OFR-11 26.04
Start: 06:15 Finish: 15:50
Total km., for day: 186,7
Camped at: N47.15677° E25.22794°
06:15 start to the day and rolling by 07:30. Tried to continue on my planned route only to find a barrier and a tax to pay. Before letting me pay the kind lady explained everything, where the first hut was and the second, after the second the rest were still closed as was the route, I should allow myself eight hours she told me. It was only then that the lights came up. My famous navigation skills had led me to a mountain route. Should have guessed when going into the building from the very serious looking rescue gear all lined up, like a fire station, and all the other gear.
Right he said maybe this isn't the way I wanted to go. Also found out that the Brown Bears are definitely to be watched out for in the whole area, along with keeping an eye out for Bison..
Turned myself around and set out on another self planned route to keep me off the main’ish (my word) roads. This took me North, I was trying to cut straight up through the hills and forest from Hangu to Targu Neamt. There’s a road shown on my map, promise, well a track. Anyway after a very bumpy ride through lots of interesting old villages I met a monk in, wait for it, black cassock, funny round pillbox hat and grey trainer pants in fleece material. Oops, almost forgot the staff. I had been getting a bit suspicious myself about the chosen route so having asked if he had any English or German was told no, but with the the aid of my map, good one by the way, and much hilarity on his part along with a good portion of the international hands and feet language we agreed I had better turn around again. Seems it petered out into a track, the direction of my destination was where he had come from and explained why he was walking. So back we went again.
This took me down and around the 15B to Targu Neamt where I went shopping to stock up for the coming long week end. I then found a way in the direction I had wanted to. The whole area is bristling with Monasteries, all of which are architecturally very interesting and offer up the chances of good images. I stopped off to view the one in a Village by the name of Neamt. Monks very friendly and chatty until their gong went for lunch, then by magic there were none. Anyone who has been in the places in Athos in Greece will know the feeling. You want grub get in there quick.
After this one though have stopped going into them as there is much of the sameness about them and they all seem to be plagued by coach loads for school kids being religiousfied, poor things.
Anyway I did my bit and found them all. The last two, Sihia and Sihastria were situated well off the beaten track, Sihia being at 900 meters. I didn't go in, although no school kids up here, just couldn't be bothered. Access is quite a long drive in on a bumpy road also serving as loggers access and quite strenuous to drive. in some places the ruts were so deep that the surface was corrugated and I was aiming the wheels at the crests of the ruts and hoping I didn't aim wrongly as I’d have bottomed the van out.
After these I want back up past them back down almost to where I had left the macadam behind me to a possible place to camp. Turned out I was right and had this wonderful spot out of sight and mind just me and the birds. I’m so low down and closer to habitation so not expecting and bear or bison encounters. Signs up all over for them. Coming down I met a modern day monk going up. He was on a Quad towing a small trailer. The locals use horse and cart.
Another small anecdote which reminded me of my earlier days. After I had to turn back the second time I was coming into a village, market day so plenty folks about all over the “road”. Just in fron of me a old fellow was wobbling along on his bicycle and spotted a friend. He stopped to chat with said friend but forgot to put a foot down so he fell off in a heap. Much amusement for all but no damage done. Ancient or Palinca or both I guess.
After I had camped up, got organised and fed myself I was so knackered that I just downloaded the days images, quite pleased with some, attempted to read but gave up and crashed at about 19:00.
OFR-12 27.04
Start: 05:15 Finish: 14:24
Total km., for day: 242,2
Camped at: N47.20469° E27.59336°
Awake at 05:15, hadn't blacked out the van, so morning twilight and birds did the necessary. The thunder storm that had been threatening to happen all yesterday afternoon did, without the thunder, somewhere in the night, woke me briefly but not for long. Must be what its like to sleep inside a tin drum. Otherwise been good as nine and a half hours as good as comatose. Cant complain about that. Raining now though. Best get out from where I’m camped in case the ground gets too soggy.
