Horse Carts & Walk to Monastery Coltul Chililor

Distance:
Ascent:
Weather: misty

 

We walked from the villa down the road, in the mist, with occasional views of the woods on the hillsides, to the track near to the start of the gorge. At the top of the hill, the sun had just been starting to come out, but as we walked down deeper into the valley we were back into the clouds.

 

As the road levelled out at the bridge, we were met by our horses and carts, who, after a couple of false starts and some shouting at the horses, took us bumpily down the valley and through the outskirts of the village.

 

There were loads of sparrows and crows, some of them hooded,  probably due to the abundance of horses. After a stop to visit a shepherd's hut, where we met a shepherd and his flock and had some lovely fresh sheep's cheese, and a short run up a steep track, the horses stopped and we walked on.

 

The path went up a wooded hillside, and turned right just as it got steeper and more rocky. We took a grassy path up to a lane with a large Jesus sign, and then up to the monastery. Here we had lunch by their impressive wooden gateposts, and the monk let me have a look inside, as I had my hat on.

 

We walked back down, seeing lots of fungi, and met some dogs who herded us along. The farm donkey did some impressive braying.

 

On the way back, from the front of the horse cart, we had fine views of the valley, with buzzard, and a conversation with the driver, which was something to do with my hat, but beyond that I'm not sure. The only thing we really agreed on was that donkeys are eeyores. Some urchins hitched a ride through the village, which they thought a fine thing, despite the driver threatening them with his whip.

 

After coffee and cakes,  we took the minibus out deep into the woods,  then walked a while,  before crossing a rickety bridge over a stream to the bear hide. We were treated to seeing five bears, including a mother and cub, which was magical.