Jane Dotchin is an 80-year-old woman.She has been taking an annual trek since 1972 with her pony and dog. The 600-mile trip takes about seven weeks from her home in Hexham, Northumberland, to Inverness.
Diamond is Dotchin’s 13-year-old pack pony, and it was her 4th year joining her on the trek. She is also the 4th generation of the ponies Dotchin has raised over the years.
Dinky is a 10-year-old dog with deformed feet. He likes to sit in the saddlebag on Diamond’s back and watch the world go by.
Dotchin has a patch over one eye and brings whatever she needs with her. She has a tent, food, and some other necessities. The only thing she worries about on busy roads is crossing.
Some drivers do not pay attention to the horses and do not slow down. Diamond can run down the wrong side of the street if she’s scared. Dotchin is confident she can keep her pony at ease.
Dotchin has trouble reading maps because of her eyesight. Since she takes the same route every year, she doesn’t need a map because she knows the way by heart.
Dotchin also enjoys taking the same way because she meets the same lovely and kind people. If anything happens to her, she knows there will always be people around to help.
