Safe Return Doubtful

77 miles (124 km) – Total so far: 322 miles (518 km)

Breakfast wasn’t until 8:30 this morning, but after a late arrival last night that suited. It was a tacky tourist hotel with cheap fixes to a vast range broken items in and out of the room, but served really well. I received a great welcome, even a glass of extremely sweet wine sent to me from a neighbouring table at dinner.
Part of the entertainment after dark were two foxes that arrived to tidy under the tables that had been occupied outside.

The hotel was at 910 metres, so it was mostly downhill to Petrosani at 560 metres, and 26 miles away. A fast ride, unlike the other side of the pass yesterday.

A quick coffee and money exchange in the town and then almost a thousand metre uphill, starting out on pavement but coming more and more rough by the km, and therefore slower. I was at the top at 1 pm, at 1564 metres, then a 250 metre downhill to the junction town of Obarsia Lotrului.

Gentle up and down riding on a good road with small traffic around Lotrului lake, before the last uphill of the day, 280 metres up to a new high point of 1570 m.

A new high point for the course, 1570 metres.

This isn’t great wild camping. There are many tents and caravans just off the road. Whereas the litter situation is better than Bosnia and Montenegro where I was last year, it still isn’t great. And then of course there’s the human waste…

Then a very fast downhill to Voineasa of 930 metres in about 15 km. I had planned to stop over here, but went on for another 10 km or so, seeking a quiet spot.

Tonight’s base from a few km before it, the village of Malaia.

At Malaia I had had enough and found a wonderful Pension which was full, like almost everywhere I guess, but I camped in the shade and ate and drank there. The manager refused to accept any payment; for their own personal shower which I used, and for dinner, which he insisted was on him. Pretty much everyone I have met in Romania, perhaps apart from those 3 loggers, has been incredibly welcoming and friendly.