Another early departure. 9.15am but made so much easier having breakfast made for us and with no need to pack up the tent and all the bedding. Staying in a hotel has some benefits. The staff though were, dour and humourless. You can certainly feel the Soviet influence even though they have been gone for nearly 40 years. Yesterday, as Jen said, we relaxed. I lay on the bed and went out like a light for 10minutes, though Jen reckons an hour and a half…:).
Eating out last night was a pleasure but disaster. The food was good but cheap and we ended up eating way too much.
An old rotting Russian biplane.
The journey back to the border today was mostly along the same route but with lighter traffic. Again, it’s another hot day and there is relief in driving with a breeze coming through the front vents.
One of the many impressive churches along the way.
Stopping just short of the border we entered through, we stopped to fill up the tank. There was a mature attendant standing by the pump. “Gidday”!, I cheerily greeted him, not a flicker of recognition. Deciding that this wasn’t going to be an informative or chatty encounter I proceeded to fill the tank. It’s a slow process towards the end, as an air lock means the level goes down slowly. I proceeded to dribble more in to which he clicked the supply off and walked away.…:) Charming. Fuel tax is quite a bit lower in Moldova, compared to Romania.
Back to the border with Romania.
It’s an enjoyable drive and Poki get’s along effortlessly. The road is one and a half lanes wide and we can pull into the side and let the speedsters pass. Our gait 80kph.
The Bicaz Gorge
Some of the switchbacks. The cloth over the sat-nav to stop it from frying up in the sun!
A place to camp tonight.
Our objective over the next day or so, is to drive what is deemed a very scenic drive the Transfargasan. The Bicaz Gorge is on the way to it and our camp for the night is amongst the peaks on one of the few flat pieces of ground in the gorge. It’s an extremely small site in what is the back yard of a reclusive couple.
A Dutch couple have just pulled in too and erected their tent. A lovely couple in their late 60’s I would guess. They have travelled via Italy and up through Montenegro to Moldova and are on their way home.
Sensational news!
While Jen’s preparing another brilliant meal, and after topping up our water supply, I checked our mpg from the last fill. 32.54mpg!! That’s solely due to turning the snorkel nozzle around to face the direction of travel. I said earlier that I thought the pedal seemed a little lighter. This is proof.
Jen doing Wordle after dishes are done and darkness closes in. There was a thunder clap earlier and just a few spots of rain. The temperature has dropped dramatically. it’s going to be a lovely cool night.
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