48. Ioannina to Erseke (Albania)

I (usually) like to break in new companions a bit gently! But today was not one of those days!! A big triple-tonner for Andrew’s first day!!

But compared to Iain’s last day…today was really quite easy! Nice gentle gradients…and fast flowing descents….all day long!!

Having said that…the first hour was plain miserable!! We woke to a lake mist….or so we thought. But no it was fog! And got thicker…and damper….and colder…the further we went. On a too-narrow road where too many cars were driving far too quickly (in fog ffs…!)…it was decidedly uncomfortable. Add to that frosted glasses so I could not actually see where I was going…it was really…simply too dangerous!!

Thankfully the fog cleared…! And the sun shone!

And we were back into serious hill country….(well not as serious as this sign might imply!)..

…but lovely!!

65kms down…and this is the crossing point into Albania.

Completely deserted! So we sped through!

And then the serious climbing started! 

On a spectacularly good all-but-new road…which was all-but deserted…for the whole of the balance 55kms! 

Gorgeous!

Our first coffee stop in Albania!

And on…and on…

To Erseke…a very small town…but big enough to have a guest house! This is the view from the balcony…

…the main square…..

……and the main street! 

Big beers for 1.50 euros…not to be sniffed at!

Funny thing though…at our charming guest house run by a lovely old couple…I think I might be staying in Mama’s bedroom! You know how you get gowns is some fancy hotels….well in my wardrobe…I found not gowns…but fur coats!! Hahaha!

What do you think??