We've been away 9 weeks today - yay!
Made an early-ish start and managed to get down for breakfast a little before 08:00... although....
As we waited for the dining room to open, we were advised by the waiter to come back at 07:00'. 'Silly bugger' we thought as it was already 07:50.
Turns out, we'd been operating in a space/time anomaly during our time in Macedonia.
For some strange reason, Macedonia are on BST+1 hour whilst all their neighbours are BST+2. We didn't know this and managed to traverse the entire country before finding out. Dick heads.
Today's plan has us leaving Macedonia and reaching our last and 12th country of the trip; Greece. A distance of about 50 miles ending in Ptolemaida
After a belated feast, we attempted to hit the road at the corrected time of 08:15. Unfortunately Disharmony II wasn't playing again and had picked up another overnight slow puncture.
Rather than chance a quick pump, Tracey suggested we ignore this and mend the bike instead! Ha! Not really.
Miles spent half an hour looking for a needle in a haystack (or a pinhole in an inner tube) and eventually elected to replace the offending item.
Later than intended, we used our navigational skills (and a goodly portion of luck) and headed the correct way out of Bitola, Macedonia.
We rapidly banged out 10 flat miles to the Macedonian/Greek border and quickly found ourselves back in Euroland.
This was a bitter sweet moment as we've both really enjoyed Macedonia after a few apprehensive moments and contrary advice on what to expect.
The FCO were warning of roaming bandito's and unexploded ordnance from the recent conflicts in this part of the world. However we saw non of this and found the country enchanting and the people very welcoming and friendly. Definitely worth a visit.
Just over the border we sampled our first Greek pop and choccy at a roadside services then hit the road with serious intent (though no Euro's!).
We headed south east on the E65 and had a fantastic couple of 1:10 descents presumably from altitude 'banked' yesterday as there was precious little climbing involved.
Unfortunately, during one of these 40mph drops, Miles picked up another wasp sting (shin - ouch) presumably from a p!ssed off insect objecting to being walloped by a speeding Goff.
Great riding in climbing temps. (and the usual blue skies) saw us entering a bit of a maze of new/old road that wasn't fully depicted on our maps.
We did a bit of 'making it up as we went along' (and asked the locals who turned out to be Greek chatterboxes) and eventually found ourselves once again heading towards Ptolemaida and up a couple of stinker hills.
En route, we passed countless Buzzards hunting by the roadside but little other wildlife (perhaps the Buzzards had eaten it).
For good measure, Disharmony II had another hissy fit and punctured the back tyre for the second time today (why does it always have to be the bloomin back?). This one was patched by the roadside and we were quickly on our way again.
We continued to roam the countryside in the general direction of Ptolemaida (though more signage would help Mr Greek Transport Minister) and eventually rocked up at the outskirts of the city.
We'd researched likely bolt holes before arriving and made a bee line (don't mention bees anymore!) for the first hotel off our list.
Usual routine, checked in, chilled out and refuelled. Fade to Z'ds.....
A nice introduction to Greek cycling. Quiet roads, few hills (so far) though very hot and poorly sign posted.
Today a rather lazy sluttish 48 miles and 385m of ascent. Total trip 3415 miles.
More Southerly ramblings to follow.
Back soon. Miles & Tracey.
