Cognac is very well recovered from his adventure last summer and has now had a little time off.
We have moved house recently and I put up my big poster of Britain up on the wall, where everyday I look at it and feel a little amazed at how for myself and my incredible horse came. I have been working a lot on the run up to Christmas and have found myself longing for the long summer days and the chance to hit the road and complete the ride.
However 230 miles just seems such a short distance- it would just be like a little riding holiday! I'm thinking about riding from my home in West Sussex up to Bath, where I will pick up where we left off and ride down to Land's End, from where I am considering riding home along the coast as much as possible. I think this will be about 700 miles in total and I want to take 3 months or more to complete it. I would like the journey to be as relaxed and chilled out as possible, with plenty of time to stop and chat and get to know people and the land. I am also going to take my Labrador, Saffy, along for company as she always comes out for rides with Cognac and myself now (and will be an excellent hot water bottle when I sleep in my tent!)
Wednesday 26 December 2012
Wednesday 5 September 2012
Families of Ocean Ward
Ocean Ward: -
http://www.oceanward.co.uk/index2011.html
This is the peadiatric cardiology ward at Southampton General hospital where Noah was officially diagnosed, had his operation, and is still treated when need be. The ward itself is amazing; they treat all children from birth right up until their later teenage years and cater for everybody. The whole ward is kept to an ocean theme, all the rooms and little wards have ocean themed names, the walls and floors are decorated to be like you are in the ocean and they have fish tanks too, which Noah has always loved to watch. There is a playroom with all sorts of toys and games and craft activities for all ages, run by two play specialists who are both lovely and friendly and welcoming. There are also dvds and portable dvd players available, which was fantastic for the last time we were there in June (just before Noah's second birthday) for a cardiac catheter and to balloon his valve to try and widen it again (which unfortunately was not successful). Trying to soothe a 2 year old who is not allowed to eat or drink in preparation for theatre, and doesnt understand why, only for that to be delayed and having to go even longer is not easy, thank god for this facility and Finding Nemo! There is also a kitchen for the families to make use of, a breastfeeding room with everything needed to pump and store breastmilk for the babies, without which I wouldnt have been able to keep up breastfeeding Noah while he was in for his first op and that was something very important to me as I wanted him to have the best chance possible. There is also a seperate area for teenagers where they have tv and games consoles and their own lounge so they can chill out away from the little ones. All of this costs a great deal to maintain, and then of course you have all of the medical equipment, and the many fantastic staff, who no matter how busy they are will always make time to talk to you if you are worried, and make sure you understand everything going on etc. It all adds up, but has meant so much to us so we would love to be able to give something back.
Donna
Families of Ocean Ward: -
Registered charity number 1145013
http://www.oceanward.co.uk/index2011.html
This is the peadiatric cardiology ward at Southampton General hospital where Noah was officially diagnosed, had his operation, and is still treated when need be. The ward itself is amazing; they treat all children from birth right up until their later teenage years and cater for everybody. The whole ward is kept to an ocean theme, all the rooms and little wards have ocean themed names, the walls and floors are decorated to be like you are in the ocean and they have fish tanks too, which Noah has always loved to watch. There is a playroom with all sorts of toys and games and craft activities for all ages, run by two play specialists who are both lovely and friendly and welcoming. There are also dvds and portable dvd players available, which was fantastic for the last time we were there in June (just before Noah's second birthday) for a cardiac catheter and to balloon his valve to try and widen it again (which unfortunately was not successful). Trying to soothe a 2 year old who is not allowed to eat or drink in preparation for theatre, and doesnt understand why, only for that to be delayed and having to go even longer is not easy, thank god for this facility and Finding Nemo! There is also a kitchen for the families to make use of, a breastfeeding room with everything needed to pump and store breastmilk for the babies, without which I wouldnt have been able to keep up breastfeeding Noah while he was in for his first op and that was something very important to me as I wanted him to have the best chance possible. There is also a seperate area for teenagers where they have tv and games consoles and their own lounge so they can chill out away from the little ones. All of this costs a great deal to maintain, and then of course you have all of the medical equipment, and the many fantastic staff, who no matter how busy they are will always make time to talk to you if you are worried, and make sure you understand everything going on etc. It all adds up, but has meant so much to us so we would love to be able to give something back.
Donna
Families of Ocean Ward: -
Registered charity number 1145013
Wessex Heart House
The following is a note from Donna, my sister-in-law and Noah's mummy:
Wessex Heartbeat-
http://www.heartbeat.co.uk/wessex-heartbeat-house
This fantastic charity, among other things are responsible for the wonder that is Heartbeat House. This is a house just across the road from the hospital where relatives are able to stay when they have somebody on the ward, and there is a part of the house specifically dedicated to the families on Ocean Ward called Ronald McDonald House. This was a haven for us as the hospital is a 100 mile round trip from home, (although many travel even further) and meant while I stayed up on the ward with Noah, Sean was able to stay nearby too, and we could have our daughter Faith with us so she still got to spend time with both of us and not be back home looked after by somebody and frightened not knowing what was happening to her brother. The facilities at the house are fantastic, you have your own room with shared bathrooms, a well equipped communal kitchen with your own cupboard and fridge space as well as communal lounge and garden. It provides a brief break from the intensity of the ward, and made an extremely stressful time easier to bear as we were all still able to be together. The house and all the running costs are entirely funded by the charity, and without fundraising and donations this wonderful house would not be able to remain open which is why when Katrina first mentioned the idea we were keen for some of the money to go here, as we are incredibly grateful for the house to have been there, and will no doubt need it again in the future.
Wessex Heartbeat-
http://www.heartbeat.co.uk/wessex-heartbeat-house
This fantastic charity, among other things are responsible for the wonder that is Heartbeat House. This is a house just across the road from the hospital where relatives are able to stay when they have somebody on the ward, and there is a part of the house specifically dedicated to the families on Ocean Ward called Ronald McDonald House. This was a haven for us as the hospital is a 100 mile round trip from home, (although many travel even further) and meant while I stayed up on the ward with Noah, Sean was able to stay nearby too, and we could have our daughter Faith with us so she still got to spend time with both of us and not be back home looked after by somebody and frightened not knowing what was happening to her brother. The facilities at the house are fantastic, you have your own room with shared bathrooms, a well equipped communal kitchen with your own cupboard and fridge space as well as communal lounge and garden. It provides a brief break from the intensity of the ward, and made an extremely stressful time easier to bear as we were all still able to be together. The house and all the running costs are entirely funded by the charity, and without fundraising and donations this wonderful house would not be able to remain open which is why when Katrina first mentioned the idea we were keen for some of the money to go here, as we are incredibly grateful for the house to have been there, and will no doubt need it again in the future.
01/09/12 Luckington to Wellow
And this brings us up to date at Wellow trekking Centre. Wellow is a busy yard, ponies and kids coming out for your ears, however it is so calm and organised. Everything gets done each day, no drama, no hassle! They have been so understanding and chilled about Cognac and myself hanging around unexpectedly while we resolve his lameness issues. I'm camped on their front lawn and Cognac is out in a field. "You need the farrier on Thursday? Just add him to the list in the diary..."
There is a RDA centre on site and Pat and Anne, who run it rode from Wellow to Land's End a couple of years ago, so are helping me with route planning and accommodation for when Cognac and I get on our way again.
There is a RDA centre on site and Pat and Anne, who run it rode from Wellow to Land's End a couple of years ago, so are helping me with route planning and accommodation for when Cognac and I get on our way again.
30/08/12 Chelford to Luckington
What a contrast in days! After an uncertain start, the day brought beautiful sunshine, it was a comfortable day after a long day in the rain the day before and we ended up at Sue's yard at Luckington. Sue offered us to stay another day and gave me some advice about feeding Cognac, she had a degree in horse management and therefore could explain to me the inside workings of Cognac's stomach and gut, as a result I have slightly changed his feed regime, which appears to have helped. I stayed on Sue's sofa and Cognac stayed in the first night then had a grassy paddock at the front of the yard.
On our day off there was a lot of horses that needed exercising so Sue offered me a horse to ride and showed me around Badminton Estate on horseback! That's not something you get to do every day!
On our day off there was a lot of horses that needed exercising so Sue offered me a horse to ride and showed me around Badminton Estate on horseback! That's not something you get to do every day!
29/08/12 Cleeve Hill to Chelford
Where I had originally planned to stay fall through so at the last minute William phoned around and found myself and Cognac somewhere to stay for the 29th aug. Wesley, William's farrier dropped by in the morning and replaced the lost nails on Cognac's shoe and kindly took the time to check all his other shoes. He pointed out a small hole in Cognac's sole on one of his back feet and warned me to watch that he didn't get a stone stuck in it as it would be sensitive. He sprayed it with a hoof hardener to create a seal on it to protect it.
It was the wettest morning for a while and William and I tacked up in the rain and set off in the rain, William and Strider escorted Cognac and myself over the common and we said goodbye at the over side, where they set off back to the yard and Cognac and I continued on our way- alone once again, just slowly walking away...
It was such a horrendously wet day, we managed to find a relatively sheltered place to stop for some food before heading out into the rain again. I phoned Jane, who were staying with and she said that it was quite complicated to get to her yard and that she would ride out to meet us to show us the way.
Luckily the sun came out in time for her to tack up as I would have felt awful if she had had to ride out in the rain, but the sun came out and I was glad of her company as it was very complicated! We passed through picturesque villages, with steep, windy lanes and it was nice to be a passenger and just to follow jane and enjoy the view. We passed over a bust A road, a railway track and a river in one swoop, that would have proven a logistical nightmare on a map to someone who didn't ride or know the area, i.e me!
Cognac got a good feed and went out for the night. We hung my belongings anywhere possible to allow them to dry a bit over night and Jane took me back to hers for a shower. All the while Jane was trying to get hold of her friend Charlotte to see if she had a spare bed for mw for the night as Jane was off to work very early in the morning and although I could camp in the field, the ground was very wet and usually i sleep on my saddle blanket and that was soaked too.
We went and got something to eat at the pub and spread out my maps on the table to plot me a route for the next day. Charlotte got back to Jane and said that I could stay at hers for the night so Jane dropped me at Charlotte's after we had eaten. Although Charlotte was out at dog agility, her husband Chris invite me in and showed me my bed for the night and Jane, myself and he chatted until Charlotte got back and we watched the Paralympics opening ceremony.
