12^th May 2019

Dear All,

Transylvania exceeded our expectations. The scenery was alpine – like Switzerland without the expense or regimentation, the weather varied with sunshine, rain and 6” snow one day, the hotel was family run and comfortable and the leader excellent – and we saw bears in the wild.

We flew to Bucharest and transferred to Magura near Brasov in a small coach arriving close to midnight on Saturday. On Sunday we did a local walk round nearby villages in clear weather taking in a bat cave.

Magura

Our Hotel & Carpathian Mountains

On Monday we walked downhill to pick up horse drawn carts for a 45 minute journey up the Barza valley, then a steep climb up to a small hermitage with only 3 monks and a spectacular view. In the evening we visited a hide in the forest to watch wild bears. It was raining and cold but at least 6 female bears showed up some together with cubs. The numbers are vague because it was difficult to be sure whether some were repeats. In addition we saw a lesser spotted eagle and on the return journey we several deer and a wild boar.

Wild Bears

Tuesday was our longest walk 20 km up to Alpine grazing meadows. However it began to snow heavily and eventually there was a 6” covering and it was rather chilly! For lunch we sheltered in an empty shepherds hut but it was the coldest meal I have enjoyed for some time! It did make the scenery very attractive.

Lunch Hut

Magura

Next day we were driven to Pestavaral Mountain intending to take the cable car up to the top and walk down to Brasov, however the cable car was not running due to high winds at the top so we walked some of the way up the mountain then down to Brasov as planned. Again half the walk was in snow. Brasov is a very attractive town with a heavy German Saxon influence. We spent some time exploring the town then were driven to a fishing lake to view birds. We saw some that we do not have here including Pigmy Cormorants, Whiskered Terns and Night Herons but it was too cold to enjoy the experience.

Brasov Town Hall

Brasov Black Church

Brasov Fortifications

On Thursday we started at Bran castle famous for Vlad the Impaler and the Dracula story. It was an interesting structure with a commanding position. We then went back to Brasov for a conducted tour of the Black Church, lunch then free time in which we explored the vegetable market, synagogue and Rope Street, the narrowest street in the country. We finished at another castle at Rastov which is mainly ruined but with spectacular views of the Carpathian Mountains.

Bran Castle

Carpathian Mountains

Friday started at the Bear Sanctuary for animals that had been mis-treated as pets or performers. They currently have 99 inmate bears as well as a few wolves and deer. We then walked to Vulcan, an old Saxon village where the fortified Lutheran church caters for hikers with coffee and cake.

Bear Sactuary

Our Group

It was an early start yesterday 6.30 breakfast (4.30 our time), 3 hour drive to Bucharest, 3hour flight, underground Heathrow to Kings Cross, Train to Cambridge, Guided bus to Swavesey and a walk up the hill to Over.

Love

Mike & Kate