Lake Bled , Slovenia Day 2

Kelly decided that we should hike up to the main viewing point above Lake Bled called Mala Osojnica this morning.

It’s a 684 metre climb through a forest trail. It felt to me that it just went straight up and judging by the puffing faces of the others we passed on the way back down, I was not alone in that view

Just when you think you’re nearly there, there’s a set of stairs that certainly focusses your mind Meg has never seen a set so steep … her descent was a memory to cherish.

Lovely view from the top, but sods law states that clouds must cover the lake when you’re struggling for breath and want to take that famous photo of the view .

Now having a well earned coffee before heading into Bled town for a mooch about and some of their famous cake.

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Well, as you have seen from Gareth’s post, we hiked up to a viewing point this morning. It was very steep from the word Go! And we had to stop a multitude of times for a breather – or was it that the air was getting thin ?.

It’s not a climb for the faint hearted that’s for sure, some parts of the ‘path’ are thin and on an angle challenging you not to slip down the hill. Other parts are just ancient tree roots, twisted and knotted, just waiting for the wrong footed. What I’m trying to convey is the need to have your eyes on the path and to make sure every foot you place is a sure one.

Near the top of the climb are some steps, which, on first impressions look like the stairway to heaven! Yes, the middle third are practically vertical. If there wasn’t the very sturdy hand rail to steady yourself, I’ve no doubt you would get vertigo and just drop off the side!

Of course, our four legged companion was having the time of her life – when my heart relaxed enough to let her off the lead. We needn’t have worried at all! She did an excellent impression of a mountain goat let loose for the first time in her life. Only managed to capture part of her performance as I was too busy trying not to make a spectacle of myself on the way down.

She was wary of the steps on the way up and when Gareth took a pic of us she turned round thinking we had given up. She did a lot better coming down, bless her.

The views, as you can see, was worth it.

Anyway, mountain climbed, we stopped for a drink in the lakeside bar which just happens to be attached to the campsite .

Resisting the urge to go back to the van we plumbed for a walk into town. There wasn’t much to see though we did stop for a bit of lunch and had Bled Cake. I can only describe it as a huge custard slice, it was delicious.

Of course, our walk back to the van worked off those calories . 20,000 + steps for us today and Meg is sleeping well so we popped into the campsite restaurant for supper.

After a shared board of Slovenia prosciutto and cheese, Gareth had the Venison goulash and I had pork steak with a gorgonzola crust, on a bed of mash and veg, washed down with a local red wine and a grapefruit radler

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