In the footsteps of the Neanderthals...

On arriving at Dillingen on May 9th, we were hosted by Sylvia, who unusually for Germany, runs a New Forest pony stud.  Here she is with us the following morning at her stables...

 From here we left the banks of the Danube for good, and set out across country through field....

 and forest.....

...and into Andrea's home stamping ground of the Swabian Alps.  This conjures up images of snow capped peaks, but in fact the Jura mountains (as they are otherwise called) comprise rounded ranges of hills covered with forest.

We meet an unusual sight - a four in hand of Percherons!

                

Our next hosts were Wilma and Heribert Gall who run a trail riding station in Stetten http://www.pferdehof-stetten.wigall.com/,  and treated us to some wonderful hospitality.  The horses were in heaven in a large grassy paddock seen here in the background.  Zorbee is not having a fit, but settling in with a good roll while Leo thinks about following his example... 

 

 ....in the meantime we had a marvellous party laid on for us with copious amounts of food and drink...

 

 Sittting next to me is Helena, a young friend of Andrea and Gaby who is studying journalism and was to join us to gather material for a newspaper article...
Here we all are the following morning May 11th and you will see Bolashak has been saddled up again for Helena to ride. L to R.  Leo, Andrea, Zorbee, me, our hosts , Bolashak, Helena.

Then it was a marvellous morning's ride up the secluded and beautiful Lonetal, or Lone valley...

                                 
 Helena in her role as a mounted member of the paparazzi taking photos for her article...

 We meet a lone traveller on horseback - he had been touring round the Black Forest for two weeks and was on his way home.....

At one point I was most excited to find that we were riding along the Neanderthal Way - quite appropriate considering that I have not had the opportunity to have my hair cut and I have been feeling a bit like a Neanderthal for some time.  The Lonetal was the location of much Neanderthal activity thousands of years ago, when they inhabited caves in the cliffs along the valley.  Here are Zorbee and I at the entrance to a former Neanderthal open plan residence........

...otherwise known as the Hohlenstein cave, where one of the oldest (non Neanderthal) statues was discovered - a carved ivory figurine in the form of a lion-headed human. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_man_of_the_Hohlenstein_Stadel

The day was made even more memorable when an entourage of family met us en route with a lavish picnic including a couple of mouthwatering homemade gateaux which we consumed with relish while basking in the sun by a small river.

Andrea and Helena's mothers absorbed in some sort of calendar (?!) while Helena looks on. Herbert is at the bottle again, but it may be just sauce?