Day 37: That’s a paddlin’ Oryahovo to Marker 620 (59km) After a quick trip to the supermarket to stock up on supplies, we were on the river, the metropolis of Oryahovo becoming a fading memory. The aim for the day was to take another 60km out of the river, moving us closer to the short term target of […]
Day 36: The town that time forgot Marker 732 to Oryahovo (53km) Once again, camping by the river meant that we could get a quick getaway, on the river before the wind or the sun could start ruining our peaceful paddling. Shortly before stopping for lunch, we passed the 700km marker, the markers have been steadily ticking down, […]
Day 35: Long road to Ruse Vidin to Marker 732 (59km) After a day off yesterday, I was feeling much better and ready to return to the river. My day off had meant that Hugo and Toby had caught me up, they had battled through the tough weather of the past week well and were still in good […]
Day 34: Battered or Fried? Novo Selo to Vidin (43km) The owner of the hotel had told me last night that he would pick me up this morning and take me back to the river. I had foolishly told him that 7am would be a good time, forgetting that I was now on Eastern European time, moving one […]
Day 33: The hotelier and the fisherman Brza Palanka to Novo Selo (51km) It was a calm morning on the river and despite there being little current because of the upcoming dam, it was the most pleasant kayaking for a few days. Djerdap 2, the second and final Serbian dam was visible long before reaching it. […]
Day 32: Go Kayaking Kladovo to Brza Palanka (50km) As the crow flies, the distance between todays start and end point was pitifully small. However, no matter how hard I wish it to be, spreading my wings and flying to my destination is not an option. I instead, was forced to follow the river as it took a […]
Day 31: Hitchhiker’s guide to the Danube Donji Milanovac to Kladovo (56km) I awoke a little sore this morning but nothing stopping me from continuing. At breakfast, I took a couple of sausages, the Frankfurter ones. I was a little concerned that my fork and then my knife were unable to penetrate them. Had I lost so […]
Day 30: That sinking feeling Veliko Gradiste to Donji Milanovac (71km kayaking, 1km swimming) In normal circumstances, kayaking into Donji Milanovac would probably be quite pleasant. However, swimming to shore, dragging a kayak that is full of water, in the dark and rain are not normal conditions. This is how I arrived, but before we get there, we […]
Day 29: It’s never boring Smederevo to Veliko Gradiste (66km) It’s been three months since I set out from John O’Groats. A large part of this was spent in Dover but I have still been on the road for a long time and today I could feel it. Physically, I am still feeling good, kayaking is becoming […]
Day 28: Hail to the fisherman Stari Banovca to Smederovo (67km) Today was one of the hottest days so far and a bit of a slog from start to finish. I was on the river nice and early and made good, yet unspectacular, steady progress all the way till lunch. Before reaching my lunching spot, I passed through […]