Journeys End!

We began our life changing journey to Andalucia in southern Spain on the last day of the month in January 2005. After a dull and hitch-free sale of our home in the UK, we were excited and optimistic about the long journey ahead. Just to add to the mix, we were in an old Bedford TK horsebox in which we were transporting our two Shetland ponies on the road, Amos & Gracie and our Border collie dog, Billy. Our pre trip preparation were all gone well. The animals were all shownchipped and vaccinated according to the rules pass, and we had on display in our possession of their medical health of our local veterinarian only the day before.

I think if we were in advance away from our village in Lincolnshire, where we lived six years that I rode sad or angry, but I was incredibly happy and just looking for our new life. We had our trip with military precision, and gave a fortune on a state of the art laptop PC with the latest edition of the "auto install route" would at least be responsible for the navigation does not fall on me. Part of our master plan has not been in Paris during rush hour, not to have all the mountain roads and highways to be as much as possible.

After some time we say goodbye to our son and daughter and her partner, we checked that the ponies were warm and food and water for at least the first leg of the journey> Dover Calais, where we always were on the ferry. The horse box seemed very slow driving, but of course the weight of the pony, a container full of bales of hay and water, we had a lot of our stuff with us, despite all our furniture went into storage. The plan was that if we achieved our objective, we would much time looking for the ideal property for our future to spend. We were in a rural house that had been madeCountry where we ponies' long-term grazing can we look while.

The weather was typical for the end of January and as we traveled further south into the early evening rain began to drizzle as well. We were on the M20 motorway in Maidstone in Kent and is making good progress, when suddenly there was an almighty bang and we were happy bridged. At first we thought it was a flat tire on the back, and we looked at our side-view mirror, but could see nothing.Alan indicated and pulled over to the hard shoulder, on our four-way flashers and got out of the cab. Within one second or two, he pulled open the door, and called me to the phone for an ambulance, police and fire departments. How do I dial to 999 I started, jumped from the cab to see what had happened, I was able to tell the emergency services. I went to the back of a horse box and froze in horror to see Alan in his vest on the highway waving it around hisHead and tried to oncoming traffic that there is an obstacle on the inside lane Alert. At the same time the operator asked me what had happened. It was hard to describe how it all happened so fast. She told me that services all the way, and to my relief, I could already hear sirens in the distance. Another car had pulled over to help, and a man came to me and asked if I was OK, but I could only nod and ask him to go, and to help Alan.

There was a smallCars with front-end so bad that Alan was trying to climb through the back of the driver to get hit. He was unable to catch even if the driver was so strong, and he was clearly unconscious, he could not be moved. Fortunately, the fire department arrived at this point and took over and told Alan to go into the barn to sit with me. We were both pretty shocked and I felt a bit sick. Alan said the driver was in a bad way, and maybe even have beenDeath. It seems the car was so fast that in the back of our horse carriage, respectively. It was difficult to believe that the car is not a small gasoline engine, as I thought, but an Opel Vectra, a large and powerful vehicle. After about one hour, the driver cut from the car and was taken away by ambulance. At that time we were about how the ponies were affected, and realized we had two very mild whiplash. We are on the inside of the hard shoulder and tried toUnlock the side door so we could get and see how things were, but the door does not open. It was crumpled as the car ran into us, and the only other way was by the slope at the back. But we wondered how that would be damaged as a result of the effect. The police came to talk to us and said we could not get a car, the horse box as it is now our no rear license plate was torn off and riding. We have our concerns about the ponies, but was told that we do not try toback on the highway, escaped with the ponies, even thought they partitions. We obviously do not know if they're safe. Police said Alan simply pull forward a bit to see if the horse-powered field, and they would collapse in a recreation yard where the damage can be verified escort. A patrol car arrived before us and the others left with their emergency lights on, and we were on the highway at the next crossroads, accompanied by a recoveryVehicle waiting for us their whole hand. Until then, the shock of what happened hit me and suddenly I had to go and throw themselves behind a tree! We thought about the driver and asked the policeman, as he was, and was told that he was really not good and they do not have much for his survival.

