A view of the fields in Serbia along the way Today went very smoothly. I nailed the flat 20km to the Serbian border and was through in about 15 minutes. The Serbian customs officer asked me if I had a handgun to declare. Like it was normal. I proudly brandished my Leatherman. Unconvinced of its lethality to the peaceful people of Serbia, he let me put it away.

After that there was a lot of green pasture, some hills on the north side of the road, very few cars and probably more car transport trucks - full Bulgaria bound, empty going back. Someone was doing a healthy trade in second hand cars. Within 15km of the Serbian side of the border the most frequent cars were actually police. Seemed like some errands were being run, I don't know why so many of them would be going back and forth to a little border crossing.

A view of the fields in Serbia along the way About 5km after the border I came across a police check point. These guys must've been so bored out there, although not as bored as the poor Indian army officers we came across consigned to the transport control office on the shores of Tso Moriri in Karzok, one of the most remote places in the North near the Chinese border.Anyway, like with the Indians, we got talking about what I was up to and he was really friendly and genuinely interested in my plans to ride to London, and where I was headed today. He gave some tips about places to stay and where to drink by the lake and mentioned the full name, middle name and all, of a Sydney friend of his that was touring the world in a BMW GS1200. On parting he even said 'Good luck mate' ... Making me feel like I certainly wasn't the first Aussie he'd spoken to.

Anyway so soon up the day's big climb was on, to the top of the mountain range on the southern side of Lake Vlasina. The climb was a solid 5km+ and up to 10%. I took a couple of breaks, but had a feeling I was already getting used to pulling the extra weight of a touring bike.

Lake Vlasina was similar in size and scenic value to the lakes in western Turkey I went by on the way to Konya, like Beysehir Golu. It was such a nice ride today because once that big long climb was done it was all downhill to Vladicin Han. It was such a relief to just coast for basically 20km. There was a river valley below the lake that I followed, it was nice to see a hydroelectric power plant operating on the way.

When I rolled into town it wasn't even 1pm. I felt like I could do another 70km. On checking in though I promptly got diarrhoea... Presumably from something I ate in Bulgaria that morning. If it's not the bike, it's the body! I feel better now, hopefully ready for the 90km to Skopje bright and early tomorrow.