The true Romania (and Transylvania)

The mad driving of yesterday disappeared today - although we still witnessed the aftermath of a number crashes, including an upturned lorry complete with driver casually sitting on the armco-barrier awaiting collection.

The scenery very quickly changes as you enter rural Romania - with horse and carts competing with cars and lorries for the same stretch of tarmac;

The countryside seems to be left to it's own devices, most farming land seems to be shared amongst the people - with some fields being tended by hand (scything and raking grass, to be collected by horse and cart), with neighbouring fields farmed with basic machinery (tractors and hay bailers). The land further from the roads seem to be left to roaming sheperds and their flocks. Beautiful rolling scenery.

We are currently staying in Bran, overlooking Bran Castle hwich is meant to be some sort of touristy Dracula type venue - but walking around the only reference to Dracula is in the tat shops. The castle it's self is fantastic - well worth a visit.

Oh - and we've worked out the Romanian driving - it gets far worse in the afternoon. Must be something to do with the vodka consumed at lunchtime....