Bulgaria Trip - Sat 22nd

A good breakfast and 7:30 start. I headed north and then the border into Austria… there was no-one at the crossing point so I sailed through.   Heading for Salzburg was a boring ride although I must say the Austrian are well behaved drivers, no fuss, no agro and very polite.  It was a grey day and it rained as I road through the mountain passes and got very close to running out of petrol - thanks to them closing some petrol stations due to road works —- phew so close…

I missed the turn as I approached Salzburg so had to go around the ring road to get back on track (well done Gertie Garmin).  I managed over 500kms today !!!  I am getting used to this.

I found the camp site - yes; back in the tent after days a a/c, beds and cooked breakfast.  Motels etc are very expensive in this area.  

Pitched the tent, added more oil to the bike…. Sorted out the route for tomorrow… nothing booked but will see when I get there..   I think that tomorrow I ride passed the Airfield Hotel that I stayed at in Memmington in 2019, they have raised their prices somewhat… shame it was comfortable.  I had battery problems the following day I remember.

I am now sitting in the camp beer garden with a beer and some some food on the way.   I think some of these campers have been drinking all day !!!

Bulgaria Trip - Fri 21st

An early breakfast and away by 7:30. I managed to navigate my way out of town - rule No 1. Stay away from tramlines and trams.

I got the the border at what looked like "shift change", lots of disinterested uniforms wondering about and lots of cars and trucks not moving…. It was now about 8:30 and the sun was getting a bit hot…

Finally through and a clear road ahead, it was going to be a long ride so I jumped on the M5 towards the Budapest ring road and then M7 to Nagykanizsa . I finally arrived at 2:15pm which was good as the placed opens at 2pm… but no, I forget that Hungary have different time zone - so off to the nearest petrol station for fuel and a couple of cold drinks whilst I wait. Now showered and sitting in an a/c room watching the practise for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Out with the maps and plan tomorrow run into Austria and beyond. It's odd how it all changes when you finally turn for home…

Bulgaria Trip - Thu 20th

I can thoroughly recommend Casa Suzy & Roxy at Arpaşu de Jos.  It's very close the the Transalpina and the other one that I can't spell and it has secure parking for bikes.  The staff are welcoming, the beer is cold and the food is great - what more could you ask for.

Had a late start often breakfast and rode a very boring A1 (with a bit of over the hills diversion) and even stopped for lunch.  

It was hot when I left, then it became overcast, then it rained a little and it was hot when I arrived in Arad.

I managed to lease my electrical adapter plugged in the wall when I left, but a luck would have it there is an electrical shop next to the hotel….

Had a brief walk around the area - but it's a little way out of the centre.

A great shower, large TV, air conditioning, good bed..  ah adventure travelling in on the up!!  Thanks to my old friend: the late Colin Hitchcock…

Tomorrow I cross in Hungary and may even get as far as Austria….

Bulgaria Trip - Wed 19 Jul

Left at 7:15 this morning to avoid the afternoon sun - rode for 5 hours. Tomorrow I head west towards Hungary … and en route to home ….

It's so hot in the sun - just a little cooler whilst riding. Lots of trucks, twisty roads up and down. The bike appears to be holding up, must check the oil in the morning..

Bulgaria Trip - Tue 18th July

I had a very restless sleep last night - I could not stop thinking about getting the bike from its place outside the guest house as it was in a down hill cul de sac on a very narrow road.  Sorted it at 7am.

On the road by 8am and rode north.   Rode on Brasov, I was looking for breakfast and I needed to get a pair of trainers or sandals.   I found the breakfast at a McDonalds… but not the shoes ..

I then set off to Bran to get a look at Draculas castle - and so did the world and his wife !! Not for me, so a quick snap shot and away…,  the next road was very twisty and steep and went on and on - not sure I like Alpine roads.. but the views were spectacular.

Found the next stop and it turns out to be next door to a large shopping centre - shoes purchased.   I think the policy at some hotels is the more luggage you have the more stairs you have to climb.

Lazy afternoon coming up.  

 

Motocamp Bulgaria - 14th Jul - broke down again

What an interesting day!!  Overcast this morning until about 9am.  I decided to ride to the local town to get local currency to pay my drinks bill and the new tyres...

I refuelled at the start of the town and then I found the ATM at the local kaulfhall, and got the cash.  Back on the bike and nothing, no start..  bugger.

I jump stated it with the booster battery and set of for Motocamp..  Nearly there and the battery stopped and so did the engine… stranded on the side of the road !!!!  I checked all the fuses etc and then found that a major connector had burnt out and melted….  The chef from the event was passing in his van and stopped and we loaded the bike into the back.

Got back to Motocamp and a couple of guys helped me strip out the wires etc ( Note: they did most of the technical electrical stuff)…. Having nearly sorted it, it was decided that the reason was that the rectifier was knackered.   Fortunately I have been carrying a spare one for the last 9 years just in case..!!!!

We replaced it and hey presto all sorted … the bike is running again….  If I had broken down anywhere else I would have been totally buggered ?!?!

Not all heroes wear capes…..

Bulgaria Trip - Day 13

Sunday

I left Nis by 8am - not before having knocked over a full glass of orange juice onto me and the table - clumsy bugger.   Another cool start to the day and quickly found the main road from Serbia towards Sofia Bulgaria… I can recommend the Majesty Hotel in Nis, nice stay and it has a secure garage for the bike.