It was the wettest morning for a while and William and I tacked up in the rain and set off in the rain, William and Strider escorted Cognac and myself over the common and we said goodbye at the over side, where they set off back to the yard and Cognac and I continued on our way- alone once again, just slowly walking away...
It was such a horrendously wet day, we managed to find a relatively sheltered place to stop for some food before heading out into the rain again. I phoned Jane, who were staying with and she said that it was quite complicated to get to her yard and that she would ride out to meet us to show us the way.
Luckily the sun came out in time for her to tack up as I would have felt awful if she had had to ride out in the rain, but the sun came out and I was glad of her company as it was very complicated! We passed through picturesque villages, with steep, windy lanes and it was nice to be a passenger and just to follow jane and enjoy the view. We passed over a bust A road, a railway track and a river in one swoop, that would have proven a logistical nightmare on a map to someone who didn't ride or know the area, i.e me!
Cognac got a good feed and went out for the night. We hung my belongings anywhere possible to allow them to dry a bit over night and Jane took me back to hers for a shower. All the while Jane was trying to get hold of her friend Charlotte to see if she had a spare bed for mw for the night as Jane was off to work very early in the morning and although I could camp in the field, the ground was very wet and usually i sleep on my saddle blanket and that was soaked too.
We went and got something to eat at the pub and spread out my maps on the table to plot me a route for the next day. Charlotte got back to Jane and said that I could stay at hers for the night so Jane dropped me at Charlotte's after we had eaten. Although Charlotte was out at dog agility, her husband Chris invite me in and showed me my bed for the night and Jane, myself and he chatted until Charlotte got back and we watched the Paralympics opening ceremony.
28/08/12 Castlemorton to Cleeve Hill
Jez dropped me off at William Reddaway's house, where we had dinner, sorted out my saddle bags and as much horse feed as I needed for the next few days before Jez set off back to West Sussex and William helped me plot my next days ride from Castlemorton to Cleeve Hill, this was mostly along the Sabrina Way with a few modifications from William. It was great to finally meet William after stumbling across his website a few month before I had set off on my ride. We had plenty to talk about and not a lot of time to do it in!
William Reddaway and Strider, his horse, are setting out next year on a journey to the four corners of England, dropping by at as many cathedrals as possible en route, riding straight through the middle of towns and cities, blowing his trumpet to attract as much attention as possible. William plans to raise an incredible £250,000 to be split between Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre and the Family Holiday association. Visit his website at www.rideroundengland.org to see if he will be dropping by your local cathedral at some point! And offers of accommodation for the night for either horse or rider will be very gratefully received.
William dropped me back up to Sarah's at Castlemorton in the morning, where we discovered Cognac had lost all the nails on the inside of his off- fore, they had come out cleanly and his hoof wall was all intact, although I did have to pull one nail out, which was bent over but still in. The shoe was flat and not bent at all so I decided that if I went steady it would be fine for the day and that we could try and get a farrier for the evening or next morning.
We had a nice ride, the route was easy to follow and although it was a long day at 25 miles it was most flat and William and Strider rode out to meet us for the last five miles of so, which was really nice. Great to finally meet Strider!
William's farrier Wesley had kindly agreed to drop by next morning to replace the lost nails in Cognac's shoe so I fed Cognac and we turned him out in a very grassy field with horses across the way for company.
William Reddaway and Strider, his horse, are setting out next year on a journey to the four corners of England, dropping by at as many cathedrals as possible en route, riding straight through the middle of towns and cities, blowing his trumpet to attract as much attention as possible. William plans to raise an incredible £250,000 to be split between Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre and the Family Holiday association. Visit his website at www.rideroundengland.org to see if he will be dropping by your local cathedral at some point! And offers of accommodation for the night for either horse or rider will be very gratefully received.
William dropped me back up to Sarah's at Castlemorton in the morning, where we discovered Cognac had lost all the nails on the inside of his off- fore, they had come out cleanly and his hoof wall was all intact, although I did have to pull one nail out, which was bent over but still in. The shoe was flat and not bent at all so I decided that if I went steady it would be fine for the day and that we could try and get a farrier for the evening or next morning.
We had a nice ride, the route was easy to follow and although it was a long day at 25 miles it was most flat and William and Strider rode out to meet us for the last five miles of so, which was really nice. Great to finally meet Strider!
William's farrier Wesley had kindly agreed to drop by next morning to replace the lost nails in Cognac's shoe so I fed Cognac and we turned him out in a very grassy field with horses across the way for company.
26/08/12 Seven Acres, Great Malvern
We were due to reach Castlemorton on the 27th, when William Reddaway was due back from Devon, so we chose to do two short days while we had Jez with us, to make it easier on Cognac and having Jez with us means that we have access to as much horse feed as we need.
We rode from Clifton- upon- teme to the Malverns and stayed at Sevenacres Riding School for the night, thank- you Janet Jones for having us at extremely short notice (we phoned her at lunch time!) We camped by the stables and overnight we shut the front gate and Cognac had had the roam of the yard overnight, with lots of grass to pick at. Janet had horses at Castlemorton for a while so helped me plot on my map the best route over, which was mostly off road. Three girls from the yard escorted us to the top of the hill, from there we rode along the top of the Malverns( the views stretched all the way to Wales) and back down the other side onto Castlemorton Common, from there we rode other to Sarah's house, where William Reddaway had arranged for Cognac to stay for the night (he had offered to put me up for two nights at his house as tomorrow day I was to ride from Castlemorton to a yard near to his)
We rode from Clifton- upon- teme to the Malverns and stayed at Sevenacres Riding School for the night, thank- you Janet Jones for having us at extremely short notice (we phoned her at lunch time!) We camped by the stables and overnight we shut the front gate and Cognac had had the roam of the yard overnight, with lots of grass to pick at. Janet had horses at Castlemorton for a while so helped me plot on my map the best route over, which was mostly off road. Three girls from the yard escorted us to the top of the hill, from there we rode along the top of the Malverns( the views stretched all the way to Wales) and back down the other side onto Castlemorton Common, from there we rode other to Sarah's house, where William Reddaway had arranged for Cognac to stay for the night (he had offered to put me up for two nights at his house as tomorrow day I was to ride from Castlemorton to a yard near to his)
24th and 25th August 2012
We stopped over at Clifton-upon- Teme for two nights. Jez came up to meet us again and Cognac made us laugh when upon spotting his car came marching over to it neighing for his dinner! As far as he is concerned Jez's car is just there to carry his feed! It absolutely poured with rain the first night and the morning of our day off, to the point where the ground was absolutely saturated with water. Cognac just got his head down and ate grass.
24/08/12 Wyre Forest to Clifton- upon- Tyne
After Cognac had a big bowl of beet pulp and mix for breakfast, thank- you to Graham, we set out through Wyre forest. Really pleasant forest tracks. We thought we had hit a dead end a one point, we wiggled a long way down a little single track country road to the very end, where we were planning on following a bridleway into Wyre Forest, however at the very end of this road, at the start of the bridleway was a notice to say that the bridleway was out of order as the bridge has been broken during recent flash floods. A wave of annoyance flushed through me as I thought about the long, windy road I would have to go back along to find a detour around, but seen as we had got this far and considering what we had traversed already I figured it was worth a look and that we may be able to avoid the bridge and ford the river instead. Indeed we could and we soon got onto a lovely, wide forest track that wiggled along the river bank.
That afternoon, the weather really started to change and it was threatening to rain any minute, we pressed on and it held off. We stopped at the Bridge as their overflow car park was full of lush grass and Cognac was telling me he was hungry (dragging me to a verge at every opportunity. We then planned to follow a bridleway straight up and over the hill and to drop into Clifton- upon- Teme. However it was so over grown we got lost in the woods, which was so steep and over grown, I started to worry we would ever see daylight again, this conveyed to Cognac and he started to get edgy too, at this point I was worried he would knock me out on a tree branch of trip over a tree root, or get tangled in brambles and panick and, and... anyway we survived with just a few scratches and managed to cut across a field back onto the road. The only alternative was to go all the way along the road to the bottom, along a busy road and then back up the over side of the hill, this added a good 3-4 miles onto our day and that rain we had managed to avoid all day had started to fall. The annoyance I felt soon subsided as we found a bridleway further down (still an extra 3 miles on our day) that took us to the top of a grassy field and we could turn and back South on the land still to cover and the Malvern hills rising up in front of us in the distance- We wouldn't have seen this glorious view if we had got over on the original bridleway.
That afternoon, the weather really started to change and it was threatening to rain any minute, we pressed on and it held off. We stopped at the Bridge as their overflow car park was full of lush grass and Cognac was telling me he was hungry (dragging me to a verge at every opportunity. We then planned to follow a bridleway straight up and over the hill and to drop into Clifton- upon- Teme. However it was so over grown we got lost in the woods, which was so steep and over grown, I started to worry we would ever see daylight again, this conveyed to Cognac and he started to get edgy too, at this point I was worried he would knock me out on a tree branch of trip over a tree root, or get tangled in brambles and panick and, and... anyway we survived with just a few scratches and managed to cut across a field back onto the road. The only alternative was to go all the way along the road to the bottom, along a busy road and then back up the over side of the hill, this added a good 3-4 miles onto our day and that rain we had managed to avoid all day had started to fall. The annoyance I felt soon subsided as we found a bridleway further down (still an extra 3 miles on our day) that took us to the top of a grassy field and we could turn and back South on the land still to cover and the Malvern hills rising up in front of us in the distance- We wouldn't have seen this glorious view if we had got over on the original bridleway.
23/08/12 Shifnal to Wyre Forest
From Shifnal we rode over to a farm, Little Meaton farm, near Wyre Forest, I were still following the Sabrina Way but as I had found it very over grown and impassible in places at some points we varied away from the route, or chose to ride down a short section of B road to avoid a lengthy detour.
Quite a few good sections of bridleway today, again pretty uneventful except for riding along a bendy, fast B road (that I would like to point out that a lot of bridleways crossing it and the beware of horses warning signs) and getting yelled out out of a passing car window by a lady: something along the lines of "use a bridleway"
We stopped at a pub about three miles away from the farm as I was hungry and needed to use the conveniences. I turned out to be a good stop as not only did i receive sponsorship I also managed to convince a gentleman to bring Cognac a bowl of horse feed for breakfast to the farm (Jackie had offered me as much horse feed as I could carry as I knew that I wouldn't be able to get any at the farm, however this meant that I could give him a good evening feed, instead of having to split it between a night feed and a morning feed).
