Days 1 to 15.

Sunday 14th May - Day 15

Balquidder - Rest Day.

Drew left early this morning with Monty and a slightly dodgy exhaust so hope he gets back OK. Robin and friends George and Annette from Glasgow are sussing out a possible gate problem a little further down the Sustrans route.

I will spend the rest of the day sleeping and sorting out next week's route and possible places to stay!

Saturday 13th May - Day 14

Innerwick to Balquidder 42 km 26 miles

The sun returned the following day and we set of at 7.30 am in cold morning air. The first section of the route was south over the hill behind the Estate on a minor road for roughly 10 miles but after that we had a section of main road and I was anxious to do that as early as possible before it got too busy. The road over the mountain in Ben Lawyers country was very pretty but a long haul up the hill for Monty. On the way down the other side we passed a car park and Mountain Rescue centre and after that the small road was very busy with Saturday morning hill walkers out early to make the most of the weather.

Innerwick

At the bottom of the hill was a cattle grid but the gate was tied up with frayed blue rope and impossible to undo. There was also baggy wire sheep fencing along the bottom! The only way through was to cut the rope with my trusty Leatherman (there was enough to tie it closed after us) and flatten the sheep fence on the ground. Anyway we got through ok.

The main road was not too busy but windy and narrow with no verges but Monty seems bomb proof in traffic which is brilliant. Just as we came into Killin, Robin passed in the lorry so we stopped and had a coffee at a Hotel long the road with complimentary water and carrots for Monty.

Sustrans Killin Loch

At the other end of Killin we picked up Sustrans Route 7. Sustrans is a national cycle network and a lot of money has been spent on cycle routes in this area. Provided the gates and access are OK they make great routes for horses as well! We followed Route 7 for the rest of the day, initially through forestry and then after crossing the busy A84, along a disused railway which was perched on the side of the hill way above the main road running along the other side of the valley. Pretty spectacular! There were a number of narrow gates but none posed a problem. We chatted to number of cyclists and walkers along the route and then the track zig-zagged down steeply and continued parallel to the main road to a very scary looking contemporary bridge designed specifically for cycles. I think most horses would have looked twice at this but Monty went straight over, despite his (very thin) shoes clanging on the metal walkway. Shortly after we arrived at the Kingshouse Hotel at Balquidder where we were staying. Monty and I continued on for a mile or so to the farm where he was staying the night. A stable for the first night since Lairg!

Sustrans Bridge

Sustrans

About 6pm Drew arrived with Westy and he was happy to get off the lorry into a stable next to Monty. Westy's new shoes look like a work of art! Tim apparently spent and hour and a half shoeing him last week! I am not exactly sure what he has done but wire gauze and rubber filling seem to be in evidence. Westy has very sensitive feet (hence poor Monty doing the rocky north of Scotland section of the Ride) and Tim has put a lot of time into deciding how to shoe him so as to protect his feet and make the shoes last two weeks!

Friday 12th May - Day 13

Rannoch Station to Innerwick Estate (Glen Lyon) 30km 19 miles

Finally we woke to grey skies rather than blue. All the mountains around had disappeared into the low cloud and there was intermittent light rain. Still it was warm and there was no wind so it could have been much worse!

We rescued Monty from his chicken pen - though I think he was quite happy in it, and set off for a relatively short day. Firstly we retraced our steps for a mile or so along the road and then continued on to Loch Rannoch. Robin passed us in the lorry and set of for the much longer road journey round. He admitted later that, he stopped in a village for some supplies and checked the route with a local person. En route he stopped to make some phone calls while there was still coverage and then continued on down this narrow steep windy road only to find himself in the village where he set off!

We on the other hand traveled eastward along the southern shore of the Lock and identified in one go the track southward to Glen Lyon! The track was not however the one I had anticipated which was a forestry track, but very much a walker's track through quite thick silver birch so was a bit worried. In fact the track then widened slightly and became a beautiful grassy track winding up hill though the woods. Eventually we did hit the forestry track which had been newly maintained and was covered in large sharp scalping type stone which Monty did not appreciate! I got off and walked which is not usually the deal uphill!

