Day 17 Moto Camp to Srebana transit day

Well, you already have the details on the start of this day, Phil made up the replacement part for my bike, I fitted it, it worked brilliantly and I got on my way. As I was in bike maintenance mode, I thought I ought to check the oil level as well so I dutifully undid the cap to check, then loosely refitted it with a view to a topup later. The bike is doing well, not burning much oil at all, well done G (its name).

I got chatting to Alun and then went to pack the rest of my things. With the bike fully packed I managed to get off at a reasonable time. Excellent, I thought, plenty of time to get to Srebana ready for Romania tomorrow. These types of days are transit days, get on the bike, ride to the next accomodation, stay the night, and get on my way again tomorrow. There was very little of note I wanted to see along the way apart from a Thracian tomb somewhere on the road to which the satnav will guide me.

As I rode I couldn't help but notice the browny splat on my helmet. "Blimey, that bug was juicy, more liquid than bug." As I continued the browny stuff seemed to be getting worse and I thought the bugs here are more liquid than solid, must be a swarm or something so I pulled up on the outskirts of Tarnovo to clean my visor. It wasn't liquid bugs at all, it was engine oil! I'd forgotten to top up the oil and replace the cap properly! It was everywhere, literally! All over my leg, all over the luggage and all over the bike...all over the road now that I've stopped. You can imagine the colourful language and the deep feeling of inadequacy at my ability to do anything without mucking it up completely (or words to that effect!). A passing biker offered to help but there was nothing to be done except clean everything as well as possible, actually top up the oil because now it actually needs it! And then get on my way!

As I continue to curse and run out of suitably absorbant material, who should arrive but Ivo from Moto Camp. Embarrassment utterly complete! Not only do I forget to install a crucial component to make my bike work but I completely forget to tighten up oil filler cap! Who let me out anyway? I tried my best but nothing was going to remove the soaked in stink of hot oil on my trousers. A constant reminder of my incompetence in the coming days.

I finally got to the hotel and they don't understand that i have a booking, they don' actually understand anything I'm saying nor I them. But with some yoga positions and sign language along with a dose of Google Translate we finally agree that I've booked a room for the night and that I'm welcome at their guest house. They turn out to be very nice people. I'd not had the best of days and I apologised for it. Despite the language barrier, we were all getting on very well at that moment and it really was a very nice room. Air conditioned and immaculately clean, what a shame it needs to house a dirty, oily biker for the night. I settle in, have a shower then find food in the other part of the complex. I finally relax and enjoy my food. There's an Englishman on the table next to me but he's deep in conversation on the phone. I don't get an opportunity to speak with him.

I go to my room, a bit of work is done, it's an early night so I can be out in good time tomorrow morning. The oily smell will hang around for a good while yet.

I meet the Englishman just as I'm leaving, nice bloke, investing in property. He points out that his property assets are not that grand and amount to two properties worth the equivallent of about £4000 each. I wish him well for the future and hope he makes a good return come sale time.

Oh, I did stop by that Thracian tomb but it seemed to be closed to external visitors, I could hear people inside but couldn't get in to see it. There were a few tombs a bit like the burial mounds of Salisbury plain, weirdly, they all seemed to have buildings attached to them but nevertheless I did see the outside of some and that had to suffice.