Jack Mytton Appendix
You know the saying 'when you fall off your horse, get straight back on'. If you don't, you could end
up fearing to do what you are nervous about. I started riding again as soon as I felt able but the gate
on the Jack Mytton Way that caused all the trouble was still sneering at me from afar - my nemesis!
It had to be tackled. I am sad that my original riding partner for the ride couldn't be with me as Tina missed out on the final part of the journey last year. Maybe one day we will do it again.
This time Nic and her Icelandic horse Hafla accompanied Sharnina and I. This was Nic's first long ride and she was very excited at the adventure. The day arrived and just when you think all's well my Landrover had a wobbly which thankfully righted itself without much TLC from a mechanic!
Sharnina was also reluctant to load and had to have someone behind to encourage her in. Horses do what we want them to but, poor things, don't know where they are going when we ride them or load them into transport, so I don't blame the reluctance. We picked up Nic and Hafla at a pit stop in Llangollen.
We were staying our first night at the Orchards in Ticklerton, leaving the trailer and Landrover
there, stopping at Cox's Barn near Bagginswood and Hurst Farm near Bridgenorth, retuning to
Ticklerton for the forth night. I must admit that I was a trifle apprehensive about five foot gates. We
have our evening meal in Church Stretton at the Nags Head currently run owned by Ann at the
Orchards.
We started out soon after breakfast with sandwiches and drinks stowed away. It was 13th June 2008
and what struck us immediately was the aroma coming from the hedgerows! There was lots of
Honeysuckle in bloom, wild roses and other sweet smelling flowers. We saw a variety on different
coloured dragonflies along one stretch of lane. The gardens were all pristine and the houses either
grand or chocolate box pretty and picturesque. What a difference to the uncouth gardens and uncut
verges in North Wales! Some of the bridleways were so overgrown with grass and other herbage we
forded through. How many ride this route? Oh! and what they are missing!
Nic took on the duty of gate opener the first day and, due to sitting in the saddle so much, I had a sore backside, walking like a bandy legged cowboy when I got off! Nic was having problems with mounting as Hafla would start to move as soon as she put a foot in the stirrup. She insisted on mounting from the ground. We eventually found a way of working so that Hafla couldn't do a dance. I held her head whilst on Sharnina nd alongside Hafla. I really don't like the five foot gates!
Dianne welcomed us at Cox's barn and we showered to freshen ourselves after seeing to the horses.In Wales when we ride there are lots of places to find fresh water for the horses. In Shropshire at
that time of year it was bone dry. Sharnina resorted to drinking out of a dirty puddle and Hafla
didn't want to know at all so they welcomed a bucket of water when we arrived at Bagginswood.
We were above the garage again where we could see the horses in the field next door. Dianne gave us a really tasty home cooked evening meal, breakfast and packed lunch.
Day two was different but much of the same aromas and gardens. This time I did some of those dreaded five foot gates. My apprehension was mounting for the last day when I would meet the nemesis gate! Normally I am an intrepid person, but now I really don't like the five foot gates!
Janet at Hurst Farm greeted us by the first gate in the lane by the cattle grid to the farm and went on
to the second to open it. We unsaddled and she showed us where we should put the horses. There
was an old pig in the field, with the sheep, that the horses didn't recognize till he snorted and
grunted. He was the same colour as the sheep! Nic loved him! He had long teeth grown up from the
lower jaw like a hogs, sticking out past his cheeks. I'd hate to see her choice of men!! - sorry Nic
just joking! Sharnina took refuge on the opposite side of Hafla, the wimp, and was having a good
snort, so Janet shooshed him out of the field and everything calmed down. Janet kindly took us to
the local pub for our evening meal after we'd showered and the pub landlady brought us back.
The pub's ginger tom made himself comfortable on my lap – I'm a sucker for cats and can't move when they've made themselves at home on me! He eventually got off of his own accord.
Breakfast was a little earlier. Janet provided us with sandwiches. We saddled up and got going.
Today I insisted on doing the five foot gates. It's funny how you sometimes forget bits of places you've been to but this day was as fresh as a daisy! I really don't like five foot gates! You know when you have butterflies in your stomach and this day they were fluttering gently in mine.
By getting off they were calmed. We had some horse styles to negotiate later (Nic brushed one of these with her leg hard by getting too close to the post) but they were nothing compared to those five foot gates! The countryside rolled on and eventually we came to THE gate and I can proudly say I passed through it, ON FOOT, without any hassle!
Tina, the bit we missed passing through Much Wenlock and the Wenlock Edge was brilliant and we really must do it together. The views in the gaps of trees from the Wenlock Edge were really good.
As luck had it we had good weather all through the ride and we could see a good patchwork of fields from the Edge.
Our final approach back to The Orchards at Ticklerton was down a very steep descent which was
alright in the other direction when we started out, but both horses had realized we were on the home
straight. Hafla was trying to tolt downhill and Sharnina was desperate not to loose sight of her. It's
always the last mile which seems the longest, but the horses were putting their best feet forward and
we arrived elated at doing about sixty six miles! We did some extra mileage when we missed a
track, but what the heck we saw more pretty cottages, flowers and smelt more nice aromas!
I have great respect for five foot gates!