Long Trot

by Grant Nicolle

  As we had made good time I chose to have a relaxed lunch outside in the pub beer garden, with Marv patiently standing next to me at the picnic table. The pub owners were ok with this and offered him some apples and carrots. After lunch it was back on the bridleway for a steady section to reach the hamlet of Blackwell. It had been a long slog today and I asked at the first farm for a field to stay in. David of Crossroads Farm was very helpful, and in the paddock provided I pitched my bivi against a dry stone wall, whilst Marv set to work on the grass. I got into my sleeping bag hoping for a few hours rest, and was awoken not long after by a young girl on a pony, who asked about Marv. She promised to return later with some hard feed for Marv. Sure enough half an hour later, she was back with her mother with all sorts of goodies for Marv. Tonight I was not as lucky as Marv with my dinner, and I tucked into my noodle supper out of the mess tin.

  Day 41 (Blackwell to Ashbourne - 20 miles)

  Marv was my early alarm clock again, as he could smell the sugar beet mash that was left by the girl from last night. I gave Marv his breakfast and decided to get up anyway and make a start. Marv was so keen to eat his sugar beet that he broke the bucket in his eagerness to get to the bottom. I felt a bit guilty when we left, but there was little I could do but wash out the remains of the bucket. Marv also ended up with half his face covered in black beet after he got his nose wedged in the bucket, greedy boy! We set off in the mist, which cleared as we climbed up to bypass Chelmorton. Down the other side, the bridleway ran on a disused railway, which I relished for its speed and economy of effort.

  Marv munching in the mist (on the Pennine bridleway) David Boyd was the local ILPH officer for this area. He had been the Officer Commanding the riding school at Melton Mowbray when I went through training there. He had organised to meet me at the Waterloo public house at Biggin, just off the bridleway. I duly arrived at lunchtime, in the sun. There to meet us was David, and also a farrier from the King’s Troop, Alex Mercer, who would change over a set of Marv’s shoes during lunch. We sat outside having a wonderful pub lunch and catching up on the trip and the Army. We managed a photo by the pub sign, which showed Army horses and soldiers at Waterloo, very fitting I thought. After saying goodbye, we headed back onto the Pennine bridleway and old railway line for some more miles.

  The scenery became a bit less dramatic as we left the Peak district behind, and I was glad to be approaching Ashbourne in Staffordshire. David had also spoken to the local Ashbourne newspaper and a lovely female reporter called Danielle met me just as the bridleway entered the town. She had sorted a field for Marv, and she led the way to John Stubb’s farm. Danielle had ridden at this yard when she was younger and so knew them well. Once Marv was safely in his field for the night, I was offered the use of a shower and the farm caravan, which I gratefully accepted. Danielle came back later to pick me up and take me to her Dad’s pub for some dinner.

  I learnt from Danielle that Ashbourne had a long tradition of holding an annual match between the uppers and downers (two halves of the town). A huge number of the men of the town take part. To win, one side must get the ‘ball’ to the opponent’s goal (the goals are 6 miles apart). This can take a whole day and is very physical competition, with few rules. Her dad had been a rare goal scorer in the past and the winning ‘ball’ was displayed in the pub. He was certainly a hard looking man....no messing with him. Danielle also wanted to meet me in the morning to get a photograph and ask some more questions for her article. Before turning in I went to check up on Marv, who was lying down by the gate, as close as he could get to a grey mare in the adjoining field, to whom I daresay he had formed an attachment.

  Day 42 (Ashbourne to Kingstone - 23 miles)

  I got up to feed Marv at 0630, but he was more interested in necking with the mare. We set off and met up with Danielle on the outskirts for the photo, with the town as the backdrop. She accompanied me for half an hour showing me one of the ‘ball’ goals as we passed. Soon after, on some quiet back roads, we passed Abbotsholme School, where many years ago I had competed in the National Independent Schools cross country championships, and then Rocester (for a sandwich). We then passed the huge JCB factory just north of Uttoxeter, which had its own lake and gardens. Marv had a big drink out of the lake alongside the resident ducks.