When I reached the farm I was greeted by a lovely, jolly lady, Mrs Guest who showed me to the orchard, where i could put Cognac for the night. There was plenty of grass, however it wasn't enclosed so I asked if there was anywhere else that was enclosed, so she then showed me to the orchard, which was enclosed and had sheep and goats and alsorts in. I un- tacked Cognac and let him loose, but the dogs next door kept barking at us and Mrs Guest said they were her sons dogs and went to talk to him.
Mrs Guest then came back with her son and he said that he was sorry i couldn't park my horse in that field overnight as his dogs would bark all night, he was also worried about him eating the apples and plums off the trees and getting sick, so Mrs Guest showed us to a field at the bottom of the farm, which was perfect- lots of grass and enclosed! A this point I was offered a bed at Mr and Mrs Guest's house and also a shower and something to eat at their sons house. Both of which was greatly received after a long day!
Quite a few good sections of bridleway today, again pretty uneventful except for riding along a bendy, fast B road (that I would like to point out that a lot of bridleways crossing it and the beware of horses warning signs) and getting yelled out out of a passing car window by a lady: something along the lines of "use a bridleway"
We stopped at a pub about three miles away from the farm as I was hungry and needed to use the conveniences. I turned out to be a good stop as not only did i receive sponsorship I also managed to convince a gentleman to bring Cognac a bowl of horse feed for breakfast to the farm (Jackie had offered me as much horse feed as I could carry as I knew that I wouldn't be able to get any at the farm, however this meant that I could give him a good evening feed, instead of having to split it between a night feed and a morning feed).
When I reached the farm I was greeted by a lovely, jolly lady, Mrs Guest who showed me to the orchard, where i could put Cognac for the night. There was plenty of grass, however it wasn't enclosed so I asked if there was anywhere else that was enclosed, so she then showed me to the orchard, which was enclosed and had sheep and goats and alsorts in. I un- tacked Cognac and let him loose, but the dogs next door kept barking at us and Mrs Guest said they were her sons dogs and went to talk to him.
Mrs Guest then came back with her son and he said that he was sorry i couldn't park my horse in that field overnight as his dogs would bark all night, he was also worried about him eating the apples and plums off the trees and getting sick, so Mrs Guest showed us to a field at the bottom of the farm, which was perfect- lots of grass and enclosed! A this point I was offered a bed at Mr and Mrs Guest's house and also a shower and something to eat at their sons house. Both of which was greatly received after a long day!
22/08/12 Jackie's House
We rode from Cannock to Jackie's, it was a pretty uneventful day, country lanes, a few busy A road crossings. We stopped for lunch on a patch of grass in the middle of a housing estate and being in a busy area I had to tie Cognac up outside a public toilet as I was desperate to go! We also rode passed the actual real Royal Oak along the Monarch's Way, although when I rung Jez to tell him he wouldn't believe me and was less than impressed! I also had a moment when I very nearly lost my pony! We stop for an afternoon break down a bridleway and it was so hot I lay down on the grass and shaded my eyes from the sun. Cognac was grazing loose not far away when "clip clop, clip clop" I opened my eyes and he was calmly but purposefully walking back off up the track! I thought back to try and remember if we had come through a gate at the top of the track or whether there was the possibility I would be following him all the way back to Cannock, when he stopped. He had just wanted a drink and had remembered that there was a puddle a few hundred yards back, once he was done he resumed grazing, blinking up at me with his big eyes, would I ever leave you...
Jackie was so lovely and it was great to meet her daughter too, who had just returned home after a stint abroad. Cognac had a big feed and went out in the lushest grass I have ever seen for the night. Jackie had set up her husband's fishing bed in the back of her lorry for me and had provided me with hot water and tea and squash and chocolate biscuits, in case i got hungry or thirsty overnight- which was impossible after I had had plenty to eat and drink in her kitchen before I went to bed!
Jackie was so lovely and it was great to meet her daughter too, who had just returned home after a stint abroad. Cognac had a big feed and went out in the lushest grass I have ever seen for the night. Jackie had set up her husband's fishing bed in the back of her lorry for me and had provided me with hot water and tea and squash and chocolate biscuits, in case i got hungry or thirsty overnight- which was impossible after I had had plenty to eat and drink in her kitchen before I went to bed!
20/08/12 Cannock . Rest and recuperation with Robin and Catherine.
I really enjoyed my stay at Cannock with Robin and Catherine. We had meet, by chance, a few days earlier when we had stopped at a pub for a mid day rest and Robin and Catherine had very kindly offered us to stay when we reached Cannock. So a couple of days later we phoned and it was all arranged, we had originally been invited to stay for one night, but that soon turned into two and subsequently three nights.
Robin and Catherine had a horse each and the rest of the stables we rented out, it was a lovely yard with a very friendly, calm feel. Cognac went out in a paddock on his own with lots of grass and horses over the fence. We were allowed as much hard feed as we needed, so Cognac got a few days of good hard feed in his belly and some much needed rest.
While we were there we took the opportunity to get Cognac shoes redone. Catherine had to ring round about five farriers to finally get one who was available for the next day.
Everyone I met during my stay was so friendly and really interested in Cognac and my journey and we received some very generous sponsorship money. It was arranged for me to stay with Jackie for the next night. When the morning came for us to leave it was tough to stay good bye. We had both been made to feel so welcome and comfortable and I really hope I get chance to visit again soon (minus pony!)
Robin and Catherine had a horse each and the rest of the stables we rented out, it was a lovely yard with a very friendly, calm feel. Cognac went out in a paddock on his own with lots of grass and horses over the fence. We were allowed as much hard feed as we needed, so Cognac got a few days of good hard feed in his belly and some much needed rest.
While we were there we took the opportunity to get Cognac shoes redone. Catherine had to ring round about five farriers to finally get one who was available for the next day.
Everyone I met during my stay was so friendly and really interested in Cognac and my journey and we received some very generous sponsorship money. It was arranged for me to stay with Jackie for the next night. When the morning came for us to leave it was tough to stay good bye. We had both been made to feel so welcome and comfortable and I really hope I get chance to visit again soon (minus pony!)
03/09/12 Wellow Trekking Centre, nr Bath
Cognac and I are currently at Wellow Trekking Centre, 7 miles south of Bath. We are held up here as Cognac is trotting up lame on his off fore. He is fine in walk (with shoes on) and has been striding out as usual, although he has been a bit touchy on stony ground.
I had the vet out to see him on Sunday and he has had his front shoes off to allow the vet to hoof test him and to par away some foot to look for any infection. He only found a bit of bruising, but thought that there was a chance that there was infection brewing, but not yet visible. I was therefore advised to apply a hot, wet poultice to the foot 2-3 times a day to draw out any infection. Dara, the vet was very reassuring and said that he hoped to get us back on the road by mid week. He also had a look at Cognac's general condition and put my mind to rest about his weight. He said that his condition was good and that he looked healthy and well and very fit. He compared him to a racehorse and said that although he wasn't holding any excess weight, he had just walked 1000 miles, so it was all relative. Dara's only words of warning was to watch that he didn't tie up in the next few days, as he wouldn't be working.
The poulticing failed to produce anything so we saw a colleague of Dara's on Wednesday, Tamara. Tamara watched Cognac trot up and hoof tested him again, noting that it was the bulb of his heel that was particularly sore and looked slightly swollen. I asked if it could be anything higher up the leg and she said that as there was no swelling or heat on his legs that she was 99.9% certain that the lameness was coming from his foot and not higher up. The advice now is to stop poulticing the foot as there is nothing coming out and this is leading to his hoof tissue softening and the potential of thrush. Cognac is on a course of Penicillin to clear up any infection that may be present, a sachet of Danillon a day for pain relief and he is to have his shoes put back on on Thursday, in the presence of the vet, so we can work to get him comfortable.
I also took a trip down the road to Totally Tack Ltd, in Frome, to look at the possibility of hoof boots for his front feet. The lady in charge said that she kept her horses a few miles up the road from Wellow and one of her horses has the same size feet as Cognac, so kindly offered to bring them over after she finishes work to try them on Cognac and see how they felt.
While we are stationary I hope to take the opportunity to update the missing days on my blog.
I had the vet out to see him on Sunday and he has had his front shoes off to allow the vet to hoof test him and to par away some foot to look for any infection. He only found a bit of bruising, but thought that there was a chance that there was infection brewing, but not yet visible. I was therefore advised to apply a hot, wet poultice to the foot 2-3 times a day to draw out any infection. Dara, the vet was very reassuring and said that he hoped to get us back on the road by mid week. He also had a look at Cognac's general condition and put my mind to rest about his weight. He said that his condition was good and that he looked healthy and well and very fit. He compared him to a racehorse and said that although he wasn't holding any excess weight, he had just walked 1000 miles, so it was all relative. Dara's only words of warning was to watch that he didn't tie up in the next few days, as he wouldn't be working.
The poulticing failed to produce anything so we saw a colleague of Dara's on Wednesday, Tamara. Tamara watched Cognac trot up and hoof tested him again, noting that it was the bulb of his heel that was particularly sore and looked slightly swollen. I asked if it could be anything higher up the leg and she said that as there was no swelling or heat on his legs that she was 99.9% certain that the lameness was coming from his foot and not higher up. The advice now is to stop poulticing the foot as there is nothing coming out and this is leading to his hoof tissue softening and the potential of thrush. Cognac is on a course of Penicillin to clear up any infection that may be present, a sachet of Danillon a day for pain relief and he is to have his shoes put back on on Thursday, in the presence of the vet, so we can work to get him comfortable.
I also took a trip down the road to Totally Tack Ltd, in Frome, to look at the possibility of hoof boots for his front feet. The lady in charge said that she kept her horses a few miles up the road from Wellow and one of her horses has the same size feet as Cognac, so kindly offered to bring them over after she finishes work to try them on Cognac and see how they felt.
While we are stationary I hope to take the opportunity to update the missing days on my blog.
Sunday 2 September 2012
Friday 31 August 2012
Saturday 25 August 2012
Back to work.
I got up and organised in the morning, said goodbye to Josey, who didn't charge us for staying the two nights- Thank- you! and off we went again, we found our way back on to the Sabrina Way, with was all on country lanes that day and wound our way through to Jon and Glenda's farmhouse B&B. John was very complimentary of Cognac and we were made to feel very welcome. There was a little pony on the farm that went into a stable at night, so we put Cognac out in the field, but left the gate to the yard open so that he could be near to the pony if he wanted.
