6th May Woken by Adrian's many special cockerels. Early cuppas and then Karl and Abi set off with lorry for puncture and new alternator. Adrian kindly boxed Archie and Basil back up to Ross-on-Wye and Trish and Angie drove them to Highnam Woods car park where the support team supplied cake and fruit. Donations given by people who had seen the team yesterday and looked the web site up. A little girl was thrilled to be sat on Basil in the lay by as the ponies were swapped over. Basil and Archie got through Gloucester then Angie and Abi completed the day with William to Bush Street Farm at North Nibley. Basil, Archie and Felix were already there and were delighted to see William come up the drive. Suzanne, Nick, Rosanna and Charlie spoilt us with their wonderful hospitality. Hot showers, beds and lovely food. Wilf had company as well. Abi is counting the nights to her own bed. Angie asked "are we going to be tomorrow night where we are going to be?" that is the plan most days! Kevin got the old' banjo out. Ponies doing well and despite holdups and mechanical problems Team Chinkwell is still on target. South West here we come!

5th May Last night we stayed at Berrington Hall which was lovely, Angela and Jim supplied us with a lovely big green paddock for the ponies and supplied us with great hospitality, food, warmth, toilets and the bath room which was lovely. Abi set off with Karl & Basil to do the first 12 miles. Jane went to get her car fixed...juttering cant be good. Then Trish set off with Pip, Archie & Felix to do a further 12 miles. When william herd Basil come back he got soo excited and started jumping and larking around in the lorry....smashed a window in the procces, clipping Karl, John & Angie on the way down. The lorry had a funny 5 so Karl said lets get on and sort it whilst we had a couple hours, so out came tech trucks but they didn't have a new alternator to put on, so attached a cable to get it going when it needs to be started but said they'll get a new alternator & fix it in the morning along with the tyre which had picked up a nail somewhere along the lines... William was checked over and was good to go so, Angie, Trish & William to finish with a 20 miler (not intentionally but lorry was not there due to still being fixed so the just plodded on, William wasn't worried so just tickled away at the miles...still bouncing around looking for the chocolate gingers afterwards (his favourites). He passed Hereford football stadium...obviously a goal must have been scored the supporters were hollering and shouting, banging on the back of the stadium and did he care? No. Horses galloping up the side of the field next to him, did it faze him? No.

4th May Last night we stayed at a campsite near Whitchurch with Gill, and a very noisy donkey...At the beginning none of the ponies knew what to think of him...ever so scary! By the morning Felix was nose to nose over the fence with the donkey until the rest of the ponies came over then donkey said....I think not and kicked out, Basil still snorting away...as one does. Tom helped us out by using the computer to get us some details up and show us where the hose was. Trish & Abi left the campsite with Basil & William, when we stopped we realised that Abi had missed a phone call...from Guy (yogurt the farrier) he was top notch! Dishy ? Yes...better looking then the usual farrier...Marcus :P bless Guy...he did all 4's on Basil, William & Felix in a layby in the cold! South of shrewsbury. we found out the gossip of a saxophonist? This needs investigation...Trish & Abi will get on the case :) John & Angie went on with Archie. Karl arrived and Tim & Carla went home, with the car full! Biggest car boot sale...EVER!

3rd May Last night we stayed at Ormskirk with Beth who was a great host, kindly supplied us with supper which was lovely...proper comfort food, much needed! Beth's parents kindly put  beds up for Abi, Trish & Carla the beds were sooo comfortable and we were also supplied with an early breakfast to keep us going. Kevin & Jane went off to stay with friends of theirs, which in actual fact were Beth's cousins. Tim stayed in the lorry and kept Wilf company whilst John & Angie stayed in their trailer. The ponies thought that night was great! Not only did they have a grass paddock, the trailer was also in the paddock which had lots of goodies in it...which they found, we were just left with the plastic bag from the herb balls and the 'think fly' dusting the tow bar of the trailer...but I don't think too much was eaten... All ponies were driven and happy as Larry, had to stop a little early...due to vehicle issues... Kevin's BIRTHDAY!......he thought he would go to visit his parents whilst he was close so the plan was he'd go to visit them in his car then pick up the Trish & Karls Jeep and tow John and Angie's trailer so everyone could get on with the trip... The phone went 'I've had an accident on the M6....I think it could be a write off' but luckily no one was hurt and Angie's underwear was all peeled off the road along with her chilli. Johns words 'at least I don't have to clean that toilet out!' No one was hurt and everyone was retrieved back with the belongings, Tim, Trish, Carla & Abi went out to look for somewhere to eat out as a Birthday treat for Kevin, must have walked a couple miles before we found some where, but we found a lush Chinese & tai place...everyone was fed and 'watered' We hope you like the meal & the little gift :) 

2nd May Last night in the lorry there was sleep talking, snoring and giggles... Kevin & Jane left super early to go out and check out the route for today...crazy people but without it we could've been in a pickle... Started the day on a high with a huge breakfast...which was lovely! Phil & Jaqui were so pleased to of been part of the trip and we loved them being part of it, anything we needed they tried to help. We left at 10 o'clock which was good so we missed the morning work and school rush. Carla & John went to take Felix too tonights destination to get settled. Abi started with her beloved Basil & drove him through Preston which was such a giggle, Trish wanted Tim & Angie to buy a horn hat for Abi in a passing fancy dress shop, but...they wouldn't. Trish then was casually on the phone the Karl and dropped her phone without realising and was talking to her phone case and then realised there was no phone, so this CRAAAZY woman running in the opposite direction of her ponies towards oncoming traffic whilst Abi was sat on the carriage in floods of laughter. Quote of the day by Trish 'Abi...don't go without me the last thing you want is mother flat on her face in the middle of the roundabout' haha what a laugh ! Trish then went out with Archie and Angie back stepping, Trish getting very tired, Archie too! Angie then set off with William and Abi back stepping.  Felix had the day off again... The 'horse whisperer' tells us that the ponies are all happy today...goody! Now on our way back to tonight's destination !

1st May We left John and Helens and set of to get the ponies, John came with us to give us  a lead through kendal to set us off on our journey, he probably agreed due to knowing how settled we were that without doing so he may never have got rid of us. They were amazing hosts, thank you ! Angie and Abi were on the trap all day and took Basil, Archie and William (not  necessarily in that order) swapping drivers for Basil because Abi couldn't possibly drive one of the others but not Basil ! Trish spent the day with John moving felix, getting food to try tempt Basil (all will be explained) talking to a 'horse whisperer' our out come was... Felix-would you believe it...he has a eating disorder and is always worried about where the next meal is coming from due to being scarred from lack of food on the moor in his early days. He is also worried about his friends doing all the work, he doesn't like being strapped down but doesn't want his mum to leave him...aww Basil-doesn't like haylage, or bucket feeds he just wants hay ? William-he says he's fine Archie-mentally fit but physically a little tired WE REACHED ENGLAND...Wahoooooooo! We arrived at Phil & Jaqui's who supplied us with showering/ washing facilities, lots of lovely food for us & the ponies, drinkers, huge breakfast,  lunch for the following day and great company!  Thank you :D

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 ! :)