Well Shayne & ratrace, I've lived in suburbia in Birmingham and it was OK not knowing anything else, then I got divorced and moved to wild West Wales not far from the coast Cardigan way, lived in a tiny village (Hermon y Glogue) for 10 years. That was a culture shock, foreign language and very different scenery, but there was the sea and hills, the Preseli mountains which started me into mountain biking big time! Then I moved to the Swansea area (Grovesend) had lots of spare time on my hands so I did a lot of windsurfing and small boat sailing down on the Gower. Actually, I lived in my car on the beach at Oxwich Bay for three months one Summer!
Anyway, I took a short 15 month contract in Romania, just for some overseas experience and that turned into a four year contract, during which time I met the present Mrs.H (and last!) and the rest is history.
People ask why I live in Romania. The answer is, why not? It's got everything I need and more, and although I'm no better off financially than most, I can have a good life on the money. We bought the house in 2005 for the equivalent of about £50k (which wouldn't have bought so much as a small plot in the UK) and I love it! There's real mountains close by (up to 2,500m above sea level) with cable cars to take you up, which is great for downhill biking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Picking up the 80 in 2006 was an accident, I just wanted a 4x4 to get up to the house in all weathers, and dropped on the Truck being sold by an English guy in Bucharest. After buying it, I did some research and realized I owned one of the best off-roaders ever made. So after a few mods, I'm as free as a bird on the mountains.
I hope you both and the others will still be able to come in 2015! I'm going to swat up on exploring some tracks this year, then I hope I can get some time off to spend with you guys. There's plenty of room for campers at my place and by then I'll get at least 4 rooms ready for anyone who doesn't want to camp. BBQ, some beers, plenty of stories. That's the plan, anyway.
Ha, ha, you can tell I'm away from home, rambling on like this... sorry!
It's the track to the right of the 1F going south east. Photos here:
