Spotty's Little Known Facts

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Sounds like the sort of adventure everybody imagines, but few ever have. The uncooked horse meat is not really an enticing thought, but well done to do for fulfilling your dream and many thanks for sharing it with us.

ps: one of the things that intrigueded me in the past about Mongols is their bow and arrow culture. I saw a programme once by a guy who also lived with them for some time and their archery skills were quite something. Did you see any of it?

I certainly did Tango. Just about all the men and boys use bows to hunt small game and birds. I saw them on a number of occasions, although not daily, as a lot of them left their bows behind in the gers when they were herding. The most amazing thing was how they coordinated the hunting, the children especially. When they spotted some small mammals (whose name escapes me, I saw similar ones in Canada) one of the hunters fired a special arrow that made a noise like a subtle whistle, the rodents stopped and sat up still, while the second and third hunters shot at the motionless critters. Very effective. The fact they were hitting rodents from over thirty yards away tells you how accurate they can shoot.

[TANGODANCER]

Fascinating. They have/had some sort of annual competition apparently, where they fire at targets ( dartboard type) that lie flat on the deck. They were good enough not to want one chasing you with a view to shooting.

I dug this out...http://www.squidoo.com/bowsnarrows" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bobo the clown]

Violinist and accordianist for Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs who had a silly hit single "Seaside Shuffle" I 1972, was Jonah Lewie.

Now THAT's a little known fact.

[Bruce Rioja]

Violinist and accordianist for Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs who had a silly hit single "Seaside Shuffle" I 1972, was Jonah Lewie.

Now THAT's a little known fact.

And that's the best record you own, that is. That's your top of the hit parade. Oooo yeah, oooo yeah, Baby.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Sounds like the sort of adventure everybody imagines, but few ever have. The uncooked horse meat is not really an enticing thought, but well done to do for fulfilling your dream and many thanks for sharing it with us.

ps: one of the things that intrigueded me in the past about Mongols is their bow and arrow culture. I saw a programme once by a guy who also lived with them for some time and their archery skills were quite something. Did you see any of it?

I certainly did Tango. Just about all the men and boys use bows to hunt small game and birds. I saw them on a number of occasions, although not daily, as a lot of them left their bows behind in the gers when they were herding. The most amazing thing was how they coordinated the hunting, the children especially. When they spotted some small mammals (whose name escapes me, I saw similar ones in Canada) one of the hunters fired a special arrow that made a noise like a subtle whistle, the rodents stopped and sat up still, while the second and third hunters shot at the motionless critters. Very effective. The fact they were hitting rodents from over thirty yards away tells you how accurate they can shoot.

I suppose this trip might explain no internet. For a guess (doubtless to be corrected) your rodent is probably a marmot, which we would call a groundhog in Eastern Canada. In Western Canada they also have Prairie dogs which is quite similar.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Sounds like the sort of adventure everybody imagines, but few ever have. The uncooked horse meat is not really an enticing thought, but well done to do for fulfilling your dream and many thanks for sharing it with us.

ps: one of the things that intrigueded me in the past about Mongols is their bow and arrow culture. I saw a programme once by a guy who also lived with them for some time and their archery skills were quite something. Did you see any of it?

I certainly did Tango. Just about all the men and boys use bows to hunt small game and birds. I saw them on a number of occasions, although not daily, as a lot of them left their bows behind in the gers when they were herding. The most amazing thing was how they coordinated the hunting, the children especially. When they spotted some small mammals (whose name escapes me, I saw similar ones in Canada) one of the hunters fired a special arrow that made a noise like a subtle whistle, the rodents stopped and sat up still, while the second and third hunters shot at the motionless critters. Very effective. The fact they were hitting rodents from over thirty yards away tells you how accurate they can shoot.

I suppose this trip might explain no internet. For a guess (doubtless to be corrected) your rodent is probably a marmot, which we would call a groundhog in Eastern Canada. In Western Canada they also have Prairie dogs which is quite similar.

That's the badger, I mean marmot - or at the very least something exceedingly similar. Thankfully I was never asked to try any, so I've no idea what they taste like, and have no intention of ever finding out.

[Bruce Rioja]

They look quite handy for wiping your arse on though. Did you have a go?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

They look quite handy for wiping your arse on though. Did you have a go?

Nah, never thought of that.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Sounds like the sort of adventure everybody imagines, but few ever have. The uncooked horse meat is not really an enticing thought, but well done to do for fulfilling your dream and many thanks for sharing it with us.

ps: one of the things that intrigueded me in the past about Mongols is their bow and arrow culture. I saw a programme once by a guy who also lived with them for some time and their archery skills were quite something. Did you see any of it?

I certainly did Tango. Just about all the men and boys use bows to hunt small game and birds. I saw them on a number of occasions, although not daily, as a lot of them left their bows behind in the gers when they were herding. The most amazing thing was how they coordinated the hunting, the children especially. When they spotted some small mammals (whose name escapes me, I saw similar ones in Canada) one of the hunters fired a special arrow that made a noise like a subtle whistle, the rodents stopped and sat up still, while the second and third hunters shot at the motionless critters. Very effective. The fact they were hitting rodents from over thirty yards away tells you how accurate they can shoot.

I suppose this trip might explain no internet. For a guess (doubtless to be corrected) your rodent is probably a marmot, which we would call a groundhog in Eastern Canada. In Western Canada they also have Prairie dogs which is quite similar.

That's the badger, I mean marmot - or at the very least something exceedingly similar. Thankfully I was never asked to try any, so I've no idea what they taste like, and have no intention of ever finding out.

Indeed, badgers might shoot back.

