We started the day with a leisurely breakfast at the aptly named Hotel Happy. As usual, we followed that up with the usual photo shoot with the staff. Then, after employing some elbow grease to remove the acquired and rather sticky bugs from the windscreen, we set off for Belgrade.
We were pleased (and rather grateful) to see the high standard of roads, particularly the motorways in Serbia, similar to our experience in Turkey and a refreshing surprise after the appalling state of them in Bulgaria.
We fuelled up at a Gazprom service Station where we got 100 octane Ethanol free. Never thought we would become such connoisseurs on petrol types and qualities. Trust the Russians to supply the only decent fuel for this sort of car.
By now, we were finding that our speedometer was pretty much useless; it was the sticking at 50 miles per hour while we were stationary that gave us a clue. We were glad we had fitted the Brantz rally metre as a speedo backup as now it was our only speed measure! Another job to add to the developing list of things to be done when it gets back to the UK.
We did find a rather lovely BMW to park alongside at the services. Sadly, the owner was nowhere to be seen when we wanted to compare classic cars.
Day 5 was due to be a short and relaxing drive, and it gave us the opportunity to appreciate the true benefits of having a support vehicle behind us and two-way radio communications with them. They frequently reminded us that we had left our indicators on. We knew they would add value to the trip.
In Belgrade, we had arranged to meet up and stay the night with a long-standing friend of Dad’s, a lovely chap called Milos. He gave us secure parking for the MG and then espoused a potted version of his family history in Belgrade. Dad knew him firstly as a neighbour when they both lived in Ealing West London fifteen years ago, and they have worked together on consultancy projects since. Milos lives in London now but has retained the family home in Belgrade where he was raised.
On our drive towards Belgrade, there had been signs for Milos the Great. We commented to Milos, our host that we hadn’t appreciated his degree of fame and that we were suitably humbled in his presence. Even more so as we saw roads also named after him.
Our host took us by taxi into the city where we enjoyed some beers on a terrace on the Belgrade Fortress ramparts with the most beautiful views overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers.
After beers, we walked into the cultural heart of Belgrade and were amazed at its vibrancy and beauty. Apparently, the Chinese premier had visited only two days before, and the streets were still decorated with Chinese and Serbian flags.
We were treated to a traditional Serbian meal in a wonderful restaurant with traditional music played at our table. This was followed by a brief walk through the city centre, although by now, it was past midnight, and we were all feeling the effects of our journey. So, it was time for taxis back to our accommodation and a well-earned sleep. We reflected that without our host, we could have visited Serbia and appreciated none of its hospitality and beauty.
This was by far our easiest and most relaxing day of the trip.
Dimitrovgrad to Belgrade all in Serbia, and only a mere 205 miles covered.