Got out without any trouble and well on my way by 08:30. Hit the tarred road and bashed through to a place by the name of Iasi which is supposed to be a beautiful City. My impression coming in and avoiding the centre because of endless traffic jams, according to my TomTom anyway, to get to where I intended stopping for the night was YUK!!! I’m guessing the centre is what is of interest and just to be sure not to miss anything I’ll go in early tomorrow morning to see and decide. I’ll probably just do a drive by and head off South for the Danube Delta. Cities aren’t normally my thing, prefer to be away from people.
The drive around the centre to get to the little dammed up lake I’m camped alongside, was all through that which I hate about what communism and totalitarian leadership gives the world. Odious and mindless buildings, pretty dilapidated and sure as hell not where I would wish to reside. Wait and see if I’m surprised in the morning!
The drive here, once out of the forests and mountains was pretty much of a bore. Wide open rolling countryside, all given over to grain and rape. Endless.
OFR-13 28.04
Start: 06:15 Finish: 17:15
Total km., for day: 407,2
Camped at: N45.04152° E°29.15690
Had a bit of a fright at around half pas midnight, strange noises woke me to find a vehicle parked next to mine and then a spotlight was shone on the van and a guy started to get out. Noticed the car was black and white, thought “police” and “here we go”. I opened the sliding door and the guy rattled off a whole load of stuff which foe me was gobbledegook. Standard reply “sorry don't understand, only speak English or German. I’m English”, at which without another word he got back in his car and they drove off. As they left I noticed it was some security of sorts and not the officers of the law.
Good job I woke up early, wanted to get into town to check if I was missing something, and I found I was in the midst of the early Anglers setting up. Left immediately, deciding to breakfast later. Driving out along the banks of the Lake it was obviously an Anglers Club or something, place was chocker with them.
Finally found a petrol Station that had 5W-30 oil, seem to be using it up a little to quickly. Then drove to the city centre to see what I might be missing by moving straight on. There were some interesting “old” buildings but mostly newer stuff that is abominable to my eye. Anyway nothing that interested me enough to hanging around. Another reason I think is that I’ve got so used to being faraway from major inhabitations I get nervous in the hustle of cities, (got old I guess).
Anyway at 08:15 I headed out down South and found a great spot around 09:00 to breakfast in peace. From there all the way down to Galati on the Danube was long low lying countryside, all farmed. Interesting enough to see the villages and what daily life seems to be like but not my sort of terrain. Pretty boring really. On my left away to the East was the boarder with Moldova, Until crossing the Danube into the Delta and then to my North it is the Ukraine.
In Galati there is a Ferry crossing over the Danube, only way until I've not been able find a bridge on the map so far. Quite interesting one as well, the loading method as well, looks like chaos but worked very smoothly. Cost all of €4,60. Ferry left and the crossing took ten minutes with another five to unload. From there it was just a straight bash, good road, to where I am now, place by the name of Murighiol, which is about as far as you can go in an easterly direction.
Had planned on going a little further to the North as far North as possible in fact by road into the area but the Ferry wasn't running.
Couple of camp sites here and the one I am on backs onto a “lagoon” , one of many in the Delta away from the road into the village. Power, showers etc., all on hand and I’ve decided to take Sunday of from driving and just chill. Must say driving with these folks is quite an adventure at times. I had been concerned that everywhere would be full because of the long weekend but I have this place to my self. Seems most folks, and there are a lot of them about are camping out wild, which is fine by me.
The Delta is fascinating and obviously a birdwatchers paradise. And frogs and we all know what a racket the can make. Apart from that acres of reeds and water would you believe. There are tours out into the Delta but to many folks about, the guy that runs this campsite also offers trips but not yet his boat is still out of the water. Apart from that with so many boats buzzing about filled with noisy folks, not much point in that. Best would be just a quite personal deal with a boat owner over a period. Only worthwhile before and just after dawn and later in the day from about fiveish on. Won’t be here long enough to warrant it.
Shall stretch my legs in the area and generally switch off from driving.
OFR-13 29.04
Start: 05:15 Finish:
Total km., for day: Zilch
Camped at: N45.04152° E°29.15690
Apart from cleaning and airing of the van all day as it has been bright and sunny right through done absolutely nothin. Apart from eat and read. Day off.
No further luck with image uploads I'm afraid.
Move on going South along the Black Sea coast line.
