I decided to go for Trikala, so was up at 6:30. Most of the day was pretty uneventful. I spent much of the morning having to dismount and walk through packs of barking, snarling dogs which seemed to be around every corner. Some got very close.
I cycled on flat-ish roads until around 10 I reached Lamia. There I bought a spare inner tube (though I think my repair is holding up?) and a cheese pastry which I ate with some mountain Iced tea. This stuff is great! I’ll have to get more. A quick stop in a supermarket to get snacks later and I was back on the road. That’s when the climbing began. For the next 40km or so I was going uphill on uninteresting, unshaded roads through yellow hills on gravel paths by train tracks and with very little view behind me.
However around 2:30/3:00 I was over the worst of it and a vast vista of flat fields between me and distant mountains opened up. I cycled with this to my right for the rest of the day. From now on it was flat, straight roads through fields – very middle America as Andrew would put it.
I grew ravenous, and at 4:30 in Karditsa I bought a sandwich from a café. That perked me up. Two hours later I was in Trikala at the hostel. It’s nice enough. The host cut back some trees for me to put my bike away and chatted with me about my trip. I got into the room and showered. Then I made a cup of camomile tea in the garden and wrote this.
I’m in an odd mood. Perhaps I’m just tired. Perhaps it’s because I woke up to a new pfp and insta post from C. It’s got me thinking about her again[...]. I’m torn between calling her from Istanbul, or just blocking her and being done with it. We’ll see. Perhaps it’s because I have no friends to aim for any more. I feel very alone. Maybe I’ll feel better when I’ve booked my flight home. Now for an explore, some food, and a god damned drink!
I walked around town for a while, then up a hill to the Byzantine castle. The entryway was packed with teenagers and young adults. I guess there must be a concert or something. I couldn’t find out what. After that I headed to the main square and pedestrianised area. I got a burger and some dirty fries, followed by an overpriced Ferrero Rocher ice cream.
I then went back to the hostel and booked my flight back to the UK. It’s on the 22nd September. I have three weeks left. Hopefully I have enough journal. I still feel sad.
I went out to the kitchen [...] and cried. That made me feel a little better. After that I moved to a comfier bed, and slept.
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