due West

We left Gostilitsy in reasonably good time.  We still had a reservation in Dubki, near the coast and where we would have gone after Solnovy Bor.  This was about 80 km due West and there are roads between Gostilitsy and there, so off we went.  Cold and windy, and started over a rather bare plateau.  Descended a bit and came to a series of junctions, and past a large rather ruined castle opposite which we had our sandwich lunch.  It was then a dirt road, actually not too bad for surface and pleasant through forested country, as there was so little other traffic.  Past various junctions, quite a bit on sealed road until dirt again, and climbing for the nth time when we came to deep mud.  This was near what was clearly forestry work (not happening today; it was Sunday) and it seemed the forestry lorries had simply broken up the road and made it into - mud.  Pushed our bikes over the worst and could ride again with some difficulty.  Eventually, more of less normal dirt road; came to a steep hill and met the South-North main road which we would have been on.  Turn left and found the Dubki hotel.

No sign of anyone and we failed to see the front door bell!  But we were trying to phone when others appeared, the woman running the hotel and a Russian couple staying there who were really helpful as she spoke English!  The building was new, all pine and one ate at the top in a really pleasant loft room the length of the building.  Had supper with the Russian couple and able to chat a bit.

We were tired after a heavy day - quality of roads as much as distance.  Good to get to sleep.