Tag: Serbia

Posted on

Serbia, Cycling To Australia 17th-November-2011

House in rocks

Garry McGivern is in Serbia cycling to Australia on the 17th-November 2011 Grocka to Zagubica 77 miles. The mornings in central Europe are freezing, and the frost stays on the ground until midday. And I was beginning to think I’d have to camp tonight! I thought I’d missed the only town on my map and was starting to look for a spot to pitch my tent! Luckily, I came across this hotel. I just hope it’s a bit warmer than last night’s room! The only heat in the room was a non-existing electric heater and two blankets! And one of those I took off the other bed! I think I’ll start bringing my sleeping bag in!

Truck
Old truck

There are plenty of dogs roaming free here, some good and some bad! This morning, the dogs were good. While cycling uphill, a cute little chap joined me, running along beside me! I did fear for his safety, though, as he kept running from one side of the road to another! And as much as I enjoyed his company, I was finding it hard going! I kept thinking he would get run over any minute, but luckily he didn’t! I was pretty glad to reach the top of the hill and pick up a bit of speed so he couldn’t keep up! The last I saw of him, he was following some girl down another road.

Dogs later on in the day weren’t quite so friendly, and I got chased several times! I had a pack of five dogs chasing me at one point! I might start carrying a stick to fend them off!

The day finished on a rather sad note! Just as it was starting to get dark, I could see yet another dog standing by the side of the road, waiting for me! As I got nearer, I started to pick my pace up to get past him as quickly as possible! As I neared him, he started to cower and move away. Then, when I rode past, I noticed another dog lying dead by the side of the road! I think it may have happened recently as the other dog looked so sad and was just waiting by the dead dog’s side. You do see a lot of dogs killed, and that’s always sad. But this was particularly sad as the dog’s mate was just waiting over their body!

Subscribe to Garry’s blog and follow Garry’s cycle ride around the world. Plus, you’ll receive news and updates on all future tours.

Posted on

Flickr Video Serbia 17th-November-2011

Dogs playing

Garry McGivern’s Travelsonabike2 Flickr Video Serbia, Garry’s found a new friend filmed on 17th-November-2011. This friendly little dog joined Garry as he was cycling up a hill.

There are plenty of dogs roaming free here, some good and some bad! This morning, the dogs were good. While cycling uphill, a cute little chap joined me, running along beside me! I did fear for his safety, though, as he kept running from one side of the road to another! And as much as I enjoyed his company, I was finding it hard going! I kept thinking he would get run over any minute, but luckily he didn’t! I was pretty glad to reach the top of the hill and pick up a bit of speed so he couldn’t keep up! The last I saw of him, he was following some girl down another road.

The video, which Garry filmed on his way to Australia, was originally posted on his Flickr Page but has now been transferred to YouTube. You can watch the video below or on Garry’s YouTube channel. But honestly, it won’t be any more enjoyable wherever you watch the video! You can also subscribe to his channel. You’ll then be amongst the first to know when Garry releases a new video. Or subscribe to Garry’s emails and receive all of his updates.

YouTube Video: Small friendly dog

Subscribe to my blog and follow me as I travel around on my bike. Plus, as a subscriber, you’ll be among the first to receive news and updates on future tours. And, of course, you can always follow me on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

If you want to find out if Garry’s away touring at the moment and check his location, visit the Where’s Garry page.

<strong>Follow Garry on his travels</strong>

Subscribe to my email and follow me on my travels

Posted on

Bike-Ride To Australia 16th-November 2011

Bike-Ride To Australia 16th-November 2011 Novi Sad to Grocka 72 miles. Not a very busy hotel last night, there was only myself and one other person, a German businessman. The girls on reception were very helpful and spoke good English. It’s always handy when you’re understood! I didn’t get on the road until 8 o’clock this morning. It seemed to take forever to get breakfast, as it was waiter service only.

The roads were a bit busier today, but then I was heading towards the Serbian capital, Belgrade. I managed to find my way through there reasonably well. I just follow my compass! I’m getting pretty good at not getting lost in cities on this trip.

The Danube at Novi Sad, Serbia
The Danube at Novi Sad, Serbia

There are loads of small dogs roaming around, who seem nice and friendly. They always wag their tails as I cycle past. There are also medium-sized dogs that don’t seem quite as friendly! I was cycling along this morning when I saw one of these bigger dogs attacking cars as they drove past! Then it was my turn to pass, and I was all ready for it to attack me! But to my amazement, he just ignored me! Yet as soon as another car came behind me he was in attack mode again! Most bizarre! However, I did get chased by a dog this afternoon! But luckily, I was already going pretty fast and was able to get away from him.

Subscribe to Garry’s blog and follow Garry’s journey around the world. Plus, you’ll receive news and updates on all future tours.

Posted on

Bike-Ride To Australia 15th-November 2011

Lookout tower

Bike-Ride To Australia 15th-November 2011 Mohacs, Hungary to Novi Sad, Serbia. 104 miles. Another cold start, but at least it’s dry, which is a lot better than rain!

Croatia came and went today, my seventh country. As I cycled up to the Croatian border, I was worried it was closed. There was a long line of lorries that weren’t moving! But thankfully, all other traffic was being let through, well, at least bikes! I never saw any other vehicles.

I got the first two stamps in my passport today, one as I crossed into Croatia, the other on my exit. Whilst I was waiting for my entry stamp into Croatia, I was being asked a lot of questions by a rather portly man. I wasn’t sure who he was as he wasn’t in a uniform, although he had a badge on his suit lapel. Maybe he was the secret police! I think he was asking me where I was going, so I told him, not sure what he thought, or whether it’s what he wanted to know! But he shook his head at certain countries.

Warning sign
Watch out there are mines in those fields
Signs Of War

It was a pleasant ride through Croatia, nice and flat. As I cycled through Osijek, I noticed a couple of houses that looked as if they were riddled with bullet holes! But I decided it probably wasn’t bullets, and it was something else. Then about a kilometre out of Osijek, when I was away from any houses and surrounded by fields, I noticed some signs with skulls and crossbones on them! And after a closure look, I realised they were warning about mines! Perhaps they were bullet holes in the houses, after all, the Croatian war of the 90s! I’m glad I didn’t pop into the fields for a comfort break. That could have been painful! I had more border checks crossing into Serbia, but again, no problem and I’m now in country number eight.

Subscribe to Garry’s blog and follow Garry’s cycle ride around the world. Plus, you’ll receive news and updates on all future tours.

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial