Slovenia

On the way down I stopped at a campsite next to the river in Smlednik. Pitched and exercised. I then noticed something unusual, topless sunbathing.. No wait, top and bottomless. Then it struck me, this is the naked section of the campsite where vehicle number plates are exclusively NL. Rules are rules, so to prevent the mutterings I joined the parade. When in Rome.. (or the Netherlands in this case) Soon the sun dipped and the jumpers came out. Just in time for me to start dinner. Priming and then cooking on a petrol burning stove and boiling water is best done with fully clothed I think.

Ljubljana
The compact city of Ljubljana is lively and packed with things to see an do. First stop the town centre and browsed the cafes, street life, shops and backstreets.

Morning and getting ready for business

Railway museum
Part occupied, part disused the museum has a fascinating collection of engines and signalling equipment. The is a working electromechanical telephone exchange. Then I came across the abandoned part unearthing documents from the past and exploring the dusty workshops. Was like being on a film set.. (zombie film??)

500KW engine. Enough to power a small town!

For when I run out of road!

Abandoned workshops

The abandoned part of the Museum

Frozen in 1974.. Engine servicing logbook and equipment manuals

Ljubljana Castle
Then to Ljubljana castle and cultural centre. Immersed myself in the history of the city from covering WW1, WW2, Socialist republic and the war or independence in the 1990s.
The WW2 Germans surrounded the city with barbed wire as a way of controlling / containing a problematic population.
Views from the castle viewing tower makes the steps worthwhile.

Promoting healthy food and sensible portions

The campsite is on the northern outskirts and thankfully clothes are obligatory. Spent the evening chatting and picnicing with a French cycle tourer.

South of Ljubljana

Typical village scene repeated many times over

On my way to Croatia the heavens opened. I came to one village near the border and there was heaps of halestones everywhere. Cars covered in thick coats and blankets, presumably to protect them from dents. Trees has been stripped of foliage and shredded leaves lay on the floor. Villagers were wondering around with a bit of a dazed look cleaning up. Very strange was a fridged smoke that poured off the hillside and through the village at waist height. 2 hours before and I would have been caught in quite a nasty situation, although I’m sure I would be granted refuge.

Joined a group of Slovenians for beer and BBQ

Breakfast

Very easy pass from Tarcento in Italy led me to Kobarid in Slovenia, a town famous in WW1 as Italian supply town. The front line astonishingly followed the peaks of a ridge of mountains that form part of the Alps. Krn (2250m) was the scene of many grizzly battles that ran for years in the winter and summer. Casualties numbered in the 100’s of thousands. Its interesting to note how the museums in Italy focus on the logistics, bravery, courage and harsh conditions endured where as the museums in Slovenia portrayed it as an invasion by Italians and Germans who came as liberators, only to find a population who had a different culture and language and didn’t really want them there.

high up on these mountains the Italians and Germans slogged it out with the Austro-Hungarian empire

Kobarid WW1 museum

I now realise what I’ve missed so much in northern Italy, its meadows. My route can be described as Alpine meadow where farmers hang the freshly cut grass on wooden racks to dry in the sun. I love the name of the tiny two stroke tractors that are used for general farm duties, ‘Hamster’.

This river had my name on it. Although it as a warm day, the waters were glacial. I didn't stay for long after that!

Then to Tolmin where I met a mechanical engineer who had moved back to his home area after a much wanted job offer. I was given the low down on places to visit and more importantly, food to try.

Recommended local speciality, Frikka. Chaddark (a mozzarella like cheese), potato, onion omelette. Not the healthy option, but just what I need

WW1 Cemetery

Gorge

A cave that you could just walk into. It was very cold inside.

Gorge

War memorials are common, they often relate to an event the took place right on that spot. This is from WW2

Reminders of the action seen in the past

Beehives in a truck

Wood in, planks out

First lake visited, Bohinjsko jezero. Crystal clear water, swarming with fish and just about warm enough to swim in.