Al-Andalus Day 8: The Finish - La Beata

Saturday April 5 2008

What a great adventure! Following 40 horses and riders, give or take on a given day, around Andalucia, Spain on an 8-day endurance ride! The Raven hopes to return next year and ride in it.

The last day was a fun one... here the Raven is looking after Steph's saddle.

There was a great party in the hotel afterwards - tapas and more tapas for snacks, beer, wine, and champagne for drinks.

Everybody wanted to hang with the Raven (gotta watch that Paul and Madonna ).

The party went on into the wee hours of the morning in the flamenco disco, where Jose Soto sang a few songs with the band - fabulous!

The Raven had a wonderful time... and now it's time to sleep for a week or two!

Al-Andalus Day 6: In Concert - to Antequera

Thursday April 3 2008

After another day of photographing riders and horses on the Al-Andalus trail, there was a big fancy dinner party for everybody in the evening.

The Raven dressed up and attended, posing for pictures and joining everybody for dinner.



A divine duck was served... yes, the Raven eats ducks if they are put in front of him.


He tried to eat Steph's dessert, but she was unwilling to share.

Al-Andalus Day 3: Montenmedio

Monday March 31 2008

The Raven's been working hard taking photos (and frolicking in yellow fields of Andalucian flowers) during Al-Andalus and he's not getting enough sleep. He had a little too much wine after today's 60-km ride to Montenmedio, and passed out in the sun while taking photos of the horses vetting in.

Al-Andalus Raven Fans

Sunday March 30 2008

The Raven has fans all over the world - among others Paco from Spain, and new fan, flamenco singer Jose Soto from Spain. Paul and Madonna are also big fans after having met and hosted the Raven in New Zealand last year.

You have to keep an eye on Paul and Madonna, however; they are always trying to grab the Raven and run off with him.






But they really do love the Raven (as does everybody). The Raven makes everybody laugh!

Al-Andalus Day 1: El Rocío

Saturday March 29 2008

Today's 60-km ride finished in El Rocío, one of the Raven's favorite places so far.

There were horses everywhere in the sand streets beneath the old church - endurance horses, carriage horses, riding horses, riding ponies, even wild horses roaming the edge of the wetlands lake by the town.

A Raven at Tierras Al-Andalus

Saturday March 29 2008

The 8-day ride across Andalucia, Spain, begins today!

On the way to the start of the ride, the Raven greets his friend Paco again - they met last year at a ride in New Zealand, and meets his new friend and fan Jose Manuel Soto. Jose is a famous flamenco singer and television star from Andalucia, and the creator of this ride. That's Jose on the left, Paco on the right. The Raven is famous himself, of course, so he's happy to make Jose's acquaintance and is looking forward to hearing him sing.

It's a beautiful setting for a horse ride across Spain, and the Raven is ready to report... and party with the Andalusians, and riders from around the world.

Spain-Bound

Thursday March 27 2008

The Raven is quite excited - he has come to Spain, to help photograph and write about the III Raid Kaliber Tierras de Al-Andalus - an 8-day endurance ride across Andalucia, Spain.

We arrived in Madrid (via Amsterdam, via Minneapolis, via Boise), grabbed a taxi to the train station, and then hopped on a train to Seville, which is close to where the ride will begin in Dos Hermanas on Saturday. The next day we took a taxi to Dos Hermanas, and the Raven had time for a quick stroll through a little park and a rest in an olive tree.

The Raven's Spanish friend Paco is looking forward to seeing him - the Raven brings him good luck. Paco will be riding his stallion Ibor in the ride.

The Raven visited Spain last year - and got to ride in Catalonia, but it is his first visit to Andalucia - he's looking forward to it!