Trans-Albania Ride

'Albania remains one of the most mysterious, beguiling countries in Europe. Robin and Louella Hanbury-Tenison have travelled through it in a way I can only envy. Top to bottom on horseback, a journey on which they had the time to look behind the stereotypes of the country and see the dramatic beauty and unique traditions that lie beneath.' - Michael Palin 
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During September 2007, the British author Robin Hanbury-Tenison and his wife, Louella, rode Albanian horses from Thethi in the Shala Valley south through Albania to the Greek border at Gline. They did this to gather material for a major book and film about Albania, which will help to promote a good image of the country and further tourism of the same kind.

With their backup vehicle, a Toyota Landcruiser, and Albanian support crew and they were self-sufficient, but they received an abundance of advice and help along the way. They found their maps to be outdated however, local information about tracks away from main roads was very useful to them, most of the time!

Mickey Grant, the American Director and Cameraman, who is making the film, travelled in the Landcruiser and recorded their journey, as well as local sights.

Robin and Louella have ridden horses long distances many times before and written books about riding across France, along the Great Wall of China and across New Zealand and Spain. Their route took them through the Valbona gorge, past Kukёs, the Lura National Park, Librazhd, Voskopojё, Tepelene, and Girokastёr.

They would like to thank all the Albanians from whom they have already received so much hospitality and kindness. They hope to repay it by telling the world what a wonderful place Albania is.

Robin and Louella Hanbury-Tenison

September 2007, Albania

Pictures by Mickey Grant www.creativehat.com

Video Archive

№ 22 - Last Bridge

№ 21 - The Byron Trail

№ 20 - Bum Flies

№ 19 - Horse Blooper

№ 18 - Albanian Church Art

№ 17 - A Mother’s Prayer

№ 16 - Mountain Camp

№ 15 - A Tough Climb Ahead

№ 14 - New Horses

№ 13 - The Hungry Horse

№ 12 - Abandoned Hospital

№ 11 - A place for the night

№ 10 Riding to Valbona

№ 9 - Comments on day 1

№ 8 - Journey’s start

№ 7 - A very serious danger of fire

№ 6 - Concern about mountain fires

№ 5 - Louella’s new horse

№ 4 - A route avoiding the forest fire

№ 3 - The road ahead

№ 2 - Why Albania?

№ 1 - Where is Albania?

Introduction

Photographs

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Louella’s Journal

“we have learnt each time that people from one village have barely travelled to the next and certainly need to ask shepherds and goatherds the way”

“...the wonderful friendliness of the rural communities who want to fill you with warm bread, salty white cheese, buttermilk and raki.”

“...leading the horses, for three hours along incredibly stoney, narrow paths, up through beech woods and then tall fir trees to the pass. My horse, Billy, is a grey and has a sweet nature but is difficult to motivate! Robin’s horse, Pieter, is a thin chestnut who, with much urging, will break occasionally into a trot”

Thanks for making us feel proud of being Albanian ,keep up the good work and i will be looking out for the book and the film ,I also will make sure your message is past on.God bless you - J Zekaj

Keep going, I have never seen such a beautiful and amazing couple. Thousands of thanks. I really can not wait to see the film and buy the book - Berti.

Read more and post your own messages here.

Click here to see the trailer for the film. Albania Land of the Eagles

Produced by Ed Steeds, Pensilva, Cornwall, United Kingdom www.momentumelearning.com