The 'Last Post' - Lapseki to Ezine, Ezine to Kucukkuyu, Kucukkuyu to Mytiline, and Mytiline to Lafionas

Lapseki to Ezine was an absolute nightmare day. On the road for 6.30 and 10 miles down the road back tyre goes flat. Changed tube and new tube goes flat, change to another and that goes flat - anyway very long saga of garages, petrol stations which takes several hours to sort in the heat of the day. Eventually, arrive Ezine, very tired. Only 30 odd miles to Kucukkuyu, but 30 of the toughest - 20 miles uphill and then 10 miles of very steep descent, hanging on to brakes all the way down! Met a lovely guy, Yo from South Korea who had cycled through Georgia, Ukraine, and Turkey, and on his way to Western Europe. Kucukkuyu to Ayvalik, pretty easy, flattish terrain, which is a relief after all the hills of the last few days. 60 miles. Caught 6 p.m. ferry to Mytiline (Lesbos). Overnight in Mytiline and cycle across island to Kaloni and wonderful reception - Sweetheart and 8 others to greet me, great to see you all there and thanks for all your support. Final hour or so up to village and then join Tom and Nick watch Britsh Lions scrape a win in the first rugby test in Australia, whilst sinking a two or three beers. Quite surreal after 10 weeks 'on the road'. Another great trip - just over 2,800 miles. About a month of well earned rest in Lafionas. Wonderful!

Kesan to Lapseki

Up at 5.45 and on the road before 6.30. Big climb before it gets to hot. The downhill the other side is lovely! Stop a garage for chay (tea) and get chatting to two petrol pump attendants: phone rings, and they pass the phone to me! the voice on the other end says 'can you speak English', I say 'not very well - but I am English', she says 'my son is crying!' I say 'why' - 'because he has lost his phone'. It is only then that it dawns on me that I am speaking into the 'lost phone', that the woman on the phone is probabably Bulgarian and can't speak a word of Turkish! The garage attendants who speak very little English, think this all very funny. Anyway, all ends ok, the son is coming back passed Garage in a weeks time, and will pick up phone. Arrived Gelupulu (Gallipoli) around 1.00. Caught ferry across Dardenelle straits to Lapseki. Really nice to be beside the sea after over 9 weeks 'on the road'

On to Svilengrad and over the border into Turkey

Hotel in Radnevo is one of those places where the owners made the place. Lovely couple, Krasimir and Diana (who I called "Princess"). Krasimir took a photo of me stood beside his 'Topless Trabant' - he promised to email photo, I hope he does. 50 miles or so on to Svilengrad, which is pretty much on the Turkish border. First checkpoint, which is Bulgarian passport control, the guy inspecting says 'I remember you!' - I told him I had been through, both on cycle and motor bike. Of all the thousands of people he sees and he remembers me. On to Uzunkopru and then Kesan. Weather now getting much warmer. Getting up earlier tomorrow: get some miles in before it gets too hot.

Jambol to Radnevo

Ok, I know that you are all incredibly envious of the exotic places I have passed through; I also know that a lot you have given up on reading the 'Blog' - I thought even Sweetheart had given up until she put a 'post' on yesterday, but you will all be drooling and flocking to 'log in' when I tell you that today I have passed through the villages of 'Boliarsko' then on to 'Botevo' and finally 'Bojadik' - and tonight I'm booked into the 'Hotel Naka'!

Jambol

Well it had to happen! Only 30 odd miles on to Jambol, stopped for coffee, water and 'banana'. Got talking to waitress in bar, and the thunder storm brewing, set off for final 15 - 20 miles at top speed hoping to beat the storm. Guess which won? Got drenched. That teach me to try and chat up the waitress!

Ruse to Sumen, and then on to Karnobat

Left Ruse at about 6.45. Long day ahead (70 odd miles) quite hot, and hilly terrain. I've found out the secret to keeping my energy level going in the heat, is stop every 10 -15 miles 1/2 liter of water and a 'banana'. Banana sales have shot up in Bulgaria (and I didn't tell Deiter and Doris!). Arrived Karnobat after very hilly day- 2 quite long climbs) with yet another Thunder storm brewing. Glad to get booked in before the heavens open.

Corabia to Zimnicea and the on to Ruse

Came into hotel restaurant in Corabia for evening meal and met Julie, David and Nick who had got their 9 meter motor launch moored outside the hotel. They had come down through France, got into the European canal system before joining the Danube. They are going on to The Black Sea, and then on to Istanbul. Spent a very enjoyable evening listening to their sailing adventures. Rounded off with a couple of 'Tots' of scotch supplied by David. 50 odd miles on to Zimnicea where I had breakfast with Dieter and Doris, a German couple who are doing Eurovelo Route 6. Th problem with Dieter, he looked like Himmler! On to Ruse, a very nice city, where I'm having a day off before leaving the Danube and heading south through Bulgaria and then into Turkey.

Vidin, Kozloduy and Corabia

Left Vidin and mad 60 odd miles to Kozloduy, and although fairly near the Danube, 2 or 3 three quite testing hills, and temperature warming up. Left Kozloduy and crossed on ferry back into Romania. I had made about 7 or 8 miles from ferry when another cyclist draws alongside. Stopped and chatted with Attilio, for about 20 minutes. A 22 year old Belgian guy, who put my meagre trip into perspective. He is cycling through Europe, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Iran and eventually on to China and Viet Nam. He reckons the trip will take 2-3 years. I wish him luck and envy him.

Eselanita to Drobetu Turnu Severin and then on to Vidin (Bulgaria)

Left Pension Ponton after leisurely breakfast overlooking one of the most glorious views - only 25 miles to Drobetu, so no hurry! There's no doubt you find yourself in some strange places on a trip like this, and Drobetu was one of them. An industrial town, loads of hotels and if rest are like the one I stayed in pretty empty. The hotel boasts a 180 seat restaurant, and I was the only one in it - very strange. Nearly 70 miles on to Vidin, which is across the river in Bulgaria. Staying in hotel Neptune which is right opposite where the Cruise boats moor up for the night. Spending 2 nights here, need to get bikes gears fixed and most importantly - wash me pants and socks!

Lost hour, lost camera and catfish crap

Got up for breakfast after telling girl at 'Pension' 8 o'clock, and she is not happy! Muggins didn't realise that I had come through time zone, and that it was in fact 9 o'clock! Anyway I eventually got going after chatting to young Romanian cyclist staying at pension, and made good time. Stopped for a break at laybye, lovely place, got my camera out took a couple of photos, and then couple of stray dogs look pleadingly at me as I eat my 'Snickers', and of course I am sucker so I share my bar! Of course 30 miles down the road I realise I left my camera on the seat. Found wonderful 'Pension', fantastic location right by Danube. On the Menu tonight - ' Catfish Crap'! Made 60 odd miles to Eselanita. Wonderful place. I hope I come here again sometime.

Leaving Serbia and into Romania

Good day yesterday, the weather was good. Made 50 odd miles to Bela Crka, about 10 miles from Romanian border. Crossed border - amazes me that the border control want to know where I have been, what I've been doing!? Arrived Moldova Noua about 3.30, found Pension and the heavens opened. Just in time!