21.6.
Preparation for the ride
Over a period of several months, maps were collected, routes were clarified and emergency addresses were checked. The entire route in Austria could be recorded on CD-ROM and printed out. Italy presents different problems, since only conventional, albeit very good, maps are available. With GPS, we can now be guided for 2/3 of the ride. Many thanks to Albert Knaus, Hanspeter Gantner and Thomas Banniza, who helped me with maps, route information and GPS. A cell phone with a QWERTY keyboard was purchased so that these entries from the ride can be published daily on the internet (blogs). If possible, we also want to upload pictures. Thanks to my son, who provided technical support. The equipment is almost complete (12 kg per horse). We will travel without a tent, as “hay hotels” are available along the entire route. Flash is fit as a fiddle and will receive the new shoes with videa pins and studs before the ride. In the photo, he is just eating his lunch on the Feldberg. Szabo Szolt with his Nonius mare Klaris (1500 km Budapest Offenburg), Flash and I will report daily from 31.7. on how we have fared.
Days of preparation again. Create a blog. Organize weather reports for mobile phones. Revise satellite images.
All luggage reduced to the maximum.
Horn bags 6 kg : torch with charger, rear light, reflective vest, saw, fence pliers, rubber gloves, nails, hoof knife, spare glasses, first aid, food, water, maps, Blackberry,
Saddle bags 8 kg: underwear, spare trousers, T-shirt, shirt, sweater, towel, toiletries, rope, map case, passports
Banana 4 kg: wax coat, sleeping bag, rain gear, fence
26.7. What friends are for.....
Szolt in Hungary..
A young man is trained to work on a farm for a whole month so that he can replace the owner during his absence. Eight days before the boss's departure, he calls him and says that he is in hospital and cannot take over the replacement because the doctors will operate on him shortly.
On the farm, the two horses that were planned for our ride die of poisoning that same weekend. Should we cancel the whole project? As far as my friend Szabo Szolt is concerned, he just says: now only the powers that be can save the day. For his part, he is giving up for the moment. He sees no chance, we'll have to postpone until next year.
Where doors close, others always open.
On Monday morning, I spend my time on the phone. All friends are contacted and asked to make the impossible possible. And it happens. On Monday afternoon, I speak to an active middle-aged man and invite him to take some time off. He is happy and agrees. The last two weeks of August are covered.
Szabo can hardly believe it. But he will immediately go to Budapest and organize a horse passport for the horse still available for this ride. See you Monday next week. Maybe Tuesday. We believe in it.
We'll see tomorrow...
27.7. Horror news
My German cell phone was unavailable over the weekend. Szabo tried in vain to reach me. This morning I found a message on my cell phone asking me to call back urgently. I called back and spoke to a rather distressed Szabo, who told me that the ride had to be canceled. He had to put down Klaris and Chillad at the weekend. The two horses we had started with from Budapest. Klaris as my riding horse and Chillad as our pack horse.
Both died of poisoning. The other horses, Klara (Szabo's riding horse on the 2004 trip) with foal, another mare and 4 weanlings are doing well. The second piece of bad news: the young man who was supposed to look after the ranch in August is in hospital in Budapest having an operation and will be out of action for 6 weeks. He is sorry, he is finished. Understandably so.
We are not giving up though. All possible contacts are being approached in the hope of finding someone who would like to spend a vacation at the ranch during Szabo's absence. At the same time, a new horse has to be found for Szabo. Or he has to manage to organize the horse passport for the remaining mare by Friday.
We will know more tomorrow.
Is it possible to find someone 5 days before the deadline to look after a farm with horses, chickens and dogs in Hungary for 4 weeks? For free? Is it possible to get a new horse passport issued in Hungary within a week? When doors close, others always open. Sometimes you have to kick hard against the wall to find them, but the new doors are there.
29.7. When the impossible becomes possible.....
Now we have 4 days left to find someone in Hungary to take over the farm for the first two weeks. The telephone file is not yet completely exhausted. However, I am now at the letter S. And time is running out. An acquaintance from the neighboring German town of Stühlingen is discussing the matter with his wife. He would like to help, but... there's a small child, the long drive... I beg him to talk to his wife again. He has my phone number and will get back to me...
