We knew we were up for another hot day but with predictable waymarking, so we opted for a 6.30am breakfast. It was moderate climbs today through pasture, small villages and on minor roads. Hot condiitions with no water available except at cafes. Walking mainly along a ridge with views to the valley below.
Early breakfast at the hostel.
, 7am start.
Quick exit out of the town of Postojna and into the countryside.
Attractive hamlets along the path.
Sunday worship. Families checking family plots. All immaculate with fresh flowers.
Some walking on the highway but lovely views and mild conditions early in the day.
Mountain views.
Morning coffee at a 2 star hotel and riding school at Grad Prestanek.
Beautiful buildings on the site.
Barn with colourful roofing.
Walking by freshly mown pasture.
A well dated 1863.
Soft forest paths along a ridge with views to valleys below.
A perfect toadstool.
Woodstacking an artform.
Still evidence of the February 2014 ice storm, which devastated this area.
We really appreciated shady paths today as the temperatures increased.
Still plenty of delicious blackberries to sample along the way.
Underneath the railway bridge. Much of the construction in this area is of limestone.
Pride in gardens and properties.
Midday. The promise of refreshments and a rest.
A bar in Kal. No food so beer and ice cream had to suffice.
Travelling well. Feeling fit and thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Geraniums out of the bar window.
Flowers cascading out of window boxes everywhere.
We took the road for the final stretch.
Our divine accommodation for tonight. Restaurant, bar and several levels of rooms. We have
a section of the hotel with 2 rooms (with multiple single beds), a bathroom and verandah for relaxing and drying our clothes. Our generous hosts are Slepca and Istok.
Fresh white linen and air con.
Picturesque verandah.
Exquisite lunch and dinner.
The little church a few steps from our hostel.
I was wandering around the church when a fellow approached me and asked whether we'd like to have a look inside. He went to collect the key - the original key from 1654 when the church was built.
A young stonemason built it in 5 years and then died of the Black Death.
Branko had made it his mission to restore much of the woodwork. Some of the artwork has been sent away for professional restoration. The church is dedicated to Mary Who Visits Us.
Branko has made this ceramic replicas of the church. He gave one to Emma on behalf of us all. The rest of us were conscious of carrying extra weight in our packs!
We could just give him one of our gold kangaroo pins in return.
M&M
PS further to the story of the cute creature we discovered a few days ago. It is a Nutria, an import from South America for its fur. Unfortunately it doesn't stay that size for long but balloons into the dimensions of a large cat and propagates like rabbits and cane toads and has become vermin, endangering native populations and crops.
1 comment:
Your pics are really fabulous
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