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14/05/2024

80-year-old woman completes annual 600-mile trek with her pony and dog
Every year, Jane Dotchin packs her saddlebags and sets off on an epic journey from her home near Hexham, Northumberland, up to Inverness, Scotland.

Since 1972, Jane, 80, has been heading on this annual trip on her 13-year-old horse, Diamond, travelling 600 miles on horseback.

This time, she began her journey on August 31, with her disabled Jack Russell, Dinky, for company as she covers between 15 and 20 miles a day.

The trip sees Jane carrying everything she needs on her back, including her tent, food, and a few key belongings.

After that initial journey, she caught the taste for the open road, and travelled to visit friends near Fort Augustus, near Loch Ness, Highlands, every autumn since.

Her epic journey usually takes around seven weeks, depending on weather, and Jane uses it as a chance to pop in and say hi to people she has met over the years.

She sustains herself on porridge, oatcakes, and cheese, and doesn’t need much electricity as she has an old mobile phone with a battery that lasts six weeks.

08/05/2024

THIS!