Day 14

 Day 14.  Monday August 25.

Alytus (Lithuania)  to Suwalki ( Poland)

104km.

Weather: Rain (sometimes very heavy) nearby all day. Headwind for periods.

Road conditions: 16 km of gravel...from the sublime to the ridiculous.

LITHUANIA

Had rained heavily overnight and forecast wasn't encouraging. But all dry and calm as I pushed off at 7am meeting the Monday morning rush.

But soon the forecast kicked in and by 10km I had to take refuge in a house under construction and put on the full rain gear.

Conditions changed and by 15km the sky ahead was looking good. But, would it last?

Today's gravel was divided into four sections. First section starting at 7.5km was gloroius, almost as good as tar-mac.

 

The second section of 3km (above) was all washboard and deep gravel in places. I did a fair share of walking along here.

As I turned right onto the last section I thought it might be challenging.

 But as I got over the first brow the scene ahead shocked me. And this would go on for 4.4km. Lots of muck, deep sand and big stones. I did even more walking here. Wind and rain thankfully didn't make the situation worse. The scene ahead reminded me of some stretches across the Meseta (high plateau) on the Camino of last year.

Strangely enough later on I spotted an official scallop shell sign indicating a point on the trek to Santiago from here.

Wind and rain had eased off and I took a break at 44km...and availed of the nearby outhouse.

But after this weather conditions took a turn for the worse...wind and driving rain.

POLAND

At 60km I came to the Polish border; but no flags, no Failte. Border Patrol were checking all vehicles going through but waved me on...'Sure, he looks harmless'!!

After crossing I turned right onto a minor road (cracked surface) but it led me on to a beautiful downhill super-smooth road through woodland. Unfortunately it bucketed down along here and no shelter to be found.

At 75 km (at the end of this super road) I arrived at Sejny and hopped in to the first available shelter...the loading area of an old abandoned warehouse. I was detained here for an hour till the deluge eased off. Only 35 km to go.

It was a lovely cycle path all the way for those 30km. It was a busy road with traffic throwing up much spray from the regular showers. I availed of bus-shelters for relief.

Finally Suwalki (famous for its lakes, but I didn't/couldn't spot any of them.

Arrived at my accommodation ( a full apartment) and set about drying out.

Still windy and raining outside. Strolled around town, shopped for provisions but I'll eat in tonight.

Hopefully tomorrow will be kinder.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.