My first day alone with the two Highlands Katy & Skye.  The going was heavy -or rather their going was heavy compared to Yogi and Swift!  A half day it should have been but with the new team finding its rhythm and two quite tired & grass obsessed ponies it took the whole day lol!

Today was a long way round to cover a short distance. Necessary due to a main road, a missing bridge and horse accommodation problems for the night. It did take me along a beautiful track though with lovely views.

The day started with a huge battle between Yvonne and Katy.  Yvonne wanted to head up over the hill but Katy didn’t like the look of the loose rocky and steep track -so was refusing!  Yvonne won the battle in the end but it was a hard fight!!

A nice easy short day today prior to going up over the hills tomorrow.  Beautiful views up the Glen and stopped at one of my favourite bothies overnight.  Joined by Hubby and friends Sophie & Frankie for the evening… they brought wine :oD!

Day 11 was a rest day and a day where I had to come up with Plan B.  My friend Yvonne was due to join me with her two ponies for a few days anyways so we came up with a plan to continue with just those two, (getting our kit dropped off along the way) then when Yvonne left to go home I would have the two ponies I needed to continue on to the West Coast.  Yogi & Swift were left to relax and recover in their field.

Day 12 was a very relaxing, sociable day with great views -that was after being tested out by Skye pony for the first hour of the ride.  She needed to know exactly what kind of rider she was dealing with -i.e. how much grass she would be able to sneak in as we rode along! Once that was sorted we got along just fine.

I knew last night that Yogi was not going to “walk this off” -whatever it was, it was just getting worse despite trying to give him as easy a time as possible, so last day for him -time to get him home to rest up.  I had met up with Yvonne at Bhran cottage so I had company which always makes riding Swift just that little bit easier.  She seems to gain confidence in a group of horses (particularly those she knows) and was soon up front leading the whole herd back home.

I was in two minds whether to continue or not after yesterday -particularly because by this stage Yogi wasn’t very well.  However he seemed ok in the morning and I made the decision to walk him home (as I was heading there for a rest day anyway) with not even the saddle bags on -Swift carried them.  So a day on foot for me, but Dave (hubby)  joined me until lunch time so it gave us chance to chat and catch up :o)

Swift was looking so pretty until she spied the camera -when ever I point it in her direction, she goes all goofy!

Head Groom with the Bear.

Yup -it was a goofy kind-a day!

Head Groom -with the Spotty-bum

Yogi trying to teach Swift how to pose for the camera

Swift did a little better after her lesson…

My “hands-free” system as Yogi just gets on with the job and follows the trail.  I can see by his face in this photo that he wasn’t very comfortable here but only one easy day after this to get him home.

Two very tired horses!

A tough day… swapped Yogi to pack as he wasn’t very well and struggled to get young Swift to lead up front.  She did it eventually but very very slowly which made for my longest day on the trail despite it not being the longest distance.  We got there though and I was very proud of Swift for stepping up to the mark when thrown in at the deep end.  Over the next few days she just got better and better :o)

Had some help from my friend Fiona for the day as some of the tracks were very steep & narrow.  They were slippy too thanks to a change of weather and a steady drizzle!

Photo bombed by a horse!

Fiona finding some love for a happy appy!

Not the cleverest thing I’ve ever done.  Clumsily caught my thumb at the end of the day and it became very sore & swollen!

Chilled out mostly and repaired kit, but did find time for tea & cakes with my pal Fiona and took her to explore a lovely river with lots of waterfalls.

Sorry for the delay!  In between veing back at work, I’ve been partying too much as so many friends have decided to get married ;o)  Anyways -promise to try and do better this week and get some more trip photos up.  This was a lovely ride along a track I’d never explored before.  The rock formations were amazing :o)