  I decided that we ought to canter down the tree lined parkland, which woke Marv up. I then opted to go through the outskirts of Uttoxeter instead of skirting round, which saved a mile, but was not terribly scenic. We certainly preferred the quieter routes. We met a female police officer who was interested in long distance riding, and it was good to share experiences. We pushed on to the pub in Bramshall, where we stopped for some water for Marv. The locals all chipped in a fair sum for the charities, which was greatly appreciated. It was then only a short hop of 3 miles to the little village of Kingstone where a field had just been arranged (by Fi, that same day) for Marv. I put up my bivi in the field and then had my customary late afternoon kip, before heading to the nearby Shrewsbury Arms for my supper. Another week completed, and we were clear of the north, and heading into more familiar territory next week.

  Day 43 (Kingstone - rest day)

  Jill, who had kindly allowed the field for Marv, cooked me a superb breakfast and offered to do some washing for me. This was great news and my day off was greatly improved by her generosity. I also was allowed to charge my phone in the nearby barn, and being quite tired, I slept for 3 hours in the tack room whilst it charged. I went back up to the pub for my lunch, which they very kindly wouldn’t accept payment for. The afternoon was spent chilling in the field in the sun with Marv. Jill very generously brought me a dinner out to the bivi with a bottle of beer. A good day off and well rested for the next push.

  Week 7 (76 miles)

  Week 7 (total 76 miles)

  Day 44 (Kingstone to Codsall - 23 miles) Having reviewed the next few days I changed my original route from here to Worcester to give Marv and myself the longer break I thought we both needed. I had planned to go further west initially and also stop at my friend James’ family farm in Stottesdon, but that meant crossing the River Severn twice unnecessarily. So I missed out a planned stopover in Gnosall which made today longer but gained a rest day. The route today took me around the north edge of the huge conurbation of Birmingham, but just south of Stafford. Jill provided yet another superb cooked breakfast to see me out of Staffordshire. Sun cream was duly applied to Marv’s pink nosey bits, much to his disgust. He still didn’t understand that it was for his benefit.

  I had not been going long before a gentleman in a 4x4 stopped and handed over a sizeable £40 donation. He didn’t give his name, but I noticed he did work for (or own) Wickers World hot air balloon company. Many thanks sir.

  It was a hot day and so we stopped for a break at Milford Common, Marv got his grass whilst I got 40 winks. Soon after, we crossed under the M6 motorway onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal path. As we went under the noisy concrete road bridge, I saw how two eras were transposed so differently. The tranquil (almost natural) canal waterway has been overpassed and overtaken by the seemingly aggressive and unstoppable road network. The sad fact is that when most of us use the motorways (me included) we miss so much of the finest parts of the country as we speed on by. Not so when travelling with a horse.

  Staffs & Worcs Canal Just the other side of the M6 and far enough away from the motorway to be peaceful once more, was the delightfully scenic village of Penkridge. I would imagine this is an ideal but expensive commuter settlement for people working in Birmingham, it having its own railway station on the west coast mainline. We were both very relaxed today, despite the long miles, as the route was flat and we made good speed. We crossed the very busy A5, and then from Brewood it was onto the Shropshire Union Canal for the last hour. Getting Marv down to the canal path was a challenge, as it was a long steep set of wooden steps, but Marv behaved like a mountain goat and willingly followed me down.

  (L) Shropshire Union Canal, (R) Ma
rv and friends at Upper Hattons We managed a brisk trot into Upper Hattons, where we were booked in for the night. I had spent a raucous night here twenty years ago just after leaving school. It was in a school leavers’ barn dance and house party when we were all 18. Tim, whose house it had been then, had put me in touch with the new owners and they had just bought a horse foot spa and wanted Marv to be the first horse to trial it before it was available to others. It sounded ideal for the weary equine traveller.

  Sue met us as we arrived, and once I had un-tacked him, I led Marv straight into the equine foot spa room. He was certainly cautious about this, but having just travelled all day, he was much calmer than if it had been first thing in the morning. Once in the spa, the rear door of the box was closed up and the cold water spa was turned on. The theory is that a foot and a half of icy cold water, combined with jets of air through the water around your horse’s feet will ease any swelling. Marv was surprised by the bubbles coming on and let loose with an impromptu huge horse poop, which was caught by a special bag attached to the rear for such an eventuality. Marv got a good half an hour in the spa, before being let out into a field for some peace and some well-earned grass. My very good school friend Pete drove up from nearby Ludlow and we nipped away for an Indian takeaway dinner and to catch up on news. It was also Pete’s birthday so a special occasion for us to enjoy. Pete was later to pick us up at the finish. I spent an unfortunately restless night on the sofa, perhaps the bivi would have been a better option?