We were close to a local collapse of the Court, behind fences, so we took the opportunity to try to get the ponies. Finally, with much help from the police andBreakdown guys we managed to down the slope, and our great relief, both ponies appeared unharmed, but a bit warm! We have them off and went to them and let them have a good long drink, then they tied a few trees.

We had a very welcome cup of tea in the office and sat down with the police to make statements about what happened. The police believed that the driver was traveling at high speed and had fallen asleep at the wheel and slammed into us. The carHood had disappeared into the back of the stall with the impact, but we are still moving at the time had moved so that the inside lane of the highway when we had pulled the emergency lane.

We were not sure what happens next - we could continue our journey, or we would temporarily our noble plans? About three hours later by a clock, the division said that man, he passed up and down the back, had joined a few light bulbsand a new number for the rear. He also had a rear tire change, if it had been slightly damaged, and we should come back tomorrow after lunch for a replacement target. During our wait we call the local Holiday Inn and a room for one night, because apparently we were not able to proceed at this time. We invited back the ponies and went around in the hotel car park and went to some very much needed sleep. When we woke up, showered and then wewhile I ordered us both breakfast, Alan went to check on the ponies and Billy for a walk. We both felt better, and were optimistic that we take the ferry after lunch, but while driving the horse box back to the collapse of the court, a warning light began flashing on the dashboard. We stayed as we had to walk around the corner and the brakes seemed fine. When the mechanic inspected the light, he tried the brakes, no fault found, and suggestedHe combines the light he did and then after inserting the spare, we drove, thanked everyone for their help.

We were both so happy to get on the ferry without any problems, and in fact the process of getting on the ferry was pretty straightforward, but we wore cattle. No one asked for their pet passports or other documents to see, and we were beckoned to the weigh bridge as a receipt confirming that we are far below our 7.5 tonne6.9 tons. Once aboard the ferry, we had something to eat and sat and relaxed for the rest of the trip short, and Calais, we took the ferry from the port, and finally I have the feeling that we really on our way!

We finally reached Paris - at a time when we did not want to be there, with heavy traffic, and the main A1 route through deduction, but no where! We found ourselves in a circle around a few times and then just took all the old ferry to somewheretry and get our bearings. Finally we got back on track, round the long way and found ourselves in the direction of Orléans on the highway. There was a toll road in front of us, and the French police officer made routine stops. We went in the direction of a track that were swinging through the traffic as they did - and got pulled over! We had enough trouble to learn Spanish along the way, without trying and do not understand French! All I knew was what I had learned in school more than fortyYears, I'd probably say my name, ask how are you and what is time? A female officer pointed us to the weight of the bridge and of course we knew we were OK - after all we had to prove at the entrance of the ferry. She asked to see our car papers, and seemed with great difficulty drawing up the axle weight of the horse box. They started talking, that the vehicle was too heavy and was always excited when we continue to point out the figures on the documents. Danwould apply to all animals, our passports and other documents that we had, how the car insurance green card. At that time we had about half hour, and by other vehicles, until a male officer, she waved to the side, and pointed to various pieces of information about the documents. The woman came back, all of us put our papers and waved us through. Without waiting to be told twice, we were not looking back.Only if we continue for some time, and I had all the paperwork again put in a certain order, I realized that she had not given us back Billy dogs pet passports down! There was no way we were back!

Sleeping in the cab of the horse carriage proved another challenge. It was cramped, cold and uncomfortable, but fortunately we did not do too often!

We slow progress down through France, mainly due to the fact that the highway had decidedignore all of its programming and seemed intended to us every mountain slope and in France. As we approached Claremont Ferrand, I could see Alan was always tense, but believed that the long journey began its full toll, as he did all the driving. The weather was colder the further we go south, but that was at the height of the fact that we also travel to a higher. We stopped and rested for a short time and then, wonderingIf we are ever to Spain. It was dark and we started downhill to go, that was a relief for the poor to the horse box fight every time we came to a hillside just as suddenly in the distance was a vast expanse of bright lights all in a row the distance. We had no idea, it's time, but we were actually in Millau, where the world's longest suspension bridge built and opened not long ago. It was amazing to go on, and there was no other road in sight. Hadwe would be in a better mood, we wanted to get out and shoot this magnificent view. It's a shame it was at night, although that in itself a sight.

