Bratislava to a place that is 15 letters long - that's too many.

I went to get my bike fixed this morning. The shop opened at 11 and they needed 2 hours to fix it. I showed them the broken spoke and they got the whole gang around to have a look and a ponder over exactly how much to fleece me. It was 6.50 for labour and 50 cents for the spoke, which he accidentally told me costs 10 cents. Then he said it would be 17 altogether. I asked why and he said because I wanted it done immediately (which I did, not in 2 hours or 2 days like he first said). So I asked how many other customers he'd had that morning (knowing I was the first) that were taking up all the time of the 4 blokes standing around looking at the spoke. Then he said they might need to change the wheel, which is 25 euros plus labour. So I told him to either fix it for under 20 euros or tell me it isn't possible. When I went back it cost 7 euros.

So I managed to get away not long after 1. The first task was to cross the river which seems to be an ongoing challenge for me. I found a bridge but it was no good. I took a photo so you can spot the problem for yourself. I eventually got across and couldn't find my way past a construction site. An old beardy man in a tracksuit helped me through a series of whistles when I was going the wrong way. He didn't speak at all, just whistled. He was a bit like a dolphin. I didn't get attacked by any sharks so maybe it is true what they say about dolphins.

I didn't get any groceries and left my water behind in Bratislava so I was a bit concerned as I was cycling. Having days off made me lax in my preparation. I found a little food stall out in the middle of nowhere and got some goulash. I carried on riding and at some point realised I had no idea where I was or where I was going. It was a strange sensation because I almost always know at least one of those things. The next town had camping and shops so I decided to stop.

I'm camped out the back of a spa hotel. There were lots of flabby old Germans wandering about in nothing but bathrobes when I checked in. It was repulsive. I asked the lady at reception what country I was in and was a little shocked to find I'm in Hungary. I thought there would be a checkpoint. The currency here is different. I think it is called the hippo.  You get a lot of hippos for a pound. I had an enormous meal tonight for less than 10 euros. Entering a new country has enthused me and I'm looking forward to cycling tomorrow.