At 4:30 p.m., I have an appointment in Basel and will continue from there towards Offenburg in Baden-Württemberg. I have about an hour of driving ahead of me. The next numbers are being dialed. A young friend from Altensteig, who lives in Kassel, is currently on the road in Düsseldorf and picks up the phone. He says that he is about to start his own business, but that he has planned a 14-day vacation with friends in France. I suggest a vacation on a farm in Hungary. Free of charge in exchange for taking care of the animals. He discusses it with his friends and wants to know where in Hungary that is. Using his GPS, he finds Heves and calls back an hour later. We're coming. THANK GOD.
Sazbo promises to do everything he can to get the pass. We postpone our departure from Breitbrunn by three days to Wednesday, August 3. There is always hope
30.7. Final cancellation
We are not going. We will not receive the passport for Linda for another 14 days and it is questionable whether Szabo's horse is sufficiently fit for the strenuous ride. Szabo's arguments are
valid and we postpone it to next year. The most important point: Too many things have gone wrong for him to be able to go on this ride free and carefree. We agree to plan with 3-4 people next year and to have at least 2 replacement horses available.
He is looking forward to the people who are coming. Maybe he will have finished setting up his guest house.
What now?
30.7. New plans
My wife and I discuss what to do... Should I do the ride alone? The risk... it's too big, especially Kathi, my wife, won't sleep well.... I decide on an alternative. Across Switzerland from Schleitheim to Lugano.
The route is less long, I am closer to home and can also manage the ride alone. There are 4 days to plan and prepare this ride. Saddle tramp data is now required. Maps have to be viewed and printed. Monday is a holiday. August 1st.
On Tuesday 2.8. we ride off.
The Sprinz Route.
Schleitheim - Baden - Gisikon - Lucerne - Sarnen - Giswil - Lungern- Reuti - Handegg - Grimsel - Griesenpass - Airolo - Bellinzona - Lugano
2.8. Start
Today we started. 5:30 a.m. taking care of the horses, 7:00 a.m. saddling, 7:30 a.m. departure from Schleitheim Hohbrugg. There are 17 hours of riding to Lucerne. The first stage destination. But first we have to go to Fislisbach near Baden. That's 62.2 km according to the GPS. So about 9 hours plus a lunch break. It is perfect riding weather, for those who like it slightly humid and cool. 14-21 °C and continuous rain. After an hour's walk and an hour's trot we reach Ergenzingen, the border, the customs officer wants to know exactly. Where are we going? Bellinzona. Not really? Yes. With the horse? Yes! Can I see the papers? Sure, also the passport, I have to unpack it. No, that's enough. Good luck. Thank you. On the paved road to Geislingen, all snails are heading south. Whether it's because of the weather. They are probably looking for warmth. Flash is fit as a fiddle and marches like a sewing machine. Every now and then he wants to trot. It's raining harder. I get out the rain gear and realize that I've lost the choncho on the back right. Good start. I can attach the banana without the concho. Bea Schär, who will be coming with me tomorrow, is kind enough to organize a replacement for me.
Geislingen, Stetten, Hohentengen, the route does not want to end. The path is closed by an electric fence. No gate in sight. I open the fence (that's what rubber gloves are for) and lead Flash over the pasture behind the next fence. There I leave him. He grazes peacefully. I go back and close the fences again. When I return to Flash, he sees me and takes off. I call to him, but he's having fun getting away from me. He trots up the road at a leisurely pace. I stop calling and trot after him. I hope there's another fence coming soon, otherwise I might have a problem. So much for not having to tie him up because he's sooooo well-behaved. This only works when he is tired or hasn't had any concentrated feed. Otherwise he is like an over-excited eight-year-old boy. Finally, he stops and stays put. Now he waits patiently until I catch up with him and behaves as if he wouldn't hurt a fly. Well, he's standing on the rein. Lucky us. We reach the heights. It is only drizzling a little, so we take a rest. Flash is happy to see the clover, and I tuck into some bread and cheese. After 45 minutes, we continue. I lead him downhill, and soon we should see the Kaiserstuhl and the border. At that point, we will have covered 40 km of the 60. After an hour, I get back on the bike. Flash trots the distance to Kaiserstuhl, but he is allowed to graze again when the border comes into view. A herd of fallow deer is grazing in the meadow and a woman is sitting under a huge parasol that she has brought with her to protect herself from the rain. Switzerland, here we come. The border guards know