  Day 45 (Codsall to Trimpley - 20 miles)

  I was up early and away before the sun got too hot. We made a quick stop for a Cornish pasty and juice, before hitting some great bridleways (at last). It was called the Monarch’s Way/Staffordshire Way, and at one point on it we were cantering through the middle of a mature wheat field which felt cool. We were then just passing a golf course, when the sprinklers were turned on. This spooked Marv and we raced ahead at double speed for a while until he calmed down and decided he was safe at last.

  (L) Fantastic bridle path through wheat, (R) Marv admires a passing motorbike I met James (from Stottesdon) near the village of Pattingham. James had taken a day off work to join me on his racing bike. We soon stopped for a picnic lunch which he had kindly brought, before I led us on a merry dance over ploughed fields trying to follow the indistinct bridleway. Once again the bridleway (signage and network, not my map reading…) had let me down, and we wasted an hour extricating a horse and bike rider with clip on shoes (carrying his bike) from several impenetrable barbed wired dead end fields with no gates. Once back on the minor roads we made up some time and I apologised for having tried the bridleways in the first place.

  James and Marv before the speed test As James had a cycle computer on his bike we decided to accurately measure the speed of Marv’s trot. We discovered that Marv could do a maximum of 13mph if he wanted to. That was a very quick trot and not sustainable for long, but interesting to note all the same. We were now tracing the border with Shropshire (the county I went to school in), and I now started to feel like I was in familiar territory after covering totally new ground for the last two weeks. We made it down to Shatterford late afternoon, which took us into Worcestershire. James peeled off to cycle back home and Marv and I completed the last short hop to Trimpley.

  We were met there by Barbara, Fi’s mother, who lived in nearby Worcester. Barbara had managed to locate a field, courtesy of James and Ann, for Marv for the night. We went in to the field owner’s house to say hello and meet their many dogs. Marv got his evening meal of muesli and we left him in good hands as we travelled to Worcester for the night. I was thankful for the relaxing pleasure of a bath and the knowledge that we had a few days off to unwind and take stock. Fi and Maisie arrived later after a long drive down from Edinburgh. It was great to catch up with them both, as we had seen them every weekend for the first four weekends, and it felt like the team was back together. In writing this now I can see how much time and incredible effort Fi put into the trip (at the same time as doing her normal job). Whilst I was heading south with Marv, she was continually keeping the diary up to date, uploading photos and driving hundreds of miles to meet up with us. I think at the time I was too focused on my route to really appreciate the full extent of her energies.

  Day 46 (Trimpley to Martley - 16 miles)

  This was a first for me and Fi, as she was able to walk with us for the full day, courtesy of Barbara, who dropped us off back at Trimpley. Marv was keen to go after his breakfast, and so we headed off with Maisie pleased to be back on the road too. The heavens opened for a short while, but soon after the waterproofs were taken off. We reached Bewdley, where we met local riders Anna and Rosemary who were keen to walk through town with us. As we were talking we discovered that Anna’s daughter Katie had been at Pony club together with Fi many moons ago! Before they departed they left a kind donation to the ILPH.

  We were now seeing road signs for Martley (our destination) and to celebrate we stopped in the village store of Great Witley for an ice cream. It turns out that Marv likes Strawberry Calypsos, to add to his list of unlikely equine tastes. We concluded the last few miles to Martley, where Sheila (a great family friend of Barbara and Fi) had a secluded farmstead. Marv had plenty company at Sheila’s, with chickens and sheep all sharing his massive field. He even had a huge open shelter to use if it rained. We left him with another huge feed and in Sheila’s capable care. Later on we headed to the local pub for some good food and wine and a proper catch up on the last few week’s travels.