Glen Lyon

Eventually we reached a gate which I anticipated would be locked but was armed with the key, as helpfully sent to me by the Forestry Commission before we started. In fact the gate was unlocked! The track was then out across the gloomy hills but the going though rocky was not nearly as bad as in some places. Monty bravely crossed a wooden bridge and then we descended down in the beautiful Glen Lyon.

Almost where the track hit the road was the entrance to Innerwick Estate where Elaine and Roger Wherwell had kindly offered to put us up for the night.

Robin and I had the luxury of a separate "bothy" with hot shower and a log fire. Monty had a sheltered four acre field but I don't think he strayed more than ten yards form the gate the whole time he was in it.

Thursday 11th May - Day 12

Moy to Rannoch Station 37Km 24 miles

Today was our last day of really off piste in the north of Scotland and it was another spectacular ride. I suspect this is all sounding a bit boring to read but I am running out of ways to describe the atmosphere and theatre of this countryside. Today started cloudless again and Monty was fidgeting while I tacked him up, clearly keen to be on our way after a gentle day yesterday.

Road to Courrour

The route started through forestry. Where we were camped we had seen large logging lorries using the route, but I started early and we met none on the track, only a stray sheep with two lambs looking very lost.

Rannoch Moor

Forestry then gave way to mountains again as the road like track wound round the side of a loch and down to Courrour Lodge. There we were met by Adam and others who wanted to know all about the ride and gave me some very helpful advice on the route including a short cut to Peter's Rock (very appropriate!!). Although they have horses at the Lodge, I don't think they had ridden much beyond Peter's Rock. The track, though boggy in places is beautiful and improves greatly after passing the ruin of the old Courrour Lodge. The track then winds around the side of a hill with spectacular views across Rannoch Moor. The railway runs across the Moor here so it is very odd to see these little toy trains running through the middle of this huge deserted barren area.

Posing at Loch Ossian

We then descended to the road and a short distance to the Hotel at Rannoch Station. Monty is in the chicken pen at the back (without sheep or chickens!) and Robin and I have made good use of the astonishingly large bath, our first since the weekend!

The Hotel has a very good reputation for food so we are looking forward to dinner tonight.

Monty in the chicken pen

A very light shower and grey clouds seem to signal a change in the weather but it is far from unpleasant at the moment.

Kinloch Laggan to Moy. 17kn 10 miles

As you will see from the distance we traveled today it was a bit of a chill out day for all three of us today. We were camped in such an idyllic spot that we decided to stay until lunch time and do the short ride in the afternoon.

Weather continues to be glorious but understand from the BBC website (no TV or radio reception here) that there may be some rain tomorrow.

Glen Bogle

Today's ride was along the edge of Loch Laggan and very beautiful it was too. Most of the ride was along a gentle track with mature ever greens providing shade from the hot (!!!) sun. We passed the turreted house made famous on Monarch of the Glen. The only minor hitch was an unexpected locked gate soon rectified by the very friendly Estate Ranger.

Now camped at the other end of the Loch in a rather more exposed setting than last night but with spectacular views again!!

Tomorrow is the last of the major off road sections in the North of Scotland so hopefully no hitches on what will be another tough day.

Campsite

Monty is very chilled in his corral behind the lorry and well into the routine of the days now. Not sure what mobile phone coverage there will be for the next couple of nights but we will see.

Tuesday 9th May - Day 10

Fort Augustus to Loch Laggan (Corrieyairack Pass) 41 Km 26 Miles

Today was yet another glorious day and the perfect weather to tackle the Corrieyairack Pass. Most of the road is a continuation of General Wade's Military roads though a lot rockier but a lot less boggy than the the part were used last night into Fort Augustus.

