Post by joe on Jun 10, 2010 11:27:39 GMT
Four donkeys are currently being trained ready for a trek across the six districts of Gloucestershire this summer.
'As I Walked Out…' is an eight-week journey with four donkeys, chickens, carts, children, young people and nationally commissioned artists and writers travelling on foot across the entire county.
The route begins at Horsley near Nailsworth on 21 June and will take in parts of Gloucestershire including Chalford, South Cerney, Cheltenham, Twigworth and Gloucester.
The trek will finish at Blakeney in the Forest of Dean in mid-August.
It is part of the QUEST - seven journeys through the landscapes of the South West - a region-wide programme for the Cultural Olympiad.
Archie the donkey will be pulling a cart with a solar panel attached to it for the animals' electric fence.
The cart itself cleverly doubles as a shelter with specially designed shaft poles becoming tent poles and all the humans will have their own tents!
The cart, saddles and panniers have been handmade and preparations for campsites along the route are being finalised, but the biggest challenge is to get the donkeys fit and ready.
When they arrived in Gloucestershire, they were quite naughty, according to project manager Sarah Blowers.
She said: "They're much better behaved now and luckily Cheeky Chester has recovered from his terror of puddles, although we still have a little way to go with Merlin, who gets a bit worried about road signs."
However, with three to four hours of training every day, Sarah is confident that all four donkeys will be prepared for anything by the beginning of the project.
You, too, are being encouraged to get involved.
In each district, there are designated public camps at which there will be art workshops and guided walks as well as a fun camp on the Saturday night.
Full details of how to get involved are on the As I Walked Out website.
news.bbc.co.uk/local/gloucestershire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8718000/8718610.stm
'As I Walked Out…' is an eight-week journey with four donkeys, chickens, carts, children, young people and nationally commissioned artists and writers travelling on foot across the entire county.
The route begins at Horsley near Nailsworth on 21 June and will take in parts of Gloucestershire including Chalford, South Cerney, Cheltenham, Twigworth and Gloucester.
The trek will finish at Blakeney in the Forest of Dean in mid-August.
It is part of the QUEST - seven journeys through the landscapes of the South West - a region-wide programme for the Cultural Olympiad.
Archie the donkey will be pulling a cart with a solar panel attached to it for the animals' electric fence.
The cart itself cleverly doubles as a shelter with specially designed shaft poles becoming tent poles and all the humans will have their own tents!
The cart, saddles and panniers have been handmade and preparations for campsites along the route are being finalised, but the biggest challenge is to get the donkeys fit and ready.
When they arrived in Gloucestershire, they were quite naughty, according to project manager Sarah Blowers.
She said: "They're much better behaved now and luckily Cheeky Chester has recovered from his terror of puddles, although we still have a little way to go with Merlin, who gets a bit worried about road signs."
However, with three to four hours of training every day, Sarah is confident that all four donkeys will be prepared for anything by the beginning of the project.
You, too, are being encouraged to get involved.
In each district, there are designated public camps at which there will be art workshops and guided walks as well as a fun camp on the Saturday night.
Full details of how to get involved are on the As I Walked Out website.
news.bbc.co.uk/local/gloucestershire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8718000/8718610.stm