Day 14

Well what an adventurous journey we've has to arrive in the centre of the old town of L'viv! Our journey through the Ukraine was the only part that we were unable to get maps for so it was with some trepidation that we set off this morning.

We left Lublin quiet early as neither us has slept well due to the most uncomfortable nights sleep yet. We also knew that we would get some rough with the smooth hotels; yesterday's hotel was very quaint. When we had found it after a little searching we showered and went straight out, it was only when we returned to sleep that we found that not only was the bed very small but the duvet cover and sheets also were too small for the bed! Which meant Colin got the duvet and I got the top blanket; it wasn't only the bed sheets that didn't fit, the curtains also were only for show so when the sun rose at whatever ungodly hour this morning do did we!

You know those road signs which show wild animals as you drive around Britain well we've had signs for deer, reindeer (bigger antlers!) and elk, well today I believe them as I have seen deer in the crop fields as we rode past.

Today for the first time since arriving in Estonia we actually went through a border control. On leaving Poland we went through a rigorous border point, we saw 1 van being refused entry, the guard kept scrutinising my passport and looking at me as if unsure we were one and the same! We passed through that control and were riding off when an armed guard shouted "stop" and came out of a tiny cabin; that was when we realised we then had to go through the same again to actually get into the Ukraine! The Ukrainian guards were much more jovial than their Polish counter parts and we even had a laugh with one of them when it was clear for us to go he said to Colin "jump on and hit the road".

We soon arrived on the outskirts of Lviv but that was as far as your sat nav could take us ( not having a detailed map of the Ukraine) we tried following both written and electronic directions but seemed to get hopelessly lost. We decided to find a speed bank, withdraw some cash and then find a taxi to lead us to the hotel.

We found a bank, withdrew put money and then a taxi appeared; Colin went off to speak to him. I was left next to the bike when a man stopped to look at the bike and started asking me questions- you have to bear in mind that in the last few days, a couple of drunks and nutters have decided that I would be a good one to talk to let alone the tourists who must think I'm Polish as they also ask me for directions! So when this man stopped I was not impressed, however all he wanted to do was to be of some help. He asked if we were lost and I said yes, he then read the directions I had and said he knew where it was. Colin came back and it was decided that I should go off with this man to locate the hotel! So off I went along many different streets trying to remember which way to get back to Colin as well as concentrating on where we were going to. We did find the hotel and give the man his due everything he told me and showed me was to help us. He was most indignant that my name was a boys name , he said that girls in the Ukraine don't have boys names!

A discussion ensued at the hotel as to where the bike could go, this meant trying to remember even more turns. The reason we were struggling was because at the weekend all of the roads with in the old town are closed off. I did have a scary moment when walking back to Colin with the helper as a car drove up and stopped a little way in front of us and then the man also stopped; but he then said goodbye and got into the car and drove off.

Colin by this point had had conversations with the taxi driver who gave him a map and directions and also another Ukranian man who also gave him directions; he was just waiting for me to return.

Whilst we were doing all of this we were in temps of high 30's if not more and just to let you know exactly how hot and uncomfortable it is in full biking gear at these temps; both of us were sweating that much that the sweat was running down our arms and dripping out of sleeves; it was totally disgusting!!

When we finally arrived at the hotel we could still only get a street away, however the porter took pity on us and went and removed the barriers so Colin could ride through and park his bike outside the hotel where there are cameras, he also carried one of our bags for us and then carried it up to our room after taking us up just one flight in the lift- we must have looked a sorry pair!

After a very long shower we went exploring the centre which was very nice. We went in to a coffee shop which looked as if it had been in that business for many decades if not centuries. Because we arrived so late and with the time moving on an hour we were to late to do any more than wander about and look at the place. It was very vibrant, lots of cafes and restaurants playing music, under our window was a piano player so we were serenaded whilst writing this blog and Colin working out where we are going to tomorrow! Marie would be pleased with the restoration programme as they are looking towards taking the buildings back to the era in which they were built whether that is 18th, 19th or which ever century, rather than making them all the same.