Romania

Today we got up and after breakfast round the corner met our fantastically helpful and accommodating host Razvan to hand the key back. As well as providing us a place to stay whilst in Constanta and escorting us into town he was willing to get something delivered for me (I now have heated hand-grips again!), helped us carry our stuff downstairs, guided us out of town on the right road and even arranged tonight's accommodation in Galati, near the Moldovan border! Fantastic.

One or two potholes initially, but shortly outside Constanta the road opened up beautifully, one lane each way through the flatlands and the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. There were lots of partially submerged trees along one river which looked great.

After lunch we took a ferry across a short stretch of the Danube and were joined by 10 or so other motorbikers out for a ride. After that we were guided to tonight's apartment in Galati, initially following the wrong car, but soon arriving okay at another ideal apartment!

Tomorrow we have to cross into Moldova for a short stretch before entering Ukraine.

We had a good breakfast brought to our room today and enjoyed the morning sunshine on the balcony before saying goodbye to our great hosts and heading out on the new road North.

At one point the road was still being made and we were using our off-road skills again. One of the workers approached us and used the world's international language: not English but English Premiership Football. His conversation was typical of one's we've had everywhere we've been so far where there is a language problem:

Guy : Hello! Where are you from?
Ed : England. London?
Guy : Ah, Chelsea!
Etc

A little knowledge of premiership clubs, recent results and who from the local country plays there makes you friends wherever you go.

Had lunch in Varna before crossing the border into Romania (much easier crossing than of late). We noticed a change straight away - dogs everywhere! From there it was 70 km or so to Constanta where we met our host Ražvan who took us through town to our nice pre-booked apartment (on the 4th floor up the stairs!).

The toothbrush-holder was pleased to see us:

Lovely dinner in a restaurant round the corner where Ed asked for some olives as a starter and the waiter said:
Waiter - How many grams?
Ed [looking perplexed] - Errr . . .
Waiter - 50g? 100g?
Ed - Give us 100!

It was a good amount and now we just have to decide how ambitious to be with tommorow's itinerary . . .

Another 210 miles further round.