We left Dobrich, Bulgaria relatively early and got on well on one of the best and at the same time calmest roads in Bulgaria so that we managed to cross the border to Dobromir in Romania at around 5:30 in the afternoon. We had a warmshower confirmation from George for the next day but felt it was stupid to do wild camping less than 20 km from a real bed and a shower. So we decided to take the risk and continue even though it was clear we would most likely not manage before dark. Then in Padureni, 13 km from our goal, the road turned into a path and then not even that was clearly distinguishable. Two of the disadvantages of Mapsme, our main navigating system, teamed up on us: first it does not distinguish very well between small country roads and unpaved roads or former roads and second it stays on the desired path longer than you actually do. Meaning you do not get the feedback that you are no longer on your route until quite late.... So we ended up in a dipp with some beautifully flowering cherry trees (they are flowering everywhere since we left Istanbul) and the road turned into a ditch, Andreas skillfully manouvered our Tandem long after I would have dared to and just when I suggested it might be a good idea that at least I get off and reduce the weight - I managed just in time to get off when our tandem slipped right into the ditch... Dusk was falling quickly but eventually we found a path that looked as though it would lead us somewhere and finally found the main road again. George had already set out to search for us but we where met by Cathy, who lives mainly on a bike when she does not volunteer somewhere, like just now with George and Maria, a longtime family friend who supports George in many ways and bakes absolutely wonderful bread. She spoke to us in Romanian all the time and we actually understood quite a bit. After a wonderful soup, Michaela came over from the next village, as she wanted to meet us and employ her German again....
The conversation was so interesting, we decided to stay for another day, in which we helped to plant birch trees and build a fence (The ecological type - made out of branches woven between wooden posts. They are not very common anymore but we have seen some, throughout the countryside here). Both George and Michaela left Romania (Constanța) as children and grew up and lived in Belgium respectively Germany. Three years ago they returned, George to live on, rebuild and expand the small farm of his grandparents and Michaela to Constanța to later move to the village next to George. Hearing their experiences was very interesting and as they are full of energy and ideas how to improve life in Romania this gives a lot of hope in a country, where many indicators of living standards are among the lowest not only in Europe but sometimes even globally (like pregnancy rate of mothers aged under 15 or abortion rate, and concerning waste in the landscape, at least the area in the South certainly tops everything we have seen so far...). George is always glad to receive cyclists and volunteers and we can absolutely recommend the place and even more the people!
With Maria, Kathy and George v.l.t.r.
Maria baked delicous bread!