Day 35, 9th June

It was going to be a long day so I set the alarm for 5.30 in order to set off in good time in the morning... and it was raining... a lot. In the end, I got out of the tent at just before seven and packed up as quickly as possible while it still rained a little bit off and on, but generally looked as if it might be a more cheerful day.

We made it off at nine o'clock, went back into the outskirts of Keswick and headed over to the A66 leading north and stayed parallel to it on the small roads most of the day.

In a way it was sad to leave the Lake District so suddenly. The scenery was wonderful and the weather was even nice. The Cumbria Way did continue further north as a bridleway and looked less extreme, but I could not bring myself to try it with the ponies and was somewhat looking forward to getting to my brother's house near Carlisle and having the three days off that we had planned.

During a short time that we were going along the path next to the A66, a lady pulled up in her car and got out to give each pony a carrot and me some money for the charities – so nice of her and the ponies were very glad for the change in taste.

My brother and his wife caught up with us by following our route backwards at just before four o'clock and they also brought us all some treats; doggie treats, carrots for the horses and some very tasty oat cakes for me. Oh, the joy of eating something sweet... and to be able to do it knowing it would all be walked off again! :o) I got to stand on the scales the next morning and found I had lost a kilo per week on the way, so I suppose I have found the ideal diet. Forget all these complicated food changes and leaving out things you like, just go walkies all day long and it will happen automatically.

We could get rid of the luggage for the last six miles, which was a treat, especially for Dino, and did some trot whenever possible. After five weeks of nothing but a calm walk, they really seemed to enjoy it and found it refreshing.

The ponies immediately felt at home in their new place and surely enjoyed the rest – though when I went to see them the next day, they came to me immediately, followed me to the gate when I left and waited there for quite a while. Let nobody say my horses do not like travelling!