Day 39: 500km of River

Svishtov to Ruse (55km)

We awoke at sunrise, my second least favourite time of day to wake up (second only to before sunrise) and were on the river shortly afterwards. I joked to the guys that it was getting increasingly easier to pack the kayak each morning, that I was sure someone must be stealing stuff overnight. A joke that would come back to haunt me a few days later. The aim for today was to complete the 5 day stretch to Ruse, ideally arriving early afternoon so that we could have plenty time to stock up for the last push to the sea.

The morning was calm and we made good progress, stopping for a leisurely lunch on a riverbank beach. In the afternoon, the winds picked up slightly and the spray deck was back on. The weather gods have a great sense of humour. They arrange for wind, you put the spray deck on. As soon as it’s on, the wind calms, you take the spray deck off. You haven’t even closed the lid on the compartment after packing the spray deck away when the winds pick up again. I decided to trick the wind gods by leaving the spray deck half on. This doesn’t work at all, it is both uncomfortable and doesn’t keep the water out, but I still felt that I had the upper hand.

We arrived in Ruse in good time and for lack of a better option, tied the kayaks to each other. We then checked into a nice hotel and had an excellent Italian dinner. A much better spell of kayaking since the rest day in Vidin. There has been far less wind and the lack of any obstacles means that the river is now flowing nicely. Shortly before reaching Ruse, I passed the 500km marker sign. 500km to the Black Sea, I have set the date, the aim is to arrive in 8 days!

Not the best name for a tourist boat.