It was after the tour of Toulouse, that things are seriously wrong, as we approached the mountains of Carcassonne. At the time I was sleeping, so I'll tell you next time by Alan. We were driving south, and climb again. It was night, pitch black and raining slightly. Ifwe started coming back down, Alan depressed the brakes, and his foot went - nothing happens! He furiously pumped the brakes and managed to get a little crowded. So, in order to attract more brakes, he was revving the engine to get the air pressure in the air brake, slowing down when using the handbrake. We were racing down when the road began to narrow, and there was more traffic. The road started to become more liquidation, said Alan had the added problem ofwill try to sharper turns and everything else that was impossible with one hand steer. Suddenly, as we came around a curve to the left, there was building for us, with a chicane and a crossover to the other lane. Alan like this, while still working for the brakes to go with any form of pressure is great to keep negotiating! At various points, he said it felt like the horse box was about a tip on its side was leaning so far. As he said later, thewas a good job I was asleep when it happened, because he definitely has not been able, with my cry and cope! We're through the worst of all, when I awoke to the smell of burnt rubber, and could not believe what Alan told me that had just happened. I soon realized what he meant when he showed me that we still have no brakes. He said he thought they were a bit vague, as we were traveling, but then thought maybe they were just started getting a little worn. We have moved onIn a run-down petrol station forecourt, and just slept. Poor Alan's nerves were in tatters as a surprise. We woke up early in the morning cold and hungry, so Alan tries to brake, but even though it was a bit crowded, it is not possible, far away, until she had some attention. We limped along the road very slowly and came to Perpignan. It was a major industrial area and we thought we might have a workshop or a garage, find could help us. Wefound a few, but of course the people we managed to communicate with, not only because the British and had no spare parts, but also because of his age to handle. We had to find someone who would help, because it was dangerous to drive any distance if things were this way. Printed, we went across the street to the other part of the estate to another garage with the parking brake slowly available when the car passed us, and then pulledFront and stopped. I do not know how we do not run into them!

A lady got out and went through my side window and I just had to give her a mouthful, when an English voice said: "Need help? I had kissed her!

She said she had seen her husband and we could not hobbling around the Industrial Park and knew we could speak French, and very soon her husband (he was actually German) managed to determine that there is no hope for us. We explained that weour way to Spain, but apparently not in our car in its current state. Now, I do not believe in a God, but I believe in destiny. Should we have done something good in our lives, because without them to save us, I do not know what we did. Bless these dear people - they took us back in their home, which fortunately only about 5 km from where we were, and they also had horses. Her daughter is an international event riders and our little ponies thought she was in heaven, whereThey were finally pushed into a nice fenced paddock full of fresh grass. They rolled around and jumped when she was imprisoned for years - they seemed to have to do them, if we had them regularly while driving.

Later in the morning Franz & Alan had a look to see what the problem was and were surprised that the brake pipes on each side were divided. Not too much, but every time the brake was pressed, the brake fluidLeakage, and because it was slow, so we are able to travel as far as we could! In hindsight, on through the car ran into the back of our pipes. That was probably what the warning light on the dashboard was warning us.

After hours looking for someone to repair or replace the pipes would, it was clear that this was not possible. We spent hundreds of dollars and hours on the phone trying to get in touch with our UK insurance company to do something to sortout. Needless to say, that was a waste of time even after extra money to cover the European green card and travel specific horse, we ended up with nothing from them. We looked at other options such as renting a car from France to Spain, or a transport company to do for us, but none of these were viable options. It would be cheaper to just buy another car, but what would we do with Bedford? Eventually, after much haggling, FranzWe sold one of his stables and gave our old chicken coop and his hens! The Merc was so luxurious compared to the Bedford, and I was really excited to go in her. It was in good mechanical condition, and only had a new clutch fitted about six months earlier. We have a very pleasant rest of the afternoon and evening with our new friends, and spent the night in their guest house to have dinner in a localBistro.

