We’re back in the van and back on the road, heading to North Macedonia. We treated it like a trip to Afghanistan, packing up the fridge, the petrol tank and our wallets like we’d never see civilisation again.
Our major worry was sorting out van insurance. Our insurers and every other UK provider we tried won’t cover the non-EU Balkan states. In the end it was no problem at all. We were through passport control, customs and the insurance office in less than 20 minutes. We’d heard that there was a fairly flexible insurance pricing policy, with travellers at our Greek campsite paying anywhere between 50 and 160 Euros! There was no price stated on our insurance document, but at €60 we were relieved to come in at the lower end of the range. All the border guards were lovely, they seemed delighted that people wanted to visit their beautiful country. The only traumatic bit was the grim, hover-and-hope loos.
North Macedonia was very far from the tiger-country we’d envisaged. The villages and towns were pretty, bustling and well-maintained- it seemed much like the Greek side of the border. However, the roads were rutted, bumpy and we sometimes had to drive through the rubble and dust of active roadworks. On the winding mountain roads, the random, blind overtaking was absolutely bloody terrifying. It was a seven-hour journey to cover just 220 miles- but it was so worth the stress. Our campsite on Lake Ohrid is simply idyllic. We’ve already extended our stay by an extra night.
Grown-up Gap Yah 
I love lake Ohrid! So picturesque. Visited early in the naughties and was so impressed with their hospitality.
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Totally agree Timehin! It seems to be getting increasingly popular- you are always a style leader 😍
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It looks idyllic. Thank goodness your worries and misgivings have come to nought again. You are your mother’s daughter!! Enjoy! You both look very happy and well. We would have enjoyed an extra week here, as the weather is perfect, but we have Kay Balchin’s memorial to attend on Tuesday . I hope it goes well for Dai.
Much love to you both, Mum xx
Sent from my iPhone
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Have a safe journey, and hope all is ok at the memorial for Dai, Kirsty, Ashley and you xxx
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I have enjoyed your travel blogs immensely. I wish I had the courage to take on a trip like this .
Looking forward to more .
Thankyou
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Many thanks for your lovely comment!
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