Some fast traffic going my way… at frightening speeds, apparently if you drive a black Merc or BMW you can drive right up the tail pipe of a motorcycle even whilst he is overtaking a truck !!!  A****holes. 

The good news was that when I approached the two mile queue of traffic waiting at the border, there they were again !!!  I did a bit of filtering and queue jumping to get close to the front…. It still took over 1.5 hours in silly heat…

Finally released from this bit of Bulgarian madness and on the road to Sofia and the long road to Motocamp Bulgaria.   Note:  it is part of the Bulgarian mentality that they have to overtake !! Even it there is something coming the other way!!   Idiots….

Arrived safely at Motocamp, parked up, put up the tent, had a most welcome cool shower, did some laundry and settled in for a cold beer and a bit of supper.

Mozzies are persistent here so it's trousers, socks and long sleeves for the day…

More chillin'… I think Mel & Greg will arrive today, Gareth and Maria and their Unimog will arrive Wednesday or Thursday and Helen Lloyd is due too.   Now for some more chillin' and reading the last part of Graham Fields latest book…

Bulgaria Trip - a long Saturday

I am now at he end of a long day.  Set off at 8am and arrived in Nis at 4pm.  Most of the first part was through twisty mountain passes with the occasion straight bit. They have manage to build a few faster roads , and some motorways…. The scenery up the top was fantastic.

It started off quite cool this morning but after noon it hit 29….  Just got to keep moving.   I did manage to find a Lidl shop to get lunch…. The layout is the same wherever you go. 

 

8 hours on the saddle is way too much.  I've had a cold shower and I'll finish sorting things out, and go in search of some supper..  

Bulgaria Trip - Friday

Day 10

The storm passed overnight and I was ready for a late breakfast.   It was overcast and cool when I set off into Sarajevo, I walked a long way down the Main Street and then saw a sign for a cable car…. Off into the hills but it was still misty and I could not see the top, but by the time I'd had a coffee and cake at the top I could see for miles.   

Back down and more walking (my wife Debbie would be proud of me for doing 20,353 steps).   Getting hot again and so it was time for a long cold drink (water) and enjoy some shade.   Even found a book store selling Prince Harry's book … probably not the best read - even in another language!!

Back at the hotel now and thinking about tomorrows long ride into Serbia and stopping at Nis.  

 

Bulgaria Trip - Day 9 or whatever

Good evening, we saddled up and snuck out of town by 8am.   Rode down more of the fabulous Croatian coast road (it should be on everyone bucket list of thing they must do).   Eventually we needed to turn north and head for Mostar and then Sarajevo.   More tunnels, more winding roads and the temperature soon fell to a cool 26 from 30+…

We crossed almost unnoticed into Bosnia Herzegovina.  I did try to get into Mostar but with long lines of coaches and hoards of tourists, all trying to get their own view of the infamous bridge - I thought bugger this, I'm off.  Then I started to feel it was time for breakfast and found a place in the mountains - more cheese omelette and salad.  

There is lot of major road construction going on with enormous viaducts between mountains.  Then without noticing it I was at a toll booth for the newish autoroute towards Sarajevo.  The hotel I had chosen was right at the far end of town amongst the heavy road works for more tramways.

Finally found it and all settled in.  So off to have a look around, I got just a few hundred yards down the road and the sky was getting very dark.  So turned around and headed back.  I was near the hotel and thought I would stop for a coffee - no sooner had I sat down in the cafe when … crash, bang wallop a mighty thunder storm erupted, and boy did it rain… I've not seen rain like that for a long time.   And it's still going on now - I did a quick dash to the hotel and I am now drying out some clothes.   Good job I arrived when I did - I really would not have like to be riding in it….

Bulgaria Trip - Day 8 - I think…

The problem with short days is the temptation to join two together!!!  I left the campsite at 8am and cruised along the beautiful coast road heading to the next campsite near Zadar.   We arrived all too soon, despite my slow pace.   What to do …. Ride on….  Since I was last here 4 years ago, heading home from Bulgaria/Greece they have competed the A1 motorway so we hopped on that for a while… Exited at 28 and rode through a mountain (4.5km tunnel).   

I found the next campsite at Makarska but oh what a tourist trap…. Ride on….   It's too hot to set up a tent and then wait for it to cool down so that you can get in it….   I found a small but perfectly formed B&B with a room and air conditioning.   When I was unpacking the bike a polish gentleman handed me a cold beer… so welcome and I am about to drink it when I cook supper on a proper stove, with plates and everything !!!

Tomorrow is a run up to Sarajevo via Mostar.   Then I am staying for two nights so that I can look around the town that was so much in the news a while back - quieter now I hope….

Bulgaria Trip - Day 7 - Rest day

Note - Beer is cheaper than Coca Cola. !!! Who would have thought...

Oh what a night - first some light rain, then heavy rain and then a crash and a flash - a full blown thunder storm …. The group of cyclists next door were enjoying sleeping under the stars without tents….. !!!! They abandoned their kit and retreated to shelter of the shower block.

Checked out my bike and it's using oil at an alarming rate so will have to buy some more oil tomorrow. Topped up the Scottoiler at the same time. Good job it is booked in for a big service on return - 1550 miles done - another 2000 or so to go…. Personal admin done ie washing some clothing - at least it won't take long to dry today.

Cheese omelette and coffee for lunch near the beach. It's a good day to chill… a non riding test day.

Lots of oversized people in undersized costumes showing off some horrendous tattoos. Maybe I'm just an old fashioned guy stuck in my ways !!! You don't have to agree but I can feel you nodding….