Clare joins Hannah Engelkamp and her donkey, Chico, for a ramble in the Dyfi Valley a few miles east of Machynlleth in Powys.
On the way Hannah tells Clare about the extraordinary adventure she shared with Chico when they walked 1000 miles around the perimeter of Wales. She did this despite having no previous experience of donkeys, or horses, or any animals really. It took twice as long as she intended and was much harder than she ever imagined. The idea of 'carrot or stick' doesn't work, Hannah says, so the first thing she learned was when a donkey stops you just have to wait and stand and look and wait until the moment seems right to move off again.
Hannah also tells Clare about her involvement with 'Slow Ways'. It’s a Community Interest Company whose aim is to map, improve, and promote walking routes between Britain’s towns, cities and villages.
Clare and Hannah met at Grid Ref: SH 850 027, and walked a section of a Slow Way known as ‘Maccar One’ near Chico’s home at Dyfi Donkey Woods. Maccar One is 23 miles long and connects Machynlleth with Carno. Slow Ways are named for the first three letters of the place at either end of a route e.g. Mac for Machynlleth and Car for Carno.
Presenter: Clare Balding Producer: Karen Gregor
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Cressida Cowell in West Sussex
Stained Glass in Minsmere with Arabella Marshall
Walking in Sound: Ellie Williams in North Somerset
Big Cats! Rick Minter in Gloucestershire
Reading the Landscape with Mary-Ann Ochota: Pegsdon Hills
From Solicitor to Sculptor: Simon Gudgeon in Dorset
Oscar winner Gareth Ellis-Unwin on his local riverside route in Berkshire
Anneka Rice on the Thames Path in London
Anita Rani on Hackney and Walthamstow Marshes
Beachcombing on the Isle of Sheppey
Buckinghamshire with Professor David Wilson
Barry Farrimond, who plays Ed Grundy, on Dartmoor
The Mendips with Professor Alice Roberts
Gloucestershire with Dom Joly
Joyful Highlights Part 6: Extreme Walking
Joyful Highlight Part 5: Walking Advice
Joyful Highlights Part 4: Singers & Writers
Joyful Highlights Part 3: Landscape
Joyful Highlights Part 2: Health and Happiness
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