After a wakeful night probably due to the seersucker sheets and duvet cover making me feel like I was lying in a large corrugated cardboard tube, or maybe because I had a couple of local brandies after a vat of wine, and another pint of yoghurt and jam, we set off downhill in the sunshine. We stopped off briefly for a tour photo at the meadow we passed yesterday. It was about a 10-minute freewheel to the bottom (took a good hour yesterday to get up it). The road undulated along another river and we stopped at Lucky for a cup of coffee and more honey/jam buying. The bikes were loaded into the van for the last time and I got to ride shotgun up to the Wonderful Bridges. Shopping moved up a gear as there were women selling socks, aprons and bags alongside the road.
The Wonderful Bridges were ok – I think I missed the story about the dragon while I was shopping….
Next stop was the Bachkovo monastery – was quite busy but we lit candles for our nearest and dearest. The monks were wearing some lovely hats and had very long beards. We walked down to the roadside shopping area and spent our diminishing funds on two plates and a cheese pastry.
We then drove into Plovdiv – a must-see place to visit!! We stayed in the youth hostel (our average age was probably 58) but it was in the old town. Last nights are always tinged with sadness – we had a lot of laughs along the way and met some very funny people. We walked around the old town – saw the amphitheatre (which was staging Carmen later – we popped up after dinner and sat watching for free in a windy-but-free spot sipping more local brandy) and the old Roman arena. After a final drink with Anthony and his girlfriend, and a promise to arrange an Iron Curtain trail for next time, we went to a local restaurant where the food was ok – the plates were more interesting, in my view.
Waiting at Sofia airport for my flight home. I have 2 Lev which isn’t enough for a coffee but the guy has let me pay with my Visa card – so I had to buy one last cheese pastry to make the transaction worthwhile. Can’t wait to see the kids, Husband and the gorgeous pussy cats.
Photos will follow shortly as my iPhone is full up on photos so had to use my camera. And that means I have to read a manual when I get home….
Thanks for reading! Next stop St Dogmaels and the Walking Ladies (I seemed to have put on weight despite the rigorous cycling – but maybe it’s just my calves that have doubled in size….)
Snoo's kitchen 