We assembled on Sat 23 July at The Stables, Callaly Castle. The ten horses all arrived from different quarters and were grouped into 4 compartments made from electric tape putting stable mates together and hoping they wouldn’t kick the hell out of each other. We needn’t have worried as by the end of the first days riding they were all too tired to think of such things. In the evening we all went to Alnwick Castle for a dinner and talk in aid of the charity. Richard Holmes was to speak and indeed ride with us but sadly died suddenly in April, so Alasdair Hutton, the voice of the Edinburgh Tattoo gave us a fine talk on the Reivers.

Sunday 24 July. We set off on our first days riding saying farewell to our kind hosts at Callaly, Richard and Diane Bateson, they had been so kind. We were guided by Sue Haughie, the local Cadet Commandant, and a local endurance riding expert, Sue Rogers. They were brilliant in ensuring we rode the best possible way across the Cheviots. This was probably the best days riding we had as the views, the going and the weather were sublime. We were joined by a few others including Neil Ewart on a small unshod fell pony, who was expert at opening gates and was named “The Trumpeter”. The day was over all too quickly and we were met by our hosts for the evening, Tom and Kate Crosby Dawson. They had everything arranged including a party for 50 for friends and farmers who allowed us to ride over their land the next day. How generous they all were as they made a collection which raised £800.

Monday 25 July. Fortunately it was a late start for a large group of locals who joined us on our route to Flodden for which we were duly attired. Kate guided us to the sacred ground where her brother and owner, Lord Joicey greeted us. Once more Alasdair Hutton told the story of this epic battle to the sound of “Flowers of the Forest”. A party of about 80 joined us for a picnic and a TV crew bore witness to the occasion. And then On! On! to Coldstream to be welcomed to Scotland in fine style. That night we were well looked after by Fred and Cilla Wills at Leitholm, all horses sound and the riders a few sore backsides!

Tuesday 26 July. We ride in costume accompanied by another General, Charles Ramsay who took us via his private polo ground. After a sharpener we were on our way once more to Kelso where the Provost gave us a hearty welcome. Then through the lovely grounds of Floors Castle for a picnic and the lucky fording of the mighty Tweed at Upper Floors. Guided once more by an expert, Polly Fraser we made it via a pretty route to Mounthooly the home of Colin and Cynthia Hogg. No holes barred here as we were all treated to a banquet of great proportion. Sore heads replace sore bottoms but 9 ½ horses sound.

Wednesday 27 July. No late start sadly as we have a busy schedule. Jamie Scott is our cavalry guide to Ancrum Moor where Alistair Moffat gives a fascinating talk on battle and era. Then we make a halt with a huntsman and retired headmaster Clive Ashby who plies us with Pimms and good humour. Then we have to make haste to Selkirk our very own local scout, Patience Anderson gets us “to the Church on time” so we can charge a jolly crowd of borough and Strang-Steels at Philiphaugh . Another jolly evening thinning our blood once more ensues whilst the horses graze on the hillside. All are still friends and so are we!

Thursday 28 July. We ride over the hill to Melrose skilfully avoiding traffic and urban sprawl thanks to kind folk who let us traverse. At Melrose rain threatens but not before a welcome from piper and Provost. But news has spread! Timothy Taylors is on tap and straightway our two brewers make haste to taste. We make a proper halt at the Kostoris’s who generously ply us with a great fare whilst it rains “fair proper”. The next phase is to Lauder and we are guided by Tony, no mean trainer of horses, who takes note when Charles Dent momently and momentously loses control of his Galway steed and jumps a 6 foot wall, wire and all. At Lauder Bunny and Snippet greet us in time for a “proper do”, pipes, drums, hysterical talk, champagne and the rain. Our hosts Bunny and Rozzie had been quite wonderful.

Friday 29 July. We set off with a few locals and the weather is kind to us, it is dry if a little dull. The huntsman of the Lauderdale takes us on our way over the Lammermuirs, a beautiful area but does not really compare with the Cheviots. Today we are joined by Jessie and Corinna Holmes, a poignant reminder of what might have been. At the summit the sun appears as if to announce lunch, produced once more by Cally Arkell assisted by Lizzie Holmes. Then we make haste for Linplum where Provost and McDougals give us a hearty welcome. Horses still on form with 9/10 fit for parade. One more evening of fun and laughter and how much we thank Carlie and Douglas McDougal.

Saturday 30 July. And so for the last sad day; it has been such fun. We march back to the Lammermuirs following Francis Bakker, a vet and horse dentist from Holland. A beautiful day if interrupted by an extraordinary sight of 100 wind turbines. So we arrive at Spott where the two Battles of Dunbar are viewed with local historian Stephen Bunyan. Lars and Charlotte Foghsgaard, our hosts are kind to a fault and prepare us for the Ceilidh in the Belhaven fruit farm. What fun this was and many a reel danced till dawn, well not quite for we were weary after our week. A week in which we had had 10 mentions in local newspapers, 4 live radio interviews and 2 TV coverages. We had also raised in excess of £65k and maybe more when we can count it all.

Thanks To One And All. We thank all those who have contributed in some way to this event, either those who made generous contributions to the Fund or who put us up and put up with us or who guided us and who gave wise advice. We have all taken the charity forward in the Borders and I hope we can now build on this. Thank you all.