The next morning we were up early, the Bedford contents in a Mercedes, the ponies set to load (which were understandably reluctant) and the rest of our trip.

Perpignan is about 60 km from the Spanish border, and as we could about them, we were grateful that we finally do. We started with a further toll, and as Alan to move away, we realized that there is a problem. The clutch was slipping very badly, and justinteresting, so we moved in a spinning just off the road. When we did this, a uniformed man came to us and spoke a little English, and we explain what happened and asked if it was OK to park it for us until we could sort something. He was very helpful and even called the Mercedes dealer to come to us. He suggested that we move from the fringes and straps her to a tree where they graze, while you wait could. We called Frank and told him what happened and he assured us he had receivedfor the link, and it is guaranteed for one year. He arranged to come to the pony and the pony trailer and collect me and bring us back to France. When we finished talking, a white minibus pulled alongside us, and a number of uniformed and armed policemen got out. Then we realized that we parked at the entrance to the headquarters of the national terrorist police! What happened next was quite surreal. Some of the officers had mobile phones with cameras and they took it alternatelyPose next to this little Shetland pony, standing, arms folded and grinning into the camera. You even pick handful of grass feed! One of them was a female officer and she looked like something out of a Sly Stallone movie - long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, dark wraparound sunglasses and chewing gum. I do not want to argue with her! After a short time, they all returned to their mini-bus and drove into the compound. It must have beenTwenty minutes later, an alarm is triggered, and the same mini-bus speeds past us back outside, parked in front of the toll and threw spikes in the street. Then drew their weapons and took care of the toll booths are now closed. All I could do that when they started shooting, the ponies could be hurt, think, Alan, and I urged them back into the horse box when the car came by and supervised by the toll. There were four men of MoroccanAdvocacy in the vehicle and they were dragged by four armed officers and thrown to the ground. While all this was going on, I was for the video camera to film all users. Then I thought, maybe not a good idea!

The men had their hands tied behind their backs with plastic ties and stood in a row. Your vehicle was torn apart - everything came out, including the seats, but obviously not what it was for us to find. One of the men made a comment aboutthe policeman for him. She pulled her gun and uses the target it hit him full in the face. At this point I was convinced we were all be slain! I stayed behind the horse carriage, all the while still trying to see what was happening. After a few minutes all the men from the police and let them go without another word. After reaction this story to a Spanish friend some time later he said that is standard practice in the terrorist police - and noOne argues with them!

We were just about the excitement and bustle of the whole, if the same mini-bus pulled beside us again, and the officers got back with another game with the ponies!

Franz and distribution Mercedes people were at the same time, and we left our temporary parking. I was so relieved!

Alan went to the horse carriage, and I went back to Perpignan and then came back and collected Alan Francis and brought it back. Allhappened on a Friday, so we did not expect to see the car again until Monday or possibly Tuesday get. We had a nice weekend to relax and chill. A little shopping always works for me. On Monday morning we got a phone call to say, the horse box was ready for collection - along with a bill for nearly a thousand euros. We explained that it was under warranty, only to learn that in France. Once again we had the money, but should pay for the first time - and we nevergot him back!

Well, that's almost the end of our story - except that ... Our journey had lasted so long that the accommodation we had booked months earlier been given to someone else!

Update four years. Alan & I are happy in our small farm on the outskirts of the village of Fuente Vera settled. Amos and Gracie, together with seven other horses and Alan runs a riding school and horse riding holiday, like our three-bedroom cave home accommodationfor our guests. We live in a small house we had built on the site.

We also use the cave home for self-catering family holiday. After our busy start of our life in Spain, we have now settled in life and have many friends here in our little village. The children of the village to come and ride our horses when we are guests and we let the small pool, because the village does not own. Alan was a bit scared when he was rushed to hospital for a tripleHeart by-pass surgery, but the treatment and the hospitals here were fantastic and looked after him very well. He has now fully recovered and is driving for five weeks after the operation, much to his dismay consultant.

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