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We have now left Russia and will be making our way home, the trip will take about seven days, we go to Estonia through the border at Narva then stop at Tartu, after that we go to Kaunas in Lithuania then onto Warsaw, we move onto Frankfurt an der Oder, then Osnabruck and finally to Ghent, from there we take the tunnel and home, all being well on Sunday.
Into Estonia 15th July
We were advised by Eugene, (the guy we met at the harley shop) that this would be the best way out of Russia, as the roads are better than the ones we came in and he was not wrong, there was only one small patch of broken road the rest were good, so progress was made to the border, we travelled through big forests and the traffic was light. Once at the border the guards barely looked at our paperwork and waved us through, we had to wait about an hour to get through the Estonian broder, but this was due to the weight of traffic more than anything else. Once through straight to a Macdonalds to check the route and cool off, then we made our way to Tartu, the roads in Estonia are good but the speed limits are slow and the police are ourt in force, so had to stick to them, this made the trip a little labourious, but rules are rules. You can see Estonia has been in the EU for some time, there are more signs of money has been put nto the country, leisure facilities, they also take a lot of pride in where they live everything seems neat and orderly, also the Euro is used here, which is easier for us.
We arrive at Tartu and find the city is a city of culture and learning, there are several universities here and lots of monuments relating to the people who have kept Estonian culture and language alive, throughout the centuries. We follow the city walk and find it captivating to learn about Estonia. We even pose for photos with the statues of Osar Wlde and Eduard Vilde (Wild in English). There are students everywhere doing what students do, except they cannot buy alcohol after 10pm, city byelaws, it has been a university city since the 17th century, so they know!! albout students and beer! Tomorrow off to Lithuania, through Latvia, last time the roads were bad, so we will see.
16th July To Lithuania
As we pass through Estonia, the weather takes a turn and we have to put on our waterproofs, the first time since Sarajevo, some three weeks ago, not bad and it is only a shower or two, but the roads take a turn for the worse in Latvia, so I have to ride steady, although they are still better than the original route we took. We are only in Lativa for a short time, but the countryside is more farmland than the forrests and lakes on the previous route, we pass into Lithuania just after Riga, we get a little lost around Riga, but regain out tracks after a u-turn on a major road, and once into Liuthuania the roads improve a bit, so I am able to make good progress, but it is still to be a long day, the weather warms up and we hit Kuanas about 4pm local time, our instructions get us into town, without too much bother, but the roads are in poor condition again, and we hit a big bump that takes the wind out of Jack. me, I worry about the bike, and hope there is no damage, once we get to the Hotel, I check the bike over, and all appears okay, I do notice some chrome is peeling off the front wheel, but I have already spoken to the Harley dealer at home about this, so nothing to do with the trip.
The hotel let us lock the bike in a garage for the night, which is nice. Tonight we plan our trip home, and tomorrow we head for Warsaw again.
- comments
Steve and Jane We see a recurring theme on this trip. 'Cities I have got lost in' and 'Where to get a nice ice cream'. Loving the photos. Jane liked the look of the huge ice cream Martin was eating. Did you go into Jackies bar? Take care, Love Steve and Jane xx
Paul & Caroline (Lynn) You seem to be having a great time ! Get home safely and remember they nearly all drive / ride on the wrong side