May 10 - Motorways and short cuts

After yesterday's achievement today was always going to be a challenge. Another early start to avoid the heat Simon soon led me onto a new road with a flyover reminiscent of the M6 (but with little traffic as he was quick to point out) A wonderfully smooth surface at last and we encountered our first proper hill which unfortunately required our lowest gears at the hottest part of the day. I have finally mastered the technique of sliding into Simon's reassuring slipstream and even managed to freewheel at times. Our arrival into Drobeta Turnu Severin was terrifying with fast cars and heavy lorries but good to see the Danube again. We have now discovered that Romanians do not speak English. They speak Spanish and Italian but sadly we do not. Simon has mastered "two beers" in Romanian and "multo mesk" means thank you - so we are getting by. Having now cycled nearly 280 miles in 4 days it must be time for a physical update. Simon and the bikes are going well, thankfully. As for me: back and nether regions good, but worrying pain in right knee and strange parasthesia and weakness of left hand due to vibrations from uneven road surface. I hope that neither progress. I'm afraid I did moan a bit today. Already feeling better after a beer and looking forward to the gorge through the Carpathian Mountains tomorrow. Dog chases: one. Doses of painkillers: two! (Calafat to Drobeta Turnu Severin - 63 miles)