In the morning we went on a horse feed hunt and found a feed place on a stable yard just down the road. They let me choose any bag and take a bucket full from it- free of charge! so we had a bucket of baileys Endurance mix and they also gave to me a little bottle of wound wash and choc biscuits and some sweets to keep me going! So Cognac had his breakfast and I packed some for lunch.
Its was a lovely sunny day and we were again following the Sabrina Way. We followed a bridleway through the woods, across some grassy fields and then down a tunnel of hedges between the fields. We then hit a bit of a bridleway black- spot. Bad or no signing and very over grown gates, a particular bad point was two bridlegates, a horse length apart with a bridge over a very overgrown ditch, lots of stinging nettles and gates that swing back on you! I looked for a way round but couldn't see anything so prepared to get stung! I dismounted, held the first gate open and posted Cognac in, before shutting the gate behind him. I think edged my way between him and the edge of the bridge, trying not to fall off, to open the next gate. The gate was so wedged with weeds that I had to climb over and pull it open from the over side, at which point Cognac had managed to maneuver himself around in the opposite direction, looking back the way we had come. So I tied the second gate open, squeezed myself back to the front end of Cognac and reversed him over the bridle, through the gate to freedom! Exhausting and time consuming! but we made it...
I enjoyed riding through Cannock Chase and as Catherine had instructed me on the phone that morning we headed for the post office tower and Catherine and Robin met us at the German memorial graveyards on the edge of the chase to show us the best route from there to their house on the edge of Cannock.
In the morning we went on a horse feed hunt and found a feed place on a stable yard just down the road. They let me choose any bag and take a bucket full from it- free of charge! so we had a bucket of baileys Endurance mix and they also gave to me a little bottle of wound wash and choc biscuits and some sweets to keep me going! So Cognac had his breakfast and I packed some for lunch.
Its was a lovely sunny day and we were again following the Sabrina Way. We followed a bridleway through the woods, across some grassy fields and then down a tunnel of hedges between the fields. We then hit a bit of a bridleway black- spot. Bad or no signing and very over grown gates, a particular bad point was two bridlegates, a horse length apart with a bridge over a very overgrown ditch, lots of stinging nettles and gates that swing back on you! I looked for a way round but couldn't see anything so prepared to get stung! I dismounted, held the first gate open and posted Cognac in, before shutting the gate behind him. I think edged my way between him and the edge of the bridge, trying not to fall off, to open the next gate. The gate was so wedged with weeds that I had to climb over and pull it open from the over side, at which point Cognac had managed to maneuver himself around in the opposite direction, looking back the way we had come. So I tied the second gate open, squeezed myself back to the front end of Cognac and reversed him over the bridle, through the gate to freedom! Exhausting and time consuming! but we made it...
I enjoyed riding through Cannock Chase and as Catherine had instructed me on the phone that morning we headed for the post office tower and Catherine and Robin met us at the German memorial graveyards on the edge of the chase to show us the best route from there to their house on the edge of Cannock.
Rain stops play
We overslept the next morning and woke up to the sound of rain on the tent- day off!!Josey said it was fine to stay another night and the lovely Sandy (who lives next door to Josey) brought us out cups of tea and bannanas! We went to get some food, found a local tack shop and got a new lead rope as I had manged to lose ours a couple of days ago and we also brought another bag of conditioning cubes for Cognac.
How a day can fly by! At this point I pretty much passed out and slept like a baby, until Jez shook me awake in a bit of a flurry saying that he had to leave now or he'd be late for work! While I slept he had set up my one man tent and moved all my stuff into it! He moved me over in my sleepy state and got to work taking down the two man tent to pack into his car. We said a hurried goodbye and I told him to drive safely and Cognac and I were all alone again.
It is strange that when Cognac and I are just travelling together I feel fine and everyone tends to ask if I get lonely, but I don't tend to when it is just Cognac and myself as I am always busy and there are always plenty of people to talk to and it is great when I get to see Jez, but it alters the feeling of the trip for a few days and it takes a day to get used to, at which time he is off again and then there is a gap left and that is the only time I feel lonely and think about home.
So feeling this way and now wide awake I crawled out of my tent to check on Cognac and not being able to see him, I walk across the field to find him sitting down at the back of the field, I walked over and sat between his legs, with my back against his side and looked out- he has certainly choosen the best vantage point in the field and after the busy day the air felt really calm and dreamlike. With a groan Cognac laid flat out on the floor and had a 10 minute snooze- I like to think that he knew he could relax as I would look out for him.
How a day can fly by! At this point I pretty much passed out and slept like a baby, until Jez shook me awake in a bit of a flurry saying that he had to leave now or he'd be late for work! While I slept he had set up my one man tent and moved all my stuff into it! He moved me over in my sleepy state and got to work taking down the two man tent to pack into his car. We said a hurried goodbye and I told him to drive safely and Cognac and I were all alone again.
It is strange that when Cognac and I are just travelling together I feel fine and everyone tends to ask if I get lonely, but I don't tend to when it is just Cognac and myself as I am always busy and there are always plenty of people to talk to and it is great when I get to see Jez, but it alters the feeling of the trip for a few days and it takes a day to get used to, at which time he is off again and then there is a gap left and that is the only time I feel lonely and think about home.
So feeling this way and now wide awake I crawled out of my tent to check on Cognac and not being able to see him, I walk across the field to find him sitting down at the back of the field, I walked over and sat between his legs, with my back against his side and looked out- he has certainly choosen the best vantage point in the field and after the busy day the air felt really calm and dreamlike. With a groan Cognac laid flat out on the floor and had a 10 minute snooze- I like to think that he knew he could relax as I would look out for him.
Monday 20 August 2012
Sunday 19 August 2012
15th, 16th and 17th ugust 2012
Just when I was getting on top of the blogging- my iPhone charger broke! Typical! I have to admit that it makes me more social not being able to use my iPhone GPS, usually I get the postcode for where I am staying and when I get close I tend to search for it on google maps, but not being able to use my phone has made me develop a new system- when I get near go to the village pub and ask! Someone always knows in the pub!
15th- Peak Forest to Hartington
It was fair when I set out but from lunchtime on it just poured with rain so that everything was soaked! And to make matters worst, I was camping! Mind you, I have to admit that I have been very lucky with the weather the last few weeks. The last section of the Pennine Bridleway was nice level tracks following the old railway lines, the area is considerably flatter al around compared to the last few days.
Although staying at Hartington village, I couldn't help but to stop in at the official end of the Pennine Bridleway, Hartington Station, a few miles down the road.
When we arrived at Bank Top Farm it was still pouring with rain, I untacked Cognac and he was dry under his saddle blanket so I put his rain rug on and he went out in the front meadow with the cows. I noted that in preference to eating grass he stood under a tree with his head down. I put my tent up in the pouring rain and laid all my equipment our in the shed to dry. There was nothing much else for me to do, except lie in my tent and read a book, so I donned my Soaked jacket and stuffed my maps, notebook and a clean tshirt and jumper into a dry bag and walked the mile and a half back into Hartington. Earlier in the day I had stopped to talk to a farmer who had said that The Charles Cotton Hotel was good, so I took myself in there- via the toilets first so that I could put my dry clothes on and my myself presentable- I left a line of processions hanging in the cloakroom to dry!
It turns out a couple who were also staying at the B&B were in the Charles Cotton as well and they were very interested in my ride. I joined them for dinner (very nicely done fish and chips and mushy peas) and enjoyed a lovely evening in lovely company! At the end of the night we all walked back along the lane to the B&B and Jane and Lance Came to meet Cognac when I gave him his dinner.
When we got back the landlady told me that I had a phone call to make- my phone didn't have any signal in the area and Jez had phoned the landline trying to get hold of me. So I phoned him back on the landline and he was all in a panic! As he hadn't been able to get hold of me he had got so worried he had got in his car and driven up- he was now only an hours drive away!
I was annoyed, but never the less pleased to see him. Jez said he could stay for a day so he carried my extra equipment in his car for the day and met me for lunch at the George pub- after the rain the day before, it was lovely sunny day and the pub was busy, we tied Cognac to a tree on the village green and sat down on the grass beside him to eat our sandwiches.
A gentleman, and later his wife, came talk to us and told us of when the rode the local area, including the Sabrina Way trail that I was following. They had also stayed with Josey, who I was staying with the following night. They introduced themselves and Robin and Catherine and said that I was welcome to come and stay with them in a few days time.
As they lived close to the Sabrina Way and had horses of their own.
We had a pleasant afternoons ride, if a bit hot! Although we did struggle with the Sabrina Way being so overgrown as to be impassable in places and generally poorly signed. We arrived at Josey's by 5pm and set our tent up in a small grassy field with thick, lush grass.
15th- Peak Forest to Hartington
It was fair when I set out but from lunchtime on it just poured with rain so that everything was soaked! And to make matters worst, I was camping! Mind you, I have to admit that I have been very lucky with the weather the last few weeks. The last section of the Pennine Bridleway was nice level tracks following the old railway lines, the area is considerably flatter al around compared to the last few days.
Although staying at Hartington village, I couldn't help but to stop in at the official end of the Pennine Bridleway, Hartington Station, a few miles down the road.
When we arrived at Bank Top Farm it was still pouring with rain, I untacked Cognac and he was dry under his saddle blanket so I put his rain rug on and he went out in the front meadow with the cows. I noted that in preference to eating grass he stood under a tree with his head down. I put my tent up in the pouring rain and laid all my equipment our in the shed to dry. There was nothing much else for me to do, except lie in my tent and read a book, so I donned my Soaked jacket and stuffed my maps, notebook and a clean tshirt and jumper into a dry bag and walked the mile and a half back into Hartington. Earlier in the day I had stopped to talk to a farmer who had said that The Charles Cotton Hotel was good, so I took myself in there- via the toilets first so that I could put my dry clothes on and my myself presentable- I left a line of processions hanging in the cloakroom to dry!
It turns out a couple who were also staying at the B&B were in the Charles Cotton as well and they were very interested in my ride. I joined them for dinner (very nicely done fish and chips and mushy peas) and enjoyed a lovely evening in lovely company! At the end of the night we all walked back along the lane to the B&B and Jane and Lance Came to meet Cognac when I gave him his dinner.
