The fourth day dawned and Major Bonner Morris was hosting the Opening Meet of the Tanatside Foxhounds; what a treat to be able to take part with the Monarch and the Hackneys standing quietly in the middle of the meet. With the hounds moving off for their trail hunt so the two coaches began their day’s journey. The weather looked good, this was the day we had warned everyone would be challenging with although a short day in miles (13 miles) ahead of us, long steep hills and steep descents were the order of the day. After the first steep downhill it was all passengers off for the climb I followed the Hackneys and I have to say they excelled themselves, taking the pull at a steady walk and arriving at the top, not blowing and with ears pricked as if admiring the wonderful views that we were treated to at our picnic stop. After lunch it was downhill all the way, the sun had gone and with a steady drizzle making the road surface wet it was time for the drag show to earn its keep. Both the Monarch and Nimrod teams coped brilliantly, the Nimrod particularly so because an unfortunate problem had left one brake out of action, but both arrived at the bottom safely.

  Emily’s Tea Rooms were stabling the horses and the lovely straw beds in the cattle byres were almost as inviting to the horses as the hot tea, cakes and whisky were to the intrepid travellers. Somehow we tottered off to our Hotel and enjoyed a wonderful last dinner with copious toasting and great camaraderie.