On my way!

It is early morning just past six and already warm.  I amsitting on the stoep of a garage waiting for my Garmin to charge after doing just a few kilos. Friday morning was hectic. you can imagine my relief when I had passport in hand with the necessary visas. Needlless to say I check my passport every few minutes. The airline charged me an arm and a leg for the bicycle, really upsetting. Just made the weight limit. The flight was uneventful, just in the haste of leaving I forgot to put my cell phone on roaming. No cell reception in belgrade. Was just so relieved to see by luggage and bike arrive. Did the soft thing and took a taxi for the 25km to Belgrade city cente. Taxi dropped me in the CBD and there on the pavement I assembled my bike to the irritation of the stall owner next to me. I got a good map of Serbia at a nearby bookshop and then finally manged to get a new simcard after being sent from pillar to post. The information buro was kind enough to look after my bike and gave helpful directions out of town and I set off past twelve.  My garmin is a bit like me, does not like cities and keeps on telling me I am must my a U turn. A friendly man helps me to find my way, shows me the beautiful cathedral and wants a tip. I hate the city, got nearly run over by a tram from behind. Still getting used to riding on the right and was expecting the bus from in front. A passer by stop me to show me how flat my tyres are and I pump them there and then and later a roadside repair shop, plenty of them.  Finally I am in the country side, stop at a road side market for lunch, two apples and 4 peaches. Soon I hit the first hill and stop halfway up to change in my cycling clothes. I check my passport in my moon bag, zip open! Only to fund it safely in the next pocket. That fright is enough to give me a SVT that fortunately reverts soon. I struglgle to find my rythm and progress is slow. The first sigthing of the Danube is special, what a huge river. I cycle mostly along side the river and reach Smeredevo at four. The main attraction is the well preserved remains of a huge medieval fort on the river banks. I buy water but the icecream at the vendor is all melted, aaah. Off again, the garmin likes the country side and helps me when I get lost. The route takes me in land. By 20.00 the sun sets. I had hoped to reach the river again but it is still too far. In a small town called Sirakovo I ask for accommodation from a group of men drinking beer on the stoep of a cafe. They direct me to a place 1 km back that I passed with lots of loud music. There is a wedding reception and no beds. Back to the men on the stoep, no english just gesticulations. When I show them my camping gear one of them says I must follow him. I have no idea where we are going. I follow him for a km or two until we reach an old derelict house in the country side. It turns out that he is living there and is inviting me to sleep there, what I am I letting myself in for! No water, no toilet but a electricity providing some light. He offers me a cucumber and a tot from a plastic bottle, one sip of what tastes like pure alcohol is enough. despite my protestations he insists that I sleep on his bed and he on the floor.  He iis  very frustrated that  I cannot understand him but nonethless keeps on talking and gesticulating.  I sleep with my passport and wallet under the pillow. Wewake ip at 4.30 and he helps me on my way.

Garmin is charged and I am on my way again. Stefan slept (for the first time in a bed!) about 40km from border I and we hope to meet each some tome today. The route is mostly along the river, great!