Left the campsite properly on attempt no. 2. Had pumped up rear wheel but had only gone a couple of miles when it felt softer than before I’d pumped it up. Although behind gates, there was a lot of barking dogs, so I decided to go back to the campsite to fix it without a doggie audience and associated noise. Couldn’t find anything in the tyre – not sure if it’s the valve that’s the problem – inner tube had already been patched a couple of times before I left home so opted just to replace and so far all seems to be good.

Arrived in Romania today – passport stamped with no problems. Surprising amount of staff relative to the number of cars passing through. The young lads were friendly and one in particular chatted while I waited for my passport to be stamped – think he would have chatted more if the highheidyin (boss) wasn’t about. The highheidyin barely nodded when he returned my passport and I asked if it had been stamped – I don’t think talking or smiling was in his remit! I checked and double checked that passport was definitely stamped before setting off.

Shared roads some of the way on the Hungarian side but large sections of good cycle paths including the one that took me to the border crossing. On the Romanian side no cycle paths so far – when I mentioned no cycle path on Facebook I got a “sad” emoji from friend and fellow cyclist, John – cycle paths would be nice but to be fair I’d plotted route to link up with places I want to see and no expectation of cycle paths and so far roads mostly pretty quiet.

Lovely cycle path with poppies on the Hungarian side – not long later the grass and poppies was being mowed though!!

Stopped at first town I came to in Romania, one to get money and one to get something to eat. I had food on me but wanted a change from bread and cheese and also the only way I’m to learn any Romania is to interact with the locals more and as I’m here for 4 weeks I should really try and learn some of the language. By the end of lunch I’ve nailed 2 words – omleta (omlette) and multumesc (thank you) – it’s going to be a slow process!!

Been chased by one dog so far – but the kids that were with it, got it back into the garden. I like dogs but not when they are chasing and barking at me!

In terms of the road my biggest concern so far in Romania, is the concrete drains – if they are along side the road fine but not when they are across the road like this junction – don’t want to get one of my wheels caught in this!

I was expecting Romania to be poorer than the countries I’ve passed through so far but didn’t expect such a quick transition. Passed through a few wee villages where there was a big disparity between the houses – nothing huge but some big with fancy gates – at the opposite end some not much bigger than the concrete equivalent of my garden shed – no matter the size they nearly all had beautiful flowers growing outside – roses, geraniums, irises and others I can’t remember the name of.

I stayed in a hotel in Tasnad – the lady who ran it suggested I go to the beach (the thermal pools) which I did but it was a bit too busy and decided to walk into town and have a look at the churches with the silver spires that had been catching my eye from the distance instead.