More Bled

Thursday 12 September

Have been following the tryst between Mirabella & McGowan with great interest in the electorate of Indi!!!

Woke to a lovely morning but forecast is for not a fine day all day so ‘hopped to it’ to grab some photos while the opportunity presented itself.

Left My Friend asleep and walked the 6 kms around the lake as the sun gradually disappeared. Returned to a Sleepy Friend just out of bed and a huge breakfast at our B&B which will need to be walked off.

So we set off by car (which is falling apart, necessitating a call to Sixt for a replacement) to Vintgar Gorge for the walk through, mainly on boardwalks. Despite weather predictions, the sun was a bit out which brightened things up. The water in the river is of whitewater type and the walk held close to the walls of the gorge and in places criss-crossed over to the other side. It was very nice. Mind you, 4€ each - something we would mostly not pay for in Australia if you think of walks in our local area or the Blue Mountains. Hmmm .. (Don't let our Government know!).

We stopped by a roadside cafe on our way back to Bled and  My Friend had a pivo (beer) and a cava (coffee) for me. There was a suckling pig and chickens cooking in a big metal wood-fired oven outside but unfortunately it wasn't going to be ready for over an hour - not that I was hungry after that breakfast!

On our return, we picked up the bike I had booked to start riding tomorrow. My Friend will take the car. Helia Travel are very nice people to deal with. The bike will be left in Koper, along the coast on the Slovenian side of Trieste where they will pick it up. We are now at Vila Bled, Tito's summer residence, having a Campari spritz.
There are beautiful views from here over the lake to the island and the castle. We have been watching the pletnas (the local equivalent of the Venetian gondola) plying their trade across to the island.

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Had a lovely meal tonight at the restaurant at our pension which is well-regarded here for its good traditional cooking. Good local specialities. I notice deer is on many menus (haven't seen any running around - no wonder, if they are being eaten?)

Wine was good - local, quite good price too - 14€ for a litre (!) - we got half a litre, phew!