It was to be the first day of walking but events conspired against us. We (Ziedonis,Gunta, Anita and me) made a late start from Riga and after Rezekne hit a road reconstruction project (it is the Riga-Moscow road). There was only one lane open for about 500m followed by a brief two-way section. The single lane sections were controlled by traffic lights on a 5 minute cycle. Our patience was tested after the first 2 or 3; we endured about 40!
We arrived in Pasiene at about 4:30pm - a bit late for the 24kms we had planned. We decided to modify things and do the 10km circuit and back to Pasiene were Ziedonis had arranged accommodation through Rita, the local tourist information person, who we suspected was going to put us up herself.
We had decided that, as we wanted to visit the border area, we should obtain the appropriate permit from the border control authority. We were interviewed by an officer and presented our passports. 30 minutes later we each had a very official looking permit.
While we were waiting, Ziedonis phoned Rita. She was at a wedding in Rezekne about 75km away. A wedding on a Monday? Perhaps it was continuing from Saturday? We rearranged things and are now staying 2 nights at Nirza and tomorrow Gunta and Anita will drive us back to Pasiene to start walking. From then, I hope to remain car-free till Liepaja.
It was now about 5:30pm and we spent the next 3 hours with some fascinating sightseeing.
The border control officer had told us that near to Latvia, Russia and Belarus border, we were 'not to cross the line of sand on the path'. Near the border we lifted a barrier so that we could drive on. The road had not been repaired for years. Probably very little used.
We parked and walked down an avenue of trees to the mound that Anita described. We walked towards the Russian border. There was a 4m band of raked sand across the track. We stopped and looked at the small bridge crossing the small river which marks the boundary at this point. It really did evoke an atmosphere of mystery and menace and something from another era. About 50m away there was a similar set-up at the Belarus border.
Next stop was the 'Austras Koks' monument,
supposedly marking the easternmost point in Latvia. It is located more for convenience so that visitors don't get too close to the restricted border area. The real point is about 12km away near Pasiene where we will start walking. There are similar monuments at the other extremities in Latvia including the one we hope to visit near Liepaja in the west.
We stopped at Greblas Mountains - a ridge about 5km long and a couple of metres wide the rises about 30m above the surrounding countryside. For the first 1 or 2km there are lakes on either side. I will try and post a short video.
On the way back we found our start point for the walk - a border tower at what must be the furtherest east you can go.
We stopped about 300m before the tower and it will be fascinating to see how close we can get, though presumably it is on the Russian side.
So till tomorrow!
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