Most of the rocky sections were avoidable using sheep tracks along the side. Monty ploughed up but barely puffing as far as I could see. The only sticky moment was a bridge which Monty did not fancy. We have tried to build up his confidence with bridges since he put his foot through one on Day three and had been doing well but not this one! I think the problem was that the first plank of the bridge was missing and although you could not see through to the water. Monty was not confident enough to step over.

There was an obvious place to cross the river close to the bridge, the sort of place he would go down any time out hacking in the New Forest but as he want down the small bank his front feet slipped a little and he would not go any further. I tried both options several times but Monty had made his mind up and I was beginning to get worried.

The river was a steep mountain burn with steep banks and I was not hopeful of another crossing place. But a little further on, as the burn turned a corner there was a rocky beach and he agreed to go into the water there and we waded back up the river to a place where we could get out the other side. Phew!

Carried on over a small hill to be greeted by another similar bridge. This one he crossed with barely a look! Horses!

Anyway we got to the top where there was still some snow but not on the track and then led him down the steep rocky "zig zags" to the valley and a long long road down to Glenshero Lodge and on to Loch Laggan.

We are now camped in a beautiful little grassy area with pine trees and and a little log cabin. We had dinner (steak!) sitting outside in the evening sun after a walk with Trigger along the sandy beach at the northern end of Loch Laggan. Amazing. We are on the Arverikie Estate, otherwise known as "Glen Bogle" in the BBC's Monarch of the Glen. Tomorrow will be a short ride through the Estate along the shore of the Loch.

Struy to Fort Augustus 54Km 33 miles

A long day today but beautiful weather and varied scenery. I gave poor Robin a tricky time this morning as was a bit stressed that we had not managed to contact an estate manager on the Dundreggan Estate to get a gate unlocked at the end of a long section of road. Fortunately the guy called just as I was leaving so panic over!

Monty snacking

The first section was along a very quiet road on the south side of the River Glass and then up through forestry onto higher ground. Had a dodgy moment having to go past a pen in the forest where they were running a "wild boar" project. Monty is less than keen on pigs and could clearly smell them but fortunately none made themselves visible and we scuttled past.

As the going had been slow the last few days, I carried a small feed for Monty in my back pack and he duly scoffed that about half way! 

Robin and Trigger

As we climbed the views, which are spectacular but which are becoming a regular feature, made themselves visible. We then descended through the unlocked gate and after crossing Torgoyle Bridge set off up the other side of the valley to pick up part of one of General Wade's Military Roads. Because it was in Forestry Commission land I had fondly imagined that this would now be a nice forestry track. Not so! The road is in its original condition but now rather rocky and boggy but we made it to to better tracks eventually. Again great views back across from where we had come.

Loch Laggan beach

I got off Monty to walk the last few Km down on comfortable forest tracks to be met by Robin on his bike!

We finally made it to a beautiful camp site which Stuart Findlay and Alistair from the Forestry Commission had so helpfully arranged for us.

Robin's now cooking mushroom risotto and Monty is grazing!

After Robin

Camping out

Early night tonight. Corieyairack Pass tomorrow!

Saturday/Sunday 6th and 7th May - Day 7 and 8

Inchbae to Struy. 46Km, 29 miles

Another glorious day greeted us yesterday (Saturday) and rain threatened for the afternoon but did not arrive until the evening.

We had a problem before we stared when a quick check of the gate into the Forestry Commission Land 200 yds down the road revealed a gate which was unlocked but protected buy a cattle grid without a gate!! We were therefore forced to go down the main Inverness Ullapool road for 4 miles rather than use the parallel track through the Forest.

Bridge with Missing Plank

The main road does not have a huge amount of traffic but it is very fast moving. Fortunately it also had wide verges and being Saturday not that much early traffic.

We then headed off in to the forest to the east of the river at Garve and had pretty ride down through woods beside the river and several small locks. It was a complete contrast from the day before with its wide open spaces mountains and huge lochs! At Contin we had another unavoidable stretch of main road. In planning the route I had contemplated avoiding this but the only alternative route went over a scary hydro dam with another impassable cattle grid so main road it had to be.

