Sometimes live is difficult. Three days ago I wanted to go to horses Jo in order to get Luka waterproof. First he refused to get on the trailer. Fortunately Hans passed by and gave me a hand. And then the river we wanted to walk to, Jo riding, I walking with Luka, proved to be flooded because of heavy showers. So instead of going through the water, we decided to teach Luka riding. I got on his back, but not for long. In a few minutes I had fallen several meters all together. The next day Jo’s daughter Angele inquired after the colour of my butt. I answered I was dotted blue all over like a paint horse. A few more experiences like this and I’ll get blue blood like the nobles. A couple times Luka broke away, trailing me with my rainboot in a stirrup. Then Jo decided to get me dressed with Jo’s outfit. I got decent boots, a cap etc. Also taught Jo me how to handle my pony properly: be sweet, but clear, bribe him with sweets, pet him when possible but him show respect for you. You know, horses are very sensitive animals and they live to be caressed. They are much like men!
One day later Luka went on the trailer without much difficulty, I was thrown off only twice and Jo made Luka clear that it’s US who decide if and when Luka may gaze at the mare at the other end of the barbed wire. Still one day later, getting on the trailer without hesitating and throwing off was just history. I’m getting more and more excited. Of course making Luka waterproof will be a success story too. Read my lips (Nixon said when he promised to end the Vietnam war).
However stay modest. Across the road of Jo lives Ger, also a horseman. He said that he doubted very much if my pony can walk 25-30 km a day without irons. His hoofs will wear off fast, he predicted. Also Luka must be completely reliable, in traffic, when passing mares, getting along with your dog perfectly, your dog must listen well etc etc. I Know, I know. There are so many side to my trip that all must be well prepared and perfect that I’d better not start. It’s impossible to completely plan 350 days: where to be at night each day, what the weather will be, food, water for the animals, not getting lost etc. To cover all those uncertanties I wood need a group of people around me all year with cars, money, other horses, gps’s and so on. That’s no adventure. I’ll listen to all the advices I get and see which ones I’ll use. This morning someone told be confidentially that everybody thinks I’m nuts. He’ll be back in a few weeks, you’ll see… I think that Columbus, Marco Polo, Livingstone and many other would never had accomplished what they did, if they always wanted to be certain. Of course this only pushes me more, not to just try, but to really do it: 7,5000 km, 1 year.
Holy holy, I wonder if anybody reads this, cause hardly anyone writes me. O.K. I’ll go on writing , just cause I think it’s fun.