When we got back the landlady told me that I had a phone call to make- my phone didn't have any signal in the area and Jez had phoned the landline trying to get hold of me. So I phoned him back on the landline and he was all in a panic! As he hadn't been able to get hold of me he had got so worried he had got in his car and driven up- he was now only an hours drive away!
I was annoyed, but never the less pleased to see him. Jez said he could stay for a day so he carried my extra equipment in his car for the day and met me for lunch at the George pub- after the rain the day before, it was lovely sunny day and the pub was busy, we tied Cognac to a tree on the village green and sat down on the grass beside him to eat our sandwiches.
A gentleman, and later his wife, came talk to us and told us of when the rode the local area, including the Sabrina Way trail that I was following. They had also stayed with Josey, who I was staying with the following night. They introduced themselves and Robin and Catherine and said that I was welcome to come and stay with them in a few days time.
As they lived close to the Sabrina Way and had horses of their own.
We had a pleasant afternoons ride, if a bit hot! Although we did struggle with the Sabrina Way being so overgrown as to be impassable in places and generally poorly signed. We arrived at Josey's by 5pm and set our tent up in a small grassy field with thick, lush grass.
Wednesday 15 August 2012
13th and 14th August 2012
Argh! We have now been going for six weeks! That sounds like forever! When I first decided to do this ride I planned to complete it in six weeks, how fickle I was! After two weeks I thought "wow- I've spent two whole weeks on my horse!" now two weeks pass by without me even noticing.
The miles mean less now too, when I started I could tell you exactly how many miles I had done in a day , now I don't keep count as its not the mileage it's the going, the weather, the number of gates and what time we set off in the morning and how we feel that determines how hard a days ride is.
Monday night we stayed in Chatlestown, we arrived at 5.30pm after the yard staff had left and had been directed to a field over the phone. I untracked Cognac and checked the water supply, pitched my tent super efficiently and felt quite pleaded with myself. Phoned Jez to let him know I was okay and set up for the night. I planned to walk up the road and into the village to have a look around and to see if there was anywhere I could get food, but first I had to be confident and go and find Cognac some hard feed. It was a big yard and I knew there would be plenty on site, but I hate asking for things and normally if I'm not offered feed I just don't give him any, however Cognac had been maintaining weight but nor putting any on and I felt that he could do with a little more condition. So I took my plastic bag down to the yard and approached two ladies and asked if anyone had some hard feed I could buy for my horse, they said their horse were 'fatties' and just had hi-fi so directed me to a gentleman who would how something more suitable for Cognac. I nervously approached him and asked If he had some horse feed I could buy and without hesitation he showed me where he kept his horse feed and said to take what I needed and also wouldn't take any money for it! Every day I am amazed at how generous and helpful people can be- with you these people I certainly wouldn't have been able to do this journey and I hope in the future I will be able to return this generosity to others that may need my help :)
I got a good nights sleep on Monday night and set off in good time in the morning. I had to be in Peak Forest by 3 as I was staying at a pub and they closed between 3 and 6. I made good time and Cognac and I stopped and had our lunch on the too of a hill with the most beautiful view and spoke to a n older gentleman who said he used to walk all over these hills and that this was his favourite view. We just managed to make it to Peak Forest in time after having to lead Cognac down and up and down... And back up some very steep hills with very stony tracks and it was soo hot!! I was in a room at the Devonshire arms pub and Cognac was staying at Fields Farm behind it. I could see Cognac in the field from my bedroom window! At Fields Farm they very kindly let Cognac stay for free and said I could take some horse feed with me- again free of charge. I spent the evening in the pub and was made to feel very welcome by the locals, who were all very interested in the ride and very kindly donated £80 collectively in sponsorship money!
The miles mean less now too, when I started I could tell you exactly how many miles I had done in a day , now I don't keep count as its not the mileage it's the going, the weather, the number of gates and what time we set off in the morning and how we feel that determines how hard a days ride is.
Monday night we stayed in Chatlestown, we arrived at 5.30pm after the yard staff had left and had been directed to a field over the phone. I untracked Cognac and checked the water supply, pitched my tent super efficiently and felt quite pleaded with myself. Phoned Jez to let him know I was okay and set up for the night. I planned to walk up the road and into the village to have a look around and to see if there was anywhere I could get food, but first I had to be confident and go and find Cognac some hard feed. It was a big yard and I knew there would be plenty on site, but I hate asking for things and normally if I'm not offered feed I just don't give him any, however Cognac had been maintaining weight but nor putting any on and I felt that he could do with a little more condition. So I took my plastic bag down to the yard and approached two ladies and asked if anyone had some hard feed I could buy for my horse, they said their horse were 'fatties' and just had hi-fi so directed me to a gentleman who would how something more suitable for Cognac. I nervously approached him and asked If he had some horse feed I could buy and without hesitation he showed me where he kept his horse feed and said to take what I needed and also wouldn't take any money for it! Every day I am amazed at how generous and helpful people can be- with you these people I certainly wouldn't have been able to do this journey and I hope in the future I will be able to return this generosity to others that may need my help :)
I got a good nights sleep on Monday night and set off in good time in the morning. I had to be in Peak Forest by 3 as I was staying at a pub and they closed between 3 and 6. I made good time and Cognac and I stopped and had our lunch on the too of a hill with the most beautiful view and spoke to a n older gentleman who said he used to walk all over these hills and that this was his favourite view. We just managed to make it to Peak Forest in time after having to lead Cognac down and up and down... And back up some very steep hills with very stony tracks and it was soo hot!! I was in a room at the Devonshire arms pub and Cognac was staying at Fields Farm behind it. I could see Cognac in the field from my bedroom window! At Fields Farm they very kindly let Cognac stay for free and said I could take some horse feed with me- again free of charge. I spent the evening in the pub and was made to feel very welcome by the locals, who were all very interested in the ride and very kindly donated £80 collectively in sponsorship money!
Monday 13 August 2012
Thank- you
Thank- you to everyone who has sponsored me along the way and on my justgiving page. Also thank- you for all your kind words of encouragement, they really help to keep up beat and focused. I am enjoying myself so much, but the sheer scale of this ride can sometimes be daunting- its so much more than I've ever done before so it's so nice to know that I have people behind us willing and encouraging us to keep going to our finishing line, where the land comes to a stop and we can't walk any further!
Sunday 12 August 2012
12/08/12 Longfield E.C to Denshaw
This morning I went round to Cognac's stable to find him alert and ready to play! He really seems to have adapted to his new routine now. I got him some breakfast and got him tacked up and off we went. As I walked him in hand up the road I couldn't help but think what people must think of us when they see us- people always seem surprised that I walk a fair bit beside him! I tend to walk a mile or two in the morning so we can both warm up and also after lunch, so my lunch can go down and if on a quiet road I tend to get off and walk the last mile or so as well.
Today was a very hilly day! We stopped for grass on top of a very high hill and although the view was fab, it was very windy so we didn't stop for long. As we came back down off the hill into Summit, I took long rider Elizabeth Hill's (www.ridearoundbritain.blogspot.co.uk) advice that the next section of the Pennine bridleway was very steep both up and back down and choose to ride through town instead to save Cognac's engergy. We stopped just outside town at a visitor centre by a resorvoir and I gave Cognac his lunchtime feed and let him chomp on some grass for an hour. On the way back onto the Pennine Bridleway I couldn't help stopping at an ice- cream van on Cognac! Made me chuckle anyway!
We got to Dumfries farm just in time for the change in weather and we have been made to feel very comfortable. Cognac had a nice big feed and a rack of haylage before going out in a grassy field for the night. My tent is pitched on the front lawn and I have had a lovely dinner and a hot shower and am currently watching the Olympics closing ceremony! Strange to think I was in Moffat in Scotland for the opening ceremony two weeks ago! And in two more week I hope to be arriving on the doorstep of William Reddaway (www.ridearoundengland.org)in Cheltenham! If all goes well.
Today was a very hilly day! We stopped for grass on top of a very high hill and although the view was fab, it was very windy so we didn't stop for long. As we came back down off the hill into Summit, I took long rider Elizabeth Hill's (www.ridearoundbritain.blogspot.co.uk) advice that the next section of the Pennine bridleway was very steep both up and back down and choose to ride through town instead to save Cognac's engergy. We stopped just outside town at a visitor centre by a resorvoir and I gave Cognac his lunchtime feed and let him chomp on some grass for an hour. On the way back onto the Pennine Bridleway I couldn't help stopping at an ice- cream van on Cognac! Made me chuckle anyway!
We got to Dumfries farm just in time for the change in weather and we have been made to feel very comfortable. Cognac had a nice big feed and a rack of haylage before going out in a grassy field for the night. My tent is pitched on the front lawn and I have had a lovely dinner and a hot shower and am currently watching the Olympics closing ceremony! Strange to think I was in Moffat in Scotland for the opening ceremony two weeks ago! And in two more week I hope to be arriving on the doorstep of William Reddaway (www.ridearoundengland.org)in Cheltenham! If all goes well.
Saturday 11 August 2012
11/08/12 Thursden to Todmorden.
I got up in the morning and packed away my tent and organised my saddlebags, putting my equipment in a pile ready for when I came to tack Cognac up. Sophie came and picked me up from the yard and took me back to her house for a nice hot shower and a lovely breakfast- cereal, toast, sausages, eggs and croissants! It was great to meet all her family- her husband Ed and children Fin, Bridget and Pip. Ed phoned Cosima Towneley to tell her what I was doing and she said that she had a BHS booklet with the contact details for all the bridleway officers and that they would be the people to get hold of when passing through their regions, do we arranged to meet at my lunch stop so that she could give me that and we could have a chat.
The girls from the yard rode put with me and put me back onto the Pennine Bridleway. It was a steep climb to start the day but with beautiful views from up top down on the way I had come from and I could see where we had stayed the night.
At lunch I met with Cosima and she suggested I look up the trans Pennine route instead of following the Pennine Bridleway all the way to its end at Hartington station.
Steep down and ups all day! Todmorden is at the joining of three valleys so very scenic, but hilly!
Made it to Longfield before the girls go home at 5pm, Cognac is in the worlds biggest stable munching on haylage and I have a bed in a static caravan.
