I think it’s fair to say that after the shenanigans at the border, it took a couple of hours before we stopped googling V5C requirements in Europe, and took the time to look around and take in the majestic Romanian countryside. So far, everywhere we’ve visited on this journey has felt familiar, very European, easy. Romania, although part of the EU, feels more remote. In local shops, everyone acted as if we were the cabaret act. UK tourists are clearly very rare beasts in the smaller towns. Putting us to shame, most people spoke excellent English and jumped to help us, adding all sorts of Romanian relishes and delicacies into our basket and being extraordinarily helpful when we couldn’t work the petrol pumps.

Sunshine in Sibiu

Our first stop was the beautiful medieval town of Sibiu. Romanian friends of friends recommended it (thanks Louise, again proving you should have been a travel agent!) 

It was a wonderful find, narrow streets lined with houses in sunshine colours that looked like they had eyes. It’s been a cultural centre  for centuries, Brahms and Liszt played concerts here, and it hasn’t lost its elegant charm. 

In Sibiu I had to do some work and Mr G had to try and sort our V5C situation, so we parked ourselves outside a café in a sun-drenched square, logged into the wifi and kept the cappuccinos coming.

If you’re shaking your head at this blog and screaming that a V5C is compulsory for driving in France, Spain, Italy- hell, anywhere in Europe. Of course you’re right. The frustrating thing is that as soon as the guards mentioned registration documents, I got that vague, sick, prickly feeling- like this was something familiar, something I should have known. We have a problem, we may blag our way into Bulgaria with photocopies, but Turkey is a whole different ball game. We’ll need special insurance and probably a vehicle inspection. We need the original document. 

It’s tricky because we’re in a van and we’re not in one place for very long, so it’s hard to receive mail. In the end, after much humming and haah-ing, we remembered that our friend Roger has a business partner in Bulgaria. He has galloped in on his white charger to our rescue. We’ve arranged for our younger daughter, Elin, (thanks Mouse!) to courier the document to his partner’s address in Sofia.  Instead of lolling on the beach on the Black Sea, we’re heading to the Bulgarian capital to meet Roger’s contact, the wonderful Irena, and get the paperwork ready to head to Istanbul. Let’s hope it all goes to plan!

 

Quick campsite comment:

We stayed at Nomad Camping Sibiu.

The good bits: It’s well located close to Sibiu, with a shops a short distance away. The Wifi is decent, there are hook-ups, and the shower and wash facilities are brand new, clean and generally excellent. There’s good security, with keypads to enter and exit.

The bad bits: It’s pretty much a parking lot with a building site next door, so functional rather than beautiful.