Fell Ponies.

By "tea time" neither of us had much in the camera so we decided to have a run out after the meal.  We headed out towards the general Caldbeck area onto roads we haven't visited for some time.  It started to rain.  We noted possible future blips but kept driving to keep dry.

By thew time we came out onto the common near Mungrisdale it had stopped (for the time being).  Clickychick concentrated on the views while the Fell Ponies caught my eye.  This is the only place I know where Fell Ponies roam the fells on common land.

Fell Ponies are an ancient breed going back to the indigenous ponies of prehistoric times.  They have been developed over the centuries as pack animals mainly due to their fast steady walk.  However the Cumberland sport of trotting racing means they have developed a fast trot as well.

In the late 15th Century there are records of Kendal traders making 14 trips to Southampton over the winter using pack trains of Fell ponies.