Scratch by Sue Millard is a Cumbrian family drama of racehorses and fell ponies, of home and hearth.
Siân and Madoc have borrowed heavily to buy a neglected farm in Cumbria. They are land-rich now, but short of cash and indebted to the bank and members of their family.
We stayed in Cumbria overnight and ran across Shap Fell and over to Sleddale and Haweswater - a little road but mainly tracks. A blowy morning and we were accompanied by a small group of Fell Ponies - two of whom are my mums (still riding at 80+). Damp but not too soggy underfoot and bracing! Dressed lightly but I appreciated the fingerless mitts.