Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
I am helping to raise awareness for the World Horse Welfare's Make a Noise Campaign which highlights the unlawful injustices done to horses by the European horsemeat trade. You can read about this on their website where I'm sure you will be as shocked as I was to see that our civilised continent is ignoring basic animal welfare legislation in the transportation of live horses across Europe . You will see there are also other ways to contribute to this campaign. We need to MAKE A NOISE to ensure that the powers that be in Europe start taking much needed enforcement to stop this cruel trade.
In May 2009 as part of my fundraising appeal my horse Saffy and I went on a trek to visit my friend Liz in Llanilar, near Aberystwyth, in Wales. We were away 16 days, on what was, for us, a massive adventure, and a negotiated compromise with my husband Andrew! Here's what we did:
Day 1: Tuesday 12 May - Armed with Harvey's Pennine Bridleway South Trail Map we set off from Rawtenstall, Rossendale to Knowl Farm, on Blackstone Edge, Littleborough. Our journey takes us 7 hours and we travel about 17 miles. We do confess to dawling at times, and taking an hour's lunch break! When you're on your own you can go at your own speed! It is sunny but very windy. We both sleep in a stable that night, with Josh my dog. Andrew who is acting as back-up refuses to leave us but draws the line at the stable. He sleeps in the car! 2 am with the wind howling around the farm, and rocking the car from side to side, he sets off the alarm as he decides he may be better in his sleeping bag after all............little wonder no one except Saffy could sleep!
Day 2: Wednesday 13 May - we travel to Rock Farm on Standedge Foot Lane, above Diggle. this day is shorter, but colder and so much windier. Distance around 11 miles, passing the beautiful Hollingworth Lake, and crossing even more remote moorland and passing wilder reservoirs. Once we hit Dirty Lane we know we're almost there. We arrive in time for coffee and chips with my friend Pat mid afternoon. Saffy shares an indoor stable block with show jumpers - she's in her element! Superb hospitality.
Day 3: Thursday 14 May - our next stop is Rock Farm, Monks Road, Glossop. this is our longest day at 8.5 hours, although we did have a leisurely lunch overlooking Mossley! The ride is around 16 miles, passing through the historic mill towns of Uppermill and Greenfield my father's birthplace, and ultimately necessitates leaving the Pennine Bridleway route after Tinsel and following Rachel Dennett's excellent written instructions. A very welcome hot bath run personally by Rachel was waiting! Saffy falls in love with Bobby, a Rock Farm resident, and the cutest piebald one could ever hope to meet .
Day 4: Friday 15 May - our final lone stint on the Pennine Bridleway continues through beautiful Peak District country, and the centre of the very pretty village of Hayfield. We arrive at Rushop Hall, Rushop Edge, Derbyshire after a 13 mile 4.5 hour ride, feeling like comrades of Indiana Jones, and looking forward to a weekend's chill with Andrew and Josh, who are driving down with provisions and who, inexplicably, have been really worried about us! Josh, Andrew and I stay in the Pepperpot, and sample the delights of Neil and Jan's excellent cooking. The ambience they have created at the Hall is exquisite and Helen their Stable Manager is simply awesome!
Day 5: Saturday 16 May - Saffy chills in her paddock, surrounded by other horses, including a 30 year old stallion and a blue eyed piebald (her favourite colour!), free-range pigs and a herd of acapulcas, while Andrew, Josh and I sample the delights of Buxton and Bakewell. We meet a celebrity Nick Best, finalist in the Your Horse competition, on vacation there with his wife and their horses. Hope he wins!
Day 6: Sunday 17 May - Horse box arrives 11 am to take Saffy and I to Brandy House Farm, Felindre, Powys, in Wales. Sadly we have to say goodbye to Andrew and Josh for the next 10 days as we set off on the second part of our adventure,which is to ride across Wales, from Felindre to Tal-y-Bont, near Borth.
(more to upload.......)
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