In my last post I told you about my 'VAT refund' fundraising idea. It worked and between my clients they helped me raise about £100 for The Brooke.
Who says that fundraising should be difficult?!
Showing posts with label ridgeway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ridgeway. Show all posts
Monday, April 13, 2009
Friday, September 26, 2008
Wednesday 9 July: Wet, wet wet!
It was raining when we brought the girls in and started to tack them up. It was raining when we set off and rode out of Compton. It was still raining when we reached Darkwood Farm in Park Corner, near Nettlebed. That means that it rained all day, without stopping and it means that today we all got extremely wet.
Back up to the Ridgeway we went, before heading down into towards Streatley. The Ridgeway drops down into Goring Gap, leaving behind the stunning, wide reaching views. Roads, traffic and traffic lights. Trucks, long bridges over the River Thames, scary coloured concrete – Bee was more worried about the concrete than the thousands of gallons of water rushing beneath her feet!
Our next stop was at the Vet’s in Goring, where my friend Vic works. A toilet stop and a box of chocolates! Thanks for the support and encouragement, Vic!
We rode out of Goring, following a track to the village of South Stoke. Here, for some reason, the Ridgeway becomes a footpath. We were expecting this and had discovered a route called the Swan’s Way, which follows the Ridgeway as closely as it can through this stretch. Under the railway, trot along the main road and turn right (or east) towards Ipsden. Cross the main Wallingford to Reading road (the gap on the other side of the road isn’t that easy to see!)
Heading north again we crossed the Ridgeway again – definitely a footpath, with gates and all. So we ride north until we nearly reach the Wallingford to Henley road. By now we’re soaked through, even through our waterproof chaps over our waterproof jodhpurs. We can wring the water out of our gloves and when we trot, our boots and socks squelch as they’re so full of water! I haven’t been this wet since I had a shower last night!
We should have crossed the road and followed the Swan’s Way through a tip, but had to take a detour. We’d struggled to find anywhere for the girls to stay in the Nettlebed area, so were heading for Darkwood Farm. I found this wonderful place, owned by Ian and Josie Victor Smith, after I’d made nearly a dozen phone calls. A lovely chap at a former B&B nearby said he thought Ian had Shire horses and perhaps a field. He even found Ian’s number from the phone book for me. When I’d called Ian, just a few days before we set off on our adventure, he told me he had seven Suffolk Punches and a field for the girls.
Soaking wet, tired and hungry, we arrived at Darkwood Farm to be met by Ian and Josie,
waving us through the gate – what a lovely welcome. They have a beautiful house and a wonderful old stable into which we put the girls, to allow them to dry off. While we waited for the support crew to arrive, Josie made us tea and insisted we sit in their sitting room and warm up. We left wet foot prints all over their stone floor, but the hot tea was lovely! When John and Joyce arrived, more tea was made and sticky Lardy produced. Sometimes you come across the most wonderful, friendly people, who will do whatever they can, for complete strangers. Ian and Josie Victor Smith are two of those rare people and I will never forget them.
We also owe a huge vote of thanks to Nan McDonnell at ‘Somerset’ in Nettlebed, where Karen and I spent the night. Not only did she dry out our wet clothes and feed us a wonderful breakfast, but she also gave us back some of what we paid for our B&B, to donate to The Brooke. Thank you!
And another major thank you to the support crew, for supper in the pub and for drying out so much of our soaking wet kit.
Back up to the Ridgeway we went, before heading down into towards Streatley. The Ridgeway drops down into Goring Gap, leaving behind the stunning, wide reaching views. Roads, traffic and traffic lights. Trucks, long bridges over the River Thames, scary coloured concrete – Bee was more worried about the concrete than the thousands of gallons of water rushing beneath her feet!
Our next stop was at the Vet’s in Goring, where my friend Vic works. A toilet stop and a box of chocolates! Thanks for the support and encouragement, Vic!We rode out of Goring, following a track to the village of South Stoke. Here, for some reason, the Ridgeway becomes a footpath. We were expecting this and had discovered a route called the Swan’s Way, which follows the Ridgeway as closely as it can through this stretch. Under the railway, trot along the main road and turn right (or east) towards Ipsden. Cross the main Wallingford to Reading road (the gap on the other side of the road isn’t that easy to see!)
