On a day light campsite looks little bit different. So many prickle bushes and sheep’s dung around. But fountain and table next to tent is peerless. I figure that stream next to camp come from rock bridge caves, but first I go to see road that I come tonight. And immediately I see a guy sitting near the road. He was a young roma man who assumed it was a shepherd, but it turned out to be the watchman of natural landmark. I have surprise that rock bridge need to be guarded, but he explain me, that take care for wooden eco-path, cleaning abandoned from visitors garbage and guide lost souls like me. I found that remains that I see previous evening are not for farming, but are some try to rebuild fortress that exist in this area. From there start a eco-path with wooden rail, steeps and bridges.
Usually I don’t approve this type of tourist investment – lot’s of money for few branches across stream. It’s impossible hammering some nails on branches found around to cost tens of thousands euros. And few months after build to collapse. But here condition is check every day, and even some of bridges are rotten, that give a charm. Guided by keeper guy spend almost hour looking rocks and making photos. All arches, tunnels, holes are very interesting to explore, but maybe with lot of friends or least soul mate.
The tent and bike stayed for an hour at about 500 meters from me unattended, and I suggest that near lunch fountain where I make a camp will attract some people. This time I use a stream and following it arrive in camp for 5 min. Just packed up and a flock of sheep with shepherd arrived. I’m notice that locals have a 3 main considerations and questions from them – from where are you, why are you doing this and how much you get paid. After answering on this ones, come and four, a new one – Are not you afraid? From what?- I ask. Only receive a laugh. Conversation has closed and I leave.
Fast I past way back from Chuprene village to main road and go left. Not more kilometer has widening of the road with restaurant. Building attract my attention with big sing left of the door “Grill” and a little smaller from other side “and Beer”. I instantly understand that will be happy to spend a few beers time here, but it was too early for that, even for me. Route for the day has easy, without big ascend or descends, weather has worm and nice. In small villages in working days shops and pubs are open only early morning and after 5-6:00 h evening, so I lunch on one bench in one of villages on the way. Distance between villages around the road has 5-8 km and fast I pass along Gorno Peshtene, Tishevitsa, Virovsko, Varbitsa, Gabare and little before Kameno pole stop to see Reseletz Gorge in distance.
Here in Kameno pole I find first working shop. I sit on pavement to drink one beer, looking on family of stork on chimney on the other side of the road. That has the first storks I see for this year, which means that is time to remove my martenitza, as young family with car passing through village notice the storks. Yes, the spring is coming. According temperature is already here. And looked me. On middle of March siting outside drinking beer dressed with half pants and t-shirt only… Let’s get another beer, that even one for tonight…
More that thousands of caves have in area between Kameno pole – Reseletz – Karlukovo-Kunino on both side of Iskar river. So every kilometer to the river takes me deep and deeper in karst. Soon around the road starts potholes, impressive rock and cliffs. With smooth descend I arrive in Kunino and from here along the Iskar river on dirt road set off for Karlukovo – my final destination. This road is a perfect for bikes. Between rocks and river, you don’t know where to watch… Certainly, I will come here again, and again…
Soon I have a camp, a camp fire and dinner with beer.