The pair stayed with generous locals in the city of Prizren until June, when they restarted their adventure, keeping an eye on local restrictions as they went.
They took separate routes – Rosie running and Mike cycling – into Albania, then Macedonia and Bulgaria, before arriving in Varna on the Black Sea coast.
Rosie had run over 400km of the Kom Emine mountain trail, and Mike had cycled through the Rhodope mountains in the south of Bulgaria.
But the couple hit a roadblock at the Georgian border, which has not reopened since the start of the pandemic.
Now, after spending months in some of the most beautiful regions of Europe, Mike and Rosie are back in the UK and self-isolating. But the pair are already eager to get back on their journey as soon as possible.
Mike said: “We're likely to be in the UK at least until Spring next year as the borders are closed to Georgia and Azerbaijan which were our next planned stops.”
14. The Vjosa River
The Vjosa River in Albania is one of the few remaining "wild rivers" in Europe. Mike said locals plan to build a solar village nearby as an alternative to proposals for a hydro-electric damn. Photo: Mike Elm
15. #Tirana100
The beautiful central square of the capital of Albania, Tirana. Photo: Mike Elm
16. Hospitality in Albania
Mike said: "One of many beautiful meals that kind strangers fed me over the months of the trip." Photo: Mike Elm