Interestingly Nora and Juniblest stayed here just last week on their New Forest to Newcastle ride- same stable and same caravan! ( Nora's blog is: www.ponytrip.blogspot.co.uk
The girls from the yard rode put with me and put me back onto the Pennine Bridleway. It was a steep climb to start the day but with beautiful views from up top down on the way I had come from and I could see where we had stayed the night.
At lunch I met with Cosima and she suggested I look up the trans Pennine route instead of following the Pennine Bridleway all the way to its end at Hartington station.
Steep down and ups all day! Todmorden is at the joining of three valleys so very scenic, but hilly!
Made it to Longfield before the girls go home at 5pm, Cognac is in the worlds biggest stable munching on haylage and I have a bed in a static caravan.
Interestingly Nora and Juniblest stayed here just last week on their New Forest to Newcastle ride- same stable and same caravan! ( Nora's blog is: www.ponytrip.blogspot.co.uk
Friday 10 August 2012
10/08/12- day 43
I'm going to really confuse matters now. I've got behind with the blog because I've struggled to get both Internet access and to have electricity to keep my phone charged. I've been trying to fill in the gap, however I am now going to update the blog every day- I promise so will have to fill in the missing days when I get chance- sorry!
Last night we stayed in the orchard at Emma's Dairy, Gazegill Organic farm, in Rimington, Clitheroe. Thank-you to Emma and Ian for having us to stay!
Jez had driven up to see me for a couple of days and left to drive back home yesterday afternoon, ready for work this morning. Waking up without him there was hard and I felt quite alone. I wanted to get a good start on the day so cooked myself a little porridge ( made with water) and tried to pack my equipment away quickly, wasn't as easy as normal after everything had ended up out of place after Jez's visit. I noticed I have managed to lose a few things ( they may be in Jez's car) my beanie hat, Cognac's back brushing boots and the strings that tie round my tent to make it easier to put in its bag.
As the weather had been so hot the last few days we have done without my hat and U think Cognac's back legs enjoyed not having hot sweaty boots on as well as they swell a little with the boots on, but have been five today. I started putting them on him when I noticed he had caught the inside of each pastern with the inside of his shoe, but don't usually put boots on him at home unless we were jumping.
Made slow progress this morning as there were some steep up and down hills, it was very hot all day and there were tonnes of gates to negotiate. We are still following the Pennine Bridleway , there are some beautiful views along it and some nice tracks to ride on, but at some points its more logical for us to go on the road for a short section to avoid a detour on the bridleway up a hill or 'round the houses'.
We stopped at the Black Lane Ends pub at 2pm to refuel. I had a coke and some crisps and refilled my water bottle. Cognac had grass, water and a bowl of calm and condition.
We made better progress in the afternoon, followed a lovely part of the bridleway that passes through a ford and the runs parallel to the river for a few miles- I noticed a very grassy picnic area to our left that would have made a good stop if we weren't running out of time.
I stopped to talk to a couple who lived locally and were out for a walk who very generously donated £23.50 to the BHF. We walked most of the rest of the route as it was just so hot and Cognac was sweating just walking. We reached Herd House farm riding stables at 7pm, Cognac has gone out in a large field down the road and I am camped in the riding arena where we found a foam cushion for me to sleep on in my tent. Catherine Billington, who owns the yard and lives on site, very kindly took me in doors for meatballs and rice and let me used her laptop and helped me with a bit if route planning and some contacts and Sophie gas very kindly taken my dirty clothes home with her to wash for me- she had also offered me breakfast and a bath in the morning. Every day it amazes me how wonderfully helpful and kind complete strangers can be!
Jez
Last night we stayed in the orchard at Emma's Dairy, Gazegill Organic farm, in Rimington, Clitheroe. Thank-you to Emma and Ian for having us to stay!
Jez had driven up to see me for a couple of days and left to drive back home yesterday afternoon, ready for work this morning. Waking up without him there was hard and I felt quite alone. I wanted to get a good start on the day so cooked myself a little porridge ( made with water) and tried to pack my equipment away quickly, wasn't as easy as normal after everything had ended up out of place after Jez's visit. I noticed I have managed to lose a few things ( they may be in Jez's car) my beanie hat, Cognac's back brushing boots and the strings that tie round my tent to make it easier to put in its bag.
As the weather had been so hot the last few days we have done without my hat and U think Cognac's back legs enjoyed not having hot sweaty boots on as well as they swell a little with the boots on, but have been five today. I started putting them on him when I noticed he had caught the inside of each pastern with the inside of his shoe, but don't usually put boots on him at home unless we were jumping.
Made slow progress this morning as there were some steep up and down hills, it was very hot all day and there were tonnes of gates to negotiate. We are still following the Pennine Bridleway , there are some beautiful views along it and some nice tracks to ride on, but at some points its more logical for us to go on the road for a short section to avoid a detour on the bridleway up a hill or 'round the houses'.
We stopped at the Black Lane Ends pub at 2pm to refuel. I had a coke and some crisps and refilled my water bottle. Cognac had grass, water and a bowl of calm and condition.
We made better progress in the afternoon, followed a lovely part of the bridleway that passes through a ford and the runs parallel to the river for a few miles- I noticed a very grassy picnic area to our left that would have made a good stop if we weren't running out of time.
I stopped to talk to a couple who lived locally and were out for a walk who very generously donated £23.50 to the BHF. We walked most of the rest of the route as it was just so hot and Cognac was sweating just walking. We reached Herd House farm riding stables at 7pm, Cognac has gone out in a large field down the road and I am camped in the riding arena where we found a foam cushion for me to sleep on in my tent. Catherine Billington, who owns the yard and lives on site, very kindly took me in doors for meatballs and rice and let me used her laptop and helped me with a bit if route planning and some contacts and Sophie gas very kindly taken my dirty clothes home with her to wash for me- she had also offered me breakfast and a bath in the morning. Every day it amazes me how wonderfully helpful and kind complete strangers can be!
Jez
Monday 6 August 2012
Wednesday 1 August 2012
Monday 30 July 2012
Mon 30th July 2012- day 32
I am currently lying in my tent and I can hear Cognac grazing the grass just outside.
Sorry about the spelling mistakes, I've been trying to update the blog from my phone as I've got very behind with it. The problem is my phone is quite fiddly and keeps 'predicting' what I'm going to write and changes the words without me realising. When I get access to a laptop and some free time I will clean the mistakes up!
Cognac and I are currently 1 mile from the Scotland/ England border and both of us are feeling and looking well.
We originally started off doing five days riding and then one day off, however Cognac was gradually loosing weight and as I wasn't giving him regular hard feed by the time we reached Loch Lomond we took also a week out to give him chance to rest and put condition on. Since we left there we have been riding for three days and then having a day off and this suits us much better. I am also trying to stay with as many horsey folk as possible do that we do have access to hard feed. Cognac is now looking and feeling fab and is maintaining his condition. I got a weigh tape in Drymen to help me monitor his condition more accurately.
We also have got into a routine of our own. Our days generally pan out as follows:
7.30am Cognac gets fed
8.30am Cognac gets tacked up
9.00am set out for the day
Cover 5 miles
10.30am 30 min graze
Cover 5 miles
12.30pm 1hr graze
Cover 5 miles
3.00pm 30 min graze
Cover 5 miles
5.00pm arrive at accommodation
Sorry about the spelling mistakes, I've been trying to update the blog from my phone as I've got very behind with it. The problem is my phone is quite fiddly and keeps 'predicting' what I'm going to write and changes the words without me realising. When I get access to a laptop and some free time I will clean the mistakes up!
Cognac and I are currently 1 mile from the Scotland/ England border and both of us are feeling and looking well.
We originally started off doing five days riding and then one day off, however Cognac was gradually loosing weight and as I wasn't giving him regular hard feed by the time we reached Loch Lomond we took also a week out to give him chance to rest and put condition on. Since we left there we have been riding for three days and then having a day off and this suits us much better. I am also trying to stay with as many horsey folk as possible do that we do have access to hard feed. Cognac is now looking and feeling fab and is maintaining his condition. I got a weigh tape in Drymen to help me monitor his condition more accurately.
We also have got into a routine of our own. Our days generally pan out as follows:
7.30am Cognac gets fed
8.30am Cognac gets tacked up
9.00am set out for the day
Cover 5 miles
10.30am 30 min graze
Cover 5 miles
12.30pm 1hr graze
Cover 5 miles
3.00pm 30 min graze
Cover 5 miles
5.00pm arrive at accommodation
Fort William to Kinlochleven.
In the morning I headed out to feed Cognac and found him and the horse in the field next door, side by side, seperated by the fence and both fast asleep! So Cognac had breakfast in bed!
Cognac was feeling pretty fresh and bounced me through Fort William. A guy delivering coal had to double take when he went to cross the road and saw a horse heading towards him. " I thought I was seeing things" he chuckled to me.
On our way out of Fort William there was a long windy road with cattle grids with a gate at the side, a young boy who's garden backs onto the road saw us coming and ran out to open the gate for us.
By this time the sun was out, the sky's were blue and it was really starting to heat up! We joined onto the West Highland Way and followed the rough, stony track towards Kinlochleven.
There previous night we had phoned everyone in Kinlochleven and Loas Knopper had been asking around for days to find us somewhere to stay in Kinlochleven, but there just wasn't anything. Vyv Wood Gee, who gave me tonnes of help and advice with this part of the route down to Glasgow had said that she has stayed at the Kings House hotel before, but that it had been unsuitable for the horse as the ground was so wet. In desperation we contacted them about the possibility of staying. They were fully booked but said I could wild camp with my horse out the back of the hotel if I wanted. It would mean a hell of a long, difficult day and I didn't want to camp without the horse being in a secure enclosure.
It's was really hot and really hard going and by 3pm we had covered 15 miles, which was good going, but there was still many more to go to Kings House and I knew that by the time Cognac and I got there we were going to be really tired. Perhaps we were better finding a quiet spot and wild camping for the night...
We were at Kinlochleven by this time so we stopped in a car park for some grass and the last mouthful of hard feed I had.
We chatted to a young girl and her grandmother and then I started to look for somewhere to climb on from. This was the magical moment when Geoff and Ella appeared with two dogs! The asked about what I was doing andcI explained and they asked where I was staying and I said that I was going to wild camp and Ella said that they had a big garden just down the road and that I was welcome to bring the horse down and stay there! I was so relieved! They showed me the way and the garden was indeed big enough for the horse and it was quite something to see him wandering around in it! Ella offered me a bed in the house. I showered and my clothes were put on to wash. I joined Geoff and Ella for dinner and had free access to the phone and laptop so I could get my accommodation sorted for the days ahead. I was made to feel completely welcome and Cognac got lots of treats and attention.