me. No problem, we cross the Rhine. Now it's only about 20 km to Baden. Siglisdorf is the next town and the sign says 4.5 hours. That means we will be in Fislisbach around 6:30 p.m. We quickly make our way up the hill and Flash slows down a bit. We have reached the top. It's a quick descent. But what is that? A lone deer stands in the field. Why isn't it moving? Flash freezes. It takes a lot of effort to get him past the ghost. Too early to be happy. At the next turn, all hell breaks loose. On the left, a herd of goats; on the right, two donkeys. Why can't I just go through the middle? Why do I have to wait here for the donkeys to catch up with me? Snort, snort. He's starting to get tired. I get off and walk. Schneisingen comes into view. We follow the river and slowly approach our goal. It is 4:30 p.m. and we have covered about 15 km. We take another break and I get back on. Baden comes into view. I call at the farm and register as promised. But Flash has lost his motivation. It is raining again and he is probably trying to say that he no longer sees any point in continuing. I don't understand what he's saying, he'd have to go all the way back to get to the food. We cross the Limmat and now it's only about 20 minutes. The stable owner comes towards us. The two mares and the treat awaken his spirits. It's possible after all. Flash trots along and quickly heads towards the stables. Horses in sight. Flash would love to trot down to the stables, but for now he has to walk nicely. It's not working like that. Sascha welcomes us and has already prepared everything for Flash and me. Flash gobbles up his ration of concentrated feed and is rubbed down. He enjoys the company of two mares while I go to eat with my brother. Afterwards we drive to the office and I set up this blog. Which will be considerably shorter and without photos in the future, because then it will really come from the Blackberry. See you tomorrow.
August 3: A brilliant day.
Flash looked like a paint this morning, but he's fine. At 8 o'clock Bea and her friend arrive. We ride down to the Reuss. The GPS is awesome. I no longer need to consult the map. Long forest paths invite us to trot.
At noon, Bea lights the wet wood in the fire. We enjoy the hot sausages. Bremgarten is behind us and we stop at the Viking Ranch - great people. We get coffee and a route description. Three hours of trotting and galloping right next to the Reuss. Flash is always in front. He gallops slalom, around every puddle. We are in Root. Just one more hill and we're there. Vita Parcours trails to the end of the day. The hiking trail becomes a steep mountain goat trail. But we arrive at the horse farm right on time. 57 km that were really fun. Kudos to the two riders and their horses.
4.8. The hay hotel was great.
300 square meter suite. Today we left at 8 a.m., another 1 hour at a trot. Unlike me, Flash seems to have no complaints. Well, my back hurts, but it's at the back and will surely pass. We cross Lucerne on such secret paths that hardly anyone sees us. Along the lake seems to us both the much more pleasant variant. Plank bridge for the next few kilometers. Flash takes it easy. We reach the end of the lake and have lunch. Flash makes a circus. He wants to go on. 20 km later I lose my phone. My brother blocks the number. Good to have brothers. We reach Sarnen. The high route takes us to Giswil on paved roads. We find the farm right away. The owners are also driving onto the farm. It's fine. Flash gets a shower. He's allowed to graze. Of course he rolls around right away. Tomorrow we'll continue. The first mountain stage.
5.8. Mountain
After a wonderful breakfast, a much calmer Flash is saddled. I slept well and my back is fine again. We cross a ford and ride past the power station up the hiking trail that should take us over the ridge on the right side of the valley to Lungern. We see a herd of chamois and soon become some ourselves. The path leads back to Brünigstrasse, which I absolutely want to avoid. So we zigzag up the alp. The GPS shows the way up there. At the top there is a path, but it leads to a gravel pit and the exit of the pit: Brünigstrasse. We ride up the road and 15 minutes later we are in Kaiserstuhl. From there, we ride along Lake Lungern to Lungern. The Way of St. James leads steeply up the mountain on a gravel road. After 3 hours, we reach Hohfluhe. I take three shorter lunch breaks instead of one long one, which seems to suit Flash better. The paths up here are exciting to critical. I take Flash's teeth off and lead him by the neck strap to spare his mouth if I should fall. Flash takes this to mean that he can now eat continuously instead of paying attention to the path. After a short discussion, we agree. The panorama trail is beautiful. The descent to Äppigen and Innertkirch is, let's say, interesting again. We receive a warm welcome in Innertkirch.