Heading north again we crossed the Ridgeway again – definitely a footpath, with gates and all. So we ride north until we nearly reach the Wallingford to Henley road. By now we’re soaked through, even through our waterproof chaps over our waterproof jodhpurs. We can wring the water out of our gloves and when we trot, our boots and socks squelch as they’re so full of water! I haven’t been this wet since I had a shower last night!
We should have crossed the road and followed the Swan’s Way through a tip, but had to take a detour. We’d struggled to find anywhere for the girls to stay in the Nettlebed area, so were heading for Darkwood Farm. I found this wonderful place, owned by Ian and Josie Victor Smith, after I’d made nearly a dozen phone calls. A lovely chap at a former B&B nearby said he thought Ian had Shire horses and perhaps a field. He even found Ian’s number from the phone book for me. When I’d called Ian, just a few days before we set off on our adventure, he told me he had seven Suffolk Punches and a field for the girls.
Soaking wet, tired and hungry, we arrived at Darkwood Farm to be met by Ian and Josie,
waving us through the gate – what a lovely welcome. They have a beautiful house and a wonderful old stable into which we put the girls, to allow them to dry off. While we waited for the support crew to arrive, Josie made us tea and insisted we sit in their sitting room and warm up. We left wet foot prints all over their stone floor, but the hot tea was lovely! When John and Joyce arrived, more tea was made and sticky Lardy produced. Sometimes you come across the most wonderful, friendly people, who will do whatever they can, for complete strangers. Ian and Josie Victor Smith are two of those rare people and I will never forget them.We also owe a huge vote of thanks to Nan McDonnell at ‘Somerset’ in Nettlebed, where Karen and I spent the night. Not only did she dry out our wet clothes and feed us a wonderful breakfast, but she also gave us back some of what we paid for our B&B, to donate to The Brooke. Thank you!
And another major thank you to the support crew, for supper in the pub and for drying out so much of our soaking wet kit.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday 8 July: Darby, Joan and all their friends
It seemed a shame to leave Penny’s wonderful haven, but we enjoyed a great breakfast, before heading back to the Ridgeway. Soon we found ourselves riding into scenery that seemed very familiar. Both Karen and I have lived, walked and ridden around this middle section of the Ridgeway for many years, and started to recognise tracks and hills.
We passed by Sedgebury Fort, a small earthwork on the hill above Wantage, as well as farms and homes that have the Ridgeway as part of their front drives! We crossed the two roads that head south out of Wantage and close to the second, we passed the Darby and Joan club (except that they were made up entirely of Joans) out for a ramble. They were wandering happily all over the track, completely unaware that we were there, until we took to the long grass to get around them. Soon after the girls were spooked by a herd of screaming children racing down a field towards us. Across the road above the Lockinge Point to Point course and we met a group of teenagers, some of whom I don’t think had ever actually seen a horse before. When your horse stops to go to the toilet and someone asks you “Is that poo?” you know you could be in trouble. Luckily the teacher told his class to stand still as we went by. He also warned us about another group who we’d meet sitting on the steps of the Monument (a monument to what I don’t know) but they at least didn’t scream and try to catch up with us!
Up until now the weather had been wonderful – warm and sunny with enough bre
eze to keep the clouds moving over us. What Karen didn’t tell me was that black clouds were building behind us. We stopped for lunch and grazing at the car park above East Hendred.
We’d not been standing under the trees for very long when the rain started. It’s only a shower. It’s still raining. It’s getting heavier. Now I’m getting quite wet. Bee’s head is going lower, showing that she’s not enjoying this either. It’s running down my neck and seeping through the shoulders of my jacket. Finally it’s beginning to ease off. Let’s get back on and just keep going.
We mount up and ride out of the trees – into sunshine! Within about 10 minutes our horses and clothes are dried out and our spirits raised. We ride on to the car park at Bury Down and meet the support crew, who take photos and cheer us along. From up here we looked down onto Alden Farm in Upton where Pattie, Karen’s horse, lives. She got quite excited when she realised where she was (Pattie, not Karen!) and let out a very audible sigh of complaint when she realised that we weren’t heading down the hill to home.
