Today Mark and I conquered Gaizinkalns, Latvia's highest point. It was a first ascent by both of us. Rising 311.6m above sea level, the mountain is visible for at least 3km.
The ski lifts to the top were not operating today. Definitely green runs, including Dames Paradize.
At the top there is a tower - a square red brick structure built like a Soviet residential block with windows at each of its 14 storeys.
Like most Soviet built residential blocks, it is now disintegrating and totally unsafe. Uncharacteristically, it has been recognised as being uninhabitable and the access from the bottom storey has been boarded up. It should probably be pushed over before it falls over.
I had always wanted to visit Gaizinkalns and I pleased to have done it in the context of this trip. It was also a pleasure to walk with Mark again.
We have done a number of impressive walks and rogaines together. Probably the craziest was to attempt the 100km Oxfam trail in reverse from Wesburn to Jells Park, in July, by ourselves and starting at 10:30pm. Our best rogaine was a 2nd in the Geelong Metrogaine last year, completing about 40km in 6 hours.
So today has been a good day. We were talking so much that we were about 7km past a wrong turning we made before we realised. Fortunately it was of no consequence as the roads converged some kms further on.
Mark has had some serious foot problems today - one large toenail lifted off and a large blister which had developed, burst before the end of the day.
We ate well at the kafejnica next door to the hotel.
We were told by the woman at the hotel when we booked in that we should immediately check at the kafenica as the kitchen would close at 6pm. We immediately went next door and ordered our meals. Mark then asked the kafe lady, 'Could we have a shower before the meal', and she replied in slightly shocked tones, 'You can wash your hands over there, but I can't help you with a shower'
Mark will walk on to Esmeralda's tomorrow and travel back to Riga with her on Thursday. Mark, Janis and Marcis will then compete in a half marathon on Saturday!
My only real physical problem is my blister which is a little larger tonight, but is bearable to walk on. I probably have slightly bruised feet and my leg muscles ache a bit, particular at night. .
But otherwise I am taking it day by day and, looking at the map of Latvia on the hotel wall, it seems that we are about one third of the way across.
After dinner, we had a sauna at the hotel. I am feeling much refreshed and pleasantly relaxed.
3 comments:
Hi Graham, just wishing you well on your amazing trip. I am enjoying reading your blog - it makes a pleasant change (for me anyway)from work...Cheers, Meryl Sexton
Hi Graham,
Not sure what has happenned to some of our earlier comments but they don't appear to have reached you although everything seemed Ok at the time.
We are with you all the way and most concerned about the blisters.
Perhaps you should enquire to some of the elderly country folk for remedies. i am surte they would be able to help with natural cures.
Andis And Rudite
Graham had some serious phone problems today (day 8 into 9), but we seem to have unclogged them as I write. That means he can review comments again.
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