May 2005
The Long Riders' Guild has received another
interesting email from Harry and Lisa.
"Just after my last message to you, sent from
Greece on 8th March, we did finally manage to make it into Turkey and it has
been well worth the effort. We've had a fantastic month's riding: across the
plains from the Greek border at Ipsala, down the Gallipoli Peninsula to the
end of Europe and a short ferry ride across the Dardanelles to Çanakkale and
the start of another continent. Canakkale was full of Turks celebrating the
90th anniversary of their defeat of the British Navy here in the first world
war. We rode on to Troy and then down the coast to another ancient city at
Assos, the horses going really well, enjoying the spring grass again.
Just before Assos, we had a nasty scare when
Sealeah went badly lame. Lisa dug around in her (Sealeah's) foot to find that
something very sharp had penetrated frighteningly deep. A millimetre or
two further and she would have been in serious trouble, probably
needing treatment/equipment that we couldn't get access to here. It was one
of those moments when you think hard about all the risks involved. Anyway,
luck was on our side again, an Asia Minor Catastrophe was avoided and, thanks
to Lisa's treatment, Sealeah rapidly recovered.
We left the coast soon after Assos and headed
east into the mountains, going via the ancient cities of Pergammon and Sardes
for a bit of added historical interest. It's been fantastic scenery but very
slow progress across the map due to the terrain. The Turks have
been incredibly friendly, interested and hospitable but there's not a lot of
good horse food about in the mountain villages (sometimes only straw) and the
horses have done better at night when we've camped away from a village on a
patch of good grass. We can carry enough barley or oats for three or four
nights and this has been enough time for the ranges we've crossed so
far. We're now at Hieropolis/Pamukkale, having a couple of days rest (and
much needed bathing in thermal pool!) before heading east again into Central
Anatolia.
All the best,
Harry"
July 2005 - There has been a tragedy.
Please click here.
29th July 2005
Despite the tragedy, Harry and Lisa decided
eventually to continue their journey. They are now in Damascus.
"We are down to very little equipment - no
tent, sleeping bags, stove etc just the vet and farrier kit. I am riding
Hannah with 'normal' saddle bags
I still miss Audin all the time.
The people of Syria are friendly, polite and helpful beyond description
....... a real inspiration to us."
Audin's name has been added to the
Horse Memorial page.
12th
September 2005
Success! The following email has just arrived
from Harry and Lisa:
"We made it! Reached a beach on the Indian
Ocean near Aqaba, Jordan on 6th September 2005. The four of us went in for a
paddle - too much coral for a swim - wishing Audin could have been there
too.
12 countries, 510 days and 5870 miles (9450km)
- it's the only way to travel!
Now starting three month quarantine
period required by the EU (for the horses) but we'll all be home by
Christmas. Found a great place to stay in the desert mountains of Wadi Rum,
about 40 miles east of Aqaba.
THANK YOU ! for your help, support, food, water, shelter...
Lisa and Harry"Congratulations to
the entire team on completing a remarkable journey.
Click here to read Harry and Lisa's earlier emails to The
Guild.
Lisa has been elected as Veterinary Advisor for the Trec section of the British Horse Society
Harry and Lisa have a website:
http://www.adshead.com/harry/
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