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.