Bovec 3

Today's trip was to the Kluze and Herman Forts and in fact part of the walk was along the path of peace which commemorates the loss of life in this area during World War One on the Soca Front (part of the trail even goes through a bunker tunnel).  But the first part was literally through farms full of cows, sheep but mainly goats. As usual the track signs let me down so had to back track. But really the walking here is superb - great walking through shady, green, forests and views of mountains all around. 

In relation to other things, while I was having dinner the other night a woman came in and asked whether they had wi fi, and then quickly added that they were going to eat there too. I guess for some people it doesn't matter what the food is like as long as they have wi fi. On another night, when predictably I had schnitzel, as a German family was being seated and coming past my table the little girl came over to my table, pointed, and told her mother she knew what she wanted for dinner. Discerning. At that same place, I almost called the waitress over to tell them that they forgot the potatoes before I spotted a a few token slivers on my plate. Must be a potato shortage. Some interesting flavours here: cranberry iced tea and pineapple ice cream. Both very nice.

Photos from today...

Bovec 2

Went up to the mountains today. But I did it the easy way using the Kanin cable car which takes about 30 minutes to get from 460m (Bovec) to the top at 2200m. It's a ski area but, apparently, has great views all round. You can even take a chairlift (pictured) to the Slovenian-Italian border where there are more cable cars/chairlifts. Unfortunately it was foggy, so I didn't go walking higher up. I wandered a bit around but I decided, instead, to take the cable car down to the next station at around 1600m, where it was clear, and walked back to Bovec along forest roads. It probably cleared up the top the moment I set foot on the cable car! It was a very long walk as the road winds down the side of the mountains but there were great views down to Bovec and the Soca river valley. I'll have to go back on a nicer day! Helped out a motor cyclist who was left behind by his friend. At an intersection I pointed the way his friend had gone.

Meanwhile in Bovec. We have some German troublemakers (in their early 20s) staying in the hotel. I knew they were trouble the moment I saw them congregating in the hallway. Last night they arrived at their rooms at about 11.30pm at which point they started an impromptu concert in falsetto voices, giggling, and making funny noises, which appeared to be amusing to them. Then they went out again. Came back after midnight and commenced a conference down the hallway. Then it suddenly stopped and I think everyone went quietly back to their rooms. Somebody probably made their displeasure known. I think they should have stayed in a hostel. The hotel breakfast room/restaurant is very fancy. I think they spent all their money there and didn't have enough left for the rooms. 

The church is not too far from here and they really go for it with their bells at 7am for some reason - lucky that's when I get up.

Photos from today...

Bovec 1

Today's walk was spent visiting some waterfalls, the Virje and Boka Waterfalls (which was lacking a bit of water) - following mainly the Alpe-Adria trail (a trans European walking path). It was a bit more lumpy than what I expected and I did some unexpected extra walking. The trails are mostly well signed but sometimes, particularly close to Bovec, they get lazy.

When the path went through a camping park/ground (not unusual as they are usually owned by the government, I noticed some drinks being cooled in a nearby stream. On a hotter day it would've been too tempting. Also noticed that the camp got on to the latest band wagon, glamping. This is camp grounds offering overpriced large tents (permanently erected) or tiny log cabins that basically have extra facilities, like proper beds. It's sort of a cheap way to provide accommodation without the building costs. Seeing some of their tents, they seemed better than some hotel rooms I have stayed in.

On the walk met a friendly Slovenian man from the local area who offered me some of the local oval shaped cherries he had picked. I was a bit concerned as he said he thought he picked a poisonous mushroom as well. I ate one and it was OK - it being only slightly sour. If it was poisonous I would have known about it by now. Also saw a woman carrying quite a large child (she was not much bigger than the child) on her back - clearly the child had had enough of this walking thing. She was pretty impressive - was going much faster than me. Only caught up to her when the child had to have a toilet break and by that time I had also caught up to the husband who was also carrying a child on his back, albeit a smaller one.

Photos from today...