Thursday 17th May Up early  considering the pressure is off as such. But we did have to get ourselves to Widecombe in the Moor for 2pm. So Amy and Abi got boys down to the yard and fed at 7am so we could leave at 8.30am to give ourselves     3-4 hours to get from Lands End to Widecombe. We did this comfortably and parked up on the moor away from the village.  Mike and Margaret joined us, along with Jonathan. We harnessed up the 4 and drove them as a team into Widecombe to such a cheer from the locals and the school children.  Many lovely comments were made as to how good the ponies were looking. It was not such a nice day again, cold wind and the odd bit of dampness. Local   DPHT  helpers have said we must write a book - we are seriously considering this. 

Wednesday 16th May A slow start to the day as we were to be at Land's End for 12 noon. The pairing was worked out to be Basil and Archie, with William and Felix to be ridden in with Abi and Amy. Originally I had hoped for Abi to drive Basil in the single carriage over the line but when dealing with this on Wednesday morning it was found the single carriage was broken due to the shafts being forced back too far !!!!!!  Angie and Pip came with me for the 6 mile drive to LE and we collected more passengers and the out riders to do the last half a mile .  The reception at LE was amazing - Andy and Sue Burton from our village passed just before on a very posh motorbike - my brother Peter and cousin Annie also found us on the road. Along with the rest of the Hirst family Lindsey and Luke, ShirleyMay, Richard and Maree who joined us the evening before, Tim' s brother Richard, Carol and John, and Ed Stone who took lots of photos. 

Tuesday 15 May Showers were had by several at the local campsite and Alistair provided bacon butties for all with more than enough to take away with us for the day. We boxed up and left to return to Redruth to start the day. Abi and Amy went away with Basil and Felix for the first leg. Only complaint was that Abi had the traffic lights and roundabouts and Amy felt cheated! Change over at                                For Angie and I to take William and Archie into Penzance to meet the Mayor and give him a ride on the carriage on the sea front. Icecreams all round- lovely, then only a short drive to our stop at St Buryan. The day was one of our better ones weather wise - sunny but still with coats on !!  Ponies turned out in a field with long luxurious grass, they were happy and so was I as I had Amy and Abi running around doing things for the boys. Tim, Steve/Alan as always cleaning up the lorry and  doing the jobs. The banter between Tim and Steve was such good fun -  a pleasure and privelidge to have around. The girls were already planning their next visit to the beach after our last stretch into Land's End. The realisation that we really were on the homeward stretch was dawning on us!!! 

Monday 14 May Today started off wet and windy! We left Hawksland after a fond farewell from Ros and David - what great hosts they were, very many thanks. Trish and Pip did the first stint with felix and basil and headed off to Newquay for a meeting with the mayor. In the afternoon Angie and Amy set off with Archie and Wills and despite harnessing up in the driving rain they managed to do most of the trip in the dry. We finished up at Redruth and boxed the ponies back to Rejerrah where we stayed with Wills old owners, Allistair and Melanie. They greeted  us with cream teas - wonderful, what a treat. Later we decided to box all four ponies to Perranporth beach for a paddle. What a lovely evening we had. Abi was by far and away the bravest and rode all the boys whilst Amy had a little go on Basil before spending the rest of the evening playing with her bestist Felix!! The boys didn't quite know what to make of the sea but they all went in and everyone with a pony got very wet feet to prove it! 

13 April Last night we stayed at Hoops Livery Yard, near Bradworthy - thanks ever so much to Angela for her hospitality at such short notice. A lovely eve was had by all, Pip served up a lovely meal - a combined effort from several of the crew. This was promptly followed by a few "bevvies" and because we were in the westcountry we celebrated with a few ciders!!  An early start this morning to get boys ready for the day ahead - we  boxed them over to Collation Farm, where we had finished off the night before.  Thanks very much to the owner (sorry, I've forgotten their names) for allowing us to keep the carriage there for the night - and giving us a donation! Trish and Dee set off with Archie and Felix who were on their toes - they completed their stint to smiles all round! Whilst waiting for them to arrive Amy took wilf for a walk, unfortunately they happened across two roe deer in the hedge and wilf gave chase (his favourite game) - cue frantic searching and yelling, luckily he rejoined us after a few minutes! The afternoon saw Trish and Amy set off with Wills and Basil - amy was soon at the reins and enjoyed negotiating roundabouts and traffic lights along the Atlantic highway, taking in the lovely views from the Wadebridge bypass bridge. We finished at Hawksland  Farm, St Issey - what can we say... Wow. Fab facilities, amazing location, a very warm welcome and sun! For followers of this blog who wish to join us on the final day, we hope to arrive at Land's End at 12 o'clock on Wednesday - if anyone would like to join us we'd be thrilled to see you.

May12th Everyone assembled bright and breezy at East Loosemoor to load up and go to South Molton to restart the journey. Amy,Dee and Steve joined us today, Amy and Steve till the end and Dee just for the weekend. William and Basil were put on the carriage and Abi driving with Karl on the backstep armed with a map as the plan was to go across country from Umberleigh to Bideford. Mission accomplished and they bowled up at Atlantic Village at 1pm for the change over. Dee and I left at 1.30pm with Felix and Archie to drive to Kilkhampton. We met up with the lorry at Kilkhamton at 4.15pm. I soon had Dee driving the pair and we had a delightful afternoon viewing Lundy Island, the sea, Saunton Sands on what can only be described as the best day yet - a beautiful sunny day. The Red Jeep not as well behaved as ought to be, but it is used as our tractor at home !!!!! Yet another successful day with 40 miles covered and in Cornwall. Approximately 100 miles to do ! 

May11th What a fabulous day. -  my 4 amazing little chaps were put together as a team and driven straight out of the yard to a reception at Mole Valley Farmers in South Molton without a problem. Really looked as though they have done it for ever. But when you consider one is a 5 year old, 2 x 6 year olds  and a 7 year old who has only been driving for 3 months, what these little guys have achieved is quite astounding. As far as I am concerned, these ponies never cease to amaze me and I consider myself the luckiest person in the universe to own them .  Whilst I am giving out praise, mention must be made to Karl at home (most of the time) and Jonathan Waterer ( who broke all 4 to harness for me ) who have mentored me through this, especially the early part! Without their unstinting support it might be a different tale.  At Mole Valley Farmers today there were several tears in eyes, and I am not ashamed to say I was one of them. Jonathan drove them to South Molton, and I want everyone to recognise, he  never doubted  their reactions to something new. Jonathan is an exceptional horseman. Whilst still in Mole Valley Philip Carr and Ryan            put the necessary shoes on the boys free of charge to send us on  our way. Thank you ! We had loads of lovely comments - raised quite a bit of money - came back and met our MP Neil Parrish in Oakford, who gave us money and said he would try and get more TV and radio coverage for us. Lovely man who was genuinely interested in our venture.  Last but not least Andy and Sue from the village arrived with more Chocolate brownies  for the onward journey  to Cornwall and the promise they are going to be at Lands End. The support we have received from our village folk has been heartwarming.