Day 5.

 Day 5.

Parnu (Estonia to Tuja (Latvia)

119km

Weather: Very heavy rain and thunder during the night but stopped around 6am. Wind switched to NW and helped me all day as I cycled southwards down the Baltic coast.

Road conditions: 30 km on gravel today (my choice). Most was pleasant but 5km was in deep sand (so walking) and 5km across washboard/ corrugations..

ESTONIA.

Up at 5:45 and off by 7:15 along wet cycle paths out of Parnu and through woodland.

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Today I was following the coast southwards but the sea was not always in view, but I could hear it being whipped up by the NW wind. 

Plenty of holiday homes (log cabin type) along my route. Also many spots for campervans and caravans.

For 19 km I moved onto the busy A1 but a generous 2 foot shoulder allowed me to progress safely.

Took a break at a bus shelter on this stretch and used the Silk Route t

shirt as a scarf. It helped.

At 47km I finally could walk down to the waters edge and dip (just) my hands in the Baltic waters.

Shortly after I met my first stretch of gravel....it was pleasant and I could move along happily at 20km/hr.

Along here I had my main morning break at Tremani in another bus shelter.

At 63 km I entered Latvia.

LATVIA.

The 'border' is just marked by a pair of relevant flags and a wayside welcome at Ainazi.

No major differences caught my attention excapt that towns/villages are structured 'our' way. In Estonia it was more a scattering of habitations with no central point.

Again I spent a stretch on the A1 before turning into Salacgriva. Here the bridge was being replaced and traffic was facing major hold-ups. I spotted a gangway for pedestrians and cyclists and fired through.

From here I turned right and had opted (during the planning stage) for a 14km gravel track . All good at the start as I waved Hello to a jogger as sailed by. Soon the trail turned to deep sand and put a stop to my gallop. The jogger fly past me (with a wry smile) as I walked on pushing my load ...didn't see him for the rest of the day.

Along here I reconsidered my route-choice and made time by jumping back onto the A1.

Dropped down a few times to view the Baltic. At one spot I noticed this ARRA GROUP van. Could a gang of Tipp town lads have set up business here?

Made another gravel detour down to the coast and was rewarded with close encounter. Plenty of campers along here. However the 4km return to the A1 was along a punishing washboard stretch.

Finally, after doing a spot of shopping, I arrived at my booked accommodation at Tuja at 3:15. It had been a different day. The premises was a virtual museum of old artifacts.

Had dinner of solyanka (soup) and chicken breast in a nearby bar/restaurant.

More to look forward to tomorrow.

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