Jack Mytton Way - Tina's version
Horse Trails & Horse Tails
by Tina 15-20 MAY 2007
Llanfair Waterdine to Clun
I was very apprehensive
....about this ride as I hadn't ridden my horse Reef for six weeks
and wasn't sure if I or him were fit enough but as you will read,
we both did quite a good job of the Jack Mytton.
We started from Llanfair Waterdine,
south of Clun. The car park was adequate for horse trailer and tacking up. Said goodbye to our partners who very kindly took the landy and trailer to our final stop. We only had 7 miles to go on this first day and horses set off in good style, intrigued on what was round the corner or up the road. Rode over Offa's Dike which is worth seeing because the amount of effort to dig an oversized ditch the length of Wales to keep English out with nothing more than man and shovel must have been hard work! Stayed in a nice B&B with a warm welcome and pub dinner.
Clun to Ticklerton
Set off again in good form,
horses ears pricked and riders rested but not long down the road, Jenni talking too much, we got lost and had a bit of an adventure down a footpath! We think we followed a bridleway (not J Mytton) and ended up on the Shropshire Footpath which was very pretty. Unfortunately, foot paths are not cleared for the four legged varieties so with me lifting up the fallen branches and very level headed horses we managed to get back on track without a scratched saddle and panniers intact, very impressive! Came to a ford crossing that Reef is usually very good at but there are limits. This ford was very silty, deep and slippy into the water and just to complicate matters, there was a large branch over hanging blocking the exit view!
Poor Reef....
tried his hardest but just couldn't do it so off I get to help him. 2 minutes and sloshing wet feet later we were through with a very lady like cool Sharnina and Jenni following. 25 metres down the track was another one, just as bad, but Reef pricked his ears telling me he didn't need me on this one and crossed like a pro. The Long Mynd was stunning, views fantastic and a cool ride along the airfield runway (no gilders that day!) with a steep descent down Carding Mill track into Church Stretton.
Once off Long Mynd,
....we had to go through Church Stretton. I'm not that confident in traffic but Reef was going so well with his very stable companion Sharnina by his side, I decided to stay on board which he did so confidently, tackling the screaming kids, traffic and people walking everywhere, but when we came to a railway bridge I lost my nerve and got off, he was great! (hummmm wonder where the traffic problem lies, not in my horse that's for sure.) The horses then had to wait in a queue of traffic at the A49 lights, and cross A49 which was done without fault.
The last 3 miles of this day were the longest I've ever ridden as muscles were starting to ache and mentally I'd had it, horses and Jenni were fine. Stayed at another nice B&B where the lady could not do enough for us, commuting us to a lovely pub for dinner and then very comfy beds for my aching body to lie in, bliss.
Ticklerton to Bagginswood (near Cleobury Mortimer)....
Set off a little stiff today not quite sure if I can/want to do another 20+ miles today. The weather was humid and muggy with some of the tracks difficult to keep me mentally alert. The rain had made them slippy and muddy but horses coped well. One track I remember was very over grown where we couldn't see the ground or ahead but Reef put his head down and applied his mind to the task, leading Sharnina through the undergrowth with amazing confidence. This track was like this for about a mile. Came to one track that ended with a foot high gate to stop traffic going up which Sharnina, who tackles the heaviest of traffic and can be so sensible, could not get her head around this obstacle planting herself for 15mins unable to go any further.
Between Cockshutford and Blackford, there was a beautiful track but had loose horses on it (we didn't have a problem) but we came across this wonderful house that was high in the hills but no track up to it, now that is what I call living in the wilds of Britain. We also passed a large golf ball that we could see for miles before passing it, a good landmark for future riders. Apparently this is part of UKs defence system not a golf ball for giant golfers!
Day off in Bagginswood to visit Ludlow
Had a day off in Ludlow,
....being ferried about by our wonderful B&B lady who fed us well and took us to and from a bus stop. The horses were in a nice field, rolling, relaxing and waiting for tomorrow. Ludlow was worth a look; the church was interesting and found a great veggie cafe for lunch.
Bagginswood to Morville (Bridgenorth)
Back in the saddle
.....and set off at a better time (9am) after a yummy breakfast that I couldn't finish! The day went well and never got lost. A few heavy showers with a bit of wind and the scenery wasn't as dramatic, appearing flatter ground with fewer views. Reef went a bit dozy having things spook him so when we got to any busy road I took the precaution and got off to help him out.
As we got closer to the next B&B, we heard this pounding of hooves coming our way and met our next landlady who very kindly rode out to meet us and show us the way. Another wonderful place with a pub dinner.
Morville to Ticklerton and home!?
Then disaster day! We set off well, ears pricked, perfect weather, great tracks which were mainly crop fields when we came to a gate and it was Jenni's turn. She opens the gate nice and wide but Sharnina decides to rush it and Jenni in anticipation lifts her leg, gets caught on the gate post latch, Sharnina wrapping her around it when the inevitable happens, Jenni parts company and breaks her leg.
I call 999 and explain where we were on the bridleway and within 10-15mins a helicopter hovers above. I now have the dilemma of one horse on one side of the gate and one on the other with Jenni on the floor in the middle of gateway that I can't shut.
My predicament was soon over as the horses just stood and watched unfazed by the scene, not moving a muscle. What horses we have! Jenni is then doped up and gets a lift in the helicopter with some every good - looking paramedics. The local farmer very kindly gave the horses a barn to hang out in while myself and Jenni's partner fetch the landy and trailer and head home.
It was a very interesting route to do and recommend it to all those interested even though our journey ended in disaster. Accidents happen and come when you least expect them. I would recommend that if you want to do this adventure, good map reading skills are required as the signage was not obvious. It has some stunning scenery and most were great tracks, ideal for horse and rider.
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