May 1967 to January 1968
According to Blackmore himself, he spent about a year in Germany doing virtually nothing but live of immoral earnings and practice the guitar. That is, except for starting the below-mentioned short-lived Mandrake Root which, however, never did any gigs. Blackmore was eventually called to Britain by Chris Curtis to help him form a new group (i.e. Roundabout), but he didn't like it so he returned to Germany. Blackmore did, however, come back to Britain once more, got in touch with Lord and this time he stayed.