Dastardly Drive.  Devon  July 07

Dastardly driving

The Great Western Harness Club and the weekend of 16/17^th June produced lucky weather for some 25 driven turnouts in South Devon, who congregated from afar to camp on Anne Walters-Symons’ rolling fields overlooking the sea.  Rain and thunder rolled over our tents and lorries overnight but the mornings were heralded by a dawn chorus of larks and horses.

Young Toby Bolton (cob) and I had the best time of our lives!  My old friend (scared of horses!) turned into a new groom ‘for a laugh’ which turned into an adrenaline rush and I don’t think we stopped laughing all weekend.

Saturday’s drive (10/15 miles) over the Flete Estate, through all sorts of terrain up and down some good hills, brought us down to cross the Erme estuary and a sparkling expanse of sea and sand.  Toby had always been a little cautious of water but on this wonderful occasion he just threw himself in and went for it.  It was so exhilarating; although groom and picnic were drenched, we all dried and picnicked on Mothecombe beach and returned festooned with seaweed.

In the evening GWHC members prepared a huge barbeque with music and dancing in the marquee afterwards, thanks to Kate Fincham-Powell and her merry men.

Sunday’s drive (20 miles) took us around the old Revelstoke carriage drive, through some breathtaking scenery from Noss Mayo over the cliff tops and down through estuarine fishing villages.

None of the equines looked tired or sweating, so well planned were the routes. All the drivers were smiling and happy as if the sun had shone upon the righteous and somehow we had missed the rain.

Congratulations and grateful thanks are due to Margi Hawkins and her splendid team of organisers and landowners, who kindly let us roam their estates.

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