Through The Borders Five

Nicko had told us a few things. Today’s ride would be long but the end location was a reward. The border crossing to Bulgaria could be quirky. The ferryman would get cranky about us not paying individually..(.yes, we had a ferry crossing the Danube. ).  All went according to plan! What an expert tour guide!

The day was to be hot. We would be travelling on looooong minor roads through village after village.  A couple of stops to stretch our legs and to grab some cold drinks from the storekeeper who obligingly set up the de mister fan for us. Sweet.
A non-descript lunch in a non-descript city and we rode to the no-shade obscure border crossing.

The fun then started. It took us 2 1/2 hrs to move 300 metres.
The load of a truck entering the parking area, had shifted causing a flat tyre. A crane was called in to remove the load and secure the truck as the load was being removed. The cargo consisted of 2x3 metre panes of glass encased on wooden frames. The truck was buckled. As we arrived they were slowly lifting each pane to be lowered to the ground onto steel forms. We sought shade near the other waiting trucks. No one could move in our out of the car park until this load was shifted. Unfortunately loud cracking sounds meant that some panes were breaking up. It really was a tragic scene. MEANWHILE another person had locked his keys in his car and two of our capable men assisted him in breaking into his car via a window. ALSO one of our members was stressed with the heat and Nicko asked an air -conditioned -car owner if he could rest in the car. Finally room was made for vehicles to pass, and we boarded the barge.
Not your usual Cruising The Danube!
On the other side, after the riders had negotiated the steep ramps, the official followed Nicko’s predictions and firmly yelled that we needed to pay for the ferry NOW! We dutifully ignored him and pointed at Nicko. Mucking about by the Bulgarian border officials ensued and then FINALLY, we were through. 2 1/2 hours later.
There was an immediate difference. The roads were much wider, albeit not with a great surface, and the agricultural fields were enormous. Must be enterprise driven as you would need large machinery. The villages were more clusters, not stretched out in a line. There were few church spires.
Arriving at Veliko Tărnovo with its ubiquitous apartment blocks, Nicko eventually led us down a cobbled lane that borders a beautiful ravine. Our reward for a long day was a cute-as hotel, a glass of wine on arrival and the night’s restaurant looked over the ravine. Great food and impeccable service. All was well with the world.