We were so delighted to spend time with Joyce Wicher who found her way to Rock View Lodge on her 92nd birthday with her grand daughter Christine and great grandson Nate. She’s been riding since the age of 4 so she had no trouble spending time on the Rupununi Savannah last week with guide Castro and Normandy, one of our most photogenic equestrians!

Joyce’s daughter Cecelia gives fills us in on Joyce’s  history in Guyana: Joyce and Harry Whicher spent the years between 1961 and 69 in Mackenzie (now Linden), when Harry worked for the Demerara Bauxite Company (Demba) in the laboratory as chief chemist. Joyce became very much involved with the local community by teaching English to many of Guyana’s high school teachers and starting a Girl Guide Association in the village. Together with their four children, Sandi, Cecelia, Carl, Ken and other family visitors, they explored the country in their Land Rover, adventuring into the wilds of Canister Falls, southwest as far as Lethem, overland to Kaieteur Falls and into the Rupununi. After retirement it was their dream to take their four children with spouses and all their grandchildren back to the fascinating country they’d lovingly called home for almost a decade. Regretfully Harry passed away six years ago, but Joyce, now 92 and still going strong, returned this October with the last of their grandchildren, Susan Bird, and the first of their great grandchildren, 11-year-old Nate who grinned from ear to ear as he trotted along on his introductory horseback ride with his Mom Christine, his Great Grandmother Joyce and their guide Castro.