Driving through Bled and around the lake to our campsite (we've booked this one for once) really tugs at the heartstrings because it really is just like those postcards: the castle looming above the lake, the church on its island, all to a backdrop of brooding mountains. Phew!
Trying to squeeze our outfit onto the pitch brings us down to earth though - have to use the mover and, even then, its all a bit tight. But this can't dent our enthusiasm for this place... and, despite the experiences of all the people we've chatted to, the weather is really great - but I've probably jinxed it by saying that*...
Our first full day here is spent walking around the lake - which is around 6km - but we do much more than that as we walk up to the castle on the cliff-face overlooking the lake then look around Bled itself, at the opposite end of the lake to the campsite.
Slovinian style in the Castle church
While in Bled we eat at a nice little restaurant that Google recommends for us, taking the local sausages which means vast quantities of meat.. and that is not the best decision with a few km yet to go; very nice it is, though. We walk back to the campsite and decide that we have time to take a gondola ride out to the church on the island which proves to be well worth it, despite the rumbling thunder.
The Island Church
We take turns to ring the church bell which is a really tourist must-do: oh, the satisfaction! A day well spent, indeed.
The working church tower clock
Back at camp we discover our motorhome neighbours used to live in Chelmsford and one is sister in law to a member of the exec support team at my old college - I knew her very well. Small world.
........
On day two we take a trip put to the nearby Lake Bohinj which, although larger than Lake Bled, is less commercialised; there are countless activities to be done nearby including kayaking and mountain biking, both of which we don't do....
....but we do visit the Church of John the Baptist, at Ribčev Laz which is under restoration but we see the frescoes for which it is noted.
Parking the Treg at Ribčev Laz, we put 6€ (4 hours) into the meter which proves to be a major mistake as we totally underestimate the time we need and end up rushing back to avoid a fine. We take the electric tourist boat to Ukanc at the western end of the lake from where we take a cable car to the nearby Mt Vogel. Because of the boat and cable car connection times we realise that there is no time for a hike. 😠. Still, it's nice up there...
On our way back to camp we deviate to the village of Studor, with its famous toplarji - barns with hay storage at the top and other storage beneath. Some of these are 18th Century. Fascinating, actually.
Have to say, all the towns and villages that we have seen in Slovenia have been extremely well cared for: clean, neat, tidy.
Just as we arrive back at camp, a massive sharp *thunder storm arrives, with strong wind springing up from nowhere, tearing at tents and awnings. I get drenched checking out the pegging of our faithful Fiamma Caravanstore canopy and putting chairs away. The canopy holds out as usual though, assisted by crossed fingers. Some aren't so lucky.
.......
The next day sees us walking along the Vintgar gorge, which is great but full of tourists (like us). The Radovna river swirls and roars below the wooden walkway that criss crosses the gorge, ending at the Šum waterfall.
It's here that we sit down next to a couple from Basildon, not so far from Chelmsford. Small world - again.
BBQ and a glass of wine back at camp, then crash out.
.......
It's our last full day here, so we take the Treg out to the nearby city of Kranj, which is well worth the effort.
The old town is fascinating and the historic church and buildings paint a captivating picture. We drink coffee with the locals, listening to the buzz of conversation from groups of young and old alike. Feels nice. We like this part of travelling - doing our best to 'feel' the heartbeat of the place.
We motor on to Škofja Loka, with its square of historic painted houses and a truly wonderful museum. We take a nice meal here, too (thanks again Google).
Fuel and shopping on the way back, a beer at the campsite restaurant and we're ready for our short short journey tomorrow; we're turning towards home now but making the start of the homeward trip a short hop into Austria.
See you there, ABW.
Trying to squeeze our outfit onto the pitch brings us down to earth though - have to use the mover and, even then, its all a bit tight. But this can't dent our enthusiasm for this place... and, despite the experiences of all the people we've chatted to, the weather is really great - but I've probably jinxed it by saying that*...
Our first full day here is spent walking around the lake - which is around 6km - but we do much more than that as we walk up to the castle on the cliff-face overlooking the lake then look around Bled itself, at the opposite end of the lake to the campsite.
Slovinian style in the Castle church
While in Bled we eat at a nice little restaurant that Google recommends for us, taking the local sausages which means vast quantities of meat.. and that is not the best decision with a few km yet to go; very nice it is, though. We walk back to the campsite and decide that we have time to take a gondola ride out to the church on the island which proves to be well worth it, despite the rumbling thunder.
The Island Church
We take turns to ring the church bell which is a really tourist must-do: oh, the satisfaction! A day well spent, indeed.
The working church tower clock
Back at camp we discover our motorhome neighbours used to live in Chelmsford and one is sister in law to a member of the exec support team at my old college - I knew her very well. Small world.
........
On day two we take a trip put to the nearby Lake Bohinj which, although larger than Lake Bled, is less commercialised; there are countless activities to be done nearby including kayaking and mountain biking, both of which we don't do....
....but we do visit the Church of John the Baptist, at Ribčev Laz which is under restoration but we see the frescoes for which it is noted.
Parking the Treg at Ribčev Laz, we put 6€ (4 hours) into the meter which proves to be a major mistake as we totally underestimate the time we need and end up rushing back to avoid a fine. We take the electric tourist boat to Ukanc at the western end of the lake from where we take a cable car to the nearby Mt Vogel. Because of the boat and cable car connection times we realise that there is no time for a hike. 😠. Still, it's nice up there...
On our way back to camp we deviate to the village of Studor, with its famous toplarji - barns with hay storage at the top and other storage beneath. Some of these are 18th Century. Fascinating, actually.
Have to say, all the towns and villages that we have seen in Slovenia have been extremely well cared for: clean, neat, tidy.
Just as we arrive back at camp, a massive sharp *thunder storm arrives, with strong wind springing up from nowhere, tearing at tents and awnings. I get drenched checking out the pegging of our faithful Fiamma Caravanstore canopy and putting chairs away. The canopy holds out as usual though, assisted by crossed fingers. Some aren't so lucky.
.......
The next day sees us walking along the Vintgar gorge, which is great but full of tourists (like us). The Radovna river swirls and roars below the wooden walkway that criss crosses the gorge, ending at the Šum waterfall.
It's here that we sit down next to a couple from Basildon, not so far from Chelmsford. Small world - again.
BBQ and a glass of wine back at camp, then crash out.
.......
It's our last full day here, so we take the Treg out to the nearby city of Kranj, which is well worth the effort.
The old town is fascinating and the historic church and buildings paint a captivating picture. We drink coffee with the locals, listening to the buzz of conversation from groups of young and old alike. Feels nice. We like this part of travelling - doing our best to 'feel' the heartbeat of the place.
We motor on to Škofja Loka, with its square of historic painted houses and a truly wonderful museum. We take a nice meal here, too (thanks again Google).
Fuel and shopping on the way back, a beer at the campsite restaurant and we're ready for our short short journey tomorrow; we're turning towards home now but making the start of the homeward trip a short hop into Austria.
See you there, ABW.
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