We then went on the the Fairburn Estate and met up with John and Peter sunning themselves at the top of a grassy hill! They had brought some lunch for Monty but he turned his nose up at it in favour of the grass! We were joined there by James Hislop who has been a terrific help planning this section and even went out and inspected the dam route for me a few months ago!! He came with Tio a handsome grey arab and we set of along and old rock pony track. This as another stunning route with amazing views in all directions including the Moray Firth.

Picnic at Achederson

We managed to find sections of the track which were marked on the map but barely visible on the ground so I was very pleased to have James' local knowledge of he terrain for this part of the route.

John and Monty at Achederson

The threatened rain held off and we came down through the trees to Struy, and after a brief distance in the wrong direction met the welcoming party, including my partner Robin, waiting for us at the Cnoc Hotel.

It had been a long day, particularly as the terrain in most tracks kept us to a walk.

Anyway after saying goodbye to James and Tio we put Monty into a very pretty field behind the hotel complete with shelter and chickens (much more acceptable than sheep!) for company. We all then had a crew "handover" dinner as Peter and John have now gone home though Peter will be back in a couple of weeks!

Today is Sunday and a very welcome day off to re group for a very tough few days ahead as we go on south to Fort Augustus and then on over the Corrieyairack Pass so we hope the good weather holds. Today is grey and damp but warm and quiet so fingers crossed!

Friday 5th May - Day 6

Amat to Inchbae 37Km 23 miles

The following day the threatened rain never materialised and unbelievably we were greeted by yet more cloudless skies. The start of the ride had a couple of tricky gates which Ian (our host of the night before) and Peter sorted for me.

Soon after that, just by Alladale Lodge we came across two bridges similar to the one Monty put his foot through. It was a big test. He was understandable very nervous but crossed them both with a little hesitation and a lot of encouragement from me and Peter (who had followed on to help in case there was a problem) very bravely crossed them both.

Alladale Estate

I have forgotten to say that we are in the depths of the Scottish countryside in stunning scenery. We then discovered that my route was estate roads all the way so Peter decided that he would drive the route so as to be on hand for any further problems on our first venture back off road into the hills after the bridge incident.

Deanich Lodge - Alladale

Suffice to say the ride (and the drive) were through the most stunning scenery imaginable in perfect weather. How fantastic is that. The estate road was very rocky so we had to walk most of the way but who wants to rush when the views and atmosphere of the glistening blue lochs and snow capped hills are so incredible.

Loch Vaich

Monty picked up the atmosphere to and swung along despite the rocky going. We met Ian Bennet en route the keeper on the Strath Veich Estate on his ATV with sheep dog sat on the back. Ian told me that the last horse through had been a spanish horse! I wonder who that was?

Peter saved a difficult moment at the end by discovering a gate which although not locked, had a post positioned which made it impassable for a horse as big as Monty, so his journey was worthwhile and not just for the scenery. A long day was then made even longer having to wait for two logging trucks to load up a mile or two from home.

Monty is now happily corralled at Inchbae and we are looking forward to one more day before a day off and I (and Trigger) am looking forward to seeing Robin tomorrow!

Thursday 4th May - Day 5

Lairg to Amat Estate Strathcarron 34Km 21.25 miles

Bridge incident on day three. Loch Choire is in the backgroung and the bridge in question was just near the pine trees on the Loch edge. We had walked about half the way out the time of this photo.

Day 5 was mercifully uneventful. Awoke in the lorry with beautiful views in all directions and clear skies. Monty had spent a relaxed night in a stable and was looking perky! We had to wait for the blacksmith to come before we set off as he had been dragging his hind toes and left a lot of shoe on the roads. Still it was no hardship spending some time at Sam and Annes beautiful farm.

We set off about 12 am back into Laird and south on a small road parallel to the main road but on the other side of the river past Invershim Falls. It would have been very quiet but for an extraordinary number of Rolls Royce cars, presumably on some sort of RR convention!