Start: 06:15 Finish: 15:50
Total km., for day: 186,7
Camped at: N47.15677° E25.22794°
06:15 start to the day and rolling by 07:30. Tried to continue on my planned route only to find a barrier and a tax to pay. Before letting me pay the kind lady explained everything, where the first hut was and the second, after the second the rest were still closed as was the route, I should allow myself eight hours she told me. It was only then that the lights came up. My famous navigation skills had led me to a mountain route. Should have guessed when going into the building from the very serious looking rescue gear all lined up, like a fire station, and all the other gear.
Right he said maybe this isn't the way I wanted to go. Also found out that the Brown Bears are definitely to be watched out for in the whole area, along with keeping an eye out for Bison..
Turned myself around and set out on another self planned route to keep me off the main’ish (my word) roads. This took me North, I was trying to cut straight up through the hills and forest from Hangu to Targu Neamt. There’s a road shown on my map, promise, well a track. Anyway after a very bumpy ride through lots of interesting old villages I met a monk in, wait for it, black cassock, funny round pillbox hat and grey trainer pants in fleece material. Oops, almost forgot the staff. I had been getting a bit suspicious myself about the chosen route so having asked if he had any English or German was told no, but with the the aid of my map, good one by the way, and much hilarity on his part along with a good portion of the international hands and feet language we agreed I had better turn around again. Seems it petered out into a track, the direction of my destination was where he had come from and explained why he was walking. So back we went again.
This took me down and around the 15B to Targu Neamt where I went shopping to stock up for the coming long week end. I then found a way in the direction I had wanted to. The whole area is bristling with Monasteries, all of which are architecturally very interesting and offer up the chances of good images. I stopped off to view the one in a Village by the name of Neamt. Monks very friendly and chatty until their gong went for lunch, then by magic there were none. Anyone who has been in the places in Athos in Greece will know the feeling. You want grub get in there quick.
After this one though have stopped going into them as there is much of the sameness about them and they all seem to be plagued by coach loads for school kids being religiousfied, poor things.
Anyway I did my bit and found them all. The last two, Sihia and Sihastria were situated well off the beaten track, Sihia being at 900 meters. I didn't go in, although no school kids up here, just couldn't be bothered. Access is quite a long drive in on a bumpy road also serving as loggers access and quite strenuous to drive. in some places the ruts were so deep that the surface was corrugated and I was aiming the wheels at the crests of the ruts and hoping I didn't aim wrongly as I’d have bottomed the van out.
After these I want back up past them back down almost to where I had left the macadam behind me to a possible place to camp. Turned out I was right and had this wonderful spot out of sight and mind just me and the birds. I’m so low down and closer to habitation so not expecting and bear or bison encounters. Signs up all over for them. Coming down I met a modern day monk going up. He was on a Quad towing a small trailer. The locals use horse and cart.
Another small anecdote which reminded me of my earlier days. After I had to turn back the second time I was coming into a village, market day so plenty folks about all over the “road”. Just in fron of me a old fellow was wobbling along on his bicycle and spotted a friend. He stopped to chat with said friend but forgot to put a foot down so he fell off in a heap. Much amusement for all but no damage done. Ancient or Palinca or both I guess.
After I had camped up, got organised and fed myself I was so knackered that I just downloaded the days images, quite pleased with some, attempted to read but gave up and crashed at about 19:00.
OFR-12 27.04
Start: 05:15 Finish: 14:24
Total km., for day: 242,2
Camped at: N47.20469° E27.59336°
Awake at 05:15, hadn't blacked out the van, so morning twilight and birds did the necessary. The thunder storm that had been threatening to happen all yesterday afternoon did, without the thunder, somewhere in the night, woke me briefly but not for long. Must be what its like to sleep inside a tin drum. Otherwise been good as nine and a half hours as good as comatose. Cant complain about that. Raining now though. Best get out from where I’m camped in case the ground gets too soggy.