From up here we could also see the rest of today’s route, as it headed right and then left and north east. It seemed like a long way, particularly as I knew that at the furthest point to the north east, we would have to turn south and head to my house – another half hour’s ride – in Compton. But we’d got the hang of trotting wherever we could, so we made good time and soon turned for home. Bee picked up and soon as she realised where we were going and it wasn’t long before we were walking down the lane, able to see my house, stables and paddock across my neighbours land. It was great to be home!
If you decide to ride the Ridgeway and need somewhere to stay around here, do get in touch. I have enough grazing for two and a stable for one (unless its winter when my horse will be in it.) I’m happy to give you a lift to wherever you can find to stay – I think one of the pubs in the next village does B&B.
For now, it was good to be home and over half way through our little adventure.
We passed by Sedgebury Fort, a small earthwork on the hill above Wantage, as well as farms and homes that have the Ridgeway as part of their front drives! We crossed the two roads that head south out of Wantage and close to the second, we passed the Darby and Joan club (except that they were made up entirely of Joans) out for a ramble. They were wandering happily all over the track, completely unaware that we were there, until we took to the long grass to get around them. Soon after the girls were spooked by a herd of screaming children racing down a field towards us. Across the road above the Lockinge Point to Point course and we met a group of teenagers, some of whom I don’t think had ever actually seen a horse before. When your horse stops to go to the toilet and someone asks you “Is that poo?” you know you could be in trouble. Luckily the teacher told his class to stand still as we went by. He also warned us about another group who we’d meet sitting on the steps of the Monument (a monument to what I don’t know) but they at least didn’t scream and try to catch up with us!
Up until now the weather had been wonderful – warm and sunny with enough bre
eze to keep the clouds moving over us. What Karen didn’t tell me was that black clouds were building behind us. We stopped for lunch and grazing at the car park above East Hendred.We’d not been standing under the trees for very long when the rain started. It’s only a shower. It’s still raining. It’s getting heavier. Now I’m getting quite wet. Bee’s head is going lower, showing that she’s not enjoying this either. It’s running down my neck and seeping through the shoulders of my jacket. Finally it’s beginning to ease off. Let’s get back on and just keep going.
We mount up and ride out of the trees – into sunshine! Within about 10 minutes our horses and clothes are dried out and our spirits raised. We ride on to the car park at Bury Down and meet the support crew, who take photos and cheer us along. From up here we looked down onto Alden Farm in Upton where Pattie, Karen’s horse, lives. She got quite excited when she realised where she was (Pattie, not Karen!) and let out a very audible sigh of complaint when she realised that we weren’t heading down the hill to home.
From up here we could also see the rest of today’s route, as it headed right and then left and north east. It seemed like a long way, particularly as I knew that at the furthest point to the north east, we would have to turn south and head to my house – another half hour’s ride – in Compton. But we’d got the hang of trotting wherever we could, so we made good time and soon turned for home. Bee picked up and soon as she realised where we were going and it wasn’t long before we were walking down the lane, able to see my house, stables and paddock across my neighbours land. It was great to be home!If you decide to ride the Ridgeway and need somewhere to stay around here, do get in touch. I have enough grazing for two and a stable for one (unless its winter when my horse will be in it.) I’m happy to give you a lift to wherever you can find to stay – I think one of the pubs in the next village does B&B.
For now, it was good to be home and over half way through our little adventure.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Just Giving - an easy way to donate
Just Giving is a really easy way to donate to charities online. A small commission is taken to cover costs, but Just Giving also help the charity to claim Gift Aid - an extra 28% on top of your donation, which can make a huge difference.
My fundraising page for the Ridgeway ride is still open - go to http://www.justgiving.com/chantalsridgewayride2008 if you'd like to donate and help more sick or injured horses and donkeys in the Third World.
