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**Lonerider** · #**196** 15 Nov 2015

On the way back we stopped at an old 14th century Monestary with is still working with an Order of Women. Saint Dimitri Monestary.
Inside the main church the murals on the walls and ceiling were very spectacular.

Tomorrow morning I start my trek north and back towards the ferry home, but I still have nearly 3 weeks left

Wayne

**Lonerider** · #**197** 15 Nov 2015

Day 34 Balkans Trip

Today I travelled from Skopje to Niś in Serbia

Day 34 Skopje to Niś

**Lonerider** · #**198** 15 Nov 2015

Before I go on with today. I would like to say another big thanks to Petre (ccaa) and his family for hosting me over the last couple of days. I have had a great time in and around Skopje

Had a bit of a bad day today. I didn’t feel really in the mood when I got going from Petre’s place. But I had to crack on and do some miles. I had all the intention in getting to Niś and then going to look at the fortress. But it didn’t happen.

I jumped on to the main road (dual carriage way) from Skopje towards Kumanovo. Then something went a bit wrong with the Montana. I ended up going into Kumanovo and through the other side heading out of town. I didn’t think it was too much of a drama but about 15 miles out of town the time of arrival was going up and not staying at what it originally was. That wasn’t good so I monitored it for about 5 mile and it still kept going up. so I turned around and went back to Kumamovo and got back on to the Dual Carriageway. By this point I had done about 40 mile and an hours riding for nowt.

Leaving Macedonia and entering Serbia went smoothly. They didn’t even ask to see bike docs or insurance at Serbian Border point. Although I didn’t have to buy any as my insurance company covers Serbia.

The Serbian Border Point

I then just rode to Niś. I stopped in the centre to get a sim card, had a coffee then went a looked at the fortress. I didn’t go in as I wasn’t really in the mood. Niś on first impressions to me was dark and grey all over. I am hoping that rest of my trip in Serbia is a lot better.

To top it all I have booked into the Best Western in Niś and in the room above me they have been drilling for the last hour. After a phone call to reception its now stopped.
The day can only get better.

Tomorrow I am hoping to get to the Monestary at Studenica.

Wayne

**PHILinFRANCE** · #**199** 15 Nov 2015

bloody teknolage !!!! i do like a paper back up , all looking good though

**ccaa** · #**200** 15 Nov 2015

Hi Wayne,
it was a pleasure to meet you. May the wind always be at your back.

**conchscooter** · #**201** 16 Nov 2015

Great ride, excellent pictures and interesting history. Looking forward to more.

**Lonerider** · #**202** 16 Nov 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by conchscooter

Great ride, excellent pictures and interesting history. Looking forward to more.

Thanks, glad you are enjoying the read

Wayne

Sent from Tapatalk with a cold

in the other hand

**Lonerider** · #**203** 16 Nov 2015

Day 35 Balkans Trip

The route today was from Niś to Jagodina via the Studencia Monastery

Day 35 Niś to Jagodina

**Lonerider** · #**204** 16 Nov 2015

The roads were a bit boring in the beginning, long and straight over flat land. It was starting to get a bit monotonous.
But things started to get a bit better and by the time I was about 30 miles from the monastery the road was great, long sweeping bends along side a river following the contours of a valley.

This Castle was at the other side of the river

**Lonerider** · #**205** 16 Nov 2015

The Studenica Monestary was great and it is still a working Monestary. It dates back to the 12th Century. There was a bloke in there who was there to ask any questions and spoke good English. So I got a good history lesson too. He wouldn't let me take photos of the inside. The ones I did get were when is back was turned. The murals on the walls were wonderful. I thought it was worth the visit.
The link if you want to read about it.....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Studenica_monastery

**Lonerider** · #**206** 16 Nov 2015

I don't know what it is but I can not gel with Serbia like I have with the other countries I have been to on this trip. But you take it as it comes. I am hoping my couple of days in Belgrade will be good when I get there.

Some more views from on route

Tomorrow I am going to try and find some caves

Wayne

**Lonerider** · #**207** 17 Nov 2015

Well the day is turning out good. Followed my route to the caves and it brought me down the side of a mountain...literally. The track was boulders. Had another off. No photo as the bike was sliding away from me down hill. Handle bars twisted. Couldn't bash in to shape. So I rode to the nearest big town. Despotovac. Found a garage with a bike parked outside so i stopped. The guy rang a bike mechanic who is coming to look at it. It looks like the bolts in to the head are bent? Time will tell. Sat drinking coffee and local home brew while I wait. Great hospitality