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The other times were on a Cairo trip, from the hotel to the pyramids c1972, and in Whistler on a Vancouver trip c1991.
It is alright until the horse realises it is going home!!

Absolutely ! My same experience, sometime mid -70's I think. The cabin crew decided that we would all ride to the pyramids, "The Captain" was ordered to ride the biggest stallion in the stable, which was ok, he ambled along with the rest of the posse until the Guide decided it was time to go back to the stables, at which my horse set off at a quick trot, at least not a gallop or I would have definitely fallen off. He needed no navigation assistance and I just clung on raising a cloud of sand and headed for a stable containing a solitary mare, presumably on heat or whatever horses call it ? My last ride, and I'm not inclined to repeat it.

Like you, I think my first ride was as a 8 or 9 year old, when my uncle, he local milkkman, sat me on his carthorse, which barely counts as a solo ride, then my first wife had visions of horse riding and we had a trial lesson at some sort of riding school, she didn't like it and so we never got beyond that, then the Cairo trip.

Did a bit of horse riding as a youngster, including a stock horse, as we had relatives on farms. However, a couple of years later, with a couple of other people, we hired a couple of riding school horses. They ambled along nicely on the way out, but as soon as we turned for home they bolted and were impossible to stop. When we returned they were in lathers of sweat, and the operators refused to return the deposit, so we posted a notice in the youth hostel we were staying at warning against using them.

We popped into Amman once on our way back from somewhere with HRH PoW for the Kings birthday. The trip had obviously been planned around this. HM arranged for us to go to Petra the following day by coach. We didn't have time so he supplied choppers. Going down the Siq on the gee gees I noticed an ambulance following. Vehicles are not allowed down there. I asked the guide what it was there for. Apparently HM had ordered it with doctors in case one of us fell off. Well we didn't.

Still awaiting an answer. 8 was guessed at and close. If you think it has to be an even number.

I have been to Cairo a few times, work trip installing stuff, ICAO meetings etc and just plain RIR between more exciting missions.

One trip we hired camel rides from the hotel desk. A car took us to the operator's compound and were were introduced to our mounts and I was about to get on mine when I was stopped and told that was the "Bedu" way and if I wanted that he would have to get a camel used to such style, so he did (for a small consideration). We had paid in advance including money to cover the 'tourist' tax in the Giza area, but that money had probably been pocketed as leaving village we first headed off on a direct route to Timbuctoo or somewhere then later doubled back and approached the pyramids from the back door which in some ways probably preferable to the tourist bus entrance. Then things got interesting when we saw a trio of camel mounted police at a distance but clearly on an intercept course. Our guides had a short discussion and they made an excuse for an immediate return to their village.

At first is was just a brisk trot then the pace quickened and quickened again especially when one guide shouted something to my camel, the response was immediate. The camel suddenly straightened his spine and stuck his head way out and pushed all levers forward and boosted to about warp 9! It would have made a great Youtube video, two tourists clinging to their gyrating tourist saddles, three guides on geriatric camels and in the lead one tourist secure in the Bedu position on the shoulders of the 'special Bedu' camel and of course three policemen galloping for an intercept!

We got to the village and all made it in to the compound and the gates slammed shut. 'Hurry, hurry sir' they cried as they herded us to the toilet block where we must was wash after riding the camel! But we didn't wash, we stood on tiptoe peering out the small space under roof and watched the scurrying about. The gates were eventually opened and in came the police who rode around peering everywhere except in the toilet block. Eventually the police left and we were free to leave.

I suspect an appropriate 'fine' had been paid.

I have ridden camels a few times in Egypt and often in Australia but I do try to avoid that as the Oz appear to prefer driving from the back set whereas for my part I much prefer the Bedu style on the shoulders with both feet on one side of the camel's neck. I saw a camel train in Kabul heading out of town but it was not really the time to ask if I could have rode along for an hour or two, then again maybe the big Afghan freight camels do not like to be ridden by tourists.

I have given enough clues the answer is 6. OH.

As OH.

A fact that I was told on the first day of the ANZ DC10 course.

Which capital city is closest to the antipodal point of Auckland?

Helsinki maybe?

Complicated, antipodal point is about half way between Sevillia and Malaga, neither of which are capital cities. If you just consider Spain then the answer would be Madrid naturally.
But Gibraltar is closer and also qualifies as a capital city.
Malaga is the closest regional capital.

I was told Madrid, so it is your turn.

Hadn't thought about Gibraltar, does it count as the capital of a country or a state?

Just told our chap to start digging. Honolulu is down there.

Gibraltar is a sovereign state and it's capital is, strangely, Gibraltar city but I suppose it doesn't count as a country.

Topical I suppose, who won the first football world cup and when ?

No idea.

Didn't intend to ignore you RiS but I was out for lunch and didn't see your reply till just now.

Find the intenet hard going on the phone - screen too small.

West Auckland fc 1909, had to check the date

See from where you emerge but that is the Lipton cup considered by some to be the precursor of the W.C. in the modern era, words I should have included.

Well if you’re not going to allow my smart Alec answer, how about Uruguay and 1930

Ok yhc

What’s the birthstone of someone born in May?

Slight return:
When the Mayans played Pelota, it turns out the balls incorporated the ashes of dead Kings.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/ ... sed-sport/

As you were...

Woody wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 02, 2022 11:06 am

What’s the birthstone of someone born in May?

Emerald

Severe attack of Insomnia Fairies tonight
You are correct