29th Apr Cereals, toast and cooked breakfast  done very kindly by Viv & Chris which was a good start to the day, along with some happy faces. Ben left us at 7:15 after helping With the ponies in the morning. Trish and John took Basil to 'green farm-shap' for a well earned rest and grass...a ponies best friend! Angie, Abi & Felix set of for the first 12 miles, then Trish drove Archie with Angie back stepping for a further 12 miles through carlisle, he was great! Angie set off with Abi & William for the final 12 miles. Angie was described as a brick for giving Trish & Abi a break, John (Angie's husband) said...'was that spelt with a B or a P?' we weren't expecting that one...ahaha. John took Pip and H to the train station so we lost 2 from our pit crew ! Thank you for your help and see you when you come back up Pip. We arrived at John and Helen's (a friend of Trish and Karl's and they have been great! Provided us all with beds, food, drink, warmth and great company ! They made us  a lovely lasagne with beverages along side it ! :)

28th Apr... Stayed at Abington with Stuart, Ursula and the children who were fabulous ! They spoilt us with beds for all, a lovely chicken curry for tea and a cooked breakfast to start the day ! They helped us with the ponies and the three children came for a short ride on the carriage. 13.5 miles with Archie 12 miles Felix 12 with Basil We finished at 6:30 & John & Angie arrived to join the crew and brought up a casserole for us all to share with Viv and Chris our hosts for the night, who had the loveliest puppies ever!  She did a great job of feeding all 10 of us and no complaints, it went down a treat, well done very much appreciated ! Abi went to Tesco to buy goodies for every & Basil ! Very bleak area no houses for miles of each other and a looooong stretch of motorway along side of us, was very cold !

27th Apr... We left Gartcosh (horse haven) with Basil. We turned left nobody else did...oops! But by going that way it gave Abi and Basil another tick on their list of 'things to do'...a railway line! We then swapped Basil for William and Archie, but that didn't last long and Felix was pulled in along side Archie to finish.

Thursday 26th Apr...DAY OFF!!! Light retail therapy for myself, Abi & Ben- we went shopping for: -A PINK rug for Caz (Abi's horse) -A PINK pair of wind proof and waterproof gloves (due to horrid weather...for Abi) -A fleece brown and PINK...guess who's? -A blue horse rug -A blue pair of gloves -A mini poo scoop for Edward -&& worm tablets for wilf (our quiet team member)... Pip, Kevin and Heather went out for fish and chips and went out for a drive to the destination for tomorrow and came back for the event that was held for us at horse haven by Maureen which went down a storm and had a great turn out ! Many thanks to her and her team ! Will update you on how much was raised when we find out...

25th Apr Managed to leave Inverbeg at 9.25am even though we had a long drive to get back to the layby. Set off with William and Archie and drove 22 miles to the change over just before the Glengoyne  Distillery. Basil put on as a single, Trish drove initially then Abi took over and took him through the out skirts of Glasgow, jumping red lights, in and out of lanes. Both were complete stars, as far as Abi is concerned a competent British Junior Driver is being made !!!!!!! As far as Basil is concerned there isn't a cheque book in the country that could afford him !!!!  We think he did 21 miles.  Having said that though - I feel the same about all of them. They are not ceasing to amaze me with their work ethic and ability to cope with every thing that is thrown at them, including the b..... Weather.  I am sorry the blog is not kept up to date regularly but Abi and I cannot do it on the carriage with the ponies and when we have finished dealing with them at night, we then have to deal with ourselves and try and get a good nights sleep. Of course it is very hard work waiting for us in a layby !!!!!!! 

24th Apr Having had the most fabulous host at the Green Welly Stop, Tyndrum -  Lesley Wilkie. She was an absolute delight, we had beds, baths and food and jolly good company. A real pleasure to meet  her and a must to keep in contact with afterwards. we had to go back to Dalmally with the ponies to start the day and drove Archie and William back to Tyndrum, as usual wet and cold. Abi's parents popping in and out and Tim helping with the lorry as and when needed, thanks Tim. Pair went away from Tyndrum To Crianlarich and we changed over to Basil as a single and moved on to Inverbeg quite a way down Loch Lomond to finish the day. Mixed weather - bitter old morning with a hail storm, but better later and rain to finish with.  We are actually getting used to it all now. We are so grateful to Musto - without a doubt they know what they are doing with their wet weather gear. It has been a life saver for us. Went to a pub at Balmaha  for supper which was late again after sorting the ponies who were in a field at Drymen, we were allowed in the yard for the night. It rained heavily yet again !!!!!!! Archie and William did 18 miles and dear Basil did 21 miles.