At Invershin we had to rejoin the main road for 4 miles but it was not too scary. At Bonar Bridge we crossed the river and headed via Ardgay down the idyllic Strath Carron Valley to Amat Estate at its head. It is a really beautiful valley and we chatted to some local inhabitants and visiting fishermen on the way along.

River at Amat

Home that night was outside the community hall with Monty corralled in what looked suspiciously like someone's garden! Well at least they got the lawn cut.

Peter and John stayed in B&B near by and we had a wonderful dinner cooked for us in their home by Fay (I hope I got that right!) and Ian.

Peter and John encouraging Monty to eat.

Set of from Forsinard in blue sky and cold wind for a long rode of 50KM. We trotted on via Kinbrace where we chatted in to the children and teachers at the primary school so thanks to them all for their contributions.

Loch Choire

We left the road to turn south west across a very remote area to Loch Choire. The track was a lovely sandy road and the views incredible. We saw a huge herd of red deer, the best part of a 100 and several groups of stags. Also a hare popped up beside the track to say hello. We finally arrived at Lock Choire which was an incredibly beautiful spot. We progressed on along the side of the Loch in grey skies a stony track and gale force wind blowing down the side of the mountain on the other side of the Loch sending up huge plumes of lock water which then blew across out track. Going was therefore slow. There were a number of bridges across the track which got less robust as we got more remote. Eventually we got to a bridge across a big burn which no obvious alternative. It had no side rails so I dismounted to cross. Monty stepped on the bridge but after a few strides one of the planks gave way!

Loch Choire (after the bridge incident)

Thankfully Monty was very brave and clever and managed to get himself across to the other side but was understandably a bit shaken. He did not appear to be injured apart from a few bumps and scrapes but I decided to lead him out just in case.

It was about another 15-20 km out to the road and Crask Inn where were were staying and that was very hard going uphill over a small pass and then through a boggy route with other dodgy bridges we had to avoid which meant crossing the ankle deep river about 10 times. John walked a good bit of it with me having walked in to see what was delaying me. I was very please to arrive at the Crask Inn, sort Monty out and sit down to a wonderful meal of home cooked local lamb and a glass of whiskey!!

This morning Monty was still sound but a bit stiff so we have done a short day to Lairg where we are staying on a beautiful farm on the side of a hill with views for miles with Sam and Ann.

Monty loosened up a lot on the ride here but has almost worn out his hind shoes but a kind blacksmith is coming to re shoe tomorrow morning.

Monday 1st May - Day 2

Westerdale to Forsinard.

After yesterday's glorious weather, today's reverted to archetypical Scottish weather; wet grey and windy!

The view form the lorry window was, accordingly, rather different though the gentle rocking of the lorry during the night had rather forewarned me as had the weather forecast!

Still a bit of rain and wind was not going to deter plans made the night before over a delightful dinner with Cath Whittles, her husband Keith and their friend Nicky. I got in touch with Cath after discovering CRAG (Caithness Riders Access Group) on the internet when researching the route. Cath has provided fantastic help over with the Caithness section of the Ride as well as lots of moral support.

Anyway Cath, Nicky and another friend Gillian (plus Gypsy, Georgie and Morgan) rode with me and Monty today on a beautiful ride from the bleak but captivating emptiness of Caithness across to the slightly softer skylines of Sutherland and we are now at the Forsinard Hotel and I am looking forward to a bath. Monty enjoyed the day and is gradually beginning to understand that sheep are not wooly pigs (as he is very scared of pigs) and is now exploring a field behind the hotel where he is staying tonight.

The sun is starting to peep through now so hopefully Monty will have a dry night. Time for a bath.

Sunday 30th April - Day 1

Dirlot near Westerdale Caithness.

Well Jog to Lands End is underway and we have finished our first day of riding starting a JOG this morning. Now we are "camped" in the most beautiful place on a glorious day in the North of Scotland. Monty is safely tucked up in an old croft which has been converted into several stables. Monty is in the old kitchen and very comfortable he looks too!

Our ride today was over wonderful desolate country side and we were so fortunate to such perfect weather.

