7 September 2025 (rain overnight, some cloud, hot) 13km

Up at 5 30am ready for our assault on one of three roads to take us down south.

Decided to have breakfast before we set off, as the route we had decided on was a steady climb for 70kms and then a steep descent. Apparently it's supposed to have less traffic on it which really sold us on this particular road.

Outside to load up the bikes and I've got a puncture. This is number 4. Back inside and changed the tube for one that had been repaired.

All pumped up and off.

Stopped off at a bakery to pick up some breakfast for me and Julia noticed I had a little stowaway.

Headed along the front turning into the big wide entry road into the city, before turning right and winding our way up a hill toward the main road that we would spend the rest of the day on.

Quite a nice inner city area with cycle paths and some different landmarks.

Half way up, my front tyre goes flat again. Fortunately, we were outside a gated business that wasn't operating today, so we had a safe place to change the tube and didn't have to keep moving the bikes.

Didn't want any possibility of a repaired tube going down again, so used the new one we bought in Kotor.

Pumped it up a little and placed it around the rim, but left it for a few minutes, just to make sure, it was okay.

Julia said after a few moments

"That new tube is going down"

And she was right.

As we discovered later, it had a big rip down the seam. Obviously a dud. Probably so old it had perished in the shop before we even bought it.

Now we were back to repaired tubes. Checked the rim, no sharp edges or suchlike. Just to make certain, in case there was something we couldn't feel in the tyre itself, we exchanged that for a new one.

Now we were looking at a repaired tube and a brand new tyre and fortunately this time, it stayed up.

It was now after 8.30am. We had lost any advantage we may have had with the sun well up and the heat and traffic building. We also felt very nervous about continuing into the sparsely populated mountains with effectively no spare tubes. That meant if we got another puncture, not only would we be changing the tube, we'd be having to repair it in the hot sun as well.

Decided to cycle back to the apartment and see if we could get another night. 

Sunday in Albania, well at least in the industrial (another name for grubby, grotty, dirty etc) North, is usually the day where all shops are closed.

But not here.

As we guessed our way back toward the apartment, we totally by chance rode past a bike repair shop.

An older guy took our three tubes and repaired them very efficiently on the spot, but threw the new one away as the seam had a big split in it.

A younger guy Arbie, who owned the shop, sold us another new tube and asked if we could give him a good review on google maps.

Hell yeah we will. The whole lot cost just $22 and instead of being faced with at least an hour of frustrating puncture repair work, we now had all three inner tubes repaired and a new one to boot.

When we left our Google review, we also found out they didn't even officially open until 10am. It was about 8.30am when we left them.

Back to the apartment for a coffee and a bite to eat, still hoping we can get another night. Today we'll swim and explore Vlores before another attempt tomorrow. 

So, the morning disappeared.

Called Dad, for Father's day today (over there) and Brody, Aimee and Elsie were there.

Gave them an update on our morning, then later we spoke to just Brody and Aimee.

Lazed around, read, just killed time.

Outside it was hot. We would have been feeling it in those mountains and we're very grateful for that air conditioning.

Around lunchtime we thought we'd do a workout, so that took us about forty five minutes.

It's been good to resume workouts.

Earlier on in the trip, we had no chance but now we can pick a spot, preferably around water and get stuck in. 

I lubed the bikes and did some washing as well as read the kindle.

Wandered down for a swim, but I'm afraid the sea is too warm.

Much better is the cold shower once you're out.

Julia offered to cut my hair, so how could I refuse that.

She did a brilliant job as always.

My turn to do hers next........ 

Just before 6pm we rode into Vlore.

The shops were really vibrant and open late.

We went in for a quick look and to get some food for tomorrow from a decent sized supermarket.

However....to do that....you need money...and I’d left it in the apartment. One job Pete...that's all...one bloody job.

Ju had her card though so we tried two separate Bankomats, both not working, so we came home empty handed.

Will go before we head out of town in the morning...if I remember to bring the money. 

Took an evening stroll along the front to another eating place. Nice meal, reasonable price, then back to the apartment for an iced coffee. 

Hopefully tomorrow will not be a similar exercise to today's fiasco.