I emailed Loas, who had been helping me try to find accommodation in Kinlochleven and she popped over for tea and biscuits, and she brought me a bar of chocolate! For my journey. It was great to meet her after emailing for the last few months and we got on really well.
Cognac was feeling pretty fresh and bounced me through Fort William. A guy delivering coal had to double take when he went to cross the road and saw a horse heading towards him. " I thought I was seeing things" he chuckled to me.
On our way out of Fort William there was a long windy road with cattle grids with a gate at the side, a young boy who's garden backs onto the road saw us coming and ran out to open the gate for us.
By this time the sun was out, the sky's were blue and it was really starting to heat up! We joined onto the West Highland Way and followed the rough, stony track towards Kinlochleven.
There previous night we had phoned everyone in Kinlochleven and Loas Knopper had been asking around for days to find us somewhere to stay in Kinlochleven, but there just wasn't anything. Vyv Wood Gee, who gave me tonnes of help and advice with this part of the route down to Glasgow had said that she has stayed at the Kings House hotel before, but that it had been unsuitable for the horse as the ground was so wet. In desperation we contacted them about the possibility of staying. They were fully booked but said I could wild camp with my horse out the back of the hotel if I wanted. It would mean a hell of a long, difficult day and I didn't want to camp without the horse being in a secure enclosure.
It's was really hot and really hard going and by 3pm we had covered 15 miles, which was good going, but there was still many more to go to Kings House and I knew that by the time Cognac and I got there we were going to be really tired. Perhaps we were better finding a quiet spot and wild camping for the night...
We were at Kinlochleven by this time so we stopped in a car park for some grass and the last mouthful of hard feed I had.
We chatted to a young girl and her grandmother and then I started to look for somewhere to climb on from. This was the magical moment when Geoff and Ella appeared with two dogs! The asked about what I was doing andcI explained and they asked where I was staying and I said that I was going to wild camp and Ella said that they had a big garden just down the road and that I was welcome to bring the horse down and stay there! I was so relieved! They showed me the way and the garden was indeed big enough for the horse and it was quite something to see him wandering around in it! Ella offered me a bed in the house. I showered and my clothes were put on to wash. I joined Geoff and Ella for dinner and had free access to the phone and laptop so I could get my accommodation sorted for the days ahead. I was made to feel completely welcome and Cognac got lots of treats and attention.
I emailed Loas, who had been helping me try to find accommodation in Kinlochleven and she popped over for tea and biscuits, and she brought me a bar of chocolate! For my journey. It was great to meet her after emailing for the last few months and we got on really well.
Day off in Fort William
Cognac had a nice big field at the bottom of the garden with a horsy friend next door. He got very aggitated when his horsy friend wandered up towards the house on his side of the fence and he couldn't follow, so Kirsty and I did some emergency repair work on the fence so we could let him into the field further up, closer to the other horse and then he settled.
I stayed on Kirsty's sofa bed in her living room. In the morning I walked in to Fort William to pick up a horse food and map parcel that Jez had sent me from home and also to get some supplies as I would be camping the next few days. I also checked out my route through Fort William for the next morning.
I stayed on Kirsty's sofa bed in her living room. In the morning I walked in to Fort William to pick up a horse food and map parcel that Jez had sent me from home and also to get some supplies as I would be camping the next few days. I also checked out my route through Fort William for the next morning.
Laggan to Fort William
I got away in good time in the morning but then got held up just a mile down the road for 30 minutes. I was following the Graat Glen Way which crossed over the canal via a bridge over the top of a loch gate. It was very narrow but Cognac had been doing worse. I wanted to cross the canal at this point and continue following the GGW as after this it open up into loch and If I couldnt get across I would have to follow the busy road on the opposite side of the loch. I shouted to the loch keeper to ask if it was okay to bring my horse across and he shrugged and said that it was on my head if something went wrong. So I jumped off and tried to lead Cognac across, he wasn't sure and I didn't want to put too much pressure on him as it was narrow and I didn't want him to rush across. A cyclist who had also stayed at the hostel came along and asked if I was having trouble, I explained about the main road and wanting to cross the loch to avoid the road. I was hoping Cognac would follow the bike across, but he still wasn't sure. The loch keeper shouted across to say that he was going to let some boats through and that I could try again after. So Cognac and I watched the loch fill up with water and then the bridge move back to let the boats through. I shared an apple and some Kendal mint cake with him while we waited. Just as the bridge moved back into place, threw walkers who had also stayed at the hostel turned up and as they crossed the bridge I urged Cognac to follow and this time he happily did without hesitation. The loch keeper gave m the thumbs up and took a photo of us walking across to 'show the lads' when we reached Neptune's Staircase, just before Fort William we had a group of people gather round to stroke Cognac and find out what we were doing and we also got done sponsorship money too. We walked along the cycle path alongside a busy road into Fort William and some guts who were working on the road crossed over to talk to me and also gave me some sponsorship money. I was staying at Lochyside with Kirsty, who runs Farr Cottage hostel in Carpatgh, just outside Fort William, when I had got close to Fort William she had text me direction to her house, I had followed them to the T, but as I turned down her road a lady stopped me and said I must be stayed next door. I read my instructions to get and she said that was right, but that I must be stating next door with a lady that had horses. I must have sounded a bit vague insisting that I was staying with a lady called Kirsty and the end of this road. By this time a gentleman from next door had also come our and assured me that the guy that lived in the end house was away, but that I was welcome to tether my horse in his field. I thanked him but assured him that I had arranged to stay with someone already. At that moment Kirsty walked up the drive, everyone along the road called her Kay so hadn't realised it was her I meant!
Saturday 28 July 2012
Laggan to Fort William
I got away in good time in the morning but then got held up just a mile down the road for 30 minutes. I was following the Graat Glen Way which crossed over the canal via a bridge over the top of a loch gate. It was very narrow but Cognac had been doing worse. I wanted to cross the canal at this point and continue following the GGW as after this it open up into loch and If I couldnt get across I would have to follow the busy road on the opposite side of the loch. I shouted to the loch keeper to ask if it was okay to bring my horse across and he shrugged and said that it was on my head if something went wrong. So I jumped off and tried to lead Cognac across, he wasn't sure and I didn't want to put too much pressure on him as it was narrow and I didn't want him to rush across. A cyclist who had also stayed at the hostel came along and asked if I was having trouble, I explained about the main road and wanting to cross the loch to avoid the road. I was hoping Cognac would follow the bike across, but he still wasn't sure. The loch keeper shouted across to say that he was going to let some boats through and that I could try again after. So Cognac and I watched the loch fill up with water and then the bridge move back to let the boats through. I shared an apple and some Kendal mint cake with him while we waited. Just as the bridge moved back into place, threw walkers who had also stayed at the hostel turned up and as they crossed the bridge I urged Cognac to follow and this time he happily did without hesitation. The loch keeper gave m the thumbs up and took a photo of us walking across to 'show the lads' when we reached Neptune's Staircase, just before Fort William we had a group of people gather round to stroke Cognac and find out what we were doing and we also got done sponsorship money too. We walked along the cycle path alongside a busy road into Fort William and some guts who were working on the road crossed over to talk to me and also gave me some sponsorship money. I was staying at Lochyside with Kirsty, who runs Farr Cottage hostel in Carpatgh, just outside Fort William, when I had got close to Fort William she had text me direction to her house, I had followed them to the T, but as I turned down her road a lady stopped me and said I must be stayed next door. I read my instructions to get and she said that was right, but that I must be stating next door with a lady that had horses. I must have sounded a bit vague insisting that I was staying with a lady called Kirsty and the end of this road. By this time a gentleman from next door had also come our and assured me that the guy that lived in the end house was away, but that I was welcome to tether my horse in his field. I thanked him but assured him that I had arranged to stay with someone already. At that moment Kirsty walked up the drive, everyone along the road called her Kay so hadn't realised it was her I meant!
Invermoriston to Laggan
We left Debbie's and continued along the Great Glen Way and Caldonian canal, passing through Fort Augustus where we had to wait in a queue of traffic for five minutes, between a bus and a truck, we saw a few astonished faces! It was a beautiful day and it was easy going along the canal. We even stopped for a cup of tea outside the loch house before continuing along to The Great Glen Hostel in Laggan, where I got a great picture of Cognac 'checking in'. I settled Cognac in the field out the back before showering and drying my clothes that Debbie had very kindly washed for me the previous night. I met some really interesting people at the hostel, lots of people travelling. I also had the chance to update my Facebook page on the computer with free wifi in the bunk room I was sharing with one other girl.
Drumnadrochit to Invermoriston
I had wanted to take Cognac for a paddle in the morning in Loch Ness, as just by Borlum it is shallow and sandy. Duncan had advised me on the way to go the night before but I was a bit late setting off and as it was in the opposite direction I just cracked on with the days ride. The first part of the Great Glen Way was a steep climb so I leaf Cognac up this. When we got further along the view opened up and we looked down onto Loch Ness. We followed it all day until we met Debbie Cox, who I was staying with, having meet her through the website Equine Ramblers UK. She had unexpectantly ridden out to meet us and escorted us back to her house. Where I met her two beautiful twin sons. Cognac went out in a big grassy field, with Debbie's two ponies next door and I had the spare room in the house. A shower and a bed and a proper meal was very much appreciated after camping in the rain the night before!
Chapelton E.C to Borlum farm
Cognac was tired after his long day the day before so Leaf showed us the quickest way over the hill to Drumnadrochit. It was a wet day, but straight forward. The road down into Drumnadrochit was very long and steep so I got off and led Cognac to the bottom. Cognac went out in a field at Borlum farm and I pitched my tent in the campsite. I got a lift up the road with two German guys who were also camping and got myself some food. I had Internet access on my phone so I lay in my tent, listening to the rain and tried to update my blog. I also read a bit of the Crofts and Crofting book that Stacie McDonald had lent me to read. I very soon fell asleep, but had a disjointed sleep as the night was so light and I was a little cold from getting wet that day.
