Settling into the Tour

Slovenia, 8th August 2023 in Predjana

I have experienced a lot since the last report. On the 5th of August, after the thunderstorm, I continued on my way. I was alone until the town of Lipica. In Lipica, the route took me past the largest Lipizzaner stud farm in the world. There were people there who, like me, were photographing the horses. About 1 hour before reaching my destination, I asked for accommodation. A friendly innkeeper made phone calls in the area and finally found a hotel in the town where he also lives. He first tried cheaper guesthouses until he asked me if it was okay for me to stay in a more expensive hotel, which I find very nice of him! The hotel then cost 90 euros, including a rich breakfast. The hotel was very clean and really good! The town was called Divača. I also met people from Varen at the same hotel, who were making a stopover on their way to Croatia.

Sunday, 6th August 2023

Unfortunately, it was raining when I started at the St. Kanzian caves (Slovenian Beatus Caves). All guided tours of these caves were sold out for the day, so I just started walking. This path led me through a lot of undergrowth and an airfield where it was written that only authorized personnel were allowed to enter. However, the hiking signs led through this area and there were no planes or people around. On this stage, I was caught in a heavy thunderstorm but found shelter in a haystack shed, although I had to change my clothes. The sun didn't shine for long and it rained again with thunder rumbling in the background. So I reached the destination Razdrto more or less dry. Just arrived at the Eko Turizem "Hudičevec" (disguised devil), the next thunderstorm started. My shoes dried overnight in the heating! On the way, I received the news of the birth of Yara, the daughter of Andrea and Jan. Good food and sleep!

Monday, 7th August

Wonderful weather with pure sunshine led the way to the 1262-meter-high mountain Nanos (Plesa). The view was beautiful, overlooking a wide hilly landscape. Then the path was heavily washed out and partly downhill. The markings were also washed out, but luckily I had the route visible on my phone and with GPS! I arrived in Predjama at the cave castle at around 5:00 p.m. There, a certain knight Erasmus von Predjama is said to have played his role or mischief. It is a famous place for tourists from all over the world. The innkeeper told me that on some days, up to 3000 tourists visit.

Tuesday, 8th August 2023

After dinner, overnight stay, breakfast, and provisions for the day, for 80 euros, I continued on. The path was well marked but all on wide gravel roads through the forest. I made good progress and was mostly all alone. Just before reaching my destination in Čirni vrh, a mountain biker from the Slovenian team came rushing towards me and got a flat tire. She walked with me on the path until her father picked her up. It was an interesting company and conversation. She knows the Swiss drivers. She also recommended this accommodation to me, and I was lucky again that there were vacant rooms. The room where I sleep was finished a month ago and is very nice. The place is very quiet and is called "Turistična kmetija Pr 'Mark".