High Country Rail Trail - the return

Hello. As I was unable to go on my Tasmanian walking trip due to the lockdown I decided, now that lockdown is over, to go on a cycling trip from Wodonga back to Bright. Today I rode from Wodonga (got there by bus) to Old Tallangatta and then back to stay at Tallangatta. About  54km. It was very warm! It was a nice trip with views of blue Lake Hume for a lot of the way. You may recall that a couple of years ago I had to abandon this rail trail due to multiple punctures. Today I rode back to where I stopped last time near Old Tallangatta. Tomorrow it’s a slightly longer day via roads and bits of the Beechworth - Yackandandah rail trail that have been completed.

Tallangatta is a nice place but strangely has little accommodation. The place I am staying looked derelict from the outside but inside it has recently been renovated. There wasn’t even anyone here, they just left the key in the door! The fridge is in the bathroom - something different.

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Vrata Valley

See http://mogsblog.home.blog/2019/09/16/vrata-valley/

Kranjska Gora

At Kranjska Gora now, at the opposite side of the country, for more cycling. Weather has improved, but cooler here in the low 20s. I rode about 50km today to Jesenice and back, to pick up the trail I missed last time. Again a few difficulties with missing and ambiguous signs. I managed to rent a mountain bike which is more what I am used to. However, disturbingly, it is squeaking from time to time. It really is an excellent trail through farmland along the old railway line with great views of surrounding mountains. 

Some interesting sights. A man walking along the trail with a fluro orange backpack wearing sandals but with only one long sock. Also a German tourist was wandering around town bare chested, wearing thongs, with a can of beer in his hand. Might be from a very cold part of Germany or he got his directions wrong and thought he was on the coast (he was looking around a lot).

The trip up here by bus and train was interesting. On one bus a person had his leg sticking out into the aisle as people were trying to get on. Someone asked him whether his legs were too long. He mumbled something. The real reason was that he was a knucklehead. Confirmed by the cigarette behind his ear. The buses were also packed with kids coming on and getting off on the way home. More cycling tomorrow!

Pohorje Revisted

It was back to the hills today. There were many more people up there today with the good weather, particularly those looking for mushrooms. I spent some time trying to find the elusive viewing tower, which is not well signed. But it was worth it with great views from the top. The place I had lunch at today has the best marketing with signs directing you to their hotel scattered throughout the bush, including a menu on a tree (see picture). Off to Kranjska Gora tomorrow.

Pohorje

The bike riding has been put on hold for a while, so today was walking. I went up to the Pohorje hills which are only a short bus and cable car ride from Maribor. It’s mainly a skiing area with lots of runs, eating places and accomodation (you can even drive up there).  But there was also plenty of nice forest, views, and a bonus waterfall. I had lunch up there and the restaurant cat actually put its front paws on my knees while I was eating, begging for a feed. It must have particularly liked the dish that I ordered.

I like ice cream but I saw someone eating it at 9am this morning. Breakfast? On the way back I saw somebody with a giant bowl of ice cream. They must have brought their own bowl as I have never seen any shop sell ice cream in that quantity (I haven’t been to America though).