Cernavoda-Constanta, 23 August

It is now 3 months and 16 days since we left Höllviken. Today we will reach the Black Sea. 

We have to follow this barge into the lock.

The pontoon owner, Rado, having woken us up to say the the barge was on it's way and that we should follow it into the lock. Rado was previously chief of police in Cernovoda. I know that I am a bit obsessed with bathrooms, but this was an interesting one. Early morning visit to the bathroom with the  company of a swallow who had built it's nest in one corner watching with a beady eye and a dog who was sleeping on the floor, but also a bit surprised at having company.

At the entrance to the lock 3 km after the start of the canal

Along the canal, probably a memorial to the builders of the canal. The canal was started in 1946 and made use of people who opposed the regime, criminals and previous upper class. Most of the 100 000 workers apparently died. After few years the building was stopped, (Carl 's speculation: there were no dissidents left) to be taken up again in 1974 by the dictator Ceaucescus, using the youth Brigade. It was completed in 1984

Another monument along the canal, nothing to say what it represents but probably a memorial to the workers.

The very last lock of our journey to the Black Sea, Agigea lock. Happiness is a last lock.

Cool, calm and collected before the entrance into the Black Sea.

Here we have it, the Black Sea! Carl on his element, nerves of steel, Leslie feeling like I am in a washing machine.

The view from behind. One and half hours of Black Sea was exciting but this is where Leslie says thank you and good bye!

Approaching Constanta.

LelleBelle in the Tomis Marina.

View of Constanta from the Marina.

On arrival at Tomis marina we met Dick, Hannes, and Ekke, "old" friends from Ruse , who had travelled up to the Delta. Had a lovely evening together. They leave for the canal tomorrow. Waiting for photographs of the evening to come via email from Ekke.