Missing cows

From our lofty campsite, we have a long descent on dirt road. We are in luck, the dirt is totally smooth and we can glide down easily, plus the flowers and poppies are amazing.
Then, after a little water stop by the river, we are back to climbing. The next road is marked on the map as being much smaller so we expect dirt. But it’s wider and tarmac and once the first climb is over we are largely contouring with lovely views of the mountains around.
We are looking for somewhere to camp. Not too close to a farm because the dogs are a pain. We pick a flowery ridge spot with great views and are soon settled. It is however in view of a local farm and when a car drives up to the farm and then back to near us and 2 people get out it’s a little concerning. ‘Barev’ (hello) we greet them. They ask us (figured out a bit later) if we have seen any cows. They are (we figure out much later) from over the pass where we will head tomorrow. And they have lost 10 cows. The cows are grazing in a meadow well below us. The 2 men head off down to visit the cows.
Rather later they are back again. We are already cooking. They fetch tomatoes, cucumber, cheese, eggs. Plus, in old water bottles, vodka and ‘vino’ (young and rough) and orange fizz. The party begins. We drink a little wine, they drink a lot of vodka and provide the musical accompaniment. They get rather drunk and insist that the washing up works best with orange fizz. Communication is limited even with google translate as they read poorly and google does not support sound or typing for Armenian.

Finally they are off and peace returns.

Then another pair of older men arrive. Have you seen any cows? More peering over the edge of our hill… Not sure how we could have figured out that this spot would be the scene of intense cow dramas…Read more