that rode an Ostrich. Weight restrictions stopped me from being allowed. To ride an ostrich the rider hooks their legs under the wings while they hold onto the top of the wings for stability. Our tour was finished with us watching a race ridden by the keepers. Interestingly, the way to stop an Ostrich when riding it to bend its neck away from the direction of travel - this stops them with amazing effect!

After lunch we headed to a village called Wilderness ready for the next day's activities.

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Photos

A Bronze Ostrich
(photo taken to show T's mum!)

A feather palace
designed with influence from all over the world, making it appear a bit random!

T sat on an ostrich
They put it in the rack by covering its head. Once hooded, they become very calm.

T riding an Ostrich
a natural jockey

Paul and T
on the way to Wilderness

Comments

[T's mummy]

sculpture
When I looked at the first photo I thought Oh Tamsin is holding a real ostrich but I wish she had taken a close up of the sculpture behind. Then when I blew it up I saw both were bronze. Thanks for that. What is the weight allowance for an ostrich. I wonder if it is similar to a lleama as their legs look similar. Keep up the good work Paul. Not a menu in sight!!