Dispatches 4

Texts recieved:
12:42
Bout 2 cross grims ditch. X
13:53
I want my breakfast!
14:27
Now we r lost!
14:31
We in front garden o stately pile...
14:34
Pads shat on it, now leaving in a hurry!
15:21
Breakfast @ last. Unfortun8ly it's a pint o cider...

20.21
Long day, left Streatley. Much traffic. Crossed Thames, some snorting and many funny looks. Path ran alongside fast railway. Bit tense all round but was ok. Bridleways much less maintained once off ridgeway. One very nasty road crossing. Miles n miles of no civilisation. Got lost. Breakfast in layby @ 3pm ish (cider). Padsspooked at mearest whif of pigs. Jumpd puddle. Finally arrived Lewknor. Now off to pub. Hope it open!

Dispatches 3

Text received 22.32 17/07/07
Dreadful start 2day. Did radio interview wiv 3 counties, didn't help nerves. Drivin rain. Horses wound up frm spendin night nxt 2 cattle. Pads bolted 3 timesb4 we even got on him.Thanx 2 blokes from Nicky Henderson's yard 4 helpin 2 catch him. Got underway, more wind n rain. Boys on der toes. A34 underpass intrstn. Goin bn poor but managed couples canters. Arr Streatley 6ish 2 lovely welcome n cupo t from Mrs Fenton, stable cottages, Streatley. Luv u. X

Dispatches from the front 2

Text messages:
13.13
crossed M4 in pub having restorative pint
19.11
Crossed M4, needed drink! Horses not impressed. Passed Wayland Smithy 'n' Uffington White Horse. Hairy moments getting to horse B&B. Pigs, cattle... u name it. We ACHE!!! U ok? X

Dispatches from the front 1

Texts received:
11.26
Only just got Rash loaded, little bastard! If u want u cud come and wave us off from Melton traffic lights bout 15 mins?
14.06
Halfway round M25 w8n 4 my turn 4 bog. All Ok
17.40
Now riding ridgeway At Last!
21.36
Survived first day. Dry but sore arses all round. X
23.52
We ache n da bloody pubs r shut!
23.53
Sent sum pics o today. Landscape is Smeathes Ridge. Goin Stony, lots o g8s, sore bums, tired. Pubs all closed 930! no rain. Luv U Tess

Lorry

Just had to get this ... Needed it when we saw the lorry! It's vast! It's a fantastic lorry, nice space for the boys, they can even look out the window as we go. Human space is pretty damn good as well. We were tempted to just camp in it for a week in Sue's front garden.
There was no chance of missing Sue's house when we went to fetch it, she'd just come back from the service station and was pulling into her drive. It couldn't have been anything else but 'The Turd'! Shell and myself simultaneously squeaked "it's huge"....
There was an event and barbecue for the children at the yard this morning, so we haven't had a chance to load the boys and see what they think (not that they have a choice).

We have all the bits and pieces more or less assembled and ready to load, although I can't shake the feeling I've forgotten something important. Can anyone think what it might be? My brain perhaps?










This is a much classier specimen altogether than our hairy horrors (sorry boys, no offence, but...)
The sexy beast in question is Chigago, who is owned by Sue and ridden by Piggy French. We had a good look at some of his other pics and left feeling thoroughly scruffy...
Never mind, the boys will be following in noble footsteps (sort of), we will have fun once the nerves wear off, and hopefully raise lots more money. Yes, that was a hint!
It's hard to believe that this time tomorrow we should actually be riding the Ridgeway :-)
I'm hoping to keep this updated throughout, if Alex will oblige.
HUGE thanks again to Sue Crane for the lorry.

Nerves +++

No pics today, my hands are shaking too much to use a camera! The nerves really are kicking in now. I mean, really, WHAT THE HELL WERE WE THINKING! Closer inspection of the map and conversations with the local police have done nothing to allay our fears. At least they know we are coming (so they will be able to identify the bodies perhaps?). I didn't feel this nervous bungee jumping 600 feet from a parachute. (yes, that's me).
We are off to pick up the lorry now. Honk if you spot us in 'The Turd' :-)

Exhaustion and dire warnings.

Sounds terrible, doesn't it? Well, we are both exhausted. Shell had a barbecue for the clients at the yard to deal with, I got off more easily, just more bedding to pick up (thanks again Pip & Hemcore) and assorted phone calls and emails.
Our heads are spinning and I don't think either of us have had much sleep lately. There's always that niggling feeling that something vital has been overlooked.
We are picking up the lorry tomorrow evening. I think it will really sink in when we are behind the wheel.
As for the dire warnings, well Debs seems to think we are going to die, although not for any specific reason. Apart from that we've been poring over the map and stressing about the road crossings. The A34 and A40 look a bit sticky, but we've also heard that Goring can be hairy.
Anyone have anything else to scare us with??
Oh well, too late now :-)
P.S. Boys got the day off.