Day 19 - Rhosgoch to Crai

No pictures today!  Bethan extended her day to cover two of her last days.  Ffion Parry rode with Beth today - Ffion is the daughter of Kevin and Delyth who very generously provided Beth and Suzie with overnight accommodation.  Kevin will be judging sheep at Sennybridge Show on Saturday so they will meet up again there.

Beth's final ride will be from Crai to the Show on Saturday where she and Suzie will take a turn around the main ring as well as manning the Lluest Horse and Pony Trust stand at the Show.  It would be great if as many of you as possible could come to the show to give them your support.

Bethan has been away for Three weeks covering 300 miles but it started months ago when she planned the whole trip on her own, contacting accommodation providers, potential sponsors and working out the best route.  IN my next blog I will try to mention and like to all who helped along the way but my personal thanks goes particularly to Traakit for providing a tracking device that allowed us to follow Bethan and guide her when she was lost.  THANK YOU for giving us a small amount of peace of mind.

Day 18! Rosgoch to Lower Chapel

Bit confusing but have now included the rest days in the total.



Beth had a great weekend with Sally, relaxing, walking the dog, Painscatle Fete and going for a ride with her cousin Jenny! Suzie enjoyed this greatly - cantering on the hill will no saddle bags - freedom.



Sally in the rear with Pheonix in front





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Sally, Jenny and four others joined Beth today.  Jenny was riding Nicola's mare Seren which she has on loan and Pheonix a pony Beth sold also went along.

Over the Wye at Erwood

Sally commented that the heather on the hills was stunning and how the different hills they crossed today had very different flora and therefore different types of beauty.



Nicola and I went to meet them in Upper Chapel so that we could take Seren, Pheonix and Sally's Fly back home.  I am quite out of pratice driving the lorry - it wouldn't be so bad if the gears were where they are supposed to be! 

Day 12 - Llambister Road to Rhosgoch

Well I have just realised that the days this week have been all wrong as I did not allow for the rest days so this is really day 14 and heading for another few days rest for Suzie.

A really great stop over last night at Llugwy with Di and Andy.  Rob Duggan the local farrier gave Suzie lots of attention and a new Set of shoes - she thinks she is walking on air now!  Di and Andy have a collection of lovable animals who all love you in return.

Not quite able to jump this yet!

Looking forward to staying with Aunt Sally for a couple of days.

Day 11 - Lanbadarn Fynydd to Llanbister Road

Beth had a great night with Tracy and Erfyl Cwm Mawr Welsh cobs with a lovely meal at New Inn in the village.  The family took run the pub, the stud and their farm - a very big commitment! and they very very generous giving their time and energy to help Bethan.

The Farrier is booked for Llanbister Road and Suzie is looking forward to some pampering.

Lovely Radnorshire Countryside

Day 10 - Garth Fach to Llanbadarn Fynydd

Young Trotters on the Hill

A lovely stay with Neville and Maraget very grateful for their help and sorry to have caused them so much worry.  Mainly on the road today because it was very wet and miserable.  Looking forward to staying at Cwm Mawr Welsh Cobs

They just want to know who is on our hill?

Mini

Bethan now has ideas about the car she would like.

Day 9 - Dylife to Garth Fach

Accommodation in Dylife

The Star in Dylife - well actually in the middle of nowhere, quite barren landscape here admist disused lead mines.


What a day!  Bethan got mislaid in Hafren Forest mobiles and tracking are not brilliant in forestry and it all looks the same!  This put her back quite a bit so missed farrier arranged for Garth Fach and caused quite a bit of worry.  Thank you to everyone who looked out for her near the end of the day - everyone is being so helpful and supportive.

Day 8 Llanerfyl to Dylife



Receiving route advice



Beth had a great break at the weekend - 17th Birthday on 16th and passed theory test on 20th! Not bad considering the ride.  A lovely stay at Ty Isaf where I was able to buy some great homemade marmalade.



Almost ready

The big issue in this area is wind farms.  They are between two national parks and as such the farmers are being persuaded that making money out of wind is a quick and easy fix.  Everyone knows I am a bit green and they do provide a great source of green energy and can look beautiful but I think local considerations should be taken into account especially if it could have a knock on effect with the other main earner in the area, tourism.  With the reservoirs in the area and the high rainfall could hydro be the answer?



Wind Farms in the distance



Wind Farms2



Dylife Valley



The views were again stunning and I took some picutres down the Dylife Valley where there is a board explaining about glacial activity - took me right back to school geography!

Scenary







No time for a dip

Bethan has started to worry about Suzie's feet so we will have to get a farrier sorted out during the week, however, no problems now with her teeth or mouth as she is really getting into bitless riding.  Minor problem of the day was getting stuck in a bog but wonderful Suzie got herself out of what could have been a serious problem.

I sepnt another long day delivering feed, some of these routes seem a very long way round.  I enjoyed a great lunch with Neville and Maragret at Garth Fach and did eventually get homw after a whistle stop tour of Montgomery and Radnorshire.



Day 7 - Lake Vyrnwy to Llanerfyl

Last day of the week - Beth and Suzie will have a well earned rest this weekend, well almost Beth will be taking her Driving Theory Test in Shrewsbury - no pressure then!

