A few days have passed since my last thoughts were written for all to see. I am now in the heart of the Peloponnese, Greece. A whirlwind of events has found me so busy that I have had hardly enough time to think, let alone, time to make it legible. I will try now though.
It took me 5 days to leave, what was going to be a 1-2 night stop, at Berat. Scott, the soft spoken Geordie, is a top guy. He runs and owns the Backpackers Hostel with the current help of, a Helpx volunteer, Roshni, an American. They make a good combination, Roshni normally does the breakfast whilst Scott sleeps. Scott enjoys watching and laughing at guests indulge and in my case over indulge on his fabulous flavored Raki. One night this Raki even made me dress as a woman and head out to a local restaurant... why you ask... I like to call it 'for shits and giggles'! It was a good night and virtually the whole hostel headed out and returned, where we drank for free. Although some didn't need the extra alcohol!
I left with Scott's number and said I would meet up with him in Athens, as he s planning a trip before returning to the UK for the winter. I hope to meet him for 2 reasons, social and business...
My next destination was to be Gjirokaster. Sadly a near vertical cobbled road heading to the castle on top of the hill, sees me turn round and head further south. Saranda is the last destination of note I want to see in Albania but fate intervenes.
I turned off the main road and within 1km I see 4 motorbikes meandering down the hill I am plodding up. It's Rick and Miake with a German couple in tow. I had been in contact with Rick, since they departed Berat, as they had left some clothes and I had promised to bring them with me for when we met. I hadn't expected it to be here, and fortunately I wasn't wearing Miake's bikini bottoms at the time!
With the goods delivered and introductions, to Christian and Christina, made, I decide to join the conga. Their next, correction, our next stop is Meteora, Greece.
It is my first experience of group riding and just as I am getting into it, we stop for petrol and to use up the last Leke, not realising we can see the border. It gives me chance to chat, but most importantly, to check out the other bikes. The German's, sticking to their stereotype, are riding 2 BMW's. Chris and Chris are also decked out head to toe in BMW clothing. They are a very nice couple who are following the route they took 10 years ago for their honeymoon. Their love for riding even made them relocate to the Alps.
After freshening up we press on into mainland Greece. However time is ticking by and when we realise we have crossed into another time zone, we know we won't make it to the campsite. Rick and Miake suggest rough camping, we all agree and within 20 minutes we are putting our tents up with the backdrop of a sinking sun.
It had been a long days ride for me and whilst we sat in a disused quarry, out of sight of the road, but just metres away, I find myself staring between a roaring fire and cloud free night sky. A romantic setting, although for Christian, he is content just with beer.
We were woken the next morning by a goat herder and his flock, all of whom are wearing bells trekking through the quarry. He obviously takes this route on a regular basis but I am fairly sure he is not used to seeing the 2 Dutch, the 2 German and me at the bottom of it.
We pack up and hit the road. Destination Meteora.
It is my first experience of group riding and just as I am getting into it, we stop for petrol and to use up the last Leke, not realising we can see the border. It gives me chance to chat, but most importantly, to check out the other bikes. The German's, sticking to their stereotype, are riding 2 BMW's. Chris and Chris are also decked out head to toe in BMW clothing. They are a very nice couple who are following the route they took 10 years ago for their honeymoon. Their love for riding even made them relocate to the Alps.
After freshening up we press on into mainland Greece. However time is ticking by and when we realise we have crossed into another time zone, we know we won't make it to the campsite. Rick and Miake suggest rough camping, we all agree and within 20 minutes we are putting our tents up with the backdrop of a sinking sun.
It had been a long days ride for me and whilst we sat in a disused quarry, out of sight of the road, but just metres away, I find myself staring between a roaring fire and cloud free night sky. A romantic setting, although for Christian, he is content just with beer.
We were woken the next morning by a goat herder and his flock, all of whom are wearing bells trekking through the quarry. He obviously takes this route on a regular basis but I am fairly sure he is not used to seeing the 2 Dutch, the 2 German and me at the bottom of it.
We pack up and hit the road. Destination Meteora.
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