JUNE 2014 : EASTERN EUROPE : Slovenian Walk : Day 3 : Sajevce via Predjama Castle to Hudicevec ( 3 hours)

                            

                                                    

Day 3 : Sajevce (10 mins in car to Landol) - 45 min walk to Predjama Castle - 3 hour walk to Hudicevec

Weather : cool, light showers, 19o

                                     

                                                     

                Breakfast at Tourist Farm Dolenc with all the eerie atmosphere of family trophies

       

                                              

      Boris and Ivanka Dolenc - so proud of their farm produce, including blueberry grappa

        

                                         

    Boris dropped us off in the ancient village of Landol, which was responsible for collecting tolls from carters in medieval times. it was a 45 minute walk to our destination. The limestone cliffs in the distance.

          

                                      

The caves in these cliffs have been inhabited for centuries and they have found evidence dating back to the Late Stone Age.

                                         

      

                                                       

Set 123 metres high into a cavern in the cliff is Predjama Castle, originally built in the twelfth century and developed through the ages as a functioning residence with drawbridges for protection. Note the jousting course in its grounds. www.postojnska-jams.eu

                                        

In  1990 a restoration program was begun and many of the castle rooms have been rendered and lined with attractive timbers.

                                      

                               Some of the weapons of torture - always my favourite section

       

                                     

       There are also vantage points from some of the caves connected to the castle. The cave network behind the castle is 140m deep. Only 13km have been explored so far.

                                      

                                                  

A cool day for our pleasant walk through forest paths, wild flowers. It was a bit more undulating and we didn't get lost once!

      

                                      

        Quiet villages - where is everyone? - with the most beautiful gardens, roses abound.

         

                                           

We are now moving out of the storm damaged area. Green pasture and dense forests. Timber is a big industry in Slovenia, with heavy international investment from surrounding countries. The mountain in the background is Mt Nanos, with communication towers on peak, which was bombed several times in the 1990s during the Yugoslavian disputes.

                               

                                 

                                  

                                                 

                         Acres of windflowers and wild strawberries, tiny and delicious.

      

                                     

Small villages always so appealing, with traditional architecture and we are seeing more livestock. Cattle are mainly kept indoors and only in the fields for a few hours a day.

      

                                       

     Tonight we are staying at Turisticna Kmetija Hudicevec. www.hudicevec.com

It is a large operation with big restaurant, separate accommodation wing, farm, animals and large grounds set up for holiday makers.

M&M

16/6/2014