6.8. Flash goes astray.
The day greeted me gray and gloomy, so I decided to have breakfast with my dear hosts first. Since the sky cleared and the weather forecast promised snow for Sunday night, I decided to postpone the rest day again despite the fog and low-hanging clouds. So we left Innertkirchen and our hosts and their horses and headed for the Grimsel Pass. Despite taking a shortcut, we followed the original Sprinz Säumer Weg, the route seemed endless, as it was hardly possible to ride a few meters. Gates, trails and the path disappearing again and again into the fog made me walk. After about 4 hours we had reached Handegg and had only managed 16 km. Now we completely mutated into mountain goats to bridge the many steps, rock slabs and holes in the path. At walking pace, we went up steep paths up the mountain towards Hospitz. Many stairs and steep ascents forced us to take the last three bends on the Grimsel road. Done. After 7 hours we had covered 23.5 km. This stage made the previous 200 km since Tuesday look like a walk in the park. To reach the hospice, you cross a wide bridge and it goes up another 100 meters. A tired hiker with a horse requests accommodation, I report to the reception, whereupon I am told that unfortunately I can only stay in the dormitory and that I should park my vehicle in the garage. Is there straw and hay there? You didn't really drive a horse up here? A horse, yes, but on foot. No, there's only sawdust in the smokehouse and straw in the kitchen for the steak on the hay bed. But you can have some of that. Flash is led into the garage, but he's not particularly impressed by it. A double barrier is erected with the lasso and the rein. Flash gets his hay and I go up to the third floor of the hotel with my luggage to treat my blisters. The cook wanted to bring the requested bucket of water to Flash himself. I had barely taken off my boots and chaps when the receptionist rushed in: Her horse is running down the street. Into the boots, fly down three floors, down the street, there Flash is trotting towards Innertkirchen, back to the mare he liked so much. A car is coming up the driveway. At my request, he turns around and drives back the way he came. Flash is overtaken and I lead him back up the mountain. As the adrenaline wears off, I realize how tired I am. Back at the garage, Flash is so excited that I decide to sleep right here and now despite my soaked clothes. It's almost half past six. My two barriers are completely intact. The cook probably didn't expect Flash to react the way he did to an open gate. It's freezing cold and it rains all night.
7.8. Mountain passes
The night in the garage was cool and short. Flash kept coming back to me to convince that there was nothing to nibble on me. At 5:30 I could not stand it anymore and removed the tables, which I had placed under the rolling door so that the wind was locked out. It was raining cats and dogs, gusty wind with sleet at about 2 degrees C did not exactly make spring feelings sprout. Flash didn't like the garage at all for some reason and refused to enter it again after his morning walk in the parking lot green strip. Once he was back inside and tied up – gobbling up his concentrated feed – I dashed up to my mattress camp to get my luggage. When I returned, he had just knocked over the water bucket and soaked the wood chips for good. I saddled up and tied him up in front of the restaurant. On the way up, we almost lost our load because I hadn't yet tightened the straps. After a cup of coffee, scrambled eggs and bacon, we set off in the dense fog to climb the last few bends to the top of the pass. Icy wind and a view of just 10 m prompted us to just stay on the road, although the path should be easy and very beautiful. Flash always trotted the sections where the wind blew the sleet horizontally into his eyes. After 4 hours we reached Obergesteln. We had covered almost 50 km in total, 250 km in 5 days, a rest period.
8.8. Griesspass and St. Giacomo
Flash is standing in his enclosure, with my army rain protection to protect him from the weather. It was a cold 5 degrees this morning. But the sky is clear and it promises to be a beautiful day. At 7:30 we ride on the official Sprinz route towards the Griesspass, 1000m elevation gain. Flash is keen to trot, the break seems to have done him good. However, the stone paths do not allow it, but soon it becomes flatter and Flash trots up the valley, so that we are soon at the Griess reservoir. There is 5 to 20 cm of snow from last night up here. The path along the very steep north shore of the lake is not necessarily easier to walk on because of the snow. Hoping that the south side should be better, we fight our way through the snowdrifts. Flash trudges on, which is annoying, but at least he doesn't slip as much. The road leads away from the lake a little, so the worst is over and the pass summit is reached. Flash has now realized that he is only allowed to eat when stopping is ordered. So also now, only that there is not much to get under the snow. The descent from the Griess is very steep and Flash has to jump down regularly over knee-high steps. I am amazed at his coordination, which allows him to always land with the foot that is not needed for the next change of direction. A wide high alp lies ahead of us, the grass smells like in a tea shop. We rest. We trot on the gravel road to Riale and trot up to San Giacomo again. Another 600 m difference in altitude. We reach the top of the pass in glorious weather. The descent to All Acqua leads over high pastures and later through the forest down into the Bedretotal. The waitress at the hotel knows a cheese dairy where I can put Flash. I sleep in the workers' dormitory and Flash stands next to a cow pasture in his enclosure.