Onwards to Chapleton E.C
We phoned through on the landline and got the code for the gate in the morning and Cognac and I were on our way, me with a massive packed lunch in my pocket. Cognac with a bundle of apples and carrots. It turned out to be the most beautiful day. The scenery was stunning and I didn't see a soul until about 4pm. While we were off the road, in the middle of nowhere I just rode Cognac in his head collar and lead rope. We had some miles to back up from the day before and I had half a mind to find somewhere else to stay and to make it over to Chapleton the following night. However I didn't have any phone signal until 4.30pm and could not tell anyone my plans. I immediately phoned Jez to let him know that I was okay and when he got back home from work I sent him my gps location from my phone and he worked out how far I was from Chapelton, he said we were about 10 miles out and that maybe we should camp out for the night. Not as easy ad it sounds with a horse. Although I am carrying a length of electric tape with me for emergencies, I don't have any posts and Cognac isn't trained to hobble or picket line. Also in England ouevery bit of land belongs to someone and if you try to camp, you tend to get moved along. Jez phones Chapelton ro say we were giing to br larr and cognac and I trudged on. After an hour i srnt Jez another gps and again he said ee were t10 I told Jez that I wasn't gonna make it to Chapelton and asked. him to find me somewhere close to stay. I askedmilrs out! Impossible, we had covered about 5 already, I think because we were off the road in the woods it wasn't giving an accurate reading. I asked Jez to phone a farm or campsite in the area to try and find us a field as Cognac and I were both tired and I didn't want to push any further. The only place Jez could find was only a few miles away from Chapelton anyway. We eventually made it. Very late with a tired horse. They were very understanding at Chapelton and I felt awful for turning up so late. Cognac had a feed and a session in the solarium, before going out in a field for the night. To save me pitting up my tent I was offered a static caravan to sleep in, with heaters and a kettle!
Wednesday 25 July 2012
Alladale Estate- part two
As we continued along the road, it started to get more and more remote, with the hills rising up on either side. I was pleased to see the end of the road and the beginning of the track, but as I got closer I could see that there was a big deer fence and a cattle grid with no gate at the side to get the horse through. My stomach dropped, I had phoned both the estates and been assured that it was fine to get a horse through and I still had no phone signal. Time was getting on and there was no way round, I would have to back track all the way to Bonar Bridge.
Trying to stay calm, I jumped of Cognac and inspected the deer fence and the surrounding area. I found a gate in the fence off to the right, but it had a combination lock on it. There was a bridge over a river with steep sides on the left and another cattle grid and deer fence, along with a sign "private- no through road" There was a gate to the left that I could get Cognac through. I led Cognac through and wandered down to the lodge, but no- one was around. So I headed out back onto the road, I had passed by a phone box 3 miles or so back and was going to head back down when a car drove out of the lodge gates. I waved the gentleman down and explained my predicament. He told me it was an Amat gate, which was the estate I had already passed through and hadn't thought to phone. The gentleman checked the gate as I had and told me that he was heading home now and would phone Amat to tell them I was trying to get through. In the mean time he said (in a very strong accent that I found hard to understand!) that I shoud go through the gate to the lodge and follow the track alongside the river and cross the river further up, where I could get onto the Alladale estate. So Cognac and I headed that way. The river was way down below us, with steep, rocky sides, there was no way we could cross it, so with followed this track further and further, it got less and less defined until it was little more than a deer track. The ground got wetter and wetter and still we trudged on. We hit boggy ground and I was having to pick our route. The midges were really bad and Cognac was getting hot from the hard work of the wet, boggy ground. I breifly got signal on my mobile and desperately phoned Jez to tell him where I was and that I didn't know if I could get through, he sounded worried but I assurred him that the worst came to the worse I had my tent and sone white electric tape for the horse. I turned around and headed back the way I had come, I hadn't realised how far we had come and it took us almost an hour to get back to the fishing lodge. We were both exhausted and drained.
We came across a lady and gentleman fishing at the end of the track and they seemed surprised to see a horse, I exp[lained what I was doing and the situation of the gate and they walked back with me to the gate, several other people gathered round us and the story was relayed to all. I was offered a spare bed in a fishing lodge and to put Cognac in the cat park. I headed back down the road three miles and in the time it took us to get there they had phoned the farmer who owned the field opposite the Manse fishing lodge to ask if I could put the horse in there for the night.
Trying to stay calm, I jumped of Cognac and inspected the deer fence and the surrounding area. I found a gate in the fence off to the right, but it had a combination lock on it. There was a bridge over a river with steep sides on the left and another cattle grid and deer fence, along with a sign "private- no through road" There was a gate to the left that I could get Cognac through. I led Cognac through and wandered down to the lodge, but no- one was around. So I headed out back onto the road, I had passed by a phone box 3 miles or so back and was going to head back down when a car drove out of the lodge gates. I waved the gentleman down and explained my predicament. He told me it was an Amat gate, which was the estate I had already passed through and hadn't thought to phone. The gentleman checked the gate as I had and told me that he was heading home now and would phone Amat to tell them I was trying to get through. In the mean time he said (in a very strong accent that I found hard to understand!) that I shoud go through the gate to the lodge and follow the track alongside the river and cross the river further up, where I could get onto the Alladale estate. So Cognac and I headed that way. The river was way down below us, with steep, rocky sides, there was no way we could cross it, so with followed this track further and further, it got less and less defined until it was little more than a deer track. The ground got wetter and wetter and still we trudged on. We hit boggy ground and I was having to pick our route. The midges were really bad and Cognac was getting hot from the hard work of the wet, boggy ground. I breifly got signal on my mobile and desperately phoned Jez to tell him where I was and that I didn't know if I could get through, he sounded worried but I assurred him that the worst came to the worse I had my tent and sone white electric tape for the horse. I turned around and headed back the way I had come, I hadn't realised how far we had come and it took us almost an hour to get back to the fishing lodge. We were both exhausted and drained.
We came across a lady and gentleman fishing at the end of the track and they seemed surprised to see a horse, I exp[lained what I was doing and the situation of the gate and they walked back with me to the gate, several other people gathered round us and the story was relayed to all. I was offered a spare bed in a fishing lodge and to put Cognac in the cat park. I headed back down the road three miles and in the time it took us to get there they had phoned the farmer who owned the field opposite the Manse fishing lodge to ask if I could put the horse in there for the night.
Sunday 22 July 2012
05/07/12 Bonar Bridge to the Alladale estate- part one
We set off on the most beautiful day ever, riding towards the hills I felt so happy and content. We had both had a days rest, we were covering the ground well, Cognac had new shoes- we were ready to take on the world!
Cognac and I hadgot through our first set of shoes after just five days of riding, so this time round we had put a thicker, heavier set on, in the hope that they would last a bit longer. I was trying to walk him on the grass verges as much as possible to avoid wearing them out too quickly on the roads. We were ambling along a grass verge when Cognac lost his back legs down a hidden drainage channel and as he scrabbled to get up he scraped his front left leg down his front right leg. I immediately jumped off to check he was okay and didn't initially notice anything wrong, however as I ran my hand down his I felt something wet and sticky and looking at my hand found blood.
I felt a bit sick, I hadn't expected to need to use my first aid supplies at all on this trip. I used my water bottle to flush the blood away from the wound and trying not to touch it too much, I examined the damage. It was a good scrape, nothing that needed a vet, however I was worried about the amount of miles we still had to do. And also I knew I had to be careful about infection with the amount of flies around. I smothered it in savlon, put a dressing on top and bandaged it in place. I trotted Cognac up and down the road a few times and he was sound. I decided to phone Stacie to let her know what had happened and to ask for advice- I was about to head off into the middle of nowhere and didn't want to continue if I was going to have problems with Cognac's leg further on. At home, he would have automatically had a few days off.
No phone signal...
I made the decision to continue.
Cognac and I hadgot through our first set of shoes after just five days of riding, so this time round we had put a thicker, heavier set on, in the hope that they would last a bit longer. I was trying to walk him on the grass verges as much as possible to avoid wearing them out too quickly on the roads. We were ambling along a grass verge when Cognac lost his back legs down a hidden drainage channel and as he scrabbled to get up he scraped his front left leg down his front right leg. I immediately jumped off to check he was okay and didn't initially notice anything wrong, however as I ran my hand down his I felt something wet and sticky and looking at my hand found blood.
I felt a bit sick, I hadn't expected to need to use my first aid supplies at all on this trip. I used my water bottle to flush the blood away from the wound and trying not to touch it too much, I examined the damage. It was a good scrape, nothing that needed a vet, however I was worried about the amount of miles we still had to do. And also I knew I had to be careful about infection with the amount of flies around. I smothered it in savlon, put a dressing on top and bandaged it in place. I trotted Cognac up and down the road a few times and he was sound. I decided to phone Stacie to let her know what had happened and to ask for advice- I was about to head off into the middle of nowhere and didn't want to continue if I was going to have problems with Cognac's leg further on. At home, he would have automatically had a few days off.
No phone signal...
I made the decision to continue.
03/07/12 Bonar Bridge with Stacie Mcdonald
Cognac and I had a days rest at Bonar Bridge with Stacie Mcdonald. Stacie and I got on like a house on fire and stayed pretty late on the first night talking about horses, long distance riding, Parelli, everything!! Cognac and I were made to feel really welcome and Stacie spent the day getting us organised for the next few days of our journey. We route planned, got some horses feed, had new shoes put on Cognac and I got the opportunity to meet her many horses and ponies!
I think Stacie was quite envious of us when Cognac and I set out on a sunny thursday morning towards the beautiful Alladale estate!
I think Stacie was quite envious of us when Cognac and I set out on a sunny thursday morning towards the beautiful Alladale estate!
Saturday 21 July 2012
I have uploaded lots of photos from my trip so far onto my ride facebook page, follow the link below to access them:
http://www.facebook.com/JogleOnHorseback2012
http://www.facebook.com/JogleOnHorseback2012
Saturday 14 July 2012
Katrina is currently at Killin, enjoying some supernoodles, that was kindly given to her by a gentleman at a wigwam campsite last night. And thank for the game of 21 with the kids.
Katrina will be up dating her blog her self when I join her on saturday with the laptop.
She would just like to say a big thankyou to the people that have been very hospitable.
And a special thankyou to her amazing boyfriend Jez.
Katrina will be up dating her blog her self when I join her on saturday with the laptop.
She would just like to say a big thankyou to the people that have been very hospitable.
And a special thankyou to her amazing boyfriend Jez.
Monday 9 July 2012
Saturday 7 July 2012
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