Middle-aged flash packers

Our route today took us from Veliko Tarnarvo ,through Russe, across the Danube and into Romania. 

The drive through Bulgaria was easy and civilised. Definitely a country I would return to. 

All our problems were in Romania, starting with crossing the border. We were stuck in roadworks on the bridge crossing the Danube for an hour. Bad enough, but Steve briefly got out of the car to take a photo and said there were massive holes in the Tarmac and you could see the river below. I didn’t really want to know that.

Eventually we arrived in Romania which took a bit of getting used to as it was less ordered than Bulgaria, with old men on bicycles all over the place. Anyway, Steve got into his stride only to be waved down by a policeman. First speeding ticket of the tour. 25 Euros. Bugger. 

We continued at a much more leisurely pace and eventually found ourselves on the “ring road” around Bucharest. This gets the prize as the most frustrating, boring and long ring road ever circumnavigated. It’s single lane with traffic coming on from all directions resulting in long periods of stationary traffic.

If you feel inspired by our trip and want to come to Romania, avoid this road at all costs. It’s probably easier and quicker to drive right through the capital.

The only thing that livened it up was a man who jumped out of some bushes and flashed at me. Not the most pleasant of sights to be honest but he was quite well endowed and obviously thought it was worth showing off. Strangely this isn’t the first time this has happened to me but that’s a story for another time.

Anyway, the time dragged, we ate our sandwiches quickly at a petrol station (I had some extremely strong smoked fish bagel which I can still smell on my hands) and plodded on. 

About an hour before arriving at Brasov, we got a leg stretch paying the speeding fine at a handy police station.

We drove through Brasov without too much trouble and arrived at our pension. 

Bliss! Based on a hill just outside the old town, we look out on beautiful green hills. Our room is smartly furnished with toiletries. 60 euros a night incl brekkie – expensive compared to Bulgaria but we’re worth it!