August 14 2015 Bitola to Prilep

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Today was an interesting day. Following breakfast we set off and stopped just on the outskirts of town for Gus to grab a coffee. We ordered the drinks and an old guy wandered in to the cafe. He looked well out of sorts and we soon realised that every day he would get his shopping and then come to the cafe and sit in the same seat. The exact same seats that we were now in. Well today wasn't going to be any different and he pulled up his chair huffing and puffing that two intruders had upset his daily routine. lol (see photo).
Whilst at the cafe a random Merc illegally parked outside which was right next to the roundabout and just next to the pedestrian crossing. A few minutes later the Police pulled up and moved the car along only to stay in the exact same dangerous position and start doing random checks. Lol.

We cycled along following the trusty GPS or not so trusty as we were soon in the middle of a field talking to a farmer about how to get to Prilep. We rode along a dirt road for about ten kilometres and then joined a familiar cobbled stoned road. Along the way we passed another turtle / tortoise. He was obviously tired!

As Gus was cycling along the dusty road he was about 500 m ahead of his travelling companion when three manky dogs attacked his panniers. All hell broke loose and I could see guys running from the house to find out what the commotion was. Fortunately one of the guys escorted me down the road with a big stick to ward off the rabid creatures. Gus reckoned that they had teeth bigger than a sabre toothed tiger.

Without going into details Gus needed to do his laundry that night. Lol.

As we continued to travel the road less travelled we came across a family whose trailer and lost a wheel. Gus and I tried to help them look for it but the concept of a line search fell on deaf ears. We all search to no avail and they called an uncle to bring a second trailer to carry the first. Gus and I were expecting a tandem trailer to turn up and we're quite surprised with what arrived. (See photo)

The meeting with this family was fortuitous as they invited us to call in when in Prilep. We took them up in the offer and were treated to beers and nibbles. It turned out he was the recently retired Deputy Commissioner of the Macedonian Police (obviously not in search and rescue). His son, Chris spoke good English and translated for his dad. All in all a really enjoyable afternoon. They now grew and harvested tobacco as a part timer to supplement his pension. Chris rode with us to our hotel and we bid him goodbye.

Where I stayed

Kristal Palas - Lenin 184, Prilep, Republic of MacedoniaI rated this place 4/5 - Clean, comfortable with good wifi and air conditioning.Stayed for one night. Staff appeared friendly and helpful. Bathroom was very clean as were the rooms.

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