Got out without any trouble and well on my way by 08:30. Hit the tarred road and bashed through to a place by the name of Iasi which is supposed to be a beautiful City. My impression coming in and avoiding the centre because of endless traffic jams, according to my TomTom anyway, to get to where I intended stopping for the night was YUK!!! I’m guessing the centre is what is of interest and just to be sure not to miss anything I’ll go in early tomorrow morning to see and decide. I’ll probably just do a drive by and head off South for the Danube Delta. Cities aren’t normally my thing, prefer to be away from people.
The drive around the centre to get to the little dammed up lake I’m camped alongside, was all through that which I hate about what communism and totalitarian leadership gives the world. Odious and mindless buildings, pretty dilapidated and sure as hell not where I would wish to reside. Wait and see if I’m surprised in the morning!
The drive here, once out of the forests and mountains was pretty much of a bore. Wide open rolling countryside, all given over to grain and rape. Endless.
OFR-13 28.04
Start: 06:15 Finish: 17:15
Total km., for day: 407,2
Camped at: N45.04152° E°29.15690
Had a bit of a fright at around half pas midnight, strange noises woke me to find a vehicle parked next to mine and then a spotlight was shone on the van and a guy started to get out. Noticed the car was black and white, thought “police” and “here we go”. I opened the sliding door and the guy rattled off a whole load of stuff which foe me was gobbledegook. Standard reply “sorry don't understand, only speak English or German. I’m English”, at which without another word he got back in his car and they drove off. As they left I noticed it was some security of sorts and not the officers of the law.
Good job I woke up early, wanted to get into town to check if I was missing something, and I found I was in the midst of the early Anglers setting up. Left immediately, deciding to breakfast later. Driving out along the banks of the Lake it was obviously an Anglers Club or something, place was chocker with them.
Finally found a petrol Station that had 5W-30 oil, seem to be using it up a little to quickly. Then drove to the city centre to see what I might be missing by moving straight on. There were some interesting “old” buildings but mostly newer stuff that is abominable to my eye. Anyway nothing that interested me enough to hanging around. Another reason I think is that I’ve got so used to being faraway from major inhabitations I get nervous in the hustle of cities, (got old I guess).
Anyway at 08:15 I headed out down South and found a great spot around 09:00 to breakfast in peace. From there all the way down to Galati on the Danube was long low lying countryside, all farmed. Interesting enough to see the villages and what daily life seems to be like but not my sort of terrain. Pretty boring really. On my left away to the East was the boarder with Moldova, Until crossing the Danube into the Delta and then to my North it is the Ukraine.
In Galati there is a Ferry crossing over the Danube, only way until I've not been able find a bridge on the map so far. Quite interesting one as well, the loading method as well, looks like chaos but worked very smoothly. Cost all of €4,60. Ferry left and the crossing took ten minutes with another five to unload. From there it was just a straight bash, good road, to where I am now, place by the name of Murighiol, which is about as far as you can go in an easterly direction.
Had planned on going a little further to the North as far North as possible in fact by road into the area but the Ferry wasn't running.
Couple of camp sites here and the one I am on backs onto a “lagoon” , one of many in the Delta away from the road into the village. Power, showers etc., all on hand and I’ve decided to take Sunday of from driving and just chill. Must say driving with these folks is quite an adventure at times. I had been concerned that everywhere would be full because of the long weekend but I have this place to my self. Seems most folks, and there are a lot of them about are camping out wild, which is fine by me.
The Delta is fascinating and obviously a birdwatchers paradise. And frogs and we all know what a racket the can make. Apart from that acres of reeds and water would you believe. There are tours out into the Delta but to many folks about, the guy that runs this campsite also offers trips but not yet his boat is still out of the water. Apart from that with so many boats buzzing about filled with noisy folks, not much point in that. Best would be just a quite personal deal with a boat owner over a period. Only worthwhile before and just after dawn and later in the day from about fiveish on. Won’t be here long enough to warrant it.
Shall stretch my legs in the area and generally switch off from driving.
OFR-13 29.04
Start: 05:15 Finish:
Total km., for day: Zilch
Camped at: N45.04152° E°29.15690
Apart from cleaning and airing of the van all day as it has been bright and sunny right through done absolutely nothin. Apart from eat and read. Day off.
No further luck with image uploads I'm afraid.
Move on going South along the Black Sea coast line.
