May10th Day off for all, boys on grass all day after a warm and cosy night in their own bedrooms. I had my own bed too and it was heaven!  The rest of the day was spent mucking out the lorry, pressure washing the mats and interior, reloading the trailer, washing ponies and cleaning harness. Again what I would do without team members Karl, Tim and daughter Abi  I do not  know. We finished at 7pm and had to hurry to get ready for a lovely reception put on at our local pub the Red Lion in Oakford , where village folk had gathered to ask us about the trip and the weather !!!!!

May 9th Had a really good nights sleep at Gordon and Audrey's lovely Post House in Moorlinch. Left the village at 9.30ish and drove Felix and Archie to Taunton for our arranged meet at 12noon on the Helipad at Musgrove Park Hospital No helicopters though and none expected as they have been grounded for some reason. Lovely to see my fellow workmates, who turned out in the RAIN ! Not a problem for us any more.  We left there and changed over ponies at Hillcommon.  Abi  drove William and her favourite Basil to home! We were all determined to get home so we could have a complete day off tomorrow!  It was a lovely drive as we were greeted  by so many people we knew on route. One of the joys of being in home country.  A quick tour of Bampton and then a power on up the hill to Oakford and the cheers to greet us  with a drink from the pub before the short drive to home. Puzzled ponies !!!!  Joy of joys we are on home turf with lots of lovely smiling faces so pleased to see us !  But yet another wet and grey day ! 

8th May Set off from Stone Allerton back to the A39, 5 miles north of Wells. Basil and Felix set off with Trisha and Angie. The 'sun' was out, so we planned to go through Wells to show off the ponies and collect some money,. Got into the one way system, then there was an incident and we were all diverted off in different directions. Regrouped and went on to Glastonbury where the 'Mayor' was waiting for us outside Glastonbury Town Hall. Photo shoot, quick bucket shake and then off again. Called in to The Train Station, who had given Kevin 6 months free membership to get him fit for the venture. Also called in to EM Print who had printed our wonderful banners, T shirts, sweat shirts and even printed some high viz  vests for us and posted them up to Glasgow, thanks they all look great. Called into Pure Feed who had donated special feed for the ponies. Called into Crispin School and Strode College, where Sam went. Parked the ponies on the green outside where the students hangout in the summer- and all hoped they didn't leave a present. Fran Thompson and Debbie Loveridge, Sams teachers came out to support us. Charmaine Bray, from Strode College also came out with a collection the students had had during their lunch break, thanks guys. The team were rejuvenated with prawn sanies.    Trotted on through Street to Sainsburys whose charity for the year is Teenage Cancer Trust. Bas and Felix parked up outside and we chatted and collected. Laura Scowen, the south west TCT fund raising rep came along. 5 pm we left for Moorlynch (Sam's home). Kevin and Jane rode on the carriage with Trisha  into the village. The bunting was out and there was a crowd outside waiting to cheer us  in. Ponies went to Sue and Graham's paddock. Audrey and Gordon, Sue and Graham and Kate and Gerry kindly put people up. An evening of fun and live music was held at the Ring O"Bells, lots of  people there and a lot of Sam's friends singing for us - thank you all so much for coming and remembering. Clive, the landlord and chef had fractured a rib and the non urgent ambulance was called. Fortunately he was not 'taken away', land lady Trish  got help in the kitchen as the orders rolled in. Fiona and Julie did an  amazing job with the raffle, Gerry with the quiz, Sue with pin the tail on the donkey and Mary with the piñata, thank you. Jamuna turned up trumps again, setting up the PA system with Neill. The music was all amazing: Neill, Zeb and Levi, Jamuna and Neill, Jake Meakin, Vic and John with guest appearances and first public performance of Kevin, Rachel and Josh, Jess and Andy, Josh Flowers and Squiffy. Great night only over shadowed by the fact we still have to get to Land's End! £612.55 made!!

7th May Wet set off with Basil and Felix, Angie driving and Karl back stepping. Lovely send off, with Nick leading the way through the back lanes. Through Chipping Sodbury which was unfortunately deserted - typical wet bank holiday! Change over at Webb's Heath, sent Trish and Abi off with William and Archie and tuna rolls - sadly Abi's roll was missing the filling - never mind she was living on love as Ben was coming up in the evening! Zoe and Andy came up to see the Team, sadly they caught up with Pip and Jane in Keynsham and they followed each other around in a complete circle before finding the A39. Caught up with Trisha and Abi in a cafe car park. Zoe produced home made ginger cake and a flask of tea- but don't tell the rest of the team. Stopped off at the Book Barn to say hi to Mike, Pam and Abi, who had donated our tent. The boys rolled on past Farrington Gurney, which was our destination and got within  5 miles of Wells. Very cold but not particularly wet - so a bonus. Just 3 counties to do now !!!! Angie and John offered to put us up as we had gone further. We had planned to stay at Petruth Paddocks Livery Yard and camp site courtesy of Jules Sayer at Cheddar, thanks for the offer Jules - maybe next time! (in your dreams) Hot showers and beds again - and a delicious supper, thanks.

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!