Our hero takes a fall!

Bastille day, the 14th, always heralds the horse races here in Rurutu, as you already know this is the pinnacle of my horse-loving family's year. There were no tricolor fly-bys or injured parachutists (as in gay Paris), but there was excitement enough. Sadly, Tuati, our raining champion, let slip the title this year, coming in third, after a tumble in his first heat, and some debate about Oviri the wonder horses' form.

Even Mani, Viri's brother came in second, allowing the title to leave the family after 8 years consecutive wins!!!! It does seems like our poor horse has some hoof problems........ and oh well, fortunately no serious damage done (except to my men's pride), we'll just have to come back next year........

14th of July

On a fabulously sunny 14th of July Tuati became the new horse-race champion of Rurutu! He beat his uncle by a good two seconds and set a new course record in a thrill filled final, on the beach in Avera,
under an azure sky and the shadow of Manureva!

It's been quite a year for him, and he will be heading to Tahiti to continue his schooling in August, after getting his junior highschool Diploma here in Rurutu.......well done Tuati!

La Rentree

Monday was 'la Rentree' for Matotea, she's graduated from the baby class, up into SP. She's now with Madame Bridgitte, but Monsieur Helden still comes to give her a morning hug!

 It's been a long year, since her first rather more hesitant rentree, she's quite a lot more grown up now, and chatters away at nineteen to the dozen. Tuati has also started his 'new' school here in Rurutu, I've been brushing up on my math, to help him out with his homework!

Father-Son Horse Races

Father and son wait for the start of the final horse race

As usual on july 14th, aside from celebrating liberté, egalité and fraternité, we also celebrate the horse races in Avera. Last year Viriamu missed the birth of his daughter to race, this year it was the first time that Tuati has been allowed to race, as well as Viriamu's would-be champion horse 'Oviri'. The last few days have been pretty tense, there has long been rivalry between Viriamu and his little brother Mani, the reigning champion, but the tension was palpable yesterday. To cut a long story short, Viriamu got fifth and Tuati got third in the final, but Tuati gave Mani (the winner for a 7th time in a row) a good scare, he overtook him and was ahead for part of the race, but Tuati took the wrong line on the final stretch and was overtaken at the last moment......next year, next year! Tuati still dreams of gold!

The final stretch, so close but so far! Tuati (far left), Mani (far right). 
Tuati did a great job in his first race, he's just a slip of a thirteen year old lad!

Tuati Returns!

Yesterday Tuati-iti, Viriamu's son arrived from Tahiti, having passed his exams, here for the holidays. This coming year he'll be staying with us and going to school in Rurutu....apparently he's become a bit of a handful, so his Mum's sending him to do hard labor with papa! Actually he's busy sweeping the garden as we speak. He's also dreaming of the galloping races....maybe this year he will steal the trophy from his uncle (just maybe?).

Anyway Matotea is just over the moon to have her big brother back. She follows him everywhere, poor Tuati! He's also pretty handy with the old babysitting......so I'm glad to have him around too.....