23rd Apr Kevin had a rude awakening this morning by a cuckoo bird, then Heather went out for a walk  up the mountain at 5am!!! CRAZY. Basil and William set off at 9am on the dot and did 15 miles, then felix and Archie were on for a while before Felix went lame. But William to the rescue and took over to help Archie then we gave William a break and put Basil back on. We managed  do a good day even though we had the upset with Felix. Trish is worried about him. Phone calls need to be made to sort him out. Weather was very kind to us :D

22nd Apr Maintenance day  ! Basil , Felix and William all had new back shoes courtesy of Euan Ross a farrier from Fort William. Really appreciated on his day off. Sorry to say the shoes lasted just 5 days. Felix seems better today, so will take him quietly tomorrow and keep an eye on him. Been able to do washing - Wilf has made friends with the tame lamb in the paddock next to us. Tim and Lindsey joined us for most of the day and Tim and Kevin along with phone support from Devon tried to solve some of our electrical problems.  We have all had a kiss and cuddle with Kevin to get him through what should have been Sam's birthday. Not much rain today - probably saving it all up to give us tomorrow. Although Carol tells us it's going to be showery all this week and getting warmer from next weekend.  Tim wanted to go off deer stalking with the farrier! Abi put makeup on today as she had spare time ! We all  had  wonderful long hot showers, Pip and Heather had a bike ride on the cycle path that goes through the farm. We went out for a Sam roast supper with a Jack Daniels toast to start and apple crumble with  custard to finish to celebrate Sam's birthday with a RAINBOW over the mountains to look out apon. Pips first words " Lovely roast dinner...YES, no washing up !!!!!

21st Apr Boxed ponies to Invegarry to start the day-having had to jump lead the lorry yet again ! Had a good rest in delightful lodge chalets at Torlundy Farm, home of Chris and Siobhan Carver at the foot of Ben Nevis, still with a lot of snow. Left in pouring rain which remained with us most of the morning. Jonathan gave Abi her first driving lesson with her Basil and William. Lesson went well and Abi pleased. Felix and Archie put on after lunch, but Felix went lame soon after so Basil was pulled out to do more with Archie - and was a total star. I nfact the dear chap did approx 30 plus miles - bless him. This made us late for our stopover at Lagnaha  Farm. We walked into the yard at 8.45pm. But the kitchen fairies did us proud with a lovely supper.  Thank you Pip and Heather. Hasty phone calls to get a farrier but pleased to say arranged one for our rest day tomorrow.  Jonathan's last evening with us as he has to get back to Halifax to pick up 3 horses and take them home to break to drive. Abi's parents popping in and out yet again and taking lots of photos . Evening sun was gorgeous so made the drive so lovely even though we had very tired ponies. Hopefully a well earned rest tomorrow will do the trick. 

20th Apr

20th Apr -  drove back to Muir of Ord and started at the distillery! Have a bottle in the post promised. Drove. The ponies had a long drive back to Drumnadrochit with a long downhill at the end. The road we were planning on using was closed due to an accident but all was fine by the time the team came back through and our journey was a success and ended up at Invergarry. We boxed the ponies back to Torlundy farm where we were given  chalets for us all and a large paddock for team chinkwell. To finish the day we all sat around the table to tuck into traditional scottish tea of 'wee little beasties' ...haggis, which went down well considering the first thoughts... 

Following on from 19th Apr

We (Trish, Abi, Lizzie and John) decided we would stay at a b&b as we didn't fancy roughing it again...cold, damp horse manure scented lorry or warm bed, with shower/bath room and breakfast made for you...I know which I'd pick! We all planned to go out for a meal but we then missed that so thought our last resort is a fish and chip shop which didn't look fab  (Lizzie and Abi laughing in anxiousness at the sight  of the place). Then we spotted a lovely quiet Indian restaurant with quite an entertaining waiter, a Bangladeshi Yorkshireman who had worked all over the highlands. Had a lovely meal and finally got into bed at way gone midnight.  But was a good day all in all done the miles and the ponies were bright as buttons.

