1030 I stop to help David Hudson, my friend and colleague from the Commission delegation in Zagreb, sort out a puncture and suddenly find we’ve been left behind by the rest of the group. When we finally get going again David sets a cracking pace down the straight road from Osijek and we cover 30 km into Vukovar in not much over one hour. Turns out to be the right thing to do as we make it into Vukovar just ahead of the rain.

0820 There was heavy rain overnight and it’s a cool blustery morning. I can feel a bit of stretch in the tendons but surprise my self by being able to touch my toes. Bernard is leaving me today to head back to Zagreb. Many thanks to him for his companionship on the first section of our ride and despite his bike problems, I think maybe he’s caught the tour cycling bug!