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).

Prosecco breakfast and border crossing

Today (Oct 2nd) our trail guide Tadeusz turned 63 and it was a good reason for us to celebrate him the whole day, starting with a glass of bubbly for breakfast.  After 3 hours of riding, of which the last 30 minutes followed the border of Russia, we made a brief stop at a stone monument marking the place where the three countries meet: Poland, Russia and Lithuania. In order for us to avoid getting free Russian language lessons in Siberia during the next 10  years we told our horses not to cross the border which they unknowingly obeyed.

Just before crossing over the border to Lithuania we stopped in Trojstyk for a two hour long birthday lunch break in a farm house located 50 meters from the border. The food served was really top of the line Polish country cooking and it was  followed by various types of homemade firewater. In a very good spirit we mounted our horses and crossed the border between Poland and Lithuania. After 2 hours in the saddle we are now continuing to celebrate Tadeusz at hotel "Viktorija" in Ciziskiai, a small country resort (open this time of the year only for us) next to a beautiful lake and facing Russia on the opposite shore.

Swan lake in Masuria, Poland

After eight long hours in the saddle we arrived at our small hotel in Stanczyki, a small village located 10 km south of the border to Kaliningrad which belongs to Russia.

Today's weather was perfect for trotting and do long gallops on gravel roads in forests and across fields with cows saluting us as we passed by. Four hours into the ride we stopped at a small lake for a picknic lunch. Perfect for our horses to cool off their feet, have a drink and a bit of fresh grass. A swan family was very curious about our lakeside activities.

Back in the saddle on a forest trail in Poland

Last night I arrived at Zabie Oko after 5 hour by taxi from Gdansk Airport. It was nice to meet my fellow riders for the first time (4 from Switzerland and 5 from Germany) and of course Tadeusz, our Polish guide. This ride will be my 5th with him. I can communicate with Tadeusz in German and the same goes for the German riders. For me to understand Swiss-German is quite a challenge!

After a great Sunday breakfast including cold cuts and freshly made pancakes it was time to collect and prepare the horses. I was assigned "Ethos", a 20 year old trail veteran. We bonded immediately! After 4 hours in the saddle we have now arrived at Dwor Szwalk, a beautiful manor house located next to a lake. From my cosy room I have a glimpse of the lake.

Flying start today...

... with WIZZ Air to Gdansk, Poland and my next trail ride. The plan is to ride thru Masuria (former East Preussia) following the border of Kaliningrad and eventually cross over the border into Lithuania.

I am riding with a German-speaking group and so far I only know Tadeusz, the Polish organizer, and Paul from Switzerland. I know both gentlemen from previous rides in Poland. Total group size is 10 riders and we will cover 220 km during six riding days. Please stay tuned in for ride updates.

Lapland Mission Completed!

After three weeks as a "jack-of-all-trades" at Ofelas in Lapland I have now recently returned home. My ex colleagues at Norwegian took very good care of me during the flight between Kiruna and Stockholm-Arlanda. Thanks again! Once airborne it was great to see the sun again after 10 days of Polar night darkness.

As a temporary transfer guide/driver for Ofelas during Nov/Dec, I have covered 2.800 4WD kilometres on snowy roads. The total number of roadside moose and reindeer I have met between Kiruna and Ofelas farm exceeds the number of cars and snowmobiles on the very same road!

Today is Christmas Eve and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my followers for this year and wish you all a peaceful holiday season and a happy new year.