My fundraising page for the Ridgeway ride is still open - go to http://www.justgiving.com/chantalsridgewayride2008 if you'd like to donate and help more sick or injured horses and donkeys in the Third World.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Sunday 6 July: Sunshine, showers and string for stirrups
We set off from the Wiltshire start of the Ridgeway on Sunday afternoon, with just a nine
mile ride ahead of us. We nearly didn’t start, as I realised that I’d left my stirrups at home. Dressage riders and instructors will tell you that riding without stirrups, but nine miles over the Downs on a horse who doesn’t know where she is? Not really my idea of fun, but this little hitch wasn’t going to stop me. I fashioned some ‘stirrups’ out of baler twine – always worth carrying some spare string – and made do with them. It did mean that we had to keep to walk all day – not really safe to trot or canter with string round your feet!
We had beautiful views to both sides of us and wide grassy tracks. A few walkers past us as the black clouds started to catch up behind us and suddenly the heavens opened and we were soaking wet. It was the real wet rain that gets in, but we weren’t the only ones to suffer – quite a few walkers we met didn’t even have coats on.
mile ride ahead of us. We nearly didn’t start, as I realised that I’d left my stirrups at home. Dressage riders and instructors will tell you that riding without stirrups, but nine miles over the Downs on a horse who doesn’t know where she is? Not really my idea of fun, but this little hitch wasn’t going to stop me. I fashioned some ‘stirrups’ out of baler twine – always worth carrying some spare string – and made do with them. It did mean that we had to keep to walk all day – not really safe to trot or canter with string round your feet!
We had beautiful views to both sides of us and wide grassy tracks. A few walkers past us as the black clouds started to catch up behind us and suddenly the heavens opened and we were soaking wet. It was the real wet rain that gets in, but we weren’t the only ones to suffer – quite a few walkers we met didn’t even have coats on.
The rain cleared and Barbary Castle rose above us on the Ridgeway – ancient ramparts built thousands of years ago, from where to watch the valleys below. We rode up through the ramparts – it would have made a lovely canter, if I’d had stirrups!
Soon we seemed to settle into a rhythm, eating sandwiches as we went along. I’m not sure I could have got back on if I got off, anyway. The wind was strong and we soon dried off, before getting wet again in the steady drizzle.
The Ridgeway is clearly marked, so the navigation is easy. Eventually we turned down the hill into the village of Ogbourne St George. With not far to go it was nice to get off and walk for half an hour, after three hours of riding. I think the horses enjoyed hading a stretch too.
We arrived at Fox Lynch, somewhere listed on the Ridegeway website, where we’d booked B&B for us and the horses. There were nice stables and plenty of hay for two tired horses, who seemed pleased to get out of the rain. A rather small and shabby bunk room with rosettes pinned to the ceiling for us. Photos of horses on the wall – obviously a family of riding and training. We put our saddles on the sofa as there wasn’t much room to move. I wonder when the sheets were last changed and I really didn’t like the look of the shower …
The local pub, The Inn with the Well, (where I would stay if I ever need to spend the night around here again) doesn’t do food on Sunday evenings. Luckily, we’d arranged to meet my parents, who took us to a lovely for supper. We got back to our ‘digs’ in time to see Nadal win Wimbledon, before settling down for the night ... or so we thought ...
The Ridgeway is clearly marked, so the navigation is easy. Eventually we turned down the hill into the village of Ogbourne St George. With not far to go it was nice to get off and walk for half an hour, after three hours of riding. I think the horses enjoyed hading a stretch too.
We arrived at Fox Lynch, somewhere listed on the Ridegeway website, where we’d booked B&B for us and the horses. There were nice stables and plenty of hay for two tired horses, who seemed pleased to get out of the rain. A rather small and shabby bunk room with rosettes pinned to the ceiling for us. Photos of horses on the wall – obviously a family of riding and training. We put our saddles on the sofa as there wasn’t much room to move. I wonder when the sheets were last changed and I really didn’t like the look of the shower …The local pub, The Inn with the Well, (where I would stay if I ever need to spend the night around here again) doesn’t do food on Sunday evenings. Luckily, we’d arranged to meet my parents, who took us to a lovely for supper. We got back to our ‘digs’ in time to see Nadal win Wimbledon, before settling down for the night ... or so we thought ...
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