  (L) W orcestershire red sandstone, (R) more bonding over food

  Days 47/48/49 (Martley - rest days) The decision to push on this week and get to Worcestershire ahead of schedule was a good one, and the long (three day) weekend off meant that we could visit James in Stottesdon for a barbeque, with Pete also joining us again. We also had a barbeque in Worcester, with my sister, Sarah who came up from London, and Army mate Kev from Birmingham. Sarah was able to go out to Martley with us and meet Marv when we checked up on him each day, to ensure he was doing ok and not feeling neglected.

  (Top) Maisie wants to play with James’ cat, (L) Maisie tries bareback riding, (R) Marv enjoying the Staypower mix too much…

  Day 50 (Martley to Worcester - 5 miles) We took up the offer of Fi’s uncle to move Marv into his garden in Worcester on Monday so that Tuesday’s distance was reduced. We went out to Martley in the afternoon and Barbara dropped Fi, Maisie and me off. We only had a few miles to cover, and Fi knew the route well as she had ridden there as a youngster. To give Marv a break we had no saddle or saddlebags. I suggested Fi canter Marv bareback across Broadheath Common, where she had ridden many years previously. It was a special moment for both of us. Once we got to Uncle Michael’s house we led Marv onto the pristine lawn at the back of the house. We had warned that Marv might make a mess of the flower beds etc, and that risk was acknowledged. The first thing that Marv did on being let loose was head over to an overhanging tree and his head suddenly disappeared. There was a loud snap, as Marv had grabbed a large branch and ripped it off for a good munch. At that point we said good luck to Fi’s uncle and aunt, and left them to watch Marv eat their garden.

  (L) Fi canters Marv over Broadheath Common, (R) Marv disguised as a tree in Michael’s garden

  Week 8 (62 miles) Week 8 (total 62 miles)

  Day 51 (Worcester to Radford - 12 miles) Marv had a great long weekend and had put on some weight in the girth area, which we would soon work off. We had a relaxed mid-morning start, then Fi and Maisie walked with us over the River Severn, through the centre of Worcester and crossed a bridge over the M5 motorway. A few miles further and we stopped as arranged at the Chequers Inn at Crowle. Marv was allowed an area for grazing, which we all helped cordon off, and then we trooped in (with Fi’s mum, uncle and aunt) for a send-off lunch. Fi and the Mooch would then head back north and I would continue on with Marv. After saying my farewells, I headed east and found some great bridleways, getting Marv back in the
swing with some fast canters. It was mid-afternoon when I reached my next destination, a friend’s house in Radford. Emma was a keen horsewoman herself and kept numerous competition horses. We got Marv settled in a field, then caught up on our news. After dinner, as it looked like raining, we brought him in for a dry night’s rest in a comfy stable.

  (L) Just about to cross the River Severn at Worcester, (R) window shopping

  Day 52 (Radford to Weston sub Edge - 16 miles) We were up quite early, and left at 0900. Marv was keen to keep moving and set a good pace. My intended route today crossed the River Avon at Harvington, but there had been some heavy rainfall recently and I was told by a local postmaster that the ford was too dangerous to use. I therefore had to divert south through Evesham. It was not the most scenic of detours, but it was fun riding and leading through the town centre. We then crossed a bridge which shortly after (the next day actually) was impassable due to flooding. We escaped just ahead of some of the worst flooding to hit this part of England for decades.

  (L) Marv crossing the River Avon at Evesham, (R) following me through the pedestrianised zone We passed through a delightful hamlet called Bretforton before concluding the day’s travels at Weston Sub Edge. Here I had been extremely lucky in that a kind gentleman called William Reddaway had paid for a horse B&B for us. William was hoping to do a similar ride taking in all of England’s Cathedrals in 5 years’ time, when he retired. He was keen to meet me and discuss logistics and preparation. Lucy of Manor Farm (a 17th century Cotswold farmhouse) provided an incredible one bedroom apartment for me, and Marv got his luxury stable. We then joined the family and William for a sumptuous dinner and wine in the farmhouse before William and I spent some time going over his necessary preparations for his forthcoming trip. William has recently completed the trip of 2500 miles round England taking in 30 Cathedrals, a very impressive feat.