Sorry for the lack of updates-our route through eastern Europe has taken us very far from the tourist trail (as well as the internet).
How’s it all gone? Well, we’ve had lots of broken spokes, long old days in the saddle…and at times (particularly in the Albanian mountains) we’ve even had to do some off-road riding. The riding has been so rewarding though – particularly as we’ve been able to see a side of Europe I never really knew existed (subsistence farmers living in dilapidated farmhouses…two of which gave us the most amazing hospitality-pictured above!).
I’ll have to keep this post brief as we’re trying to push out of Thessalonika before it gets dark…but suffice to say, this part of the adventure has been more than I could have hoped for. Now we’ve just got the Aegean coast to navigate before Kez and I reach Istanbul (I’ll do some proper updates when I get there). In the meantime, I’m sending daily twitter updates…so check back often to see what we’ve been up to.
Thanks to all of you that have messaged me by various means…really is appreciated (I’ll reply as soon as I have a chunk of time to spare)
Bye for now
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Hello
We wanted to share with you this wonderful moment we spent also in this farm with this wonderful people near Burrel. They just stopped us along the road and we spent great time with them for one night, it was 3 days ago. They told us about you.
We are 2 french cyclists, left France 2 months and half ago and are now in Macedonia, will go to Bulgaria and then Istanbul by the end of August. Then our trip will take us to Middle East and Africa.
Have a good trip and enjoy
Helen and Romain
Hey there Helen & Romain,
I think we are probably some of the luckiest of cycle tourers! I couldn’t imagine a more friendly and accomodating couple – they really were exceptionally kind. It’s also great to see that other people are visiting Albania. Before my trip, it was just another country. But now, it is probably my favourite of European countries. Just such friendly people, and the landscape was beautiful too (the challenging ‘roads’ also added to the magic!)
I wish you all the best on your onward journey to Africa. I am currently in Istanbul – but will be leaving within 3-4 days (I’ve got to try and beat the worst of the winter weather in the ‘Stans)
Thanks for taking the time to drop a message on the website…and take care
(p.s. – my camping spots are better than they look
. They almost always have running water and/or toilets!)