Carriage driver makes 870-mile journey

A carriage driver has travelled 870 miles from Reims to Rome to raise money for charity.

Ancient route

Ann Bishop’s journey took her along the Via Francigena, which is an ancient road and pilgrim route running from France to Italy.

Her transport came in the guise of an appaloosa called Pebbles, Samson a Welsh Section C, and gypsy cob Captain Jack Sparrow. The horses took it in turns to pull the specially adapted carriage, supplied by Bennington Carriages.

It carried food, water, medical supplies, grooming and camping equipment.

There was a solar panel to power lights on the carriage, a USB port and a cigarette lighter for charging Ann’s iPad and small fridge.

Tough journey

Ann also travelled with friend Francesca Sirrett, while her cousin, son and his friends formed the support team.

They set off from Reims on 1 September 2014 and arrived in Rome – where Ann was born and raised – on 24 October.

It was a tough journey, particularly through Italy, which was “constant climbing”.

“At one point we’d climbed over 1800m in 60km,” she said. “ There was very little grass for the horses and it was over 30 degrees on most days.

“The mosquitos and flies were also a menace. Tuscany was particularly tough. Really exhausting.”

Italian hospitality

At one point it looked like the journey would have to be abandoned because of Samson’s shoes wearing down. “Because the horses usually go barefoot, and they’d been shod especially for this journey, I hadn’t anticipated this problem,” said Ann. “I realised he needed special shoes.”

Luckily, they found to farrier at a local fair who knew just what Samson needed. He made the shoes and fitted them, but refused to take any money.

This was typical of the Italian hospitality they experienced on their trip – with many locals offering them free accommodation. After one very wet and windy day in Altopascio, they discovered there were no rooms at the pilgrim hostel.

Raising funds

“This car just drew up and a chap got out and said ‘come and stay with my family’,” said Ann. “He opened up his garden for the horses and gave us a bedroom to sleep in. They fed us and at 10pm made us a cake to take on our onward journey.”

While Ann said the journey was a ‘fantastic experience’ her main aim was to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society. Her mother developed dementia and died in 2006, and her father has been recently diagnosed with the disease.

You can help Ann reach her target of £3,500 via her JustGiving page. To read more about her journey visit Ann’s blog or her Facebook Page.