Everything has an end, unfortunately

In most stories or films, the protagonists ride into the sunset or they drive their speedboat with a beautiful stranger in their left arm and a cool drink in their right hand out to the open sea. Our journey ends this year 20 days early at Parchim Station with cool 20 degrees and overcast sky.

With optimism, we started on Monday around noon towards the workshop. There we met Adrian right away, who brought us the bad news that Munro's motor has a crack. Oil is leaking - we need a new motor. This would cost us about €4000 and 2 weeks, excluding installation - Option 1.

Option 2: we leave it there and buy one of the used motorcycles. It would be a first-generation water-cooled machine with a lot of teething problems, as Kai from our home workshop tells us. Here too, we would have to stay in Romania for at least a week due to some bureaucratic formalities.

Option 3: We rent a van from Sixt, pack both mopeds, drive home, and drop off the van at Sixt there. Problem: one-way rental with a so-called surcharge, as the Romanian vehicle has to go back to Romania.

Option 4: The workshop organizes the transport to Germany with a towing company. Cost: €1700. Problem here: we can't go with them, so we have to fly.

The time factor was dramatic once again, as the insurance took their sweet time, and the workshop closes at 6:00 p.m. But they didn't kick us out, they took care of us in a caring way. We decided on option 4, and just before closing time, the insurance company came up with the good news that they would cover the return transport with €1690!!! - at least, thanks for that.

Around 8:00 p.m., the tow truck drivers Alex and Marius-George arrived, and an hour later, the mopeds were loaded and tied up, including luggage.

Another Alex stayed with us the whole time and even drove us to the airport. The manager of the BMW dealership also came and apologized for the inconvenience - great gesture, as he and his staff had done everything possible for us. Thanks also to Paul, who spoke very good German and was always concerned about us. Of course, we didn't catch the last flight, but thanks to Sue from HH, we caught one of the first flights early Tuesday via Warsaw. So quickly got a hotel and took a taxi there. The taxi driver was the first idiot among the Romanians, so they do exist (but rarely). 3 hours of sleep, shuttle to the airport, check-in, and off we go. The foot swelled up again in these 2 days, but what can you do.

Susi booked us a train connection from HH-Airport to Parchim. Our worried mothers picked us up here - a big shoutout to all mothers.

Today, on Wednesday, Alex and Marius-George arrived at our workshop in Schwerin around 11:00 a.m., we welcomed them. Check, consultation with Kai, and then we booked a hotel for both of them and personally took them there. And had a beer!! When you have experienced help yourself, you know what it's like when there is someone who takes care of you. As it turned out, the two were father-in-law and son-in-law. They showed us pictures of their family and their work, and we showed them pictures of Schwerin Castle. Since we want to complete the tour next year, we made an appointment for a beer. The two are now sleeping and will start tomorrow morning to their families.

Sidebar: Thanks also to all friends at home and Anatolii from Ukraine, whom we got to know with his family last year, for the offered help. Nice to have you.

And then: While we were unloading the motorcycles, Susi receives a call from the police. Vigilant citizens have seen a Romanian tow truck with 2 German motorcycles. - Firstly: Thanks to these fellow citizens, really. Secondly: It makes one thoughtful that after getting to know such great people, these prejudices are still in our heads.

Conclusion: Travel to these countries and get to know the country and its people, the world is beautiful. Thanks to everyone who followed our short trip and see you next year. We try it again.

Burt, Munro, Susi, and Jens