9.8. Prato
It is still early. But the tinkling of the cows to be milked no longer lets me sleep properly. So up and feed Flash. The pasture is not as fat as desired but at least he did not freeze. We follow the road towards Airolo until we find the footpath again. Getting off and climbing or pounding asphalt. We make good progress to Airolo, alternating between the road and the path. There are a few streams to cross, and some bridges are a bit precarious. 50 cm down over rocks and scree, up again on the other side, Flash puts his front hooves on the upper edge of the rock and tries to find a foothold with his hindquarters. He finally manages to get up on the 5 cm ledge and is already looking for the next hold with his front hooves. A short suspension bridge or a 5 km detour, we are very happy to be on the other side. Then Hulda comes. The mother of all trekking riders. She shows me shortcuts and paths that cannot be found on any map. Finally, we are making some progress again. We trot. Another bridge, wood with wide steps. Flash slips down between the steps. He climbs and pulls his front legs out again between the steps. He turns and lands safely next to the stairs. It was nothing. We look for a way and cross the stream about 50 meters further up. Hulda keeps following us and tells us about the critical passages. We cross the highway a dozen times. It's hot and stuffy. We reach Prato. Should we continue, or should we stay here. She offers us a caravan or the opportunity to spend the night about 3 hours further under the highway bridge. It's only 4 o'clock in the afternoon, but somehow the highway bridge doesn't appeal to me. I spend the night in her caravan and she insists on bringing us water and a bale of hay, and to take me shopping. Concentrated feed and a pasture for Flash are also available. At 7 in the evening I go to sleep. Tomorrow, the last 60 km, then it's done.
10.8. Bellinzona - Lugano
The last day of our journey. It is just dawn when I get up. Flash is happy about his concentrated feed, but when I try to get him to clean, he plays his old game with me. It's called: catch me if you can. He romps to the far corner of the pasture, waits until I have gone 2/3 of the way to him and then goes back to the tie-up (feeding place) to wait for me there. At 7:30 we are “on the road again”. Mostly on the road, because today the last 60 km and the 380 have to be completed. Since I ride according to Huld's instructions, we make good progress. In Faido she is suddenly standing next to me again to show me how to get on the hiking trail. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her once again for her extraordinary help. Flash lacks the motivation to run quickly, so we trot where we can. Soon we leave the Bedretto Valley and reach the Ticino. Here you should be able to ride along the dam and, lo and behold, the route is signposted with Ticino Endurance Ride signs. This is great, because it would be easy to get lost in the Ticino jungle. But this way, the bridges that caused so much headache before can be avoided and the paths are very rideable. Flash moves well as long as he can trot. At a walk, I almost have to pull him. I wonder if it's me. We have been on the road for 6 hours and there are still about 20 km to Ramello, our last stop. Flash is allowed to graze again and he gets the last ration of concentrated feed. With renewed energy, we start the final stretch. Soon we will see the church of Camorino, so we must be at the height of Bellinzona. Flash is now trotting diligently down the dirt and paved roads, always heading south. The last bridge (Gudo) before Ramello is crossed. Now it can't be much further. 30 minutes later we are greeted by the estate owners with white wine and tea, as well as water for Flash.
We have ridden the 380 km from Schaffhausen to Bellinzona in 8 days. We have covered almost 6000 meters of altitude and have been at an altitude of 2500 m. Three passes and countless bridges. I am proud of Flash. He did great and can now call himself a mountain goat. In the evening, my brother comes to pick me up and we eat well and drink one of his special bottlings to finish. The 15% alcohol content knocks me out so much that I can hardly make it to bed.
