Once again we set out for the stables, at least with the recent dry weather the lane to the stables was not as muddy as previously and happily we met no one, as there is only just room for a single vehicle! Once we arrived at the stable car park the dogs were in a state of delirious excitement and piled out of the van racing into the field and on to Blackheath Common where we met a horse and rider who was the only person we met during our entire almost 3 hour walk! The idea was to time our walk to coincide with the steam train passing, it only does this once every 2 or 3 weeks and weneeded to arrive at a specific spot for 2.40, however the common is so vast that there were plenty of new trails to explore and we had a good couple of hours of walking before the train was due to put in an appearance. Some of the bridleways were quite muddy in parts while others were deep sand imprinted with many a hoof print. We came across a clump of wild cyclamen with their delicate pink flowers nestling amongst the tangled grasses. Crossing a pathway both Sara and I managed to trip over a wire which lay undetected some 2 inches from the ground, we both fell and poor little Tambi momentarily got his foot caught beneath the wire. He stood pathetically on three legs and we really though he was injured which would have been bad news as we were a very long way from the vans, however after a good foot rub along with the appropriate sympathetic noises and hobbling on lead for a few moments he made a miraculous recovery which was fortunate as there was no way either of us could have carried him. As the trains appointed time drew closer and we were making our way to the edge of the woods overlooking the fields, a familiar whistle sounded, the train was early! We ran to gain a vantage point, not the one we intended which would have afforded a great view of the oncoming locomotive, but at least we saw the train and I was able to take a photo although not a very good one.
Once back at the stables it was time for Brigg's therapy with horses. Once again I led him into the stable yard to be confronted by several nodding heads over their stable doors. The owner asked Sara to walk one of the horses down to the field as we were going that way to see Hovis, this was great as I was able to walk Brigg behind and beside the moving horse when he was a very good boy. This time we went into the field where Hovis was engrossed in eating his tea of hay, enticed by Sara's handful of carrots he soon walked over for his treat. Brigg who was just a few feet from Hovis just sat and stared, I don't think he was that happy but once again he did not react by barking and I constantly rewarded him with pieces of liver cake. It is obvious that he is afraid of horses as when Hovis walked towards him and was within about 4 ft. of him, Brigg shot round the back of me, but still no barking or sign of aggression so I was well pleased!