To
own a horse is still the dream of many young girls.
Ann Bowes was twenty-three and the mother of three
young children before her dream came true. After the
tragic death of one of her children, Ann became more
involved than ever in charity work, then slowly another
idea began to take shape - to embark on a lifelong
dream - to go on a great adventure on a horse.
Not just any horse. The horse she chose was very special
to her. Dannyboy was bred by Ann and named after the
son she had lost, Dan. Together they embarked on a
journey across Northern England, and Ann’s knowledge
and love of the countryside helped her come to terms
with life, and the inevitable realities we all must
face.
From the first initial steps in planning the ride,
the journey across the country with all its hazards
and joys to the triumphant finish on the east coast,
this book will keep you captivated and you will find
yourself riding along with Ann every mile of the way.
It is an inspiration to all to follow their dreams,
especially those who have been touched by tragedy.
|
| As
featured on 'Dales Diary' with Luke Casey
____
'A
beautiful story of a remarkable journey by a
determined countrywoman'
Nicholas
Rhea
(Author of the 'Constable Books' which inspired
'Heartbeat')
____
'A
spirited, humble and up-lifting celebration of life
adversity, told with great economy and compassion
and full of affection for all living things.'
Richard
Burridge
(Author of 'The Grey Horse')
____
'A
very interesting and enjoyable read'
Bob
Champion
(famous jockey of Grand National winner 'Aldaniti')
|
Foreword from the book by Richard Burridge
Having
known Ann for a few years, I was happy to lend her
my famous horse to help with her cross-country fund-raising
ride. Having known Ann for a few years, I would hardly
have dared refuse.
After she told me she’d written an account of
her ride, I said I’d be happy to look at it.
She dropped off a disc and I put off reading it. I
was busy, you know how it is.
One night I started reading at about 10pm. I finished
after 4 am, mesmerised and enchanted. I felt - I still
feel - privileged to have read a moving, beguiling
story about Yorkshire, about community, about pain
and resilience, a story told with great economy and
compassion, and so full of affection for all living
things that it touched me very deeply.
She paints a picture of England which is both disappearing
and still with us, showing us a life on the moors
through all its varied seasons. From her poor but
idyllic Yorkshire childhood, through the terrible
pain of a loss of a child, her indomitable spirit
shines, making us feel part of something bigger than
ourselves.
Enriched by Linda Tindall-Raw’s beautiful, evocative
illustrations, I believe this is a special book, and
a wider public will respond, like me, to its spirited,
humble and up-lifting celebration of life and adversity,
both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. |
