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Small Steps with a Big Mission for Water Saving Week!!
This week is water saving week and Terena Plowright, her miniature horses and three sheepdogs are walking the length of the South Downs to highlight the problems caused by wasting water, and to raise money for ‘Save the Children’.
‘I have been so lucky preparing for this’ said Terena ‘everyone has been really supportive and I must thank Lee the Blacksmith at The Forge in Petersfield for making this little cart for George to pull, it is all so exciting’. Terena’s dogs are retired and getting on and so they can jump into the cart if they feel a need for a break.
The 100 mile walk will take Terena right across the top of the Downs which is the big natural water storage for the surrounding areas. ‘Right under my feet will be where our water has collected for 1000’s of years ‘ said Terena ‘it seems as if there is masses there, but then you look at all the towns and villages either side of the Downs and you begin to realise the problem – thousands and thousands of people using it’. Terena is worried that the huge amount of water being used by all the people living around the South Downs will make the water table drop. She thinks that if the water becomes scarce it will affect the level of water in rivers, this will then affect our wildlife and the beautiful countryside that we so value. ‘It is fascinating to think that cleaning and moving water uses energy and then we only use 1% of the water for drinking and cooking – what a waste!!’ said Terena ‘We must value this resource for the sake of our children’.
The walk is raising money for ‘Save the Children’ because how we behave now will affect children in the future. The tribe will also be joined by filmmaker Pasha du Valentine who is going to record the adventure to highlight the beauty of the South Downs but also interpret their plight.
Terena is passionate about the Downs as she thinks that it is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world which needs to be cared for, and part of this care needs to take place in our homes by saving water. ‘The Downs are full of our history’ said Terena ‘a place we can find out secrets about our past, and I am sure that my working dogs will enjoy treading in the footsteps of their ancestors!!’
If you would like to go up onto the Downs and see Terena and the gang, she will be walking from 20th – 27th July (see opposite for route, dates and times), and if you would like to sponsor the walk please go to: www.justgiving.com/terenaplowright.
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I would like to thank those that made this walk possible -
..... My relentless friends Splash, Swift and Wocki the dogs.
...... My brave little heros George and Matilda who pushed themselves so hard for as long as they could.
.....Cat and Mark who were the support team and who looked after Splash and the horses when they were 'beyond it' and who provided the much enjoyed company along so much of the distance.
..... Pasha who tried so very hard ....... your tears are now part of the Downs.
......Sarah from Daltons who came along with 'Big' the horse to lift my spirits just as I needed it when I had just left Pasha.
......John Adams for keeping the website updated and providing the technical know how - you star!!
......Kate and Molly the dog for your company and support and for making me laugh.
......Andrew at Elstead for the accommodation and for getting the horses home safe and sound.
..... The Hostel at The Sustainability Centre and Hazel for accommodation.
..... Ian at Leydene Gardens for the horse accommodation.
........... but also to all those people who gave donations to ' Save the Children' (www.justgiving.com/terenaplowright <http://www.justgiving.com/terenaplowright> ) ...... thank you!!
We have already received over £506.45 in donations towards our £1000 target, which is amazing so please keep it coming, Save the Children really do deserve it!!
Go to www.justgiving.com/terenaplowright
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South Downs Way Walk
This is where I am walking across the South Downs. If you are wanting to get out into the fresh air for a day and have a laugh, various people are joining me at various times. I leave to start walking at 10am on Monday the 20th of July.
View July South Downs Walk in a larger map
Latest Update
Swift the dog has developed arthritis and so George the horse is pulling her in a little trailer so she does not get left behind!! George’s trailer is being made now and he is training over the weekend in its use!! Wish him luck. ( That didn't quite work out as planned, George broke the cart during training and Swift has so far, proved to be one of the most able walkers.)
If you want to join us we will be delighted to see you for parts of the walk but please please make sure you bring water and appropriate clothing with you. the places highlighted in red are very easy to book accommodation. If you want to check our position during the day or ETA please call 07918941398.
20th Leave cheesefoot head near Winchester about 9am
Staying at The Sustainability Centre near East Meon GU32 1HR – good camping facilities!!
(picture SDW1 by John Adams) Nearing the end of Day1. Terena and Pasha admire the view from Salt Hill before the final decent of the day down to the Sustainability Centre.
21st Leave Sustainability Centre between 8am and 9am
Stopping for lunch at QE Park (on the A3) at about 12 noon.
Stopping for light snack near the car park on Harting Down.
Staying overnight at a place yet to be determined near Elstead. All offers welcome.
(picture SDW2 by John Adams) Day2 walking with friends. Terena and Pasha are joined by Cat, Mark and Paul, plus their dogs, for what turned out to be a very wet days walk from the Sustainability to Elstead.
22nd Leave Elstead area between 8am and 9am
Hillbarn near the A286 has water tap and trough
Stopping for lunch at Gaffam Down
Staying at Gumber Bothy – you will need to book early to join us!!
(picture SDW3 by Mark Beaumont) Nearing the end of Day 2 in the rain. Day3 has seen a spate of retirements with both the horses George and Mitilda, the oldest collie Splash, and fellow walker Pasha having to pull out. Terena and the two other collies Swift and Woki and carrying on.
23rd Leave Gumber Bothy between 8am and 9am
Lunch in Houghton
Staying at Washington Campsite
(picture SDW4 by Mark Beaumont) Day 4. Best day so far for sunshine. Terena was once again joined by Cat and Mark for the days walk. Terena reports wonderful views and good company. Her eldest collie Splash came back for the day and it's hoped that the two horses George and Mitilda will be fit to rejoin by the weekend. Pasha is resting her leg and may be able to rejoin later.
24th Leave Washington Campsite
Botholphs water tap
Lunch at Truleigh Hill
Staying at Pyecombe
(picture SDW5 by Mark Beaumont) Day 5.
25th Leave Pyecombe
Lunch near Kingston
Staying near Blackcap farm (by private arrangement)
This is near the parking on top of the Downs near Firle.
(picture SDW6 by Terena Plowright, taken a few days earlier, with Pasha and the dogs sleeping in a barn with the horses.) Day 6. Walking with Kate today. A lovely sunny walk except for falling into foxholes and being chased by cows. Dogs still managing well.
26th Leave Firle
Lunch in Alfreston
Staying in Jevington
(picture SDW7 by Terena Plowright). Day 7.What a fantastic day and yet again I had great company provided by my friend Kate. We stopped at a wonderful tea shop in Alfriston and I ate for 100 people - cream tea, of course!! Amazing views and some wonderful shapes in the hills - no-one can describe this stuff - everyone should do this walk ........ it is perfect heaven!!
27th Leave Jevington
End walk at Beachy Head!!
(picture SDW8 by Terena Plowright). Day 8. I have to say that this has been the best holiday of my entire life. I have spent time with fantastic friends, time alone for reflection and wonder and have seen the most beautiful views that I believe exist on this planet. The South Downs may not be as dramatic as Scotland, or other parts of the world but they hold the wonder of our history. As I have walked I have seen places where our ancestors are buried in Bronze age burial mounds, I have seen places where flint was mined, and I have walked on drove roads where shepherds moved their flocks of sheep. My feet have walked in the footsteps of those that made this landscape. As I stepped off the foot of the South Downs Way, my heart leaped as I had completed my challenge, but I felt a deep deep sadness to be leaving those perfect and wonderful hills.
Origninally the South Downs and North Downs were the edges of a huge hill. Over time the weather and rivers have worn the hill away until the centre is flat, creating the Weald and only the edges remain to make the hills that today we recognise as so special. Today, many people wander the South Downs and people choose to live beside their splendeor, but we are the very factors that place them in jeopardy. We are wearing them down and scaring them with our feet, our bikes and our roads......... but worse than this we are draining the very life out of them by overusing the water that we take from beneath their surface. If we are not careful we will push the Downs to their limit, the water table will drop and the rivers will dramatically reduce their flow. Wildlife and plants will be in danger.
If there is one thing I have learnt whilst walking ......... nature should be respected and loved . but most of all 'cared for'!!
The South Downs Way - what a fantastic journey, what a pure delight, a place of wonder ........ I know I will return soon.
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