Cob mare and foal

Sunset from Fronheulog

Last night Bethan stayed in her tent at Fronheulog Caravan Park near Lake Vyrnwy.  I went up and took her out for supper as there are no shops on site and seemed very happy with the way the ride was going.  Suzie looked really well and happy in a field with loads of grass.

Getting ready for supper

The trip to Ty Isaf was mainly uneventful but took in some of the Dyfnant Forest Rainbow Trails  a great project run in conjunction with the Forestry Commission to make the area accessible for horses, both ridden and driven.  With the increasing threat of wind turbines this project is being relaunched so if you are in the area check them out.

Forestry

First View of the day.

Day 6 - Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant to Lake Vyrnwy

Well I 'nipped' up to see Bethan on Thursday to give her some food and see how things were going.  After having some worries about Suzies mouth getting saw Beth is now riding her bitlessa dn says she is brilliant, no special bitless bridle just her normal without a bit - who needs all this fancy kit?

Once again the views were stunning.  There are so many great places to see in our own country yet we still like to venture further afield.









Forestry tracks are great for getting around and have opend up a whole new field of tourism with horse and cycle tracks - I bet they get a bit boring though sometimes!

Suzie looks almost serene, very calm and enjoying the entire experiance.

Lake Vyrnwy coming into view

Getting closer

 Another day of firsts -



Riding over the dam at Vyrnwy



Beth's first night camping on this trip - the tent looks so small and vunerable!

Day 5 Bryn Ceiriog to Llanraeadr ym Mochnant

Well Bethan was full of enthusiasm she loved Spring Hill Farm and would love to do something like that in the future.  A great tourism concept with her two great loves - horses and dogs!

Beacuse Bethan is still a liitle worried about Suzie's teeth and mouth today has been bitless! and Suzie has been enjoying some time just wondering along on her own.


I know where I'm going





Are you ready yet?

 Not many pictures today as Beth thinks she has damaged her 'phone but there should be more at the weekend when she can upload onto a laptop from her camera.

Tim from TRAAKIT has again been brilliant and sorted out our little hiccups so Beth is now fully operational again.

Tormorrow (Thursday) I am travelling up to Lake Vyrnwy to meet Beth which will be good although I must admit it is nice and quiet around here at the moment!

Sally Matthews is Great

Quick blog to thank Sally for all her fantastic support, bambarding Hay with posters and sponsorship forms and asking her contacts to pass on information about the ride.  Fantastic...and it is paying off with sponsors on Beth's Just Giving site.

Sally is even more great for donating a picture to the cause.  The Hare measures 28 inches by 23 inches and is in a simple dark wood frame.

The way it works is that everyone who sponsors Bethan is allocated a number and on Sennybridge Show day, 3rd September a number will be  drawn to win the picture.  What a great idea.

For more information on Sally and her work check out her web site.

http://www.sallymatthews.co.uk/

Day Four - Bryn Eglwys to Bryn Cieriog

A very BIG THANK YOU to Margaret and Brian at Cae Crwn Farm.  It sounded as though Beth was in her element: donkeys, homemade scones, cobs and carriage driving - just a list of some of her favourite things and all at Cae Crwn.

There were some concerns about Suzie as she had not really been eating her hard feed and Beth asked me to contact an equine dentist to possibly meet up at the weekend when she is due for a three day break.  I managed to contact Geraint Hughes from Llangurig who was very helpful and willing to meet up with Beth during her ride.  But the good news is that Suzies ate a good, full breakfast abd Bethan is no longer worried!



Sun peeping through



On her way.

A bit overcast!

Beth's post on Facebook 'Rain and wind on my birthay. Should have asked for a pair of ear warmers. Sorry the pics might be less exciting today as its not very clear.'

An exciting day for Suzie with a railway line (none of those around here) and a big river to cross.

River Dee

Bethan also commented 'I think Suzies enjoying the views as much as I am'

Possible overnight?

We had a minor hicup towards the end of the day when the tracker didn't seem to be picking Beth up and there was no mobile phone signal.  Panic over when we learnt that she had arrived at her next stop but still a little worried about tracker.

Day Three

Llanarmon yn Lal to Bryn Eglwys



Gweryd Lakes



View from Gweryd Lakes



Suzie Waiting to go

The views from Gweryd Lakes were brilliant and while we were there she took the opportunity to have a good roll!

Farmers Fences

Beth's friend, Lucy, gave her an little ipod loaded with tunes before the ride to keep her company on the hills and Bethan wrote on the North to South Charity Ride Facebook Page 'Just as well no one is riding with me or they would be deafened by my singing.'

But the story of the day was one of blocked or overgrown bridle ways.



Lunch Time



One in particular had two fences across and tied up gates. I suppose this is a problem where bridleways are under used. Beth was able to negotiate the obstacle because Suzie is keeping really well so far - maybe due to the tasty veteran supplements supplied by NAF - but probably because she is who she is.

The farmers were madly silaging before the rain comes and Beth took the opportunity of a short day to have lots of grazing breaks.  They arrived at our next stop early afternoon and had time to make new friends.



Bryn Eglwys





Suzie with Moses the donkey