11.8. new friends
I tried to sleep in, but unfortunately my internal clock has not yet been reprogrammed and at 7:30 a.m. I can no longer be kept in my bed. I decide to repair my battered saddlebags. I remove my fly repellent cream bag and use it to repair the tears and torn seams of my two large saddlebags. It is so much easier to work with a punch and leather straps than with a needle and thread. I am finished by noon and Freddy drives me to Ramello so that I can ride towards Albert Knaus and his troop. Flash is eager to cover kilometers and trots diligently on the dam towards the north. We meet the group at Camorino and ride back to Ramello together. We check whether the gates can be opened without any problems and ride south on the pasture land between Ticino and the dam. Flash is allowed to canter and is almost unstoppable. At 4 p.m., the whole group gathers in the courtyard of the Ramello estate for white wine and tea.
Pat Bohnert and her Domingo were also in the group that rode from Lake Constance to Lago Maggiore, led by Albert Knauss. Domingo never left Flash's side, even though he had been on the road with other horses for three weeks. I had no choice but to get to know Pat.
20.8. Excursion to Ticino
Rides in Ticino are only recommended in the early morning or late afternoon and evening. Otherwise the sun is burning and the flies are very aggressive. Fortunately there are only a few horse flies, but the face flies are annoying. At 7:00 a.m. we set off in the direction of Sotto Generi: we being Flash and I, and for those not familiar with the area, roughly in the direction of Locarno. On the left you can see the Ramello farm from above. It covers 200 hectares of land and peanuts and rice are grown there. We spent a week here relaxing and exploring the area.
After Cadenazzo up the mountain towards Ceneri and the last stretch on the old Monte Ceneri road to Robasacco. Then we went on forest paths to Pairumo, a military installation with very grumpy soldiers. On the left, the entrance to the military installation through which the hiking trail passes. Unfortunately, the gates are only 80 cm wide. Too wide for two saddlebags. But tying them up helps.
On the mountain trail at 900 meters above sea level, we continued (it is pleasantly cool here) towards Bironico and Camignolo. We are in the goat area, because there are only birch trees. Unfortunately, the path stops abruptly after a pilgrimage chapel and we have to scramble up 70 meters of altitude to another path. Soaking wet and after a few detours around the rocks, we arrive at the path after 30 minutes and Flash marches ahead to explore the area.
We hear dogs barking in the distance and I hurry to catch up with Flash. We are on a mountain pasture with a magnificent view of two valleys. In the direction of Locarno and Lugano. Willi and Carlo, as well as another brother, live up here. They have been building the rusticos for 20 years and know every tree and every bush in the fenced-in area for the goats. Enviable.
I get a cappuccino (the only thing I'm missing up here is white spirit) and in return I help to get a GPS surveyor's car back on the road. He was just supposed to survey the new road and ended up sliding down an embankment. Wrong car in the wrong place. Flash doesn't like the wait and constantly scrapes at his hooves.
So up we go and enjoy the view.
Flash is delighted by the lush pastures and is even more delighted than we are when we come across the Alpi Cavalli, where lots of other horses from the Magadino plain spend the summer. Now we come to the ridge path, which is wonderful to ride on. Conclusion, don't take the hiking trails, but the mountain bike trails, where you can ride. Around one o'clock we reach Isone, actually the destination of our day's stage, we have about 20 km and 1200 meters of altitude behind us. We take a break and I decide to finish the tour today. We go up into the Valle di Canneggio and down on the other side to rejoin the hiking trail at Monti del Tiglia in the military exclusion zone - the shooting flag is flying and shooting is going on violently - to Cremorasco and Pian Grande. A dummy tank driver explains to me that live ammunition is not being fired and we take the path to the north under our hooves. Again I walk, as the road is narrow and very rocky. At one point the hiker has to pass under a rock, which Flash unfortunately cannot do. I send him down into the creek bed so that he can continue below the rock. When trying to get back up on the road, the ground gives way and he has to crawl quite a bit before he finally gets back up. So we reach the road to Camorino, battered but in one piece. The road is marked neither on the map nor on the GPS, but it leads to the stage destination in many curves. In Camorino, Freddy, my brother, brings us pears and lemon tea and we take a short break. Remo comes over the street and sends his regards to Ulli and Röseli. He has been working on a book about the Ticino language for 15 years. (They are at the letter C). Freddy leads us over secret paths, under railroad tracks and bridges and through the Morabia down to the Ticcino, where we come across a beautiful sandy bridle path on the north side, which Flash happily takes on at a gallop and a trot. He knows we are going home. At 7:00 p.m. we reach Ramello. We have covered 45 km and 1700 meters of altitude in 9 hours and seen many magnificent views and look forward to the oats, or rather to dinner.
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