We had an early start and headed down the gravel road to
Cerna Sat – a small community deep at the head of the limestone valley. A good
road takes you up to a viewpoint and a dam. Steve and I managed to lose each
other somehow while taking photos – I thought he had headed off along the long
road that follows the side of the lake but I just couldn’t catch him. I thought
he was on a mission today! I realised something was wrong when he wasn’t waiting
for me at the next junction – which was very unusual. Following our rules, I
headed back down the road to the last point that we had seen each other – which
was the viewpoint. Steve had been taking more photos and lost me and had waited
at the viewpoint for ages so decided to see if he could find me further along
the route but not before leaving me a message on the road! Fortunately we met
each other on the road – with me backtracking towards him – a good strategy
that works!
The dirt road goes for miles and miles along the lake and then into the head of the valley and goes all the way to Pestosani. We followed the TET route all the way on this winding road through the forest until it started to head down back towards civilisation. There are a few farms and logging sites along the way but much else. We disturbed a couple of buzzards that literally took off just in front of us today – a beautiful sight.
On the descent, we found a much needed water source as we
were both getting low on water. They are sometimes marked on the GPS route but
normally you just have to keep an eye out. Another great thing the Romanians do
well – a plentiful basic water source from the mountains for you to use just
when you need it.
As we finished the descent it was back along a sealed road.
I stopped to take some photos of the locals making hay – and the guy came over
to speak to me – basically to ask if we were okay and if we needed anything – I
found the Romanians to be lovely helpful people. They all seem to love dirt
bikes and give you a wave as you ride past. The farming fascinates me –
especially in the villages which appears to be done on a small scale where you
farm just enough for yourself and your sheep, cows or goats. Everyone seems to
farm their small patch of land for just enough that they need in the rural
areas. It is a refreshing change from farming on a commercial scale.
We headed down to another dam and followed a sealed road to
Cloasani where we had a coffee and topped up our bread supplies from a lovely
local shop owner.
Here we left the TET route to complete our loop for the day.
We turned off onto what we thought would be a dirt road that would take us back
over the tops into the valley of Cerna Sat. It was a beautiful sealed road and
Steve looked vey disappointed but I thought it was lovely as the scenery was
stunning.
About halfway back along our route we saw a dirt road
that looked to be heading in the right
direction so we decided to explore. At first it seemed to be heading in the
right direction and was a good dirt road – happy days! After about 5km the GPS
told us we were heading further away from Cerna Sat than we would have
preferred but we kept going. However, the road eventually ran out and came to
an end so we turned around and headed up a logging track that we had seen. The
loggers are just as friendly as the farmers and always wave and happy to have a
conversation about directions that neither of us understands! The logging
tracks are steep and this one eventually turned into a rocky ascent – Steve
went to investigate but eventually returned to say there were some rock steps
and it was quite technical and knew that I would prefer to return to the sealed
road- and so we did.
Back on the sealed road I counted down the posh road
markers until about 7km to go before Cerna Sat but then suddenly the road
turned to dirt and the markers were no more. Steve was happy as we made our way
back to the main dirt road to Cerna Sat. What was interesting when we reached
the junction the sign said we still had 6km to go to Cerna Sat and we had just
done about 4km! In Romania take the road signs and maps with a pinch of salt
and trust your GPS. It was back to the van for an afternoon of relaxing and
washing bikes, laundry and bodies in the river, followed by beer and dinner.
