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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).

Mureck to Gibina (Mura Trail)

Today was a big day, 70km traversing Slovenia from Austria in the north to the Croatian border in the south (which is the whole of the Mura trail). Because of transport logistics, I had to catch a train to Austria, an early one. However, when I got to the hotel bike storage area I was parked in by a group. I don't know when these groups ride as I have seen no one on my excursions. Anyway I had to remove four bikes to get mine out. My fault as I parked at the back. Anyway I got the train to Austria and then had to go on another one but I had forgotten to get a ticket for the bike. The cleaner at the change over station saw me trying to find the ticket office (only machines) and took me to the back office for help. I don't know how the person there did it but she generated a ticket from her computer to a ticket machine down the hall. The people in this town, Spielfeld-strasse, could not have been kinder or more helpful. I got off at Mureck, close to the Slovenian border, to start my\ride. After a few false leads (i.e I got lost) I got to the border crossing but before then I saw a female police officer giving what for to a few drivers that had done something or another. At the border, the Mura river, no Slovenian border checks only Austrian ones for people coming in. Then there was some nice cycling with little rough gravel roads for a change. Early on it was foggy and cold and later it was sunny for a change with a bit of wind. I am glad I took my long cycling pants. Didn't see much of the actual river as the trail, which followed roads through villages, keeps away from it for good reason. Saw a few locals on bikes and walking. Also saw a large group of kids on bikes. It looked like the whole school was on the excursion. I came back by train - the museum train again - from Ljutomer which is just off the end of the trail.