……and over we go. Over the border into Slovenia. We decided to infiltrate by sneaking around the coast road from Trieste to stay at seaside resort camp called Camp Adria.
This was a “family friendly” affair with swimming pool (sorry not open till next Saturday), beach (stony) and a splendid view over the oil refinery at Koper. Despite this it turned out to be ok, if a little noisy. An excursion into the hinterland showed us just how beautiful and friendly this country can be. Rolling vineyards and olive planted hills.
Then off north to Bohinj high in the Julian Alps. We passed through the more touristy Bled and arrive at camp Danica at Bohinjska Bistrica. This is a superlative camp site. Set amongst high mountains, the pitches are on on a roughly mown alpine meadow, next to a wide, fast flowing river. Facilities first rate.
This area is great for the adventurous, with hiking, kayaking and bike routes of various degrees of challenge. There’s an “Adrenalin Park” for those who like dangling off ropes or the back of speed boats.
We hired a couple of bikes and rode from the campsite to the Lake Bohinj, just 12k but far enough for us in the 30 degree heat. All of the trip was off road cycle track. The lake is lovely and is everything a lake should be. Water, sure, but with the added ingredient of steep majestic mountains edging in on all sides. On past Ribcev Laz along the lakeside we came to the Church of St John the Baptist. Best guess amongst local experts is that this was built in the 11th century. It boasts glorious frescos, and a pulpit built inn1711. Lovely graceful building, lovely location. (reading that back it sounds a bit estate agent blurbish. Sorry). On the return we surprised a small herd of large deer. Must have been my exhausted riding position that wasn’t familiar to them.
Next day took a bus ride into Bled, which is the “must see, big tick” tourist attraction. Bled is a place of two halves. The lake is big, wide, blue and beautiful. We took a man powered boat trip to the church on the island at the end of the lake. Man powered because motor boats aren’t allowed on the lake. Nice one Bledders. The boat ride was relaxing for us but hard work for our “gondolier” as there was a stiff wind blowing across the water.
On landing we baulked at paying 6 euro each to enter the Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage church and enjoyed a stroll and sit in the sun to enjoy the great views across the lake to Bled. The church bell was ringing most of the time in a very irregular way. It seems that if you pays your 6 euro you can ring the bell and make a wish. Really the bell should be going “kerchink” rather than bong. The loudest cash register in Europe?
The town of Bled is disappointing. In Tito’s time it may have been a fashionable resort and there are some nice Bournemouth style villas from that era. But the rest of it is an unappealing mix of bad 60’s architecture meets kitsch cuckoo clock alpine. And it all crowds around the lake which is, of course, it’s milch cow.