Corabia to Suhaia - 72km 43 miles
21 October, 2023
We are now travelling in Central Southern Romania through some relatively flat countryside which is quite joyous under the present physical conditions of us both....
I am now enduring the delights of a grumbling bad neck, and Paul a bad knee. Both of us are managing our various complaints with various pills and tinctures. I am personally blaming my neck on our migration indoors.... 47 days with only 4 nights not under 'canvas' (showing my age here talking about canvas, who the heck would travel like this with a canvas tent!)....err uhh nylon! It's the pillows, European hotels think people want pillows that are the size of midsize suitcases. Now, can you please tell me why anyone would wish to sleep with their chin pinned against their chest? One of the many things I miss about being away from home, apart from my very dear wife, is my lovely down filled pillow.... which incidentally is only lovely because I took about a cubic foot of feathers out of it to stuff the very pillow that has caressed my neck those 43 days of the first 47! Maybe it's me that's odd! So, I am now bringing my camping pillow, all 80 square inches of it, into our 'indoor' bedroom so as to trick the crick out of my neck!!
Paul, on the other hand, has suffered with his knee when going on flat sections of road at speed only, but never when going uphill for some reason, where the work level amplifies many fold. Perhaps we're both a bit odd, and indeed perhaps, it's a pre-requisite to enduring something such as this!
Speaking of things psychotic, Paul and I have created a new word for the english language lexicon;
Psychlautovelociphobia - noun - Fear of two opposing vehicles (worst of all trucks) spotting you and your bicycle ahead, thus simultaneously increasing their speeds to maximum velocity and passing you with just inches to spare thus inducing maximum heart rate, and an adrenaline rush leading to much vocalisation of displeasure over this near death experience. We roared with laughter as we conjured up this one!!
Many phobias are irrational, but this one is very real, and does make you quite skilled at riding on all types of paved, unpaved and vegetative road shoulders.... bumpy or otherwise!
Today was another day of pretty much much just grinding out the miles across flat, often sadly neglected and dilapidated south central Romania. Much of it looks quite unloved and a bit 'down at heel'. Where some eastern European countries have flourished back to past glory since the Soviet withdrawal of the early '90s, Romania appears to have suffered since with many factories and premises being disused, decaying hulks of the past. But word has it that their small economy is growing currently, but it'll take years to restore the glory it may once have had. I hasten to say that this is very much a rural statement as we have not yet experienced any urban delights, such as Bucharest.
All that said the people are chirpy in the main, and always seem only too pleased to greet us as we roll through their world. And, even way out here, the odd gem does shine out from the dust, and fly tipped debris. One such gem is Turnu Mågurele, with it's fabulous central square garden, fountain, and cathedral it does show some of the past glories are still alive and well here. Hopefully greater Romania can rise to be a destination to visit in future for people abroad, and to retain more of its young talent they do have. I spoke with young Robert today in the hope of finding a coffee shop in his town. He displayed visible sadness at his country's lack of ambition, and seriousness about what should be important to them. With so many young Romanians like him working abroad perhaps the next generation will create a new culture of ambition within this place to draw it into the 21st century!
A tough 72 km due to aches&pains was made easier by a friendly tailwind to once again see us end our day by 2pm.
I took to the kitchen tonight in our family run guesthouse to give Paul a rest. I produced a rather tastey Pasta Bolognaise complete with green, orange, and red veg along with fresh and tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, herbs all smoothened out by a splash of Moldovan Merlot!! With strength retored, we head for Rest Day 7 by riding to Ruse Bulgaria tomorrow before we make a 3 day bid for the finish in Constanța on Thursday 26th October with a bit of luck and a following wind!
Cheers
Doug&Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment