We’re high up in the Caucasian mountains near the Russian border. It’s cold and the low clouds obscure the peaks that we know surround us. To add insult to injury the clouds drizzle cold wet rain on us. We’ve driven 100 miles to get here up treacherous roads so steep that we were forced into first gear around the numerous hairpins that we had to wind around.

The picture I paint is one of misery and you must be wondering why we’ve come here. It’s something that we too wondered as we pitched camp on the side of a dirt road a mile or so out from the town in the valley. Still unsure and unconfident wild camping we cooked supper huddled in the tiny space inside the van.

First a 4×4 passed us on its way up into the hills above. Then a heard of cows sauntered down and passed down. Finally a flock of sheep appeared being walked by a shepherd a fine ram leading the flock. As they passed the van I got out and said hello to the shepherd. With the help of Google translate we exchanged a few words. With a glint in his eye he offered me some of his sheep for Juliet. When I refused he upped the offer. Refusing a second time he chucked in a couple of sticks in to improve his position.

We talked some more and found out he’s called Tamaz. He offered us both a cigarette. In return we offered him some Georgian vodka that we’d purchased the previous day from Alaverdi monastery. We stood around in the drizzle drinking and saluting Georgia and England.

It’s these bizarre, unpredictable interactions that we live for and relish. Connecting at the simplest and most basic level.
On one level one could judge some of what Tamaz said, but that would have got in the way of the fact that we were listening to what he had to say and as a result we were able to connect.

We’ve been in Georgia now for over a week now and it has taken us a few days to adapt to the change that happened when we crossed the border from Turkey.

Georgia is a wonderful place. While the people are more circumspect than we found in Turkey, once you break down the barriers they are lovely, warm and kind. The scenery is fabulous. Mix in the wine, food, music, history and bakeries and it’s an easy place to quickly fall in love with.

A simple and unexpected interaction is all that’s needed. But that’s not all that was good in our day. So much more was there and as a result we will slept with happy hearts in our small, ageing van high up in the mountains with the sound of rushing water from the busy stream that lies not far away.
What a wonderful encounter and the descriptive writing is so good
Ps glad y ou did not exchange juliet for sheep