Thursday 6th November 2014 - NEED. FOOD.
Also need to get out of this dump of a hotel and escape from Grim City.
Went out on balcony to see what kind of a day it was. Misty, surprise surprise. Could hardly see river and it was only a hundred or so metres away.
Last time I'll see the Danube, as I'm now heading inland. It's amazing to think of the width it was when I first crossed it in Germany, to how big it is now. I wonder if I'd thrown a stick in at Germany, would it be here now or already away past?! What's that game called, 'Poo Sticks' is it??!
Didn't want to step out too far either, as the balcony floor looked a bit dodgy and the railings were missing from the balcony beside mine.
Cold too. First day I've worn my leggings. Might also stop the looks of horror I get from the locals wrapped up in their winter woolies.
So, going to try and make Berkovitsa today. It's about 20km after Montana, where I wanted to be yesterday.
Got the time thing sorted, so was out the door at 9.30am.
First stop, petrol station for food. Ham, cheese and olive (?!) sandwich and restock the chocolate pocket of my bags.
Off to do battle with the Bulgarian traffic, again. First up though, a lovely climb out of town on cobblestones, or square sets. They were damp and off camber, so a tad slippy.
At the top it was still pretty misty, so chose to wear my high vis vest today. Safety first!
Then it was a straight road (road 81) for 50km or so. Rolling hills, across massive fields. A few villages off to right or left.
Thankfully it was wider than yesterday, so felt a little more comfortable with the traffic passing.
Played dodge the dead animal all day. Mainly dogs, a few cats, birds and mice. In varying states of decomposition. From freshly dead, bright red guts splattered over the road, to bloated, to black and rancid smelling, to a vague flattened animal shape of fur imprinted on the tarmac, to bones. Lovely.
Actually had to stop dead in my tracks today on the road, as there was a large dead dog in my path and cars passing me, so couldn't go round it until the road was clear. Horrid. Took a while for the putrid smell to vacate my nostrils afterwards.
Saw the sheep mowing a local football pitch. A few horse and carts too. Also a crashed lorry (I will admit I did smile a little bit at that after how they've tormented me), and a dog sitting in the middle of the road - no wonder they get squished. Say hello when I pass the ladies 'working' in the lay-bys.
At Montana some roadworks made the decision of not stopping for me.
Did pull into another petrol station for another sandwich though. Saw a weird insect on the wall, took a photo. Then 20km to Berkovitsa.
Sun trying to come through, to reveal some big mountains lurking in the mist and clouds around me.
Had to stop at a level crossing at one point. The train that came was ancient and probably only doing the same speed as me on a bike!
Into town, found the hotel. Hotel Vodenitsata. Woman didn't speak any English, so phoned her daughter and I spoke to her to book in. Only 30Lev about £12 for a massive room. Balcony, non falling apart this time, looking over a river and the town, with the mountains in the background. Plus, another bath!!
Hopefully Sofia tomorrow..... I can just imagine the traffic to come!!
Day 69 - 06.11.14
Lom to Berkovitsa, Bulgaria
4h 26min cycling
74.8km
2127 calories
825 metres asc
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