Horse Rock-and-Roll

At our pick-nick spot at lunch time today (Oct 4th) my faithful adventure partner Ethos (very young at twenty) decided to show me a classical horse rock-and-roll. He did it very well - only the music was missing. His reward for the show: an apple!

New ride guide homebound

Today (Oct 5th) we are heading West on our return ride to base. Two day's ago, a horse ridden by a German gentleman, had a small leg injury after hitting a stone. In order to play it safe far away from home it was decided that he (the horse) should run free with the group on the way back to avoid further injuries. Tadeusz horse was given to the German rider and Tadeusz himself will drive his car and stop at strategic crossroads and point us in the right direction. Claudia, a young Swiss rider, was given the honor to act as our ride guide, pick the right trail, speed and good places for technical stops. She did very well and after seven hours in the saddle we reached today's destination, the manor house in Szwalk.

Riding along the Russian border

After an excellent birthday dinner, a cold nights sleep and an substantial breakfast it was time to say goodbye to our generous and multi-talented Lithuanian host Viktor (hotel owner, veterinarian, bakery shop owner, photographer, hunter etc.) Today's ride (Oct 3rd) started in the water - to cool our horses feets - and on the shore of Lake Vistytis. This lake is divided between Russia an Lithuania and we could see the floating border markers. Once ashore our trail ran next to the barbwired, camera controlled and heavily guarded fence in the border zone. Very different compared to the open border between Poland and Lithuania!

As we came close to the Polish border it started to rain cats and dogs. All group members are experienced riders and well prepared, come rain or shine. It was therefore decided that we should ride nonstop to our small hotel in Stanczyki.

After five hours in the saddle (excluding two technical number 1 stops) we arrived to a warm welcome of cold cuts and pastries washed down with coffee or tea and fig vodka).