River Thurso at Westerdale.

Getting here was a long journey and not entirely straight forward. I left home at 5am last Friday morning and before 6am was parked in a service station with a blown tyre. Fortunately it was fixed pretty quickly and we were on our way by 8am. We spent the night south of Perth but Monty was, understandably reluctant to go back in the lorry. In the process he kicked me on the hand which swelled alarmingly!

We finally got him in and Peter set off on his own with Monty and John took me to Perth A&E. It was not at all like casualty and I was in and out having had an x ray with 45 mins! Amazingly nothing was broken and it improved overnight so did not pose to much of a problem riding though had lots of help from the crew with tacking up etc!

Any we are up and running which is so exciting. Don't think the weather forecast is so good for tomorrow but hopefully it will improve soon after that!

Monday 24th April

JOG to Lands End has now been well and truly "launched" at the Fortune Centre (see below) and at Ashurst last week.

Today is my last day in the office (hurrah!) leaving me 3 days to panic before setting off (very early) on Friday. We will be headed for Perth where Monty will have the benefit of luxury accommodation at Lucinda Russell's racing stables. I must tell him to make sure he appreciates it as I suspect the standard of accommodation is likely to go down hill thereafter.

The Fortune Centre have very kindly given me a beautiful "seat saver" for my saddle. I road tested it yesterday and it was very very comfortable. Will definitely be using that!! Thanks very much to all at the Fortune Centre.

I also took my specially made saddle (thanks to Carol at Horsing Around Saddlery into the Radio Solent Studio when I was interviewed again by Julian Clegg last Thursday. It may well now be the first saddle that has been "live" on the Radio. I had a good chat with Julian and you can hear most of it by clicking here. Julian is going to speak to me again on the 1st of May at 7.30am ish before Monty and I head off into the wilds of north Scotland with Cath Whittles and friends from Caithness Riders Access Group.

I am very much looking forward to the riding in North Scotland . My great grand father was a ghillie in Melvich on the North coast and my grand mother grew up in a croft right by the beach there It is a very beautiful but wild place and I love the area very much.

I have also decided to take my old dog Trigger as a "lorry dog". You will definitely be hearing more from him as I am very sure he will be making his presence felt over the next few weeks.

Wednesday 19th April

I have been contacted by Mr Rolf who bred Monty. Mr Rolf has kindly sponsed the Ride and has asked me to say that he has a number of Monty's relatives and other horses for sale. Photos of two of Monty's half brothers are below. They are Vito (born 4.7.04)  and Trigger (born 5/7/05). They are out of the same mare as Monty.

Vito

Trigger

Mr Rolf also has two horses by Monty's half sister for sale.

If any of these horses are of interest please contact Mr Rolfe (after the 19th May 2006) on 01590 688164 or in writing at 14 Bittern Way Lymington SO41 3P.

Wednesday 29th March

On Wednesday 29th March JOG to Lands End was officially launched at the Fortune Centre for Riding Therapy.

The day started with me being interviewed by Julian Clegg on Radio Solent. Julian is going to adopt us as one of his "people" and will follow our progress on his morning show!

Then, at the Fortune Centre, the Students had drawn a wonderful map of Great Britain on the yard and lined up along the "Route", which Westy and I then rode down. The Fortune Centre had also baked a wonderful cake with another map of GB iced on it!!

Counciller David Scott and wife Rosemary
who had also come to send us on our way, said a few words and then we all cut the cake!!

Lots of people came to the show!! Cherie and Laura came from Great Ormond Street Children's Charity, Quentin from our sponsors Old Mutual Asset Managers, Lisa and Jo from Ashurst and lots of local friends and supporters as well as the Press!!

I am also pleased to report that both Westy and Monty behaved immpecably and throughly enjoyed being the centre of attention, particulary when they discovered that Quentin's pockets were full of carrots!!

Less than four weeks until we set off now which I am sure is not enough time to do everything but I am sure we will somehow!!

More soon!!