A couple from Turville have shared their experiences of life as carriage drivers in their first book.

Eddie and Lorna Bilous were complete beginners when they took up carriage driving four years ago.

Eddie kept a daily diary, documenting their progress as they learned how to interact with horses and drive a carriage.

A Carriage Driving Pony's Life and Adventures details how they chose and fell in love with their pony, Henry. Eddie tells how he was “besotted” when he first met him.

Lorna said: “We were complete novices, as was our pony Henry, but Eddie had a long held ambition to learn how to carriage drive and we purchased Henry so that we could enjoy this hobby together in our free time.”

The tragic death of their much-loved pony from Laminitis encouraged Eddie to turn his diary into a book, sharing the highs and lows of carriage driving.

In the book, Eddie tells of their heartbreak at seeing their beloved, brave pony suffering: “Even when suffering with the most painful and debilitating condition... Henry always pushed on and forwards with true grit, never giving up.”

This is the first book Eddie and Lorna have ever written.

Lorna said: “It tells the story of the delights and dramas of our journey together with tears and laughter along the way.

“It’s a true story of a plucky, much-loved and missed pony, who gave us such joy. It is written from four different viewpoints, Eddie’s, mine, Henry’s and our dog Bazil.

“It’s all about our experiences, the thrills and spills of carriage driving on the country roads.

“Along the way we have had so many adventures with cuts, bruises, tears and laughter. We’ve also made many friends who have watched our journey with interest.”

The book details their journeys through the winding lanes of Turville, Fingest, Frieth, Hambleden, Lane End, South End, North End and Christmas Common.

The glossy paperback features several coloured photographs of Henry as they tell the story of their carriage-driving adventures and the people they meet along the way.

The death of Henry hasn’t hampered their love of carriage driving, and Eddie and Lorna are hoping to own another pony in the near future.

Lorna said: “We’re still planning to purchase our own pony again, but for now; we’re guardians of two riding and driving cobs for the winter. In the summer they pull Gypsy Holiday Caravans in Wiltshire.

“So another book is in the making, with Eddie continuing to record our adventures in his diary!”

Henry: A Carriage Driving Pony's Life and Adventures, published by AuthorHouse, is available to buy on Amazon.