[Dujon]

What an incredible tale, LLS. In a way I envy you. Not that I'd undertake such an expedition as I've not as yet ridden a horse (unless riding a donkey at the beach sixty-odd years ago counts).

Were you permitted to - and, if so, did you - take a camera?

Oh yes: Do you still have your job?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

What an incredible tale, LLS. In a way I envy you. Not that I'd undertake such an expedition as I've not as yet ridden a horse (unless riding a donkey at the beach sixty-odd years ago counts).

Were you permitted to - and, if so, did you - take a camera?

Oh yes: Do you still have your job?

In reverse order:
Yep, my boss was very sympathetic to my request and went out of his way to help, actually. I'm suffering for it now mind, as I'm rota'd in for months of weekend on-call duties - which is a price I'm willing to pay.
No - I thought about it, mind you, but in emails with Bekte four factors came into play: firstly I've only got a Nikon which is bulky and not practicable for a three week sojourn on horseback - she sent a list through of stuff I should take and what would be provided, and as my clothing allowance was what I stood up in, a good waterproof coat, a good pair of footwear and a single change of underpants, it would have been highly extravagant to cart around a camera bag. (I'm also not sure a cheapo camera would have survived the pounding); the yasa is traditional, it is conducted in the same manner as it has been for centuries, and the Khalkha are a throwback society, they are frozen in time since about the twelth century, so it was inappropriate to take modern gadgetry with me - no phones (they wouldn't have worked anyway), ipods, watches, satnavs, etc; a high percentage of the Sain Noyon are shamanists and actively dislike cameras, which is why Bekte banned them; and thirdly Bekte had a camera .
As for the horse riding thing - that was my biggest worry. In the end it wsn't too bad - I made a prat of myself a couple of times by falling off, and it took me a few days to get used to the rhythm, but I managed a fair impression of a man welded to a saddle by the end. Three things helped. Firstly, the mongol saddles are smaller and slimmer than western ones. Secondly, the horses aren't like those in the west - they are more large pony. They trot fast, rather than gallop as a natural way of locomotion. and they tend to themselves: drop the reins and they start eating the grass, if the herd moves off they follow. Nobody has one horse, you just choose one for the day, usually the closest. And thirdly and finally, I was forced, very painfully, into adapting a riding style to suit the horse rather speedily - I noticed on the third morning that my knackers and insides of my thighs were literally bruised, turning a ruddy shade of puce and black with alarming areas of golden yellow, and I had to adopt a better use of the stirrups or risk a rather painful swelling in areas I'd prefer to have remained unswollen. The horse were easy to guide too, slight pressure of the knees turned them in the direction you required, but as the direction required was usually straight on, there wasn't much necessity for guidance, and the horses just got on with it.
I made a cock-up about day seven and overslept, which left me with the herders and away from the gers. I panicked slightly at that point, but I just hung around at the back and before long one of the kiddies had co-opted me into trailing a lead line with a bunch of rounded up tame horses on it. My role was fixed then for the next few days, until Bekte came and found me and we rejoined the gers camp.

[Montreal Wanderer]

Fantastic experience. When I ride (this is infrequent but somewhat more often than Dujon) I do 'stand up' in the stirrups for a few minutes every quarter hour to ease the strain in the nether regions. Occasionally I think there is a lot to be said for riding side saddle.

[TANGODANCER]

Heres a fact Spotski might not know. A Mongolian extravaganza. 9-0'clock tonight on B.B.C Four (Freeview 9) Mongol. The rise to power of Genghis Khan, a TV drama, followed at 11-0'clock by a documentary on Genghis Khan. Get in there Spotski....

[bobo the clown]

Michael Ball, singer in many a musical theatre production has a partner he's lived with since 1992.




Cathy McGowan ... (you probably have to be in thecolder age group hete to know who she is).

I'm tremendously surprised. ... & not just because it's spwcifically her.

[jaffka]

The tale from LLS about Mongolia interested me.

It would be great so see any pics about such an event.

I have also come up with blanks doing basic google searches.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Heres a fact Spotski might not know. A Mongolian extravaganza. 9-0'clock tonight on B.B.C Four (Freeview 9) Mongol. The rise to power of Genghis Khan, a TV drama, followed at 11-0'clock by a documentary on Genghis Khan. Get in there Spotski....

Sorry didn't spot this before it happened... mind you I'd have been in bed before 11 anyway, as I'm up at five in the morning.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

The tale from LLS about Mongolia interested me.

It would be great so see any pics about such an event.

I have also come up with blanks doing basic google searches.

just try googling horse roundup in mongolia... gives lots of pages, not that I've checked any of them out as such.
Edit: And if you want to go there yourself I'd recommend GoWilderness Mongolia (not that I've used them, but I know a man who has).

[malcd1]

Heres a fact Spotski might not know. A Mongolian extravaganza. 9-0'clock tonight on B.B.C Four (Freeview 9) Mongol. The rise to power of Genghis Khan, a TV drama, followed at 11-0'clock by a documentary on Genghis Khan. Get in there Spotski....

Sorry didn't spot this before it happened... mind you I'd have been in bed before 11 anyway, as I'm up at five in the morning.

You are the second person who has mentioned getting up at 5 in the morning. It is a little known fact that I didn't realise there two 5 o'clocks until today.

[TANGODANCER]

The tale from LLS about Mongolia interested me.

It would be great so see any pics about such an event.

I have also come up with blanks doing basic google searches.

Stacks of pics here, jaffka: http://tinyurl.com/ocpcd93" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[thebish]

I read in a book today that the words Czar and Kaiser are simply derivatives of the word Caesar... sounds pretty obvious now I think about it - but i had never made the connection...