19 Apr - Dornoch
Called in at Glen Morrangie to warm the stomach for the day ahead, very nice. Another bottle added to the auction lots.
A9 a lot busier and Scottish driving doesn't slow down for ponies even in the driving rain. Glad to turn off to Muir of Ord on quieter roads.


18 Apr- Inver
Planned early start - lorry won't start again, horse rescue called yet again. However Keith and Rhona at the b & b put all our gale damage right to lorry tailgate and rear doors and tent, so set off in good spirits and sunshine.
Undulating road and kamikaze lorry drivers made the first leg tiring on the ponies so they were rested and driven again later in the day.
Made Dornoch and stayed on a small camp site on Mill Farm owned by David and Michelle. Set up camp, refuelled on lasagne, salad and a little bit of the special local water!

Archie and felix (left to right)

DIY, good job men

17 Apr- John O'Groats
Got away late in gale force winds and rain, followed by the jeep. Then the call "the lorry won't start, have you got any jump leads." Jeep goes back.

2.5 hrs later repaired lorry, jeep and ponies reunited at Wick Tesco, cold and wet and miserable. Ponies and Jeep head off, "lorry won't start". An hour later Horse Rescue escort lorry to garage for a new battery and Wick becomes a distant memory.
Made 40 miles on the day still, and found a good b&b to dry out at Inver. Damage to trailer doors, tent and morale.
Hot shower then excellent food at The Bay Owl and a few wee drams improved the mood.  The owner Trevor has promised a bottle of his whiskey for our auction.

Leaving John o'groats in the foul weather with felix and Archie

We haven't managed to leave John o'groats...oops

Refueling on ponies

16 Apr- Amanda's
Trisha in seventh heaven, ponies everywhere.   Driving animals,sheep,pigs?
Archie jumps stable door twice! Spooked by the pigs who wanted to know who the new boys in town were.
Long haul to JOG via Dalwhinnie distillery, and bottle for the auction.foul weather strong winds and rain. Arrived in at 8.00pm and set up tents.

The driving sheep of Amanda's :o

Important stop off at dalwhinnie...the distillery

Must have sucked to be you then...

Day one

We had a hectic start to the day with many fairies running around helping to get everything packed on time...we arrived only 10 minutes late (it could have been worse ). We had a big welcome by the villagers involving tea, coffee, biscuits and photos (and lots of them) at the point of leaving we loaded the ponies and set off on our journey. We arrived at our destination of Lockerbie (and had a very warm and positive welcome by Amanda and john...chariots of fire). Well that was just fabulous we met lots and lots of ponies, 4 tame sheep that are used for her carriage demonstrations along with her 3 cows, donkey and their 2 koon koon pigs who Archie wasn't sure about so jumped out over the stable door (twice may I add)! We had an eventful journey in the lorry of trying to tune a radio (of which we failed miserably at), the radios falling out of the designated spot and taking a head dive. We had such a warm welcome by amanda and John who supplied us the stables, hay ledge, electricity, 3 beds, electricity and a full breakfast for all 7 of us! I think the deserve a big thank you and we are very grateful and so were the ponies. The 4 of us who roughed it in the lorry realised how cold it is at Scotland and experienced ice drops on the roor seeing our own breath and in general being chilly... But the spirits stayed high and we all had a good night and have set off to John o'groats this morning. Will keep you all informed throughout the journey. Trish, pip, abs, heather, Kevin, , lizzie, John, basil, Felixstowe, Archie and wills x

Shouldn't the ponies be doing that?

Loading one of the carriages

Getting the ponies ready

The lorry ready for off!

Felix, Archie, Just William and Basil wondering what all the fuss is about

The people of Oakford make sure they go!

April 13th 2012

Today we had an interview with Emma Britton on BBC Somerset radio.
Well we went into their 'Green Room', actually the kitchen and waited to record the interview. The nice man said I'll put the radio on whilst you wait. On came Emma Britton saying after the news I'll be talking to Kevin & Jane about Team Chinkwell etc........
So a live interview, not a recording to use later that we had expected. Good job we didn't have too much time to get nervous!!!
Still it's in the can and if you missed it, you will find the interview 2hrs 7 